Dear Merchant,

Vail Chamber and Business Association has implemented a new DISCOVER® gift card program. The gift card will be similar to a credit card and is processed using your existing Point of Sale (POS) card reader equipment. (No additional equipment will be required.)

Customers can shop with the newly-branded gift card at any store accepting DISCOVER® Credit Cards, including restaurants. Gift cards can be purchased at the Vail Chamber & Business Association's office or the customer service center at 1-877-GIFT-TO-GO (443-8864).

If you are a participating merchant in the program, settlement will occur with your regular credit card settlement. Gift cards will be left with a balance for future purchases within the Vail Community. The new gift card makes shopping easy, fast and convenient for everyone. It is great for all occasions.

We are excited to have you participate in this new gift card program. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Vail Chamber and Business Association at 970-477-0075 for further details.

 

Here are some instructions for Restaurants:

 

As a valued member of our association, you may be enjoying increased traffic in your restaurant due to the utilization of these gift cards.

The restaurant industry presents some unique challenges when it comes to accepting gift cards, and we wanted to be sure to pass on as much information to you as possible to aid in your acceptance of the gift cards.

Following are some helpful hints:

You must be set up to accept Discover Network Cards, in order to accept the Vail Chamber & Business Association gift card. (If you are currently accepting Discover Card, you are all set and can simply process the gift card as you would any Discover Card.)

Your terminal (like most restaurant terminals) is probably set up to authorize transactions for 15-40% above the purchase amount to cover gratuities. If this is true, before processing a transaction ask the cardholder if the balance remaining on the card is enough to cover the bill plus gratuity. The cardholder should know the balance available on their gift card.

If a gift card is declined, or the cardholder has informed you that the remaining balance is not enough to cover the bill plus gratuity, then you should offer to process a split tender transaction, if possible. To do this you should take another form of payment (cash, chack, credit card) for the gratuity and a portion of the bill to bring the balance due down to the amount of the remaining balance on the gift card and then process the gift card for that amount.

If the Cardholder does not know the balance available on their Gift Card they can call the toll-free number on the back of their Gift Card, or they can visit www.MyPrepaidCard.info.

If you require further assistance with acceptance of the gift cards, feel free to call Discover Network Merchant Services at (800) 347-2000.