RXBuyer guide

Reward Card Glossary

Use these terms to compare Shopify reward card proposals without confusing a campaign purpose, a card format and an acceptance model.

Instruments and acceptance

These definitions describe categories, not a list of products supplied by Reward Cards X.

Reward card: A card provided as a benefit under an offer or program; its actual use depends on its terms.
Virtual card: A card accessed digitally rather than through a physical card.
Physical card: A tangible card delivered to its recipient.
Open-loop: An acceptance model allowing use with multiple merchants under the relevant network and program conditions.
Closed-loop: An acceptance model limited to a defined merchant or group.
Gift card: Value provided under gift card terms, which may be purchased as a gift or used in a promotion.
Store credit: Value associated with a customer for use with the store under applicable conditions.
Loyalty points: Units earned and redeemed under the rules of a loyalty program.

Keep the promotional decision distinct from the card-use conditions.

Eligible order: An order that satisfies the stated promotional conditions.
Rebate: A benefit returning part of a purchase cost after the applicable conditions are met, distinct from an immediate discount.
Discount: A reduction in the price applied when its conditions are met.
Refund: A return of payment in connection with an order, distinct from a promotional reward.
Recipient: The person intended to receive the reward.
Issuer: The entity identified as issuing the card in its governing documents.

Use these labels in a brief so facts and unresolved questions are not mixed.

Requirement: An outcome or condition the proposed program must meet.
Evidence: Material that supports a specific claim within a stated scope.
Assumption: An unconfirmed condition used for planning and still requiring verification.
Dependency: A prerequisite that must be satisfied for the proposed service to work.
RFP: A request for proposal that describes the need and the response expected from candidates.
Total program cost: The combination of relevant quoted charges and merchant effort under consistent assumptions.