According to a news release, Better ATM Services has reached agreements with Automated Cash Management Systems and APTUS Financial to dispense Amazon.com gift cards at ATMs across the nation.
The two ISOs will be part of a special pilot program in which Amazon.com gift cards will be distributed with a free $25 Restaurant.com promotional card. Dallas–based Columbus Data Services will provide transaction processing services for the program.
Better ATM Services also has become a reseller of Amazon.com gift cards, allowing Amazon.com gift cards to be distributed through ATM networks owned and operated by ISOs throughout the United States. The Amazon.com gift card is immediately valid for use toward purchase of any of the millions of items offered for sale at Amazon.com.
"Tough economic times mean consumers will increasingly demand more value," said Better ATM Services chief executive Todd Nuttall. "Gift cards with coupons and incentives distributed through ATMs provide just that."
Gift cards make up the largest segment of prepaid cards. Boston-based TowerGroup estimates that approximately $80 billion was spent on gift cards in 2006. Based on Mercator Advisory Group research, that total included approximately 600 million cards that were sold in-store.