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InnQuest Gift Cards

InnQuest Gift Cards can be loaded or used as a form of payment to close checks in iQ-POS. Make sure the InnQuest Gift Card System is configured in both roomMaster and iQ-POS before trying to load gift cards or accepting them as a form of payment. While loading cards is like a regular point of sale transaction, closing checks with InnQuest Gift Cards is similar to using credit cards with the Credit Card Processing Interface. The biggest difference is Gift Cards cannot be swiped from the terminal screen. The F4 - Payment/Print must be used to access the Gift Card Payment option.

Loading InnQuest Gift Cards

Loading InnQuest Gift Cards is the same process regardless of whether the Restaurant Mode option is checked or not. Use the following steps to load a Gift Card:

  1. Open a new check
  2. Press F4 - Payment/Print.
  3. Press Gift Card Load.
  4. Enter the amount to be loaded to the Gift Card and press OK.
  5. Swipe the InnQuest Gift Card to load it. Gift Card Load appears as an item in the window.
  6. Post the payment for the gift card.
  7. Select Yes to close the check and finish the sale.

Note: If in Restaurant Mode and a credit card is used to purchase the gift card, use the Charge Card Now (No Tip/Authorization) when charging the card.

A receipt will print showing the amount added to the gift card.

Using InnQuest Gift Cards in a Gift Shop/Quick Serve Environment

A Gift Shop (Retail)/Quick Serve restaurant environment means the check is closed immediately without putting it on hold. An ice cream stand would be an example of a quick serve restaurant environment. In iQ-POS, the Restaurant Mode option should be unchecked. To close checks using InnQuest Gift Cards, use the following steps:

  1. Enter the items to be purchased.
  2. Press F4 - Payment/Print.
  3. Press Gift Card Payment. The total of the check is entered by default.
  4. Press OK.
  5. Swipe the InnQuest Gift Card.
  6. Select Yes to close the check and finish the sale.

Note: The amount used from a gift card should never be more than the total amount of the check, allowing change to be given back to the guest. For example, If a guest uses a $20 gift card to pay for $8 worth of items, the $12 balance simply remains on the card. Never post the $20 from the card and return the difference to the guest in cash.

A receipt will print showing the balance remaining on the gift card.

Using InnQuest Gift Cards in a Restaurant Environment

Different from a Gift Shop or Quick Serve environment, in a restaurant environment, items are entered on to a check and then the check is placed on hold. When the guest is ready, the check is printed and then presented to the guest for payment.

Using a Gift Card for Full Payment​

After the check has been presented to the guest, they have presented an InnQuest Gift Card to pay. Use the following steps to process the payment:

  1. Recall the held check.
  2. Press F4 - Payment/Print.
  3. Press Gift Card Payment.
  4. Press Present Card Receipt (Authorize).
  5. Press Authorize for Remaining Amount
  6. Swipe the InnQuest Gift Card to get authorization for the card.
  7. Press Hold/Recall to place the check back on hold.
  8. Return to the guest with the Authorization Receipt for the guest add a tip and sign.
  9. Recall the held check
  10. Press F4 - Payment/Print
  11. Press Gift Card Payment.
  12. Press Confirm/Close Check
  13. Add the tip amount and press OK
  14. Select Yes to close the check and finish the sale.

A receipt will print showing the balance remaining on the gift card.

Using a Gift Card with a Multiple Card Payment​

An InnQuest Gift Card can be used as payment when the amount of the check is to be split. For example, if a check is being split by two guests, one with a gift card and the other with a credit card. Use steps 1 through 6 as above to get an authorization on any InnQuest Gift Cards and/or any credit cards being used by the guests. For step 3 press the appropriate payment type, Gift Card Payment, Visa/MC, Amex, etc. It is VERY IMPORTANT to get an authorization on each credit or gift card being used to pay the check BEFORE closing the check. After the authorizations are complete and the guests have added a tip and signed their respective cards, use steps 7 through 13 from above to apply payments. When the Confirm/Close option is selected, the screen will display up to three authorizations, depending on the number of cards being used to pay for the check. Make sure to select the proper card to apply the tip to then press OK to apply the final payment.

Note: iQ-POS will only display 3 pre-authorized cards at one time, however there is no limit to how many credit or gift cards can be pre-authorized on a check. As one pre-authorization is settled, the next one will be displayed. If a guest decides to pay with a card in the middle of the meal, you will not be able to Confirm/Close Check until the end of the meal when all guest are ready to finalize the check, so simply pre-authorize the credit card and hold that receipt until the end of the meal and finalize with the rest of the payments.

A receipt will print showing the balance remaining on the gift card.

Using a Gift Card as a Partial Payment​

A Gift Card can also be used as partial payment for a check. For example, a guest may use a $50 gift card to partially pay for a $75 dollar dinner. In this case, after recalling the check and pressing F4 - Payment/Print, then Gift Card Payment, select Charge Card Now (No Tip/Authorization). Enter the amount to be applied to the gift card, $50 in the example. Press OK and the amount will be processed. This can be done any time before closing the check. Close the balance of the check to whatever other form of payment the guest is using the pay the balance, cash, credit card, bill to room, etc.

A receipt will print showing the balance remaining on the gift card.

Click here for information on using Promotional Cards in iQ-POS