This article explains the difference between email and direct mail send modes on PerkUp automations, and why a rule might not let you pick direct mail. You need admin access to configure automations.
What's the difference between email and direct mail send modes?
Every automation rule (work anniversary, birthday, new hire, or leave of absence) sends its reward using one of two modes:
Email mode: PerkUp creates a program for the recipient and sends a redemption email with a claim link. The recipient opens the email, chooses or confirms their gift, and redeems it themselves.
Direct mail mode: there's no redemption email or claim step. PerkUp looks up the person's saved shipping address and places the order directly, shipping the physical gift straight to them.
Why can't I select direct mail for some rewards?
Direct mail only works for a specific physical product fulfilled by PerkUp's own fulfillment system. Rewards like PerkUp dollars, gift cards, or catalog items that aren't PerkUp-fulfilled physical products can't ship directly — they require the recipient to make a choice, which only email mode supports.
If you pick a reward that isn't direct-mail-compatible while a rule is set to direct mail, the rule automatically reverts to email mode so the send still goes through.
Does the recipient get notified when a gift ships via direct mail?
That's configurable. Direct mail rules let you choose who gets notified when the order ships:
The recipient themselves.
Selected admins only.
No one.
Because there's no claim link in direct mail mode, this notification setting is the only email control available for direct sends.
How do I switch a rule between email and direct mail?
Open the rule and change its Send mode field. Send mode is only available on rule types and rewards that support direct sends — if the picker isn't showing direct mail as an option, the reward you've selected likely isn't a direct-mail-eligible physical product.
What happens if a direct mail send can't find an address?
If the recipient doesn't have a shipping address on file, PerkUp retries the send on subsequent engine runs within the rule's grace window instead of failing outright. See "Where direct mail addresses come from" for how PerkUp sources addresses and how to check for missing ones before a send.