I've never played this game for gift cards. Never even bought one. My reward points get cashed in for HD bucks, so I can continue to play this beautiful game I love! I'm just not a gift card guy. I think they should remove them all together, personally.
I do agree that in the beginning, we spend hard. And then it tapers, and then if good enough, it becomes free to play. I think it would benefit WifS to adjust the credits just a little bit less for veterans who have won big. And I'd HOPE that the vets would somewhat understand, and still play the game.
For example..... to keep it simple, reward points are roughly $35 for title, $30 title game loss, $20 F4, $15 E8, and $10 for S16. Well maybe after a coach wins 5 titles, drop those numbers in the lower rounds. Make a S16 only $5. An E8 at $10. By doing that, if the long term coaches still are making F4s and beyond, they still get rewarded. But if they are just winning a NT game or two, not much is given.
As a vet myself, I'd be cool with that. And if I had to pay a few dollars here and there because of it, so be it. I have played free long enough that throwing a few dollars back into the game won't hurt me, and is worth it. But I also still have the opportunity to play free if I win big by getting to F4s and beyond.