Whether you use gift cards or not, it is always a good thing to keep your options open. Knowing what they are and how you can use them will help you immeasurably in case you need to use them at some point in the future. Keeping that in mind, this article deals exclusively with that topic.
What Are Gift Cards?
You must have heard of gift cards before. They are a kind of debit card with a certain amount of money already loaded into them, which you can use to buy certain items – within that monetary limit. Further on, we will tell you everything you need to know about the best gift cards and how you can make the most of them to get the things you really want.
Types of Online Shopping Gift Cards
Just because they all serve a similar purpose doesn’t mean that all online shopping gift cards are the same or that they work the same way. Don’t be fooled: there’s a lot of variety, and you need to know the basic differences between them to utilize them properly. In this section, we will tell you about these differences.
On the Basis of Acceptance
Typically, there are two kinds of online shopping gift cards in this category: open-loop and closed-loop.
- Almost everyone in the world is familiar with the concept of open-looped cards. This is basically akin to a credit or debit card like Visa or Mastercard and can be used to pay for transactions at most places. These are your standard prepaid cards.
- Closed-loop cards are usually issued by a specific merchant – think your local supermarket’s discount or membership card. You can’t use them anywhere else – hence, their loops are closed. They contain a specific amount of money with which you can buy items. These ones make for wonderful presents and are generally the best gift cards for online shopping.
Based on Their Ability to Reload
As with the above category, online shopping gift cards can be differentiated into two types based on whether they can be reloaded. The differences are quite simple.
- Some cards can be replenished with more funds when they run out of balance and continue working. These are your typical open-loop cards.
- Other cards cannot be reloaded, as is the case with many closed-loop cards.
Based on the Issuer
As discussed before, top gift cards can be issued by a whole plethora of providers.
- Mainly, there are cards issued by banks like Visa and Mastercard, which can be used for transactions almost anywhere.
- The second type is those issued by a corporation that can be used only within its bounds, something bank cards don’t have to worry about. Cards issued by corporations can only be used in stores they own or those that are owned by their affiliates. On the plus side, you don’t have to pay an activation fee with them as you do with bank cards.
Physical vs. Digital Cards
- Most gift cards that you see will be physical and tangible, something you can produce at the cash counter and swipe. Those are the physical cards, readily available at any time.
- However, digital gift cards exist, too, though they were a very niche market until the pandemic hit. That’s when they took off, their sales rising by almost 50% during the lockdown. These intangible cards don’t need to be printed and stick to a rigid design. So, they are easy to customize as required, making them very popular and handy during these times.
Top 11 Most Popular Gift Cards for Online Shopping
Now that we have a handle on the basic differences, let’s have a gander at the top 11 most popular gift cards in the world right now and understand what makes them so appealing.
eBay Gift Card
Key features: You can only use eBay gift cards to buy eBay products, and whatever balance remains from the transaction will be added to your account.
Limits: You can’t buy other gift cards with a gift card, and you can’t buy any other kind of currency with it, but everything else is fair game!
Card denominations: $25-$200
Availability by Country: International
Card Expiration: Never
Sephora Gift Card
Key features: If you have any unused balance on these cards, you won’t have to pay any fees for them.
Limits: You can’t buy money with it, and you may only use up to two gift cards per order, and they cannot be replaced if stolen.
Card denominations: $10, $25, $40, $50, $75, $100, $150, $200, $250
Availability by Country: US & Canada
Card Expiration: Never
Amazon Gift Card
Key features: Amazon gift cards are amazing simply for the fact that you can add balance to them when it runs out. While the gift card balance is automatically added to any transactions you make, you can easily opt out of it with a single click and keep your balance for other transactions.
Limits: You can’t buy collectible coins or other gift cards.
Card denominations: $25, $50, $75, $100, $150. You can set your own value from $1 to $2,000.
Availability by Country: Worldwide
Card Expiration: No expiration date
Visa Gift Card
Key features: Visa can replace your stolen card, though this feature depends on what country you’re in. You also have the freedom to buy what you want, wherever you want, because the Visa brand name carries weight across the world.
Limits: Additional funds cannot be added.
Card denominations: Varies depending on the type, can be up to $1,000
Availability by Country: Worldwide
Card Expiration: They expire after seven years from the date of purchase
Nike Gift Card
Key features: You can use multiple cards on the same purchase. If your cards don’t cover the purchase amount, you can use alternative means of payment. Can be used on Nike.com, Converse.com, the Nike App, and at Nike retail stores.
Limits: Can’t be used to buy other gift cards.
