When it comes to choosing the right card for your program, the first and most important decision is this: Single Load or Reloadable?
Prepaid cards have become one of the most versatile tools in an organisation’s rewards and payments toolkit. Whether you’re recognising high-performing employees, running a cashback promotion for customers, or distributing funds to employees or customers, a prepaid card is simple, efficient and can be branded to hero your business.
In this guide, we break down both card types, explore their ideal use cases and help you make the right call for your business.
First, what’s the difference?
Single Load Prepaid Cards
Loaded once with a fixed value, then issued to the recipient. Once spent, the card is done. Best for:
- One-off promotions
- Spot bonuses
- Insurance or refund disbursements
- Event giveaways and prizes
Reloadable Prepaid Cards
Topped up over time, giving recipients a card they can use again and again. Best for:
- Ongoing employee rewards
- Regular customer cashback
- Contractor or gig-worker payments
- Sales channel incentives
Use Case Deep Dive
1. Employee Rewards & Recognition
People perform best when they feel genuinely appreciated. Cash bonuses disappear into the general account and are quickly forgotten. A prepaid card is tangible, timely and memorable. And more so if branded!
Single load cards are ideal for one-off moments of recognition: a work anniversary, a project well done or a sales milestone. Issue the card, load it, done. No ongoing administration required.
Reloadable cards come into their own for ongoing programs — monthly wellness allowances or workplace perks that refresh on a regular cycle. Employees keep the same branded card; you simply top it up. It builds a habit of recognition that employees genuinely look forward to.
2. Customer Cashback & Loyalty Programs
For customer-facing programs, the choice between single load and reloadable often comes down to whether your campaign is transactional or relational.
Single Load cards are a powerful tool for acquisition and promotional campaigns, such as a cashback offer or a competition prize. Issue a single-load Visa card instantly via SMS or email and your customer has an instantly usable reward that drives immediate spend. No app to download, no sign-up required.
Reloadable cards suit loyalty-first businesses that want to create a long-term relationship. Think subscription services rewarding monthly spend, retailers running ongoing cashback programs, or membership organisations wanting to deliver value to members month after month. The card becomes a piece of your brand that lives in your customer’s mobile wallet.
Did you know? iGoDirect’s proprietary Web-to-Wallet technology means customers can add their True Rewards digital Visa reward card to their Apple or Google Wallet in just a few taps — no plastic, no wait, no friction.
3. Disbursements & Payments
Prepaid cards aren’t just for rewards – they’re increasingly being used as a smarter alternative to bank transfers for disbursements to customers and employees.
Single Load cards are well-suited to one-time payouts: insurance claim settlements, charity distributions, emergency payments, refunds, compensation payments or contractor fees. They’re faster than a bank transfer, more controlled than cash and give the recipient spending flexibility without tying up your finance team.
Reloadable cards work well for businesses that regularly pay the same individuals — casual and gig economy workers, customer loyalty programs, marketing program payouts and survey participants. Instead of managing bank details and running transfers each cycle, administrators simply top up the card through a self-managed portal. It’s efficient, auditable and scalable.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Not sure which to choose? Use this quick-reference guide:
Ready to Build Your Prepaid Card Program?
There’s no universally ‘better’ card — the right choice depends on your program’s purpose, cadence and the experience you want to create for recipients. iGoDirect is here to help you choose the right card for you.
iGoDirect has been designing and delivering prepaid card solutions since 1999. As a licensed Visa card issuer in Australia and New Zealand, we can help you design, deploy and manage a card program from concept to card in hand or digital wallet.