If you recently received a visa gift card and ask questions like “can you use gift cards online?”, don’t worry. This article answers questions such as ” can you use gift cards online?”, ”how can you use gift cards online?”, “how can you use visa gift cards online?”, and “how do you use gift cards online?”. Just follow me closely to find out the answers to these.
The most interesting thing about visa gift cards is that they can be used everywhere, including online but they can only be used at stores that accept visa gift cards. These visa gift cards would make a fantastic gift to anyone you present them to.
Remember that you must activate and register your gift card before purchasing it online. Did you just receive a visa gift card and want to purchase online? Learn how you can use visa gift cards with the following steps.
Table of contents
How To Use a Visa Gift Card Online
Now, coming down to the question of how you can use gift cards online. The following steps will show you how to use visa gift cards online. Keep reading.
1. Activate your visa gift card
This is the first step before using your visa gift card online. It must have been activated at the cash register if purchased in a retail store. But if you purchased it online, you must do the activation yourself.
You must log in to the website displayed on the card, then type in the 16-digit unique card number displayed on the card and the security code as well.
To secure your card, ensure you sign on the back as soon as you receive it. This is the first step to how you can use gift cards online.
2. Register your visa gift card
To register your visa gift card, turn to the back of the card or check in the leaflet that comes with the card, you will see the issuer’s contact number or website. You can dial the issuer’s number or log in to the website.
You will be asked to supply your details, such as your name, phone number, address, card security number, and code. Take note of the format you used for your personal information.
This is because many outlets use the Address Verification System to double-check that the information on the card matches your personal information. It also helps to curtail gift card fraud. Here’s the second step to using visa gift cards online.
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3. Use your visa gift card to make a purchase online
There are a couple of payment options for you to choose from. This includes Amazon, debit/credit cards, PayPal. You will choose the debit/credit card option, after which you select the visa card.
You will be required to enter your personal information just as you did while registering your card, then enter the security and card codes.
If you have insufficient cash on your gift card, remember that some outlets require you to have a certain amount of money on your card to do a transaction. If you have insufficient funds on your card, then go to an outlet that fits in with what you have.
4. Make payments using your visa gift card
Always ensure you have sufficient funds in your card balance before using it to purchase things online.
You can do this by contacting your financial institution on the reverse side of the card and following the instructions.
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Problems With Visa Gift Cards
As much as visa gift cards are good, there are also associated problems that come with them. Let’s quickly take a look at some of the problems that come with a visa gift card.
#Problem 1: Charges
The first thing you need to know about visa gift cards is that they are not cheap. The price of a visa gift card varies depending on the card.
For a Target visa gift card, a $50 gift card is $5, making it a total of $55. But if you had given the receiver of the visa gift card the $55 in cash, it would save saved you the extra cost of $5.
It doesn’t just end there. You may be charged for monthly maintenance if your card is inactive for a year. Although this is dependent on the kind of visa gift card, you purchased.
Because of this, you may want to look out for gift cards that specifically say there are no fees after purchase. You can purchase visa gift cards from retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and other outlets that display gift cards eg. drug stores, convenience stores, etc. Banks like the U.S. Bank sell visa gift cards too to their customers.
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#Problem 2: It isn’t easy to use sometimes
Most people complain that when their gift card balance remains $5 or $10, they find it difficult to use up all of it. This is another problem with visa gift cards.
These cards can be used anywhere visa gift cards are accepted, whether online or offline. Still, purchases and transactions are sometimes declined.
#Problem 3: Gift Card Theft
Yes! Gift cards can be stolen but the good news is they can be replaced too. To replace your stolen gift card will cost you about $5 or more.
This is the reason a credit card is preferred to a gift card. If your credit card gets stolen, you won’t be charged any money for a replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
A visa gift card is a prepaid card accepted wherever visa gift cards are used. These visa gift cards usually have a certain amount of cash that can be used to make purchases of any kind. It is a thoughtful gift to give to someone.
Yes! You must first activate your visa gift card if it was purchased online. But if it was purchased from a retail outlet, it must have been activated at the cash register. Without activating your visa gift card, you cannot use the card to make purchases online.
There are two options for you to check the balance on your visa gift card. It could be either by phone or online. Check the card’s reverse side or the leaflet accompanying your card; you will see the card issuer’s contact information. Before purchasing anything, check your account balance to ensure you have sufficient funds for what you want to buy. Your transaction could be denied if you purchase something higher than your available balance.
If you want to give out a visa gift card to someone as a present, ensure you give It alongside the materials that accompanied the card when you purchased it, not excluding the terms and conditions of use. If it’s an under-aged person that you’re giving the card to, do well to review the accompanying card materials together.
Yes! You can use your Visa gift card online. However, you must first activate and register it before making purchases.
Conclusion
These easy steps on how to use a visa gift card online have answered your question “can you use gift cards online?” Visa gift cards can be used online or offline to make purchases alone. They can be used anywhere visa gift cards are accepted.
Visa gift cards are very thoughtful gifts to give to your loved ones, although there are also problems that come with it, and these problems have been discussed in this article.
They are not to discourage you but to keep you informed concerning the possible problems you will face or anticipate. If you didn’t know how to use visa gift cards online before now, you should have learned how to do that from this article.
References
- https://www.google.com/amp/s/sellgiftcards.africa/how-to-use-a-visa-gift-card-online/amp/
- https://www.visa.ca/en_CA/pay-with-visa/cards/gift-cards.html#2
- https://cards4all.com.au/about/visa-gift-card-programs/visa-gift-card-frequently-asked-questions/
- https://clark.com/personal-finance-credit/visa-gift-cards/
- https://pocketsense.com/use-visa-gift-card-online-4688284.html
- https://wsecu.org/resources/faqs-visa-gift-cards
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