Gift Cards and Gift Certificates

Gift cards and/or gift certificates (“Gift Card(s)”) are considered cash equivalents and require careful oversight, documentation and approval. Because Gift Cards fall under the Hospitality Policy, a completed Hospitality Justification Request form is required for all purchases and distributions.

Purchases from Campus Merchants (Follet or Cal Poly Partners)

• Gift Cards must be purchased via CSUBUY.
• Recipient requirements are based on the Gift Card value:
• Under $50, recipient names are not required; department should retain names in case of audit
• $50 or more, must name recipient(s) in requisition.

For large-scale events, such as Move-In or Commencement, recipient names may be provided after purchase and submitted along with the invoice.

Purchases from All Other Merchants

• Gift Cards may only be purchased using a ProCard.
• Prior to purchase, a Card Service Request must be submitted and approved in Concur.
• Recipient names must be documented on the ProCard statement (as Attendees in Concur)
• Individual Gift Card face values may not exceed $25*, except retirement which can be up to $100.

*Employees who receive Gift Cards totaling $100 or more, regardless of individual face value, must report the amount to Payroll as taxable income.

For detailed instructions please see the Gift Cards and Gift Certificates - ProCard guide

Gift Cards related to research can be found on the Human Subjects Research Gift Card site.