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How do I create a gift certificate manually?

Manually Creating Gift Certificates

Gift certificates can be created manually in ReservationKey when a customer contacts you directly, such as by phone or email. These certificates can be customized with the buyer’s and recipient’s details, a personal message, and an amount to be applied toward a future reservation.


Step 1: Open the Gift Certificates Page

  1. Go to the Website tab.
  2. Select Gift Certificates.
  3. Click Create Certificate.

Step 2: Enter Certificate Details

  1. Buyer Information — Enter the buyer’s name, email address, and phone number.
  2. Recipient Message — Enter a personalized message that will appear on the certificate. This message is intended for the recipient.
  3. Amount — Type in the value of the certificate (e.g., 100.00).
  4. Expiration Date — Set an optional expiration date if you wish.

If an email address is entered for the buyer, a confirmation or thank-you email will be automatically sent (depending on your settings).


Step 3: Mark Payment as Received

Once the buyer’s payment has been processed (e.g., via credit card or cash), make sure to mark the gift certificate as Payment Received. This ensures that the certificate will be valid when the recipient tries to redeem it.

If this step is skipped, the recipient will see an error message saying that the certificate is not valid.


Step 4: Create the Certificate

  1. Click Create Certificate.
  2. After creation, a confirmation screen will display the unique certificate code.

You can click View Certificate to preview the generated certificate.


Step 5: Send the Certificate

To deliver the certificate:

The recipient can then use this certificate code when making a reservation through your booking page.


Example

Buyer NameJane Smith
Recipient MessageHappy Anniversary! We look forward to hosting you soon.
Amount$200.00
Expiration Date12/31/2026
StatusPayment Received

Summary

Manually creating gift certificates is a quick and flexible way to process phone or direct sales. Just enter the buyer details, payment status, and message — then provide the recipient with their certificate link or code for future use.