Celebrate - Reward Points, redemption options.

I am the Product Manager for Oracle Celebrate and I would like to have some input from customers.

As we all know, using reward points in employee recognition and rewards programs can be an effective way to motivate and engage your workforce. It is more effective if points can be redeemed to get an actual reward that is personal and meaningful.

For future features in the product I am looking into two different options:

1. Closed loop gift cards
2. Richer item catalogues

Of course #1 is a subset of #2. However I am interested in understanding if #1 is perceived as a very narrow, limiting solution or a simpler but satisfactory one. Especially considering the flexibility of gift cards and the fact that a solution based on gift cards is easier to administer.