Canonical URL: https://giftcard.news/research-trends/tremendous-gift-card-cash-reward-preferences-survey-may-2026/ --- description: Tremendous's reward survey raises a commercial question about convenience, choice and the cost of paying recipients. title: Tremendous survey finds convenience matters in gift card choice image: https://giftcard.news/images/social/v1/tremendous-survey-finds-convenience-matters-gift-card-choice-810626ef2e0dc145cf2ed8e572cdf0e4.jpg --- 1. [Home](https://giftcard.news/) 2. [Research & Trends](https://giftcard.news/research-trends/) # Tremendous survey finds convenience matters in gift card choice Tremendous's reward survey raises a commercial question about convenience, choice and the cost of paying recipients. By [Oliver Reed](https://giftcard.news/author/oliver-reed/) May 26, 2026 4 min read [ Google News ](https://google.com/preferences/source?q=giftcard.news&utm%5Fsource=giftcard.news&utm%5Fcampaign=giftcard.news) Share [ ](https://x.com/intent/post?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgiftcard.news%2Fresearch-trends%2Ftremendous-gift-card-cash-reward-preferences-survey-may-2026%2F%3Futm%5Fsource%3Dx%26utm%5Fmedium%3Dsocial&text=Tremendous+survey+finds+convenience+matters+in+gift+card+choice&utm%5Fsource=giftcard.news&utm%5Fcampaign=giftcard.news "X") [ ](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgiftcard.news%2Fresearch-trends%2Ftremendous-gift-card-cash-reward-preferences-survey-may-2026%2F%3Futm%5Fsource%3Dlinkedin%26utm%5Fmedium%3Dsocial&utm%5Fsource=giftcard.news&utm%5Fcampaign=giftcard.news "LinkedIn") [ ](https://wa.me/?text=Tremendous+survey+finds+convenience+matters+in+gift+card+choice+https%3A%2F%2Fgiftcard.news%2Fresearch-trends%2Ftremendous-gift-card-cash-reward-preferences-survey-may-2026%2F%3Futm%5Fsource%3Dwhatsapp%26utm%5Fmedium%3Dsocial&utm%5Fsource=giftcard.news&utm%5Fcampaign=giftcard.news "WhatsApp") ![Tremendous illustration of people from different age groups holding gift cards](https://giftcard.news/images/variants/v1/small-tremendous-survey-finds-gift-card-appeal-depends-relevance-payout-friction-illustration-w1200.webp) Tremendous illustration accompanying its May 2026 reward-preference survey. Photo: Tremendous [Tremendous](https://giftcard.news/company/tremendous/)'s May 26, 2026 survey suggests that gift card preference can depend on the work involved in claiming a payment, as well as the retailer itself. Monetary options led overall, but respondents described situations in which they would choose a gift card. [\[S01\]](#article-source-1) ## Why the publisher has a stake in the answer Tremendous distributes corporate rewards and payouts. Its published pricing offers gift cards without a sending fee and attributes revenue to partnerships with reward brands. Monetary options can incur fees. The company therefore operates across both sides of the comparison, with commercial arrangements that vary by method. These are its published pricing terms at this review, not prices tested in the survey. [\[S02\]](#article-source-2) The data behind the story ### Tremendous published sending-fee range by route Current October 18 pricing; displayed range endpoints, not customer averages. Published lower endpointPublished upper endpoint percent sending fee Tap or hover for details. Select a series above to show or hide it. Source Tremendous pricing, October 18 Cards are sent at face value; listed monetary routes may incur 4-6%. Route availability and customer terms vary. Separate funding fees, recipient terms and volume discounts are not included. Current pricing is not evidence of the earlier survey-date price or method-level margins. Show data tableHide data table Scroll left or right to see all columns __Tremendous published sending-fee range by route (percent sending fee)__ | Category | Published lower endpoint | Published upper endpoint | | ----------------------------- | ------------------------ | ------------------------ | | Gift cards and prepaid cards | 0 percent sending fee | 0 percent sending fee | | Listed monetary reward routes | 4 percent sending fee | 6 percent sending fee | That makes recipient choice both a product question and an economic one. A programme buyer decides which methods to offer and what delivery cost to absorb. A recipient decides whether the resulting value is useful and accessible. A method that looks inexpensive in a purchasing spreadsheet may still fail if the recipient does not want it. A more flexible payment can also carry a cost the sponsor must justify. The study gives Tremendous a way to argue for offering alternatives within one distribution system. That is a commercial interpretation of its business model, rather than evidence that a particular mix produces more revenue for the company. The publication does not disclose method-level margins or show that survey participants later became customers. ## A familiar retailer and an easier claim are different advantages The data behind the story ### Situations in which respondents