Uncategorized

Refunds Don’t Have To Be a Nightmare With Square Gift Cards

  • Riley Manning
    by Riley Manning • July 28, 2022

Riley Manning has worked as a travel and entertainment writer for more than 10 years. Today, he writes about unique events and the technology that helps make them happen.

Event ticketing refunds Square gift cards 1

Whether you’re canceling an event or issuing a one-off refund, giving revenue back to the customer is the last thing any event organizer wants to do. Most event ticketing apps don’t make it easy. Apps like Eventbrite use their own internal payment infrastructure, which makes processing refunds a long, drawn-out hassle. As a result, you’re left facing an impatient customer who wants their money. They’ll blame you if they have to wait weeks or months for their refund.

What if you could issue a refund instantly, without actually losing ticket revenue? Square gift cards let you do just that: protect your profits and protect the customer’s experience.

It is almost impossible to foresee all of the situations that may trigger a need to issue a refund from your event ticketing platform. Events can be canceled for any number of causes beyond your control. Some examples include:

  •     Weather incidents
  •     Performer cancellations 
  •     Equipment shortages
  •     Facilities or maintenance issues
  •     Health and safety mandates 
Event ticketing refund 1

These are large-scale incidents that may lead to your event being canceled altogether, resulting in mass refunds. Other instances could arise on the individual level that may cause you to issue a refund. 

Perhaps an event attendee was dissatisfied because of issues with the facility or a negative customer experience. You may also issue a refund in the interest of public health if your policies state that a refund is permitted due to COVID-19 exposure.  

Or you may just have a very liberal policy with ultimate customer flexibility as to event dates, specific event interests, and so on. Whatever the reason, your refund workflow will not only be easier with Square’s gift card integration, but it will also be more customer-forward in orientation. 

And in the end, customer satisfaction with your event ticketing will funnel your current customers toward the future events you promote. 

 Unused Gift Cards (discarded, forgotten, and lost)

When customers receive refunds from the organizer for event tickets, merchandise, concessions, or anything else, can opt to receive their refund in the form of a Square gift card, thanks to SimpleTix’s official partnership with Square. This process is a game-changer in so many ways! This workflow assures:

  •     Ease in refund issuance
  •     Multiple options for spending the refund
  •     Customer retention and loyalty
  •     Detailed reporting for both your financial and marketing records

 Inherent in the gift card structure is one truism that applies to all gift cards: customers often do not spend the money assigned to that specific card.

Thinking back to all of the cards that you received as gifts, how often did you not access the funds on that card, and why was that? Did you not care for the business or service associated with that card? Or was it more like you lost the card, or it sat in your desk drawer for so long that you just assumed it had expired? 

 You are not alone in this experience. While 70% of gift card recipients use the card within six months, according to a recent Bankrate.com poll, more than half of adults have gift cards that they have yet to use. According to one recent study, gift cards account for 55% of the average shopper’s entire annual gifting budget.Last year, the value of those unused gift cards was over 15 billion dollars! 

The main excuses for not using the cards include expired cards, the gift card being lost or the business closed before they had an opportunity to use the card. The longer the owner of the card held on to it, the more likely they were to not use the card. 

 All of this can benefit the event ticketing retailer. When the customer receives a refund from the event organizer, the organizer still gets to hold on to the funds assigned to the card. If a long time passes; so be it. The longer that the recipient holds onto the card, the more likely it is that they will never redeem the gift card value for a future event ticket, merchandise, or concessions. 

Gift card economics demonstrates that the longer the card recipient waits to purchase their next event ticket or concert t-shirt, the less likely they are to spend that money at all. 

Event ticketing refunds Square gift cards 2

Event Ticketing Benefits of Square Gift Cards

There are numerous advantages to issuing refunds with Square gift cards.

  •     They do not expire
  •     Square’s brand recognition is high
  •     Customers trust Square technology and security
  •     The balance on the card can be checked by the customer
  •     Cards can be reloaded with additional funds and reused
  •     Flexibility and versatility to be used at several points of commerce at your event
  •     Easy and convenient to use
  •     Customers can gift tickets and season passes without tying the recipient to the specific date

 Customers love gift cards, so by issuing your refunds with Square gift cards, you can encourage your loyal event attendees to continue transactions with your company. In the end, gift cards are a more environmentally conscious choice, as they can be reused, and not thrown in the landfill. Customers tend to spend more money when using this gift card feature, as they want to “spend down” the balance of the card. This results in larger sales at your concessions and merchandising stations. 

SimpleTix’s event ticketing platform is already enhanced with the flexibility and scalability that you need to execute flawless events. SimpleTix’s relationship with Square allows for instant payouts for your ticket sales, but it comes with so many additional benefits as well. 

SimpleTix’s Square integration allows the event planner to take on-site purchases through the attendees’ preferred method: Apple Pay, Android Pay, chip cards, or even contactless payments. Square gift cards allow customers to gift tickets, tours, and memberships without being tied to a specific date or time. 

