Virtual Incentives reported a 45% increase in Visa reward issuance in the preceding year in an article published on July 11, 2022. The provider linked the 2021 increase it observed to recipients' ability to choose where to spend a reward.

The company contrasts that flexibility with a card restricted to one merchant. It describes uses ranging from discretionary purchases to everyday expenses, with actual acceptance governed by the particular prepaid product and its terms.

The article also cites Blackhawk Network research in which 75% of consumers said they would select a prepaid card over cash when offered the choice. Virtual Incentives uses that reported preference to support its case for including prepaid options in research and other incentive programmes.

For businesses, the provider highlights customization through logos and recipient messages. Those features allow the employer or programme operator to connect the reward with its own identity while offering a broader spending option.