Although you have a point with the comparison of paying $9.99 in adverse to $29.99, I also would like to give it as a gift. Somehow a digital download doesn't seem all that personal.
I will say though, that a couple a years ago I had realized I could not find a digital download I had purchased years before that, and after a little inquiring to the gamesite, I was able redownload the game, no fuss no muss. They actually had a record of the transaction. Admittedly I was impressed.
Funny, I think I've just talked myself into a digital download!!

But, can I download it through Subsim so they get a cut??