SkyTab Gift Card Conversion

When helping a merchant transition to SkyTab, converting their existing gift card program can be one of the trickiest steps, especially if they’re coming from a system like Clover.

Key Steps in the Gift Card Conversion Process (in addition to grabbing a blank gift card from the merchant before leaving the close):

Obtain Gift Card Data from the Previous System:

• The merchant must provide a CSV file containing their current gift card numbers and balances.

• This file is often referred to as a "merchant liability report", though system-specific names may vary.

• Shift4 requires a clean CSV with just the card data.

Complete the Gift Card Conversion Form (linked in shift4 rep resources):

• This acts as a cover sheet for Shift4, providing context (merchant name, business info, etc.).

• It does not contain the actual gift card numbers.

• Both the form and the clean CSV with current / blank gift card data must be submitted together.

Watch Out for Formatting Issues:

• Downloaded CSV files from Clover can sometimes appear in scientific notation (e.g., 1.23E+15)—this format is not acceptable to shift4 programming team and not getting this right could cause delays.

• If using a Mac to download from Clover, the data may open in Numbers format, which can be exported cleanly to CSV.

• Always double-check that the CSV has plain text numbers before submitting.

Clover-Specific Challenges:

• If the merchant is converting from Clover, here are some unique issues to watch for:

• Blank/Unused Clover gift cards (even if physically in-hand) cannot be converted to SkyTab.

• Merchants must order new SkyTab gift cards through Shift4.

• Encourage merchants to order these at least two weeks in advance of their reopening or go-live date so there are no delays in their ability to sell gift cards

• While you were able to use current gift cards that the restaurant has already sold and filled with money, it is the blank cards you're not able to reuse from Clover

Toast Considerations:

• Toast typically tracks both active and blank gift cards in the system, so the switchover from toast is easy with this, and you should be able to hopefully use blank toast, gift cards, if those blank cards are accounted for on the report.

Square Considerations:

• To access a gift card liability report in Square, navigate to your online Square Dashboard or Square Point of Sales app, go to "Reports" and select "Gift Cards". You can then refine the date range and export the report as either "Gift Card Details" or "Gift Card Summary". The "Gift Card Details" report will provide information on each card, including its balance and transaction history, while the "Gift Card Summary" provides a consolidated view.

What to Do When Switching POS Systems

When converting a merchant from their old POS to SkyTab, part of the process includes converting any existing gift cards. Normally, this involves physically mailing a gift card to Shift4 so they can test and validate the conversion.

Standard Process:

• Mail a physical gift card to Shift4 for testing.

• This helps them confirm the card data transfers correctly into the new system.

• Shipping Tip: One rep used USPS Priority Mail (2–3 day delivery) and heard back from Shift4 within about a week of sending.

Rush Option (No Physical Card Available):
If you’re short on time and can’t get a test card mailed in time, Shift4 can still push the conversion without it.

• Let them know you’re requesting a rush conversion.

• Provide the unmasked liability report (a full export of gift card numbers and balances from the old system).

• Shift4 can proceed based on that data alone.

Notes:

• Always double-check that the conversion is successful before install day.
• We need to also ensure we send the gift card in with tracking info because otherwise there is zero guarantee they receive it or even have eyes on it. Also, never assume that just because you emailed the gift card department (even several times) about something like a duplicate in the spreadsheet and how you’d like that addressed that they’ve done something about it. The onus is always on you. Call the gift card department if it comes down to it to ensure your message was received. Take the fate of your merchant’s gift cards into your own capable hands! 

Pro Tip: