Preferred Patron compares store credit, gift cards and loyalty rewards

Preferred Patron has outlined different roles for store credit, gift cards and loyalty rewards, recommending that businesses select the mechanism according to the customer action they want to encourage.

In guidance dated May 29, 2026, the provider described store credit as a tool for situations such as service recovery, returns and offers intended to encourage another visit. Gift cards were positioned around gifting, prepaid spending and promotions in which a buyer and recipient may be different people.