Card denominations: $25, $50, $75, $100, $150, $200, $250, or custom amount of $25-$500.
Availability by Country: Worldwide
Card Expiration: Never
Adidas Gift Card
Key features: You can use Adidas gift cards up to ten for a single transaction.
Limits: You cannot exchange it for money or buy other gift cards, and they cannot be bought at a discount or returned.
Card denominations: from $10 to $250
Availability by Country: Worldwide
Card Expiration: No expiration so long as there is balance left in the card.
Victoria’s Secret Gift Card
Key features: In the event that it is lost or destroyed, they will get you a new one, provided you can give them the card number. The card is redeemable for cash if its balance is less than $10.
Limits: You cannot buy other gift cards or pay off a credit card debt.
Card denominations: from $10 to $500
Availability by Country: Wherever Victoria’s Secret is available
Card Expiration: Never
Flipkart Gift Card
Key features: You can use the balance across multiple purchases easily enough
Limits: The card can’t be returned.
Card denominations: 3000 INR, 5000 INR, 7500 INR, 10000 INR
Availability by Country: India
Card Expiration: Expires in a year from purchase.
Starbucks Gift Card
Key features: If the card was stolen or lost, a replacement will be provided to you, along with the balance it had on it, but only if you are registered on the Starbucks website.
Limits: Can’t be used by anyone under the age of 13
Card denominations: $10, $25, $50, $100, or custom value from $5 to $100
Availability by Country: Worldwide
Card Expiration: Never
Microsoft Gift Card
Key features: Flexibility to choose between spending on Microsoft or XBox Stores.
Limits: Microsoft 365 can’t be bought with a gift card.
Card denominations: $1-$80, $85, $90, $95, $100
Availability by Country: Worldwide, but valid only in the country they are bought in
Card Expiration: Never
Zalando Gift Card
Key features: You can use multiple gift cards on an order and still use a voucher code on top of all that. Cards can be personalized: you can choose its design and add your text.
Limits: Cards can be used only in the country where they were purchased. If the value is left after placing an order, it will be uploaded as credit in the Zalando customer account.
Card denominations: £5- £100
Availability by Country: Wherever there is Zalando
Card Expiration: Never
How to Use Gift Cards for Online Shopping
Now that we have talked about all the different kinds of popular cards, it’s time to show you the best way to do online shopping with gift cards. These can be summed up in four easy steps, so let’s get started.
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Choose a Gift Card
First and foremost, you have to choose a card before you buy one. Pick from one of the ten listed above, or do some research and find the best gift card for you or your purposes.
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Choose a Delivery Method
If you’re buying a physical gift card, you will have to choose a method of delivery. Every provider offers at least a few options to choose from, and you should select one that best fits your time schedule. You can get them delivered more quickly for some extra money, so be mindful of what you want.
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Complete Checkout
This is simple enough. Once you’ve selected all your options, pay for the card and complete your checkout. Your card will reach you soon after.
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Redeem the Gift Card
Every service has a different way of redeeming their gift card for online shopping. If you’re buying things in person, you present the card or the card number in case it is digital. The cashier will take care of the rest. If you are buying things online, you will need to provide the card number at checkout, and the site will adjust the amount as required. At the end of the day, it’s nothing too complicated.
Where Can I Get a Card?
The answer to this question varies. Most of the best gift cards are sold by their respective corporations at their outlets or online. Some online markets might have gift cards from multiple sources for you to purchase. On the other hand, some gift cards can be bought at supermarkets or at affiliate shops. Overall, they are easy enough to find. The best choice of buying gift cards is Baxity Store – reliable and safe.
Pros and Cons of Gift Cards for Internet Shopping
As with everything in life, using gift cards for Internet shopping has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. First, we will take a look at the good things.
| Pros | Cons |
|
+ Gift cards are a secure medium of payments because they’re unique to every user. + They make great gifts for special occasions and holidays. + They help you control your spending by limiting you to a specific amount. + They are easy to use. |
– You may have to pay fees for buying or recharging them. – Losing a card can be a pain if you have it and haven’t registered or authenticated it from the service provider. – If you don’t use the card, you might face an inactivity fee. – You might not use the whole amount and forget about the remainder. |
Alternative Payment Solutions
Now, if you don’t want to use gift cards for shopping, it’s not the end of the world. They aren’t for everyone, and they don’t have to be. If you skip this option, you can rely on many other options to pay for your shopping. Some of these include:
- Mobile payments
- Online wallets and third-party wallets
- Bank transfers
- Cash payments
- Credit or debit cards
Conclusion
Gift cards are a wonderful innovation