Can I Use Two Gift Cards for One Purchase Online?
Navigate using multiple gift cards for online purchases. Understand merchant capabilities, payment steps, and effective workarounds for your orders.
Gift cards are a ubiquitous payment method for online shoppers, offering a convenient and flexible way to make purchases. These prepaid cards allow individuals to select desired items from a specific retailer. Their widespread adoption in e-commerce has increased their utility, making them a common form of digital currency. Their ease of use and broad acceptance across numerous online platforms underscore their popularity.
General Possibility of Combining Gift Cards
The ability to use multiple gift cards for a single online transaction is not universally available across all e-commerce platforms. This capability is primarily determined by the individual merchant’s e-commerce system and their specific payment processing policies. Some retailers have robust systems designed to accommodate several gift cards for one purchase, while many others do not. This variation often creates confusion for consumers. The allowance or restriction on combining gift cards reflects the retailer’s technological infrastructure and financial protocols.
Factors Influencing Multiple Gift Card Use
Several factors determine whether an online shopper can apply more than one gift card to a single purchase.
A primary consideration is the merchant’s specific policy regarding payment methods. Each retailer establishes its own rules, some explicitly permitting the combination of multiple gift cards, while others strictly forbid it or do not offer the functionality. Consumers should consult the retailer’s frequently asked questions (FAQ) section or terms and conditions for guidance on their gift card acceptance policies.
The type of gift card also plays a significant role in its usability. Store-specific gift cards, issued directly by a particular retailer, are subject to that merchant’s unique limitations on combining. Network-branded gift cards, such as those from Visa, Mastercard, or American Express, are broadly accepted wherever their network is supported. However, even these open-loop cards can encounter restrictions on multiple usage within a single transaction if the merchant’s system is not configured to process them in combination.
The technical capabilities of the e-commerce platform present another influencing factor. Some online checkout systems are designed with the flexibility to accept and process multiple payment methods simultaneously, including several gift cards. Other platforms may only be able to process one gift card per transaction due to their technical architecture or design. This technical limitation means that even if a retailer wished to allow combining, their current e-commerce setup might not support it without significant system modifications.
Steps for Attempting Multiple Gift Card Use
To use multiple gift cards online, begin by reviewing the retailer’s website for any explicit policies on gift card usage, often found in their FAQ or payment information sections. After adding desired items to the shopping cart, proceed to the online checkout page. Locate the designated fields for gift card numbers and PINs.
Enter the details for the first gift card and apply its value to the order. Once the first card is processed, observe the checkout interface for an option to “add another gift card,” “apply another gift card,” or a similar prompt. If such an option is present, repeat the process for additional gift cards, entering their numbers and PINs as required. If the combined gift card value does not cover the entire purchase, the system will prompt for an alternative payment method, such as a credit card or digital wallet, to complete the transaction.
Alternatives When Combining is Not Supported
When an online merchant’s system does not allow for the direct combination of multiple gift cards, several alternative strategies can help complete a purchase.
A common approach involves using one gift card to cover as much of the transaction as possible, then paying the remaining balance with another accepted payment method, such as a credit card, debit card, or a digital payment service.
Some retailers may offer a service to consolidate the balances of several smaller gift cards onto a single new gift card, simplifying future transactions. This consolidation feature is not universally available and depends on the specific retailer’s customer service offerings and internal policies. For larger purchases, consider whether items can be purchased individually in separate transactions, allowing each purchase to be funded by a single gift card. If online combining proves impossible, some retailers might allow gift card combination for purchases made in their physical store locations, offering a viable alternative.