After a customer reaches a certain dollar threshold, I would like to gift that customer with a free gift card that would automatically appear in their cart and not charge the customer as it would be reduced to $0.00 automatically. The gift card would need to expire after 6 months (to incentivize the customer to use the card), and then I would like to have reminders sent on a semi regular basis to remind the customer to use the value of the card. I am also open to using the option of discount codes, but this would need to be a seamless process to avoid excess manual labor. Ideally, gift cards would be the route I would like to take here. Looking forward to hearing some great ideas in executing this as I keep hitting dead ends when thinking this through.
Topic summary
A merchant wants to automatically reward customers who reach a spending threshold with free gift cards that:
- Appear in cart at $0 cost
- Expire after 6 months
- Trigger periodic reminder emails
Key technical considerations:
Gift Card API Limitations:
- Shopify’s native gift card API is only available for Shopify Plus stores
- Non-Plus stores may need to use “store credit” alternatives tracked via customer metafields
Suggested Solutions:
- Rise.AI - Can issue gift cards via email based on conditions, with Shopify Flow template support
- Mechanic automation - Can handle store credit through order editing and discount application
- BOGOS app - Offers threshold-based gift card rewards that auto-add to cart (now has a lifetime free plan)
Implementation challenges:
- Auto-adding items to cart requires theme customization (JavaScript)
- Gift cards are treated as cash in Shopify, adding complexity
- Draft Order API must be enabled for some solutions
The BOGOS app appears to be the most turnkey solution, automatically adding gift cards at checkout when spending thresholds are met and sending them via email.
Remember in shopify,etc gift-cards may be , or are, treated as cash in various areas.
The complication is auto adding some “thing” to a customers cart on the front end.
While you might be able to find reward programs to issue the gift-card based on conditions and maybe send the email too; there will probably still be a need for a theme customization to add a “free” item to the cart representing the gift-card/reward. See the gift-wrapping customization as a starting point to DIY with some javascript experience.
The issuing through email can be done with Rise.AI almost off the shelf.
There is a shopify-flow template similar to this for it as well
https://shopify.com/admin/apps/flow/web/editor/templates/befd554c-7f5d-48b4-a836-7742b4ca9d8c
This should also be doable with usemechanic automation for a gift card or a discount though most the demo scripts revolve around discounts; more advanced it should be able to facilitate store credit through order editing.
https://tasks.mechanic.dev/credit-customers-for-sample-orders
If you need customization services you can contact met. Please provide context: store url, theme name, post url and any further detail. Contact Info in signature.
Good Hunting.
Addendum: the gift card api that a third party solution may need is only available for Shopify Plus stores.
https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-rest/2023-04/resources/gift-card
So external parties for “gift cards” services may make their own product , that is not an internal shopify issued gift-card. Which is why non-plus stores may resort to “store-credit” instead as the concept to use. Which can be as simple as a tracked value in a metafield on customers that is then used in theme customizations, and backend process to either edit order prices or for discounts, etc.
I.e. https://tasks.mechanic.dev/create-a-draft-order-from-the-cart
I was also thinking about it. I gave a call to disney gift card customer service to ask for some guidance on the best way to purchase new gift cards. They were super helpful and explained that ordering online seems to be the easiest and most convenient option. Plus, they mentioned there are often deals or discounts available when you buy directly through their site, so I think I’ll go that route
Hi @Jackdabah
This is Ellie! I saw your question and noticed you already received an answer, but I wanted to contribute an additional suggestion that’s very easy to setup.
You can try the BOGOS app. With BOGOS, you can set a threshold condition, such as “Spend $1,000 to receive a free gift card.” When your high-spending customers check out, the gift card will appear in their cart alongside other products, and Shopify will automatically send it to them via email
Here’s a quick look at how you can set it up in the app:
Also make sure to enable the Draft Order API in BOGOS settings to ensure everything runs smoothly.
If you want to try, install BOGOS app. And for any questions, reply to me here or contact our Live chat support 
Hi everyone, 
please allow me to share a quick update:
BOGOS now has a lifetime FREE PLAN, so you can offer free gift cards to high-spending customers for free from today!
Thank you so much.