We'd like to use a credit card type gift card for our center. Does anyone use a system like this and, if so, does it interface with Tessitura?
At the Science Museum we do use gift cards. Unfortunately they do not interface with Tessitura though (shameless plug here!) we put in an enhancement request in the hopes it could be done. We were actually using the gift cards before our conversion to Tessitura and wanted to continue doing so as, not only can patrons redeem them for tickets, they can also use them in our store, parking ramp, and for food. Right now we process the gift cards (load value, redeem, check balance) on a hypercom. We then enter the payment into Tessitura and balance the 2 at the end of each day. This works ok but of course we would prefer to lose the hypercoms altogether. Here's hoping!
One other thing I should add. I attended a session on gift cards and certificates at the conference last year and one site (sorry I can't remember who) had found a fairly creative way to use gift cards with Tessitura. They used the gift certificate functionality but printed the certificate number on a plastic card to give to patrons. If you're only going to be using the cards at the box office something like that might work for you. It doesn't for us since other areas of the museum need to be able to redeem them.