would prefer a gift card Reported answers from the May 2026 survey. These are response options, not a partition of the population. Survey respondents % Tap or hover for details. All values are also available in the data table. Source Tremendous original survey 102 U.S. adults aged 18-65; May 2026\. The source does not establish mutually exclusive categories. Do not add the bars or interpret them as market shares. Show data tableHide data table Scroll left or right to see all columns __Situations in which respondents would prefer a gift card (%)__ | Category | Survey respondents | | ------------------------------------------------- | ------------------ | | Retailer already used | 48% | | Monetary payout asks for too many account details | 40% | | Would never prefer a gift card | 26% | One reading of the results is that gift cards face two separate tests. The brand has to fit the recipient's spending, and the claim process has to feel worthwhile. Reducing administrative effort could change the second test without changing the first. Conversely, a favourite retailer does not remove a confusing or demanding redemption journey. For a reward sponsor, that distinction affects what a programme is actually buying. The intended return may be a completed research interview, a customer action or participation in an incentive programme. The face value of the reward is only one input. Time spent resolving failed claims also consumes resources, while abandoned rewards may mean the intended exchange never feels complete to the recipient. ## What the evidence can bear The research used 15 multiple-choice questions through [Prolific](https://giftcard.news/company/prolific/) and [SurveyMonkey](https://giftcard.news/company/surveymonkey/). The publication does not provide subgroup sample counts, weighting or confidence intervals. Its percentages describe stated preferences in this sample, not observed redemption or a controlled programme comparison. [\[S01\]](#article-source-1) The participation comparison is also a statement of intent. Respondents rated programmes offering only gift cards or only monetary options on a scale from 1, very unlikely, to 5, very likely. The published age-group means show different answers, but the study did not observe participants enrolling in either programme. [\[S01\]](#article-source-1) The data behind the story ### Stated participation likelihood by reward format and age Mean survey ratings on a 1-to-5 likelihood scale; not enrolment rates. Gift cards onlyMonetary options only mean rating, 1-5 scale Tap or hover for details. Select a series above to show or hide it. Source Tremendous original survey and participation graphic 1 means very unlikely; 5 means very likely. Overall sample102 US adults; subgroup sizes and uncertainty undisclosed. These are stated intentions, not actual enrolment, conversion, retention or a causal reward-format effect. Show data tableHide data table Scroll left or right to see all columns __Stated participation likelihood by reward format and age (mean rating, 1-5 scale)__ | Category | Gift cards only | Monetary options only | | -------- | --------------------------- | --------------------------- | | 18-24 | 3.21 mean rating, 1-5 scale | 4.58 mean rating, 1-5 scale | | 25-34 | 3.14 mean rating, 1-5 scale | 4.71 mean rating, 1-5 scale | | 35-44 | 3.71 mean rating, 1-5 scale | 4.67 mean rating, 1-5 scale | | 45-54 | 3.60 mean rating, 1-5 scale | 4.80 mean rating, 1-5 scale | | 55-65 | 4.10 mean rating, 1-5 scale | 4.60 mean rating, 1-5 scale | In particular, the situations chart’s options should not be read as competing market shares. Someone can find a familiar retailer attractive and also dislike supplying financial details. Nor does a preference for fewer steps establish that required identity or payment checks can be removed. The business implication is a narrower one than a claim that gift cards outperform cash: delivery design belongs in the reward decision. Establishing its financial effect would require actual claim completion, support cost and programme outcomes for comparable recipients. Tremendous's survey identifies questions worth measuring, while leaving that causal and commercial evidence open. ## In this article ### Companies * [Prolific](https://giftcard.news/company/prolific/) * [SurveyMonkey](https://giftcard.news/company/surveymonkey/) * [Tremendous](https://giftcard.news/company/tremendous/) ### Sources and documents * [\[S01\] Reward-preference survey and methodology, May 26, 2026](https://www.tremendous.com/blog/gift-cards-vs-monetary-rewards-age-group-preferences/?utm%5Fsource=giftcard.news&utm%5Fcampaign=giftcard.news) — Tremendous * [\[S02\] Reward delivery pricing and revenue model](https://www.tremendous.com/pricing/?utm%5Fsource=giftcard.news&utm%5Fcampaign=giftcard.news) — Tremendous Share [ ](https://x.com/intent/post?