Gift Card Rate Data Methodology
How CardFlow manually syncs, normalizes, validates, stores, calculates, and publishes dated gift card rate data.
Manual sync
An administrator starts the import. Google Sheets is contacted only during that sync.
Normalize
Brand, country, currency, route label, table ID, estimates, and dates are converted to consistent fields.
Validate
The replacement snapshot is checked before it becomes active. Incomplete work can be resumed.
Store locally
Active rates, denomination estimates, history points, and configuration are stored in WordPress tables.
Publish with context
Pages show source date, route identity, indicative value, and movement without promising a final payout.
Comparison rules
Compare like with like: the same brand, issuing country, currency, format, and denomination context. A US-dollar route should not be ranked directly against a euro or pound route without an explicit currency conversion.
Estimate rules
Where an exact denomination estimate exists, CardFlow uses it. Otherwise, a guide can be calculated from unit rate multiplied by face value. Verification, proof quality, route status, and card condition can still affect the final quote.
Update and correction policy
The visible source date comes from the active snapshot. A new manual sync replaces active rate and estimate rows while retaining historical series. Suspected errors should be reported with the page URL, route label, and visible date.
Check the route, prepare clean evidence, and trade only through CardFlow.
Use the calculator first, confirm the exact card route, then keep proof and support records together.
