How to Pay With a Gift Card Online and In-Store
Effectively use your gift cards for online and in-store purchases. A clear guide to smooth transactions.
Gift cards are a widely used payment instrument, a prepaid card. They offer a convenient and flexible alternative to cash or traditional credit and debit cards, making them a popular choice for various occasions.
Getting Your Gift Card Ready
Before use, ensure your gift card is prepared. Some gift cards require activation. This typically involves calling a toll-free number, visiting a website, or automatic activation at purchase. Look for instructions on the card or packaging.
Knowing the exact balance on your gift card is important to avoid issues during a transaction. You can check the balance by visiting the retailer’s or card issuer’s website, often found on the back of the card. A toll-free customer service number is usually provided for balance inquiries, or you can ask a cashier at a physical store. For online purchases, you will need the card number, expiration date, and a security code (CVV/CVC). Physical cards designed for in-store use may also have a Personal Identification Number (PIN).
Making Purchases with Your Gift Card
Once your gift card is ready, using it for purchases is straightforward, whether you are shopping in a physical store or online. When making an in-store purchase, present the gift card to the cashier at checkout. The cashier will either swipe the card or manually enter its number into the payment terminal. If your gift card has a PIN, you might need to select “debit” and enter the PIN, or for cards without a PIN, it often processes as “credit.”
If the purchase amount exceeds the gift card’s balance, you can use the gift card for a partial payment and cover the remaining amount with another payment method, such as a debit card, credit card, or cash. Inform the cashier that you intend to use multiple forms of payment before the transaction begins. For online shopping, look for a dedicated section to enter gift card details during checkout. You will input the card number, expiration date, and the security code (CVV/CVC). If the gift card balance does not cover the full cost, the website will prompt you to provide an additional payment method.
After the Purchase and Troubleshooting
After using your gift card, especially if a balance remains, it is a good practice to recheck the balance to keep track of available funds. This helps you maximize the card’s value and avoid leaving small, unused amounts. Many retailers allow you to apply small remaining balances to future purchases, even if the purchase exceeds the card’s value.
If your gift card does not work as expected, several common issues could be the cause. These include improper activation, insufficient funds, or incorrectly entering the card number, expiration date, or security code during online transactions. Some gift cards have expiration dates, or certain merchants may not accept specific types of prepaid cards. For persistent problems, locate the customer service number on the back of the gift card or visit the issuer’s website for assistance.