Abstract: A retail gift card system with integrated account and electronic receipt tracking is disclosed. The retail gift card system comprises an internet-accessible customer account and a customer account linked gift card. The gift card is used to purchase merchandize from a retailer-operated store, whereupon transaction data, monetary value data, and/or electronic receipt data is contemporaneously captured and stored on a retailer-operated computer network in association with the customer account. To promote customer convenience, the gift card is provided with a machine-readable link to the customer account, thereby enabling “on-the-spot” access using, for example, a smartphone. Particular embodiments of the system include a balance depositing function and/or electronic coupon and warranty coupling.