How to Accept and Process the Downtown Kingston Gift Card

If you are not currently accepting the Downtown Kingston Gift Card, call our office at 613-542-8677 or email member@downtownkingston.ca to schedule a 15-minute visit from our BIA team to onboard your business to be a part of the Program (for both current Downtown Dollar program participants and businesses new to the program).

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Already accepting the gift card? Read more to learn about the proper steps on how to process them.

How to process a Downtown Kingston Gift Card Payment

Things to know when accepting the Downtown Kingston Gift Card at Your Store

Accepting and Authorizing:

  • The Downtown Kingston Gift Card works just like a VISA Credit Card. Run the gift card through your POS as a Credit Card - Never use a Gift Card option.

  • Gift cards can only be swiped, there is no insert or tap option available at this time.

  • If your POS requires the last 4-digits of a Credit Card, they can be found on the back of the gift card.

  • Where a card swiper is absent, Gift Cards can be processed by manually keying in the 16-digit card number on the back of the card and following any additional POS instructions. 

Split Tender Transactions:

Train you staff to be in the habit of asking customers if they know what their balance is/ if they have enough funds to cover the sale amount.

If the sale amount exceeds the available balance, follow these steps:

  1. Verify the exact available balance on the card (see below)

  2. Enter the exact available balance on the card and ask the customer to swipe their card

  3. Obtain another form of payment for the remainder of the sale

Ways to Check the Gift Card Balance:

  1. Scan the QR code on the back of the card to check the balance (cards issued from Oct 2024 and onward have this feature, previous editions do not)

  2. Phone 800.755.8608

  3. Go online to www.getmybalance.com

    1. Select “US- English” or “Canada- French” in top right corner of webpage

    2. Input the 16-digit card number and the 6-digit security code both of which can be found on the back of the card

    3. Review the balance 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • All credit cards charge an interchange fee. The amount of this fee varies between POS providers and how the merchant has structured their agreement. Because the Downtown Gift Card is technically a VISA card, the fee for use of the Downtown Kingston Gift Card will be the same as your VISA interchange fee.

  • Call our office at 613-542-8677 or email us hello@downtownkingston.ca- our office hours are Mon-Thurs 8:30-4:30, and Fri 8:30-4.

    Or call the Gift Card Provider 24/7 at 1-833-558-1108.

  • Call our office at 613-542-8677 or email us hello@downtownkingston.ca- our office hours are Mon-Thurs 8:30-4:30, and Fri 8:30-4.

    In addition, you can text Marijo (BIA Executive Director) at 613-661-4661 or call the Gift Card Provider 24/7 at 1-833-558-1108.

Downtown Kingston Gift Card is issued by Peoples Trust Company. Funds do not expire, cards are non-reloadable and no cash access (cannot be redeemed for cash). For Cardholder Agreement or Customer Service: www.getmybalance.com or 1-833-558-1108.