Event organizers can also allow ticket holders to receive a refund in the form of a Square gift card, which provides flexibility to not only you but the customer as well. The funds can be used to purchase future event tickets or be spent on merchandising, concessions, parking, or any other expenses or workflows that you might run through your event ticketing platform. 

SimpleTix has offered an affordable, premium event ticketing platform that outperforms Eventbrite and similar apps for over 12 years. Compared to the competition, SimpleTix offers better options at a better price point. To learn more, call us at +1 (855) 550-3670 or email us here.

Latest News

Related Articles

Event ticketing refunds Square gift cards 1
Event Planner

Religious Organizations

  • Aron Kansal
    by Aron Kansal • April 24, 2025

Overview Religious organizations have unique event needs—from weekly services and fundraisers to High Holy Day events. SimpleTix offers a comprehensive, affordable event ticketing system that simplifies registration, integrates online donation options, and enhances communication with your congregation. This lets you focus on your mission while managing events efficiently. Onboarding Process Create Your Account & Connect Your Payment Processor: Sign up for SimpleTix and integrate with Square, Stripe, or Authorize.net. Create Your Event: Enter event details, select ticket types (General Admission, Member, Guest), and add donation options. Customize Your Event Page: Reflect your organization’s branding and mission using logos, images, and compelling narratives. Integrate Communication Tools: Connect Mailchimp to automate email updates and engage your congregation. Download the Organizer App: Use the Organizer app for efficient on-site check-in and sales. Run a Test Event: Validate the complete process before going live. FAQs Can free events be managed? Yes, free events incur only a nominal fee. How do I handle reserved seating for High Holy Days? Use the seating chart designer for accurate seat assignments. How are donations processed? Donations are integrated directly into the ticketing flow. What if an attendee forgets their ticket? Check in attendees manually using the Organizer app.

Event ticketing refunds Square gift cards 1
Inspiration

Comedy Clubs

  • Aron Kansal
    by Aron Kansal • April 24, 2025

Overview Comedy clubs thrive on energy and engagement. SimpleTix provides a ticketing solution that supports both general admission and reserved seating, along with mobile check-in and seamless integration with Square for secure payments. Our system helps you maximize ticket sales and create a hassle-free experience for your audience. Onboarding Process Create Your Account & Connect Square: Sign up for SimpleTix and integrate your Square account. Launch Your Event: Enter show details, choose ticket types (General Admission, Reserved, VIP), and set pricing. Customize Your Event Page: Add your club’s logo, images, performer bios, and special offers. Set Up Promo Codes & Upsells: Create exclusive promo codes and add upsell items like drink packages through Square. Enable Mobile Check-In: Download the Organizer app for efficient on-site ticket scanning. Promote Your Show: Utilize social sharing, QR codes, and email campaigns to drive ticket sales. Run a Test Event: Confirm that the entire process works seamlessly before going live. FAQs Can I offer both reserved and GA tickets? Yes, simply create separate ticket types. How are on-site sales processed? Through the Organizer app with a Square card reader. How do I set up promo codes? Use our platform to create unique codes for discounts. What is the refund process? Refunds are processed directly via SimpleTix.

Event ticketing refunds Square gift cards 1
Event ticketing

Educational Workshops & Seminars

  • Aron Kansal
    by Aron Kansal • April 24, 2025

Overview Educational workshops and seminars demand a system that not only sells tickets but also facilitates learning. SimpleTix supports both in-person and virtual sessions with customizable registration forms, multiple pricing tiers, and seamless Zoom integration—allowing you to focus on delivering impactful educational experiences. Onboarding Process Create Your Account & Connect a Payment Processor: Sign up and integrate with Square or Stripe. (Optional) Connect Your Zoom Account: Enable virtual session integration. Create Your Event: Choose the event type (General Admission for in-person, Online Webinar for virtual) and input event details. Configure Ticketing Options: Set different pricing tiers (e.g., Standard, Student, Early Bird). Customize Registration Forms: Add custom questions to capture detailed attendee information. Integrate Mailchimp: Connect with Mailchimp to automate targeted email campaigns. Promote Your Event: Use social media, QR codes, and website embeds. Download the Organizer App & Run a Test: Ensure the complete setup is smooth before going live. FAQs Can I host hybrid events? Yes, SimpleTix supports both in-person and online sessions. How does Zoom integration work? Connect your Zoom Pro account under Settings > Plugins. Can I offer multiple pricing tiers? Yes, create separate ticket types for each pricing level. How do I handle cancellations? Refunds and cancellations are managed directly through the platform.

Sell More Tickets—More Easily

Attractions, seasonal events, performing arts centers and festivals love SimpleTix because it makes selling tickets… Simple!

GET STARTED FOR FREE