FAQ

What are Visa Incentive cards?

Visa Incentive cards are prepaid cards that can be used at millions of locations where Visa debit cards are accepted. They offer an innovative way to reward employees, partners, and distributors, and recognize loyal customers. Because Visa Incentive cards are prepaid, spending is limited to the amount of money placed on the card. Each time the card is used, the purchase amount is automatically deducted from the card balance.

Are Visa Incentive cards different from Visa Gift cards?

Yes. Visa Incentive cards are always funded by a corporation, while Visa Gift cards may be purchased by a consumer. However, some small businesses may use Visa Gift cards to offer incentives to employees. Visa Gift cards are not reloadable, but Visa Incentive cards can be reloadable.

What types of applications do Visa Incentive cards support?

Visa Incentive cards are a versatile way to offer incentives to employees, partners, consumers and customers. For employee incentives and reward programs, cards can be used for performance recognition, holiday bonus, SPIF, and safety awards. In addition, Visa Incentive cards can be used as trade incentives for distributors, vendors or third party sales channels, and for consumer rebates and promotions. Promotions can be one-time or recurring, including new product trials, event giveaways, coupons, discounts, contests/sweepstakes, door prizes, corporate gifts, and loyalty award payments.

Can the same card be used for any program, such as a consumer promotion and an employee incentive program?

Yes. Although your business may need to tailor certain aspects of the program, such as cardholder terms and conditions that address specific legal or operational requirements, the same card can be used to support multiple incentive programs.

How can my corporation benefit from using Visa Incentive cards?

Visa Incentive cards offer your company an efficient, economical, flexible, and easy-to-administer alternative to traditional incentive programs.

How do recipients benefit from Visa Incentive cards?

Visa Incentive cards provide the recipient with shopping flexibility, choice, convenience and immediate, easy use. They work like all other Visa–branded debit cards, so recipients can purchase whatever they want anywhere Visa debit cards are accepted, without the inconvenience of having to cash a check or complete additional steps in the fulfillment process.

Can Visa Incentive cards be distributed outside of the United States?

Although Visa Incentive cards cannot be issued outside the United States, some can be used outside the country. If the card states "Valid only in the United States" on the front, the provider has issued a Domestic Use Only card. Such cards should not be accepted at locations outside of the United States.

Is it possible to put my company's name and logo on the face of Visa Incentive cards?

Many card design customization options are available. Please check with the individual card providers to learn which options are available.

Is it necessary to provide a name for each Visa Incentive card recipient?

Both personalized and non-personalized cards are available. Please check with the individual card providers to determine which option will best fit your program.

What happens if Visa Incentive cards are lost or stolen?

Visa Incentive cards are covered by Visa's Zero Liability policy¹, which protects the cardholder from fraudulent use of a lost or stolen card. Lost or stolen cards will be replaced with no penalty to the cardholder or your company. Upon discovering the loss, the cardholder should immediately notify the provider, who will issue a replacement card containing the remaining balance at the time the card was reported missing.

Can the cardholder overspend the available balance on their Visa Incentive card?

Many merchants cannot access the balance on the card, so it is important that cardholders know the balance before they shop. If the cardholder tries to purchase something that exceeds the value on the card, the transaction will be declined. However, the cardholder may choose to cover the difference with a second payment method. When making the purchase, the cardholder will need to tell the cashier in advance how much to deduct from the Visa Incentive card and how much will be covered through the second payment method.

Learn which merchants can provide your Visa Incentive card balance when making a purchase.

How do I implement a program using Visa Incentive cards?

Contact a participating card provider to learn about their specific offerings, including custom programs.