5 Ways RedBalloon Recognises Excellence

5-year validity All RedBalloon vouchers and gift cards purchased will have a 5-year expiry, except where the experience has already been booked in. We honour the purchase price of our experiences for 18 months. If you book your experience after this time and the price of the experience increases you can either pay the difference or exchange it for another experience free of charge.

5-year validity
On vouchers and gift cards
Free exchanges We want you to have the most enriching experience possible, so if this means swapping your shark diving experience for wine tasting then we’ve got you covered. Simply enter your voucher to exchange online or contact our Customer Experience Team on 1300 875 500 and we’ll do the work for you.

Free exchanges
On all voucher purchases
4.6 star rating We know the trust consumers place in ratings and reviews is tied directly to authenticity. That’s why we use Bazaarvoice. We believe that reviews should represent the genuine, unbiased, and transparent opinion about the author’s experience with a product or service. Reviews are not altered in any way by anyone other than the original author — including corrections for spelling or grammar. Reviews are not filtered, edited, or deleted simply because they are negative or are lower-rated.

4.6 star rating
From 150k+ customer reviews
Quality promise At RedBalloon, we don’t just list any experience. To back this up, we’ve created our Quality Promise. This promise means you'll find experiences that have been curated with care, with each one passing a rigorous 11-point check. Anything less simply doesn’t make the cut. Learn more about our quality promise here.

Quality promise
On all experiences

E.g. "Skydiving" or "Sydney"

And How Your Business Can Too

At RedBalloon, we believe that recognition shouldn’t be an afterthought – it should be woven into the fabric of your company culture. As a business built on creating memorable experiences, we’ve discovered that the most meaningful recognition comes from giving people the gift of time, adventure, and shared moments.

Here’s how we recognise both our team and clients, along with practical ways your business can adapt these strategies, regardless of your industry.

1. Quarterly Excellence Awards Through Experience Vouchers

What we do: Every quarter, we recognise outstanding team members with our experience vouchers, allowing them to choose their own adventure – whether it’s a cooking class, scenic helicopter flight, or weekend getaway.

Why it works: Unlike traditional bonuses that disappear into everyday expenses, experiences create lasting memories and give employees something to look forward to. The quarterly cadence ensures recognition happens regularly, not just at year-end reviews.

How your company can adapt this: Implement quarterly recognition programs with a focus on experiences and meaningful time off. Offer options like paid experience days, flexible leave, or team activity budgets – giving employees choice and building anticipation.

2. Milestone Celebrations for Long Service

What we do: When team members reach significant service anniversaries, we celebrate with experience vouchers that match the milestone’s significance. A five-year anniversary might unlock a premium experience package, while a ten-year milestone could include a luxury weekend escape.

Why it works: Long-service recognition acknowledges loyalty and creates aspirational goals for newer team members. By scaling the experience value with tenure, we show that commitment is truly valued and rewarded proportionally.

How your company can adapt this: Create a tiered recognition system for service milestones focused on time and experiences. Offer increasing paid experience leave or development opportunities that grow with tenure – from a long weekend at two years to a week-long break or learning experience at five years. Ensure the reward feels proportional to the commitment.

3. Shared Experiences with the Team

What we do: We regularly organise group experiences just for our team – from cooking classes to team-building adventures. These aren’t just social events; they’re chances to strengthen bonds and create lasting memories together.

Why it works: Shared experiences break down barriers and build genuine trust. When you’ve laughed through a cooking class or faced challenges together on a high ropes course, day-to-day collaboration feels more authentic and supportive.

How your company can adapt this: Plan regular team activities that go beyond the office – cooking workshops, local day trips, or volunteer days. The goal is to create shared moments your team will remember and talk about long after they’re back at their desks.

4. Client Appreciation Through Thoughtful Gifting

What we do: We gift RedBalloon vouchers to valued clients as a way of saying “thank you” and demonstrating that we understand the importance of taking time to celebrate life’s moments.

Why it works: This approach shows clients that we practice what we preach – we genuinely believe in the value of experiences and want to share that with people who matter to our business. It’s also a subtle way to introduce new clients to our full range of offerings.

How your company can adapt this: Experience gifting works for any business – experiences create deeper connections than material items ever could. When you give someone the freedom to choose their own adventure, you’re showing that you understand what truly matters: creating moments that last a lifetime.

5. Welcome Experiences for New Starters

What we do: Every new starter receives a RedBalloon voucher as part of their welcome package. It’s our way of saying “we’re glad you’re here” and encouraging them to explore what we’re all about from day one.

Why it works: Starting a new job can be overwhelming, and this gesture shows new employees that the company values work-life balance and personal experiences. It also helps them understand our product firsthand, making them better brand ambassadors.

How your company can adapt this: Onboarding sets the tone for an employee’s entire journey. Leading with experiences instead of standard welcome packs shows what your company truly values. Letting new team members choose a meaningful experience creates a positive memory and reinforces your culture from day one – turning a routine process into something memorable.

The Recognition Revolution

Recognition doesn’t need to be costly – but it must be intentional. Here are the core principles of our approach:

Consistency beats grand gestures.
Regular recognition through quarterly awards creates ongoing motivation rather than waiting for annual reviews.

Choice empowers recipients.
When people can choose their own reward, they’re more likely to select something they’ll truly value and remember.

Shared experiences build stronger relationships.
Whether with team members or clients, creating memories together strengthens professional bonds.

Align recognition with values.
Our recognition strategies reinforce what we believe in – the power of experiences to enrich lives.

Start early, celebrate often.
From day one with new starters to milestone anniversaries, frequent recognition keeps engagement high.

Make It Work for Your Business

You don’t have to be in the experience business to adopt these principles. The key is knowing what your team values and recognising them in authentic, meaningful ways.

Start small - try monthly team shout-outs or quarterly appreciation gestures - and grow from there. In a world full of choices, people stay where they feel genuinely valued.

After all, people don't just want to work for successful companies - they want to work for companies that make them feel successful too.

Ready to transform your recognition strategy?

RedBalloon for Business makes it simple to implement experience-based recognition that creates lasting impact. From quarterly awards to client appreciation, our corporate vouchers give your people the freedom to choose experiences that matter to them. Explore RedBalloon for Business solutions and discover how easy it is to make recognition memorable.

Become Business VIP

Join thousands of HR and business leaders who subscribe to our newsletter. Packed with insights and trends. 92% open rate, delivering real value.

Subscribe Now