Runa urged employee recognition platforms to offer prepaid Visa cards alongside retailer gift cards in a May 27, 2026 commentary. It argued that the size of a brand catalogue does not, by itself, resolve whether employees can use a reward where they want.

The company contrasted a retailer-specific reward with a digital prepaid card that can be used at merchants accepting Visa. Its argument centred on recipient choice and the time between receiving recognition and being able to spend the reward.

Runa did not propose removing branded gift cards. It described selected brands as potentially appropriate for significant milestones or seasonal gifts, while recommending that recipients have access to both reward formats.

Integration was the operational issue at the centre of the piece. Runa said its infrastructure could deliver gift cards and Runa Reward Cards through one API, dashboard and payout process, avoiding the separate systems that some platforms use for different reward types.

The company also cited Gallup research associating strong recognition with a lower likelihood of employees leaving over two years. That reference concerned recognition practices; it was not a measured retention result for Runa’s prepaid cards.

The commentary framed reward usability as a product design decision for engagement platforms. It presented Runa’s approach and recommendations without announcing a new employer rollout or reporting results from a named recognition programme.