What value is associated with unredeemed gift cards?

The value associated with unredeemed gift cards is referred to as breakage. Breakage represents the portion of gift cards that are sold but never redeemed by customers. Businesses benefit from this breakage because they realize revenue when the gift cards are sold, but without the corresponding obligation to provide goods or services when the cards are not redeemed.

In accounting, businesses estimate the percentage of gift cards that will not be redeemed based on historical data and trends, and this estimation is used to recognize revenue in their financial statements. It is important for companies to account for breakage accurately, as it can affect revenue reporting and overall financial performance.

The other concepts are distinct from breakage. Premium refers to an additional amount paid, typically in the context of insurance or bonds. Depreciation is the systematic allocation of the cost of a tangible asset over its useful life, while amortization is similar but applies to intangible assets. None of these terms relate directly to the value of unredeemed gift cards. Thus, breakage is the precise term in this context.