Gift certificate protocol

[momtoboys]

Posting here for traffic. I have a $200 gift certificate for a really fancy spa. A good friend, who lives quite a way away, is going to be in the area and we are trying to come up with something fun to do together.

If we were to go to this spa for a massage do I share the gift certificate with her or can I use it myself (the cert will not cover the cost of the spa treatment). I am not opposed to either way, I just wasn't sure how it should be handled.

How much is the treatment you’d do together? I would probably share it, and let her know in advance that your gift certificate will cover, say half the expense, so she’s aware what she will need to pay herself, to save any awkwardness on the day.
If you don’t want to share it, I probably wouldn’t go together, and find a different activity for the day you’ll be together.

Just to add, the reason I would feel awkward using it for just my treatment is she might feel you’ve chosen an expensive thing to do, just because your own cost is already covered.