A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE ON HOW TO USE A VISA GIFT CARD

How To Use a Visa Gift Card To Its Full Potential

Receiving a Visa gift card on special occasions feels like a stroke of luck, offering the freedom to make purchases nearly anywhere credit or debit cards are accepted, both in stores and online. The potential for spending with this gift is as vast as your card balance allows.

But many people don’t know how to use a Visa gift card. The great news is, you don’t need to worry about how to activate a Visa gift card – they come pre-activated and ready for immediate use once purchased. Upon receiving this thoughtful gift, most of the activation work is already done for you. Just ensure you sign the back of your card before making any purchases!

Before embarking on your shopping spree with your activated Visa gift card, here are a few additional tips to bear in mind.

How to Use a Visa Gift Card If It Asks for a PIN

In case a PIN is required when using your Visa gift card at a checkout kiosk, you have the flexibility to select any four digits of your choice. Once entered, the purchase should proceed smoothly. Keep in mind that this PIN becomes the designated code for this specific card in the future. Opt for a combination that is easy for you to remember but challenging for others to guess. This ensures both convenience and security in your future transactions.

Check Your Visa Gift Card Balance

To check the balance of your Visa gift card, follow these simple steps:

On the back of your Visa gift card, locate the website provided by the card’s manufacturer. Navigating to this URL will lead you directly to the option for checking your gift card balance.

Once on the website, you’ll be prompted to enter essential information, including the card number, expiration date, and CVV. Ensure you have these details on hand for a seamless balance inquiry.

Alternatively:

Dial the phone number displayed on the back of your Visa gift card.
Follow the instructions provided by the automated messaging system.
Enter the same information – card number, expiration date, and CVV.
The automated system will then relay your Visa gift card balance. Choose the method that suits you best for convenient and timely access to your card’s current balance.

How To Use a Visa Gift Card For Online Purchases

Using your Visa gift card for online purchases is a straightforward process. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Check Your Balance:

Before making an online purchase, ensure that your Visa gift card balance is sufficient to cover the final total.

Payment Designation:

If provided with an option, designate the card type as either “credit” or “debit” during the checkout process (avoid selecting “gift card”).

Card Information Entry:

Enter your Visa gift card details, including the card number, expiration date, and CVV, just as you would with any other payment method

Billing Information:

Add your name and address to the “billing address” section to complete the transaction.

Be aware that, in adherence to certain cardholder agreements, specific online orders may require a card balance up to 20% above the purchase amount. If your Visa gift card is not accepted for an online order, this stipulation might be the reason. Consider checking the card balance or exploring alternative payment options.

How To Use a Visa Gift Card On Your Phone For Touchless Payments

If you’re looking to make touchless payments with your Visa gift card or simply declutter your physical wallet, follow these steps to add it to your smartphone’s digital wallet, such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay:

Choose Digital Wallet:

Opt for a digital wallet platform like Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay on your smartphone.

Open the App:

Launch the selected digital wallet app on your smartphone.

Add a New Card:

Look for the option to add a new card or payment method within the app.

Enter Card Details:

Either scan your Visa gift card using your phone’s camera or manually input the card details, including the card number, expiration date, and CVV.

Complete Setup:

Follow any additional prompts to complete the setup process.

Once added successfully, your Visa gift card will be ready for use as a payment option in your digital wallet. This allows for convenient and secure touchless payments while keeping your wallet contents organized.

How To Use a Visa Gift Card in Case of Overspending

When attempting to exceed the available balance on your Visa gift card, two possible outcomes can occur:

Transaction Declined:

If the purchase amount surpasses the available balance, the transaction may be declined.

Partial Payment:

In some instances, the purchase might go through, but you’ll be required to cover the remaining balance using an alternative payment method.

If you are aware that your Visa gift card balance is insufficient for the total purchase amount, consider approaching the checkout cashier. They may have the option to manually apply the card balance to your purchase and allow you to settle the remaining balance with another payment method. It’s important to note that this method may not be universally applicable and might not work for all transactions.