Where Can I Use Multiple Gift Cards Online?
Seamlessly use multiple gift cards for your online shopping. This guide covers how to prepare, apply, and troubleshoot for successful purchases.
Using multiple gift cards for a single online purchase can be challenging. While accumulating various gift cards is common, using them seamlessly for a single online purchase is not always straightforward. This guide provides clarity and practical solutions for effectively utilizing multiple gift cards when making online purchases.
Identifying Your Gift Card Types and Retailer Policies
Understanding gift card types is the initial step for online use. “Closed-loop” gift cards are issued by specific retailers and can only be redeemed at that store or its affiliated brands, such as a clothing store or coffee shop. In contrast, “open-loop” gift cards, like Visa, Mastercard, or American Express, function as prepaid debit cards and are accepted wherever those payment networks are honored, offering broad versatility.
Before an online purchase, check the retailer’s policies on multiple gift cards. Many online stores have specific guidelines on how many gift cards can be applied to a single transaction. This information is typically found in the retailer’s FAQ or help section, often under “gift cards” or “payment options.” The online checkout process may also indicate if multiple gift card fields are available. Some retailers, like Walmart, may limit the number of gift cards saved to an account or explicitly state policies against combining multiple gift cards to purchase a new one.
Methods for Using Multiple Gift Cards Online
Once you understand your gift card types and retailer policies, you can proceed with specific methods for online use. For retailers that permit multiple store-specific (closed-loop) gift cards, the process involves entering each card’s number and PIN into designated fields during checkout. Some online platforms may require you to add gift cards to your account balance before making a purchase, consolidating their value for later use.
When using open-loop gift cards, such as Visa or Mastercard, they are generally processed like a credit or debit card. Select “credit card” as the payment type and input the card number, expiration date, and security code (CVV). If the purchase exceeds the balance of a single open-loop card, some online payment services or retailers may allow you to split the payment between the gift card and another payment method, such as a credit card or PayPal account.
For situations where a retailer does not directly allow multiple gift cards for a single transaction, workarounds can still be used. One strategy involves using smaller gift cards to purchase a single, larger gift card from the same retailer, if permitted. Another common approach is splitting payments, where you use one gift card to cover a portion of the purchase and then pay the remaining balance with another gift card, a credit card, or an alternative payment method. This method is frequently supported by online retailers, allowing for partial payments with gift cards.
Tips for Successful Online Gift Card Use
To ensure a smooth online shopping experience with gift cards, always check the exact balance on each card before initiating a purchase. This practice helps prevent payment declines due to insufficient funds and allows you to plan how to allocate the card values effectively. Most gift cards provide a toll-free number or a website on the back of the card where you can check the balance.
After making a purchase, it is advisable to retain your physical or digital gift cards until the order is fully processed, received, and any return or refund periods have passed. This precaution ensures you have the necessary card information if a return is needed, as refunds for items purchased with gift cards are typically credited back to the original gift card. Replacing a lost card might be possible if you have the original purchase receipt.
Dealing with partial balances on gift cards is a common scenario. For small remaining amounts, consider using them for smaller, everyday purchases, combining them with other payment methods for a larger item, or applying them to online accounts if the retailer allows. Some platforms enable you to add small gift card balances directly to your account credit, consolidating fragmented funds. If a gift card is not working online, common issues include the card not being activated, incorrect details entered, or the card having insufficient balance or specific store restrictions. In such cases, contacting the retailer’s customer support or the gift card issuer’s customer service number, usually found on the back of the card, can help resolve the problem.