Every day, 60 million Americans earn money through gig platforms. They're driving for Uber, delivering for DoorDash, freelancing on Upwork, and powering the on-demand economy that generates hundreds of billions in annual transactions. But paying these workers is expensive for platforms, and frustrating for workers stuck with slow or fee-heavy options to access their earnings.
Gig platforms are urgently searching for cost-effective alternatives to outdated banking rails, while workers want more of their pay in their pockets and the flexibility to choose how they receive it. What they really need is faster access to earnings, plus ways to unlock more value on the products and services they already spend on every day.
As a payout disruptor, Runa is rethinking traditional methods and sees a massive opportunity in gift card payouts.
Let’s break it down:
Gig platform send → $500 → Gig worker is stuck with the slow and sometimes expensive transfer methods
|
Traditional Payout Methods |
Gig Platform |
Gig Worker |
|
Traditional ACH |
- Platforms pay $0.20 and $1.50 per ACH transaction |
- Must have a bank account to receive ACH - Takes up to 5 business days to receive earnings |
|
Instant Transfers (Same-day ACH) |
- Platforms pay more for speedy transfers, costs often reach 1%. |
- Additional fees added for instant transfers, most a percentage of the total value transferred |
|
Company-locked prepaid debit cards (e.g. Lyft Direct)* |
- Platform pays high annual fees to work with digital banking companies like PayFare based on required minimum of sign ups |
- Instant access to earnings through prepaid debit card - Withdrawals from low-fee ATMs - Transfer to primary bank account cost a min 1.75% fee - Security features are minimal |
Today’s payout systems drain platform margins and frustrate workers, making a change to these methods irresistible. On the other hand, nearly 70% of gig workers say speed and reliability matters most in how they get paid.
Gig platform send → $500 → Gig worker selects gift card payout + bank transfer
|
Runa Payout Methods |
Gig Platform |
Merchants |
Gig Worker |
|
Digital Gift Cards |
- Platforms access Runa’s Global Network - Platforms reduce costs from banks and payment processors - Implementing flexible payout options drive worker loyalty & revenue - Platforms simplify operations with single API connection |
- Merchants gain access to new revenue stream - Merchants have access to millions of gig workers who can provide guaranteed spend |
- Workers convert earnings to gift cards from merchants they love - Instant access, no fees and more earnings kept for themselves - Option to earn more when they choose gift cards - Sentiment and moral are higher |
|
Pay to Card |
- Platforms works with Runa to provide quick and cost-efficient access to instant earning for workers - Reduced costs from banks and payment processors - Simplified operations with single API connection |
- Runa is disrupting the payout space by pairing Pay to Card with gift cards - giving merchants a powerful entry point into new markets and more profitable growth
|
- Workers can access earnings immediately - Workers can divide earnings between Runa Pay to Card and gift cards |
By embedding your gift cards into gig worker payouts opens the door to a massive, fast-growing market of high-frequency earners and spenders that unlock new audiences and new revenue. Especially knowing 50% of gig workers say they would choose a gift card over cash, making it highly likely they’ll choose gift cards as their payout option.
It’s a model that creates a triple-win: cost-effective for businesses, rewarding for recipients, and growth-driving for merchants.
This isn’t about offering another perk, it’s about embedding your gift card and brand at the exact moment workers get paid. With Runa, platforms cut costs by sidestepping ACH fees and expensive rails, while workers gain real value through gift card payouts instead of fee-heavy bank transfers.
Gig workers represent everything brands want in a customer segment: they're active, mobile, and have immediate purchasing power with predictable spending patterns. Unlike traditional consumers who browse, compare, and delay purchasing, gig workers live "gig-to-gig" with urgent, recurring needs.
Bottom line? Gift cards deliver full value workers can use instantly, whether for groceries, gas, or entertainment. Every time gig workers redeem gift cards, merchants win and Runa fuels that flywheel.
The gig economy is surging, and payout innovation has to keep up. Runa is ready to lead that change, moving beyond outdated bank rails to deliver smarter payout choices that create value for everyone.
For platforms, it means cost savings, streamlined operations, and stronger worker loyalty.
For workers, it means flexibility, speed, and full-value access to their earnings.
For merchants, it means deeper engagement and predictable new revenue.
We’re declaring a smarter path. One where platforms optimize, workers flourish, and merchants win together. Don’t miss out on this opportunity.
Ready to explore how your gift cards can tap into this massive revenue opportunity? The race to capture gig workers’ spend has started. Will your gift cards be part of the payout revolution, or left behind?
Reach out to your Partnership Manager or contact partnerships@runa.io to learn more.