A periodical subscription order system may be used to provide a customized order vehicle for a consumer to purchase a variety of subscriptions from a publisher. A customer may purchase, at a retail location, a giftcard from a point of sale terminal, wherein the giftcard is provided with an identification number. The giftcard may be pre-produced with a specified credit value, or may be purchased for any desired value and may contain storage components for storing the purchased credit value. Information regarding the sale of the giftcard, including the identification number and the credit value may be forwarded to a central system operated by a publisher. The consumer may then be provided with an interface to provide the publisher with the giftcard identification number and to select a periodical subscription from a plurality of subscription options. The publisher may then fulfill the subscription request after determining the validity of the provided giftcard identification number.