Canonical URL: https://giftcard.news/gift-cards/understanding-the-economics-of-gift-cards-to-optimize-incentive-programs-25ef372dab4e/ --- description: TruCentive compares refundable and non-refundable delivery models and recommends tracking claims, reminders and unused reward funds. title: TruCentive: Comparing Unclaimed Gift Card Funds and Delivery Fees image: https://giftcard.news/images/social/v1/trucentive-comparing-unclaimed-gift-card-funds-delivery-fees-7cd57ca96e7ba41d1d788bab1c937d78.jpg --- 1. [Home](https://giftcard.news/) 2. [Gift Cards](https://giftcard.news/gift-cards/) # TruCentive: Comparing Unclaimed Gift Card Funds and Delivery Fees TruCentive compares refundable and non-refundable delivery models and recommends tracking claims, reminders and unused reward funds. By [Oliver Reed](https://giftcard.news/author/oliver-reed/) January 29, 2025 2 min read Share [ ](https://x.com/intent/post?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgiftcard.news%2Fgift-cards%2Funderstanding-the-economics-of-gift-cards-to-optimize-incentive-programs-25ef372dab4e%2F%3Futm%5Fsource%3Dx%26utm%5Fmedium%3Dsocial&text=TruCentive%3A%20Comparing%20Unclaimed%20Gift%20Card%20Funds%20and%20Delivery%20Fees "X") [ ](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgiftcard.news%2Fgift-cards%2Funderstanding-the-economics-of-gift-cards-to-optimize-incentive-programs-25ef372dab4e%2F%3Futm%5Fsource%3Dlinkedin%26utm%5Fmedium%3Dsocial "LinkedIn") [ ](https://wa.me/?text=TruCentive%3A%20Comparing%20Unclaimed%20Gift%20Card%20Funds%20and%20Delivery%20Fees%20https%3A%2F%2Fgiftcard.news%2Fgift-cards%2Funderstanding-the-economics-of-gift-cards-to-optimize-incentive-programs-25ef372dab4e%2F%3Futm%5Fsource%3Dwhatsapp%26utm%5Fmedium%3Dsocial "WhatsApp") ![Source image for Understanding the Economics of Gift Cards to Optimize Incentive Programs](https://giftcard.news/images/variants/v1/trucentive-comparing-unclaimed-gift-card-funds-delivery-fees-source-image-understanding-economics-w1280.webp) Photo: Source: trucentive.com [TruCentive](https://giftcard.news/company/trucentive/) is urging incentive buyers to examine what happens to funds when a recipient never claims a reward. Its January 2025 article compares delivery arrangements that return unclaimed funds with those that do not. The company argues that sending an email is not the same as delivering a useful reward: messages can be overlooked or filtered, and the available choices may not appeal to the recipient. It recommends asking providers for visibility of claim rates and outstanding balances. ## Refundable incentives and delivery fees Under the refundable approach described by TruCentive, unclaimed funds return to the sender after a defined date or period, while a separate delivery fee covers the service. In the alternative model it discusses, the sender does not recover that unused value. The article uses a 77% claim rate to illustrate the impact of the commercial terms. In that example, 23% of issued value remains unclaimed; TruCentive contrasts that amount with the delivery fee in its refundable model. Those illustrative figures do not describe the total cost of every gift card program. ## Reward claim rates and reminders To improve uptake, the company recommends reminders, suitable delivery channels and a choice of rewards. It also advises reviewing claim patterns and provider terms before allocating further incentive budgets. The distinction matters both financially and operationally, TruCentive says: an unclaimed reward has not reached the intended recipient, even if the sender’s distribution process is complete. Its guidance focuses on measuring that outcome and making the treatment of unused funds explicit. ## Sources and documents ExpandCollapse * [The Real Economics of Gift Cards](https://trucentive.com/2025/01/29/the-real-economics-of-gift-cards/?utm%5Fsource=giftcard.news) — trucentive.com ## In this article ### Companies * [TruCentive](https://giftcard.news/company/trucentive/) Share [ ](https://x.com/intent/post?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgiftcard.news%2Fgift-cards%2Funderstanding-the-economics-of-gift-cards-to-optimize-incentive-programs-25ef372dab4e%2F%3Futm%5Fsource%3Dx%26utm%5Fmedium%3Dsocial&text=TruCentive%3A%20Comparing%20Unclaimed%20Gift%20Card%20Funds%20and%20Delivery%20Fees "X") [ ](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgiftcard.news%2Fgift-cards%2Funderstanding-the-economics-of-gift-cards-to-optimize-incentive-programs-25ef372dab4e%2F%3Futm%5Fsource%3Dlinkedin%26utm%5Fmedium%3Dsocial "LinkedIn") [ ](https://wa.me/?text=TruCentive%3A%20Comparing%20Unclaimed%20Gift%20Card%20Funds%20and%20Delivery%20Fees%20https%3A%2F%2Fgiftcard.news%2Fgift-cards%2Funderstanding-the-economics-of-gift-cards-to-optimize-incentive-programs-25ef372dab4e%2F%3Futm%5Fsource%3Dwhatsapp%26utm%5Fmedium%3Dsocial "WhatsApp") ![Portrait of Oliver Reed](https://giftcard.news/images/variants/v1/oliver-reed-editorial-portrait-w320.webp) About the author ## [Oliver Reed](https://giftcard.news/author/oliver-reed/) Journalist — Industry Deals & Research Oliver Reed covers industry acquisitions, investment and market research for Gift Card News. From reading to building ## Your next move in gift cards. Tell us what you’re building. We’ll help you explore suitable providers. [Find a provider ](https://giftcard.news/find-a-provider/) ## Related articles [Gift Cards](https://giftcard.news/gift-cards/) News ### [FareHarbor connects Factor4 gift cards to its online booking checkout](https://giftcard.news/gift-cards/fareharbor-factor4-gift-cards-online-booking-checkout/) [Suzie Elis](https://giftcard.news/author/suzie-elis/) September 17, 2026 2 min [Gift Cards](https://giftcard.news/gift-cards/) News ### [Tillo Powers Military Connect’s Discounted Digital Gift Card Programme](https://giftcard.news/gift-cards/tillo-military-connect-discounted-digital-gift-cards/) [Suzie Elis](https://giftcard.news/author/suzie-elis/) September 15, 2026 2 min [Gift Cards](https://giftcard.news/gift-cards/) News ### [Kohl’s expands Babies R Us shops and adds lower-priced baby gifts](https://giftcard.news/gift-cards/kohl-s-expands-babies-r-us-shops-and-adds-lower-priced-baby-gifts-8327d70bb56c/) [Emma Carter](https://giftcard.news/author/emma-carter/) September 14, 2026 2 min 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