About RGCA

Founded in 2008, the Retail Gift Card Association is the only trade association representing the closed-loop gift card industry, and is comprised of members committed to promoting and protecting the use of retail gift cards. RGCA members follow a Code of Principles that promotes best practice standards to help the industry grow, shaping it in ways that benefit both members and consumers.

With over 120 member companies, our membership includes large regional and national brands that operate in the retail, restaurant, travel, and entertainment space. Our retailer members issue branded gift cards and our supporting members work to enhance their gift card programs. Our supporting members make gift cards their priority in order to build lasting collaborative relationships with retailers to take their gift card programs to the next level. 

RGCA Mission

PROMOTE
Create and curate knowledge to be used in leading our respective gift card businesses.

PROTECT
Our members abide by our Code of Principles that promotes high standards and best practices, and our leaders advocate for policies affecting retailers and consumers. 

ENHANCE
Provide members with resources, education and knowledge on industry advancements. 

Code of Principles

A key pillar of the RGCA is to use our unified voice and standing to protect the closed-loop gift card industry for the benefit of retailers and consumers. Our members protect the industry by abiding by the following RGCA Codes of Principles, which promote best practices and enable our leaders to advocate for policies affecting retailers and consumers.

Applicants for RGCA Membership and Members of the RGCA recognize that the RGCA acts as a catalyst for the education, communication, and political/legal positioning of its Members within the gift card industry. Members of the RGCA acknowledge that the RGCA is a neutral entity without favoritism towards any individual, brand, or company within its membership. By joining the RGCA, Members agree to act in good faith to abide by the following standards:  

1. RGCA members will be committed to the overall health, including growth and preservation, of the closed loop, stored value industry. 
2. RGCA members will support, wherever possible and reasonably practical, consumer-centered policies and procedures that will continue to foster consumer confidence and satisfaction with closed loop stored value products. 
3. RGCA members will act in good faith to uphold the integrity of gift card brands and supporting entities with whom or on whose behalf they conduct business, including abiding by stated policies and usage requirements determined by such gift card brands and supporting entities.   
4. RGCA members will act in good faith to uphold a standard of not charging dormancy or other administrative fees on consumer-funded closed-loop gift cards, , and to eliminate expiration dates or conditions on such consumer-funded gift cards, except in geographies where applicable by law.
5. RGCA members will act in good faith to uphold a standard of continuous improvement in the areas of increased security against fraud and, where permitted by applicable bankruptcy courts and laws, greater protection for cardholders in the event of a member’s business reorganization or bankruptcy. 
6. RGCA members will act in good faith to uphold a standard of engaging constructively and in good faith with relevant stakeholders to address issues affecting the stored value industry and to promote positive experiences with member products and services. 
7. RGCA members will not discriminate in any way due to race, color, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, gender identity or gender expression, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, disability, or veteran status. 
8. RGCA members will not discredit or disparage products, programs, or services of competitors by providing inaccurate or confidential information or by making derogatory remarks about fellow members or their products and services.
   
   

 Violations of these principles may result in the removal of individuals from RGCA benefits and/or the removal of the brand from the RGCA membership. 

anti-trust statement

In order to guard against unintentional violations of the antitrust laws, the following topics shall not be discussed at any time during RGCA meetings, whether as part of a formal meeting, a large group discussion or in any private conversations:

1. Discussion of current or future prices, fees, rates, discounting, and other terms and conditions of sale which may lead to an agreement or consensus on prices or fees to be charged is prohibited. Discussion of general, historical pricing practices, as well as pricing models, methods, systems, or applications, is acceptable, so long as no specific prices are discussed, and so long as no agreement or consensus is reached – implicit or explicit – as to what constitutes a reasonable, fair or appropriate price or fee to charge, or what constitutes a reasonable, fair or appropriate profit level.
2. Discussion which concerns a refusal to deal with a particular company, or a refusal to purchase its products or services because of its pricing or bidding practices is prohibited. Further, any discussion which encourages a company to refrain from competing in a particular market, or which limits or excludes a company from competing in a market, is similarly prohibited.
3. Discussion concerning the allocation of customers or markets is prohibited.
4. Discussion of current or future bids is prohibited.
5. Any other discussion which could lead to an agreement - implicit or explicit - that would pose an unreasonable restraint on trade is prohibited. 

The principal federal antitrust law is a criminal conspiracy statute. Violators can be subject to mandatory jail terms. For your own protection and that of the RGCA, compliance with these discussion rules is mandatory.

Bylaws and Policies & Procedures

Bylaws are the foundation of governance for the Retail Gift Card Association (RGCA), providing a clear framework for decision-making, membership responsibilities, and operational standards. These rules ensure transparency, consistency, and fairness within the organization, fostering trust among members and stakeholders. Adhering to these bylaws helps maintain a cohesive community, supports effective leadership, and ensures that the association operates in a manner that aligns with its mission and goals.

RGCA Bylaws  (04-25-25)
RGCA Policies & Procedures  (02-18-26)