Gift cards in Ancon POS

Overview

Gift cards in Ancon POS function as a payment method that can be sold, loaded, and used directly within the POS system.
They can be physical (with a magnetic strip or printed code) or digital (sent via email, SMS, or printed with a QR code on the receipt).
The system manages all gift cards automatically and links them to your sales data.

1. Enable the gift card feature

Before you begin, you need to ensure that the feature is enabled in the POS:

  1. Click the gear icon (Settings) in the top-left corner.

  2. Go to POS Settings.

  3. Find Gift Cards in the list of action buttons.

  4. Drag it to an empty slot in your Action Bar to enable the button.

💡 If the button isn’t visible, contact your administrator to ensure that the gift card integration is active.

2. Selling a gift card

Step by step

  1. Go to Bar mode in POS.

  2. Click Gift Cards (may be located under Alternative Payments).

  3. Select the Sell option.

  4. Enter the amount the customer wants to load onto the card.

Link card number

You can link a card number in two ways:

  • Link a physical card via the printer
    Swipe the card in the USB-connected MSR or Star reader. The card will then automatically receive a unique number.

  • Enter card number manually
    For digital or receipt-based gift cards, you can enter a specific number yourself or let POS generate one automatically.

Choose how the card will be handed to the customer

Once the card is loaded, choose how the customer should receive it. You have three options:

  1. Print a QR code on the receipt – the customer shows the code the next time they check out.

  2. Send via SMS – the customer receives a link with a QR code.

  3. Send via email – same principle as SMS, but sent to the customer’s email address.

Once you’ve selected the sharing method, click Add to receipt.
The gift card is then added as a separate item on the receipt. You can then continue adding products or proceed directly to payment.

3. Accept payment with a gift card

To use a gift card as a payment method:

  1. Open the bill to be paid.

  2. Click Gift Card in your action bar.

  3. Select the Use or Redeem option.

  4. Scan the gift card’s QR code or swipe the physical card through the reader. You can also enter the card number manually.

  5. The system automatically checks the balance.

  6. If the balance is sufficient, the full amount will be charged; otherwise, you can combine the payment with another payment method.

Once the payment is complete, the card’s balance is updated immediately in the system.

4. Manage and search for gift cards

To view and manage existing gift cards:

  1. Click Gift Cards in the action bar.

  2. Select Manage.

You will now see an overview of all sold gift cards, including:

  • Gift card number

  • Status

  • Sales date

  • Expiration date

  • Current balance

You can sort the list by clicking on the column headers.

Search for a specific card

  • Scan: Use a QR code reader or card reader to find the right card.

  • Search manually: Enter the card number in the “Search by Gift Card ID” field.

When you select a card, detailed information appears in the panel on the right, including purchase history and transactions.

5. Administrative Actions

From the card’s detail view, you can:

  • Resend – resend a digital gift card via SMS or email.

  • Change validity period – extend or update the expiration date.

  • View history – review when and how the card has been used.


FAQ