Settings — Gift Cards

Feature Overview

Gift Cards settings control every aspect of how your Katalyst-powered gift card program operates — from activating the program and setting denominations, to customizing card cover images and configuring email confirmations. When configured correctly, guests can purchase gift cards online or in person, and your staff can redeem them seamlessly through the POS.

How It Affects the System

• Activating or deactivating the Gift Card Program Status controls whether gift cards can be sold and redeemed restaurant-wide. Deactivating the program removes the gift card payment option from both the POS and online ordering immediately.
• Gift Card Types defines the format of cards available (physical, digital, or both). This determines the ordering options presented to customers.
• Gift Card Values sets the preset denominations guests can choose from when purchasing a gift card. Custom amounts may also be enabled or restricted here.
• Gift Card Program Taxes links specific tax categories to gift card sales, ensuring accurate tax reporting for gift card transactions.
• Email Confirmation Settings controls whether customers receive a confirmation email when purchasing a digital gift card, and lets you customize the message body.
• Gift Card Covers are the visual designs guests see when purchasing digital gift cards. You can upload multiple cover images for customers to choose from.
• Individual Restaurant Settings contains location-specific overrides that apply only to this restaurant if you operate as part of a multi-location group.
• Gift Card Links provides the direct purchase URL and any embeddable widget code for placing the gift card store on your website.

Prerequisites / Requirements

• The Gift Card program must be activated for your Katalyst account. If the program is not active, the page will show "Gift Card program not active — Please contact support to activate."
• Restaurant edit or view permissions are required.

Step-by-Step Guide

Checking Program Status

1. Navigate to Settings > Gift Cards.
2. The Program Status section at the top shows whether the gift card program is currently active.
3. Toggle the status switch to enable or disable the program.

Setting Gift Card Denominations

1. In the Gift Card Values section, review the list of preset amounts.
2. To add a new denomination, click the + Add button and enter the amount.
3. To remove a denomination, click the delete icon next to it.
4. Changes apply immediately.

Uploading Gift Card Cover Images

1. Scroll to the Gift Card Covers section.
2. Click the dashed upload area or drag an image file into it to add a new cover design.
3. Uploaded covers will display as thumbnail previews. Guests will see these options when purchasing.
4. To remove a cover, click the delete icon on the thumbnail.

Configuring Email Confirmations

1. In the Email Confirmation Settings section, toggle email confirmations on or off.
2. If enabled, customize the message text that guests receive after purchasing a gift card.
3. Changes save automatically.

Getting the Gift Card Purchase Link

1. Scroll to the Gift Card Links section.
2. Copy the direct purchase URL to share with guests.
3. If an embeddable widget is available, copy the embed code and paste it into your website's HTML.

Common Troubleshooting / FAQs

Q: The Gift Cards page shows "Gift Card program not active — Please contact support to activate." This means the gift card feature has not yet been turned on for your Katalyst account. Contact Katalyst support to request activation. Once enabled, all configuration options will become available.

Q: A guest says their gift card was declined at the POS even though it has a balance. First, verify that the Gift Card Program Status is set to active in Settings > Gift Cards. If the program is active, check the gift card number by looking it up in Reports > Gift Cards to confirm the balance. If the card shows a balance but is still being declined, contact Katalyst support for further assistance.