Facebook Feature Allows Users to Send Gift Cards

Here’s how it works:

Users can buy gift cards for their friends to use at Jamba Juice, Olive Garden, Sephora and Target.  (These are the first four partners signed up for the Facebook Card service.)  Once a gift card has been purchased, the recipient is notified immediately and then receives the gift card in the mail shortly after. The card can be used at any store location. The gift cards cannot be used for online purchases, according to Nissa Anklesaria, a Facebook public relations spokesperson.

According to Facebook, “After you’ve received a card, the next time you get a Facebook Card gift, it will instantly be added to your existing card. Your card can hold multiple gift balances, and each balance is dedicated to the retailer associated with the gift.”

Users can view their gift balances in their account settings on Facebook from their mobile device or desktop. The feature is set to roll out gradually to people in the U.S.