How to Use a Gift Card for Online & In-Store Purchases

Gift cards are a widely accepted and convenient payment method. They offer a flexible way to make purchases at various retailers. Understanding how to use these cards effectively can enhance your shopping experience, providing a straightforward alternative to cash or traditional credit and debit cards.

Activating and Checking Your Gift Card Balance

Before a gift card can be used, some may require activation to prevent unauthorized use. Activation involves visiting a website or calling a toll-free number on the card. You will need to enter the card number and sometimes a security code or PIN to complete the activation.

Verifying the balance is a practical step before making a purchase. Most gift cards allow balance checks online through the retailer’s or issuer’s website, using the card number and security code. A toll-free phone number on the card can also be used for balance inquiries. Many stores also offer balance checks at a customer service desk or during checkout.

Using Your Gift Card In-Store

Redeeming a gift card at a physical store is a simple process, much like using a debit or credit card. When ready to pay, present the gift card to the cashier. The cashier will swipe the card or manually enter the number.

If the card has a Personal Identification Number (PIN), it will usually be located on the back, often hidden under a scratch-off strip, and you may need to enter it on the keypad. If your purchase amount is less than the card’s balance, the remaining funds stay on the card for future use. Should the purchase exceed the gift card’s value, you can often pay the difference using another form of payment, such as cash or a debit/credit card.

Using Your Gift Card Online

Utilizing a gift card for online purchases follows a similar structured approach during the checkout process. As you proceed to payment, look for a dedicated field labeled “Gift Card,” “Gift Code,” or sometimes “Other Payment Methods.” Here, you will enter the gift card number and the corresponding security code, often a CVV or similar three- or four-digit code found on the back of the physical card.

After entering the details, apply the gift card balance to your order total. If the total cost of your purchase is less than the gift card’s value, the remaining balance will typically be saved on the card for subsequent transactions. For orders exceeding the gift card’s balance, most online retailers allow you to combine the gift card with another payment method, such as a credit card, to cover the remaining amount.

Navigating Different Gift Card Types and Scenarios

Gift cards come in two primary forms: store-specific (closed-loop) and general-purpose (open-loop). Store-specific cards, like those for a particular retailer or restaurant, can only be used at the issuing merchant. Open-loop cards, often branded with logos like Visa, Mastercard, or American Express, function similarly to debit cards and can be used anywhere those payment networks are accepted.

Most gift cards permit partial use, meaning any unspent balance remains on the card for future purchases until the funds are depleted. The ability to combine multiple gift cards for a single transaction varies by retailer, so checking the specific store’s policy is advisable. It is prudent to treat gift cards with care, similar to cash, as registered cards may offer some protection against loss or theft, though policies for replacement differ significantly among issuers.