How to Use Split Payments and Gift Cards During Checkout in SpaSphere
Split a payment across multiple methods, redeem gift cards, and apply package credits during checkout in SpaSphere.
11 min read
Not every transaction fits neatly into a single payment method. A client may want to use a gift card for part of their bill and pay the rest with a credit card. Another client might use a package session credit for their facial but need to pay cash for the products they are purchasing. SpaSphere supports these scenarios with split payments, gift card redemption, and package credit redemption -- all within the same checkout flow.
Why This Matters for Your Spa
Flexibility at the point of sale directly impacts revenue collection. If your system cannot handle a client who wants to split between a gift card and a credit card, your front desk staff is forced to either run two separate transactions (creating bookkeeping headaches) or ask the client to pay a different way (creating a frustrating experience). Studies show that businesses offering flexible payment options collect more per transaction because clients are more willing to add on products and upgrades when they know they can pay however they prefer. SpaSphere's unified split payment system keeps everything on a single invoice with a single receipt, regardless of how many payment methods the client uses.
Key Capabilities
- Split a payment across any combination of methods: card, cash, gift card, package credit, terminal, and more
- Track payment progress with a visual progress bar showing paid versus remaining balance
- Redeem gift cards by entering a code or selecting from the client's available gift cards
- Apply package session credits to matching services on the invoice
- Quick-add available gift cards and packages from the client's profile
- Process each split payment individually with real-time balance updates
Processing a Split Payment
Open checkout and review the order
Access checkout from an appointment or the Payments page. Review the order summary to confirm all items and the total amount due.
Select Split Payment
On the payment method selector, click Split Payment at the bottom of the list. The split payment manager opens, displaying the total amount due and a progress bar starting at zero.
Add the first payment
Choose a payment method from the grid: New Card, Terminal, Gift Card, or Cash/Other. If the client has saved cards, available gift cards, or active package credits, quick-add buttons appear for one-tap selection.
Enter the amount for this payment. By default, the full remaining balance is pre-filled, but you can change it to any amount up to the remaining balance.
Click Process to submit the payment. For card payments, this opens the card entry form. For manual methods, this records the payment immediately.
Add additional payments
After the first payment is processed, the progress bar updates to show the amount paid. The remaining balance decreases accordingly. The completed payment appears in a list above the payment form, showing the method and amount.
Repeat the process: choose a method, enter an amount, and process the payment. Continue until the remaining balance reaches zero.
Complete the split payment
When the full amount has been collected across all payment methods, SpaSphere marks the invoice as paid in full and navigates to the confirmation page. The receipt shows each payment method and amount in the payment methods breakdown section.
Use split payments to combine gift cards with other methods
The most common split payment scenario in a spa is a client using a gift card that does not cover the full balance. Instead of asking the client to do anything special, select Split Payment, apply the gift card for its available balance, and then collect the remainder on a credit card or cash. The client gets a single receipt showing both payments, and your books reflect a clean, single-invoice transaction.
Redeeming a Gift Card
Gift cards can be redeemed as a standalone payment method or as part of a split payment. SpaSphere supports two ways to apply a gift card: entering the code manually or selecting from the client's available gift cards.
Select Gift Card as the payment method
In the payment method selector (or split payment manager), click Gift Card. The gift card redemption form opens.
Enter the gift card code or select an available card
You have two options:
- Enter code manually: Type the gift card code into the input field. SpaSphere checks the balance in real time and shows the available amount.
- Select from available cards: If the client has gift cards on their profile, they appear as quick-add buttons showing the last four digits and current balance. Click a card to select it.
Confirm the redemption amount
If the gift card balance covers the full amount due, the entire balance needed is applied. If the gift card has a lower balance than the amount due, the full card balance is applied and the remaining amount can be paid with another method (triggering a split payment).
Click Apply to redeem the gift card. The payment is recorded and the remaining balance updates.
Gift card balances are deducted in real time
When a gift card is redeemed, the balance is immediately deducted from the card. If the client has a $50 gift card and redeems $30, the remaining $20 balance is available for their next visit. Gift card balances, transaction history, and expiration dates are all tracked on the client's profile under the Gift Cards tab. This ensures your staff always knows the current balance without needing to check a separate system.
Applying Package Session Credits
If a client has purchased a package (for example, a "5 Facial Sessions" package), they can redeem a session credit during checkout instead of paying the service price. Package credits are applied as a payment method that covers the service amount.
Access checkout for the appointment
Open checkout from the appointment on the calendar. The invoice should include the service that matches the client's package.
Select Package Credit as the payment method
In the payment method selector, Package Credit appears under Other Options when the client has active packages with remaining sessions. The badge shows how many packages have available credits.
Click Package Credit to open the package selection.
Select the package to redeem
A list of the client's active packages appears, showing the package name, remaining sessions, and expiration date. Select the package you want to redeem. SpaSphere matches the package's eligible services to the services on the invoice and applies the credit.
Pay any remaining balance
Package session credits cover the service price but not other items on the invoice (products, fees, etc.). If the invoice includes items beyond the redeemed service, you will need to collect the remaining balance through another payment method. SpaSphere automatically handles this as a split payment.
Package credits only apply to matching services
A package credit can only be redeemed against a service that is part of the package's service list. If a client has a "5 Facial Sessions" package, they can redeem it against a facial service on the invoice but not against a massage or a product. If the invoice does not contain a matching service, the Package Credit option will not appear in the payment method selector. Make sure the appointment is booked with the correct service before checkout.
Split Payment Progress Tracking
The split payment manager provides real-time tracking so you always know where you stand:
| Element | What It Shows |
|---|---|
| Progress bar | Visual fill showing percentage of total paid |
| Total due | The full invoice amount including tax and tip |
| Amount paid | Sum of all completed payments so far |
| Remaining balance | How much still needs to be collected |
| Completed payments list | Each payment's method, amount, and timestamp |
When the remaining balance reaches zero, the Complete button activates and you can finalize the transaction.
Common Split Payment Scenarios
| Scenario | First Payment | Second Payment |
|---|---|---|
| Gift card + credit card | Gift card for available balance | Card for remaining amount |
| Package credit + cash for products | Package credit for service | Cash for product total |
| Two credit cards | Card 1 for partial amount | Card 2 for remainder |
| Deposit already paid | Deposit deducted from total | Card for remaining balance |
| Gift card + terminal | Gift card for partial balance | POS terminal for remainder |
Frequently Asked Questions
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