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgiftcard.news%2Fresearch-trends%2Ftremendous-gift-card-cash-reward-preferences-survey-may-2026%2F%3Futm%5Fsource%3Dx%26utm%5Fmedium%3Dsocial&text=Tremendous+survey+finds+convenience+matters+in+gift+card+choice&utm%5Fsource=giftcard.news&utm%5Fcampaign=giftcard.news "X") [ ](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgiftcard.news%2Fresearch-trends%2Ftremendous-gift-card-cash-reward-preferences-survey-may-2026%2F%3Futm%5Fsource%3Dlinkedin%26utm%5Fmedium%3Dsocial&utm%5Fsource=giftcard.news&utm%5Fcampaign=giftcard.news "LinkedIn") [ ](https://wa.me/?text=Tremendous+survey+finds+convenience+matters+in+gift+card+choice+https%3A%2F%2Fgiftcard.news%2Fresearch-trends%2Ftremendous-gift-card-cash-reward-preferences-survey-may-2026%2F%3Futm%5Fsource%3Dwhatsapp%26utm%5Fmedium%3Dsocial&utm%5Fsource=giftcard.news&utm%5Fcampaign=giftcard.news "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 [Research & Trends](https://giftcard.news/research-trends/) News ### [Tremendous referral survey puts gift card choice alongside cash](https://giftcard.news/research-trends/tremendous-referral-rewards-choice-survey-august-2026/) [Oliver Reed](https://giftcard.news/author/oliver-reed/) August 28, 2026 5 min [Research & Trends](https://giftcard.news/research-trends/) News ### [Choice Digital study: 94% value payout choice, but fees and trust shape the decision](https://giftcard.news/research-trends/choice-digital-research-finds-94-of-recipients-say-payout-choice-matters-813acd4d261f/) [Oliver Reed](https://giftcard.news/author/oliver-reed/) August 17, 2026 5 min [Research & Trends](https://giftcard.news/research-trends/) News ### [InComm’s holiday survey puts gift cards first in U.S. purchase plans](https://giftcard.news/research-trends/incomm-2026-holiday-gift-card-purchase-plans/) [Emma Carter](https://giftcard.news/author/emma-carter/) October 21, 2026 5 min ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"NewsMediaOrganization","@id":"https://giftcard.news/#publisher","name":"Gift Card News","url":"https://giftcard.news/","description":"News and analysis covering gift cards, retail, loyalty, rewards and payments worldwide.","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://giftcard.news/icon-512.png","contentUrl":"https://giftcard.news/icon-512.png","width":512,"height":512,"@id":"https://giftcard.news/#logo"},"publishingPrinciples":"https://giftcard.news/editorial-policy/","correctionsPolicy":"https://giftcard.news/editorial-policy/"},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://giftcard.news/#website","url":"https://giftcard.news/","name":"Gift Card News","description":"News and analysis covering gift cards, retail, loyalty, rewards and payments worldwide.","inLanguage":"en","publisher":{"@id":"https://giftcard.news/#publisher"},"potentialAction":{"@type":"SearchAction","target":"https://giftcard.news/search/?q={search_term_string}","query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://giftcard.news/author/oliver-reed/#person","name":"Oliver Reed","url":"https://giftcard.news/author/oliver-reed/","description":"Oliver Reed covers industry acquisitions, investment and market research for Gift Card News.","jobTitle":"Journalist — Industry Deals & Research","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://giftcard.news/images/oliver-reed-editorial-portrait.webp","contentUrl":"https://giftcard.news/images/oliver-reed-editorial-portrait.webp","width":1254,"height":1254,"caption":"Illustrated portrait representing the Oliver Reed editorial profile.","@id":"https://giftcard.news/images/oliver-reed-editorial-portrait.webp#image","encodingFormat":"image/webp","description":"Illustrated portrait for Oliver Reed, Gift Card News","creditText":"Gift Card News / AI-generated illustration"}},{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://giftcard.news/images/small-tremendous-survey-finds-gift-card-appeal-depends-relevance-payout-friction-illustration.webp","contentUrl":"https://giftcard.news/images/small-tremendous-survey-finds-gift-card-appeal-depends-relevance-payout-friction-illustration.webp","width":1200,"height":929,"caption":"Tremendous illustration accompanying its May 2026 reward-preference survey.","@id":"https://giftcard.news/images/small-tremendous-survey-finds-gift-card-appeal-depends-relevance-payout-friction-illustration.webp#image","encodingFormat":"image/webp","description":"Tremendous illustration of people from different age groups holding gift cards","creditText":"Tremendous","isBasedOn":"https://www.tremendous.com/blog/gift-cards-vs-monetary-rewards-age-group-preferences/"},{"@type":"Dataset","@id":"https://giftcard.news/research-trends/tremendous-gift-card-cash-reward-preferences-survey-may-2026/#dataset","url":"https://giftcard.news/research-trends/tremendous-gift-card-cash-reward-preferences-survey-may-2026/","name":"Tremendous survey finds convenience matters in gift card choice: figure data","description":"Tabular data for the figures accompanying \"Tremendous survey finds convenience matters in gift card choice\". 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