Pay with a gift card using the GC code
How a guest shows a gift card code from Knownbee and how the cashier takes all or part of the bill from the card.
On this page
Guests pay with a gift card by showing a short-lived code from the Knownbee app. The code starts with GC-, is valid for 5 minutes and pays once. The guest's member code (RG-…) is for loyalty only and never pays with a gift card.
Before you start
- Gift cards must be on.
- The staff member needs permission to take payments, on a POS that takes payments.
- The card must be one of your business's cards. A card from another place cannot be used.
What the guest does
- In Knownbee, open Wallet › Gift cards and tap the card for your place.
- Tap Show at the till.
- The app shows a QR code and the code under it,
GC-XXXX-XXXX, with the time left. "One payment, valid 5 minutes."
If the time runs out, the guest taps New code.
Take the payment on the POS
- Open the payment screen of the order and choose Gift card. You can also choose Pay with gift card from the order's actions.
- Scan the QR with a scanner or Scan with camera, or type the code in Knownbee code, then tap Find.
- The card shows its balance and Valid until date. The POS takes as much as it can: "… is taken from the card".
- Check the line underneath: - "… still to pay with another method" when the card does not cover the bill. - "… stays on the card" when there is money left.
- Tap Take … from gift card.
- If money remains on the card, the POS may ask "… stays on the gift card. Print a slip for the guest?" Tap Print balance slip if they want one.
- Pay any remainder with cash or card.
A tip is never taken from the gift card. "The tip is not taken from the gift card; it stays for the next method."
To pay with a second gift card, or the same one again, the guest needs a new code.
Messages and what to do
| Message | Meaning | What to do |
|---|---|---|
"This is a member code. Ask the guest to open the gift card in Knownbee and show the till code (GC-…)." (GIFT_CARD_TILL_CODE_REQUIRED) | The guest showed My code (RG- or VM-) | Ask for Show at the till on the gift card itself |
"No Knownbee gift card found for this code. Ask the guest to show the code in the Knownbee app." (GIFT_CARD_REGULAR_CODE_NOT_FOUND) | The code expired, was already used, was mistyped or belongs to another business | Ask the guest to tap New code and scan again |
"Scan the guest's Knownbee code and pick a gift card." (GIFT_CARD_REGULAR_CODE_REQUIRED) | No code was entered | Scan or type the code |
| "This gift card has expired." | The card is past its expiry date | Take another payment method |
| "This gift card cannot be used (status: …)." | The card is disabled, or not active yet | A manager checks the card under Gift cards |
| "The gift card balance is … Pay the rest another way." | The balance changed meanwhile | Take what is left, pay the rest another way |
| "Too many unknown codes. Try again in … seconds." | Many wrong codes from this POS | Wait, then scan a fresh code |
| "Gift cards cannot be paid with a gift card." | The order sells a gift card | Pay that part with cash or card |
Common questions
Can the guest show a screenshot?
Only within its 5 minutes and only once. A fresh code from the app is easiest.
Can a guest without the app pay with a gift card?
No. The card lives in Knownbee and the code comes from there. See A gift card is not in Knownbee.
Can I refund a gift card payment?
Yes. The money goes back onto the card. See Gift card balance, expiry and refunds.
Still not working?
Contact support with the order number, the time, the POS device name and the exact message. Never send the guest's code.