thread Keeping Multiple Vendor Gift Card Balances Linked in Payments Troubleshooting

Keeping Multiple Vendor Gift Card Balances Linked

rtsander — Sat, 20 Sep 2025 07:55:24 GMT

Hello,

I'm trying to utilize the custom GAN feature to use a gift card to multiple square accounts (for example, a franchise where each location is a separate account but I want to enable the gift card to work at every location).

I can easily create the same GAN within each location, but what's the best practice to keep them linked? If a customer uses a gift card at location 1 I want to update the balance to all locations so they can't go to location 2 and use the card again.

Seems like I would need to maybe keep the balances in a centralized database? But if the gift card balance isn't kept within each locations gift card "database" how can I call the centralized database when someone comes in?

Appreciate any guidance here. Just trying to figure out the best way to implement these custom GANs.

Re: Keeping Multiple Vendor Gift Card Balances Linked

frances_a — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 02:22:17 GMT

Hello @rtsander

I see this is your first Community post and I would like to officially welcome you!

Square Gift Cards are associated with the Square account that issued the Gift Card.

Unfortunately, at this time gift cards can't be redeemed or reloaded at a different merchant.

If a Gift Card is purchased at one location, it can be used at a different location as long as all locations are under the same Square account.

In the situation you describe, since multiple Square accounts would be involved, customers would not be able to redeem gift cards at a location other than the one where they purchased the gift card.

Some of our merchants have opted to use third-party gift cards as a workaround.

Additionally, you might want to check our developer forums to see if someone has been able to achieve this goal using our API.

Thank you ✨