since we do not have any reliable internal communication platform to share with colleagues about our experience we company enforced policies and such - here we go on layoffs.
When you are choosing redemption of your points on the recognition and seniority sites, choose carefully. Check reviews of your vendors if you have not heard or used them before. Go for trusted vendors and take good care to read the exclusions, redemption conditions and what additional steps might be needed.
example of what you may want to verify - the prepaid card is issued by mypaymentvault.com. have fun reading their reviews:
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/account.mypaymentvault.com
For the record, some of my colleagues did not have any issue. I wish i was so lucky. I can confirm that my experience with their customer service matches what the reviewers state.
I can however recommend this service if you miss the stress of that difficult project you got the reward for and need a multiweek multidepartment daily follow-up challenge with an uncertain outcome. In that case send them 10 dollars and see if you can actually access them.
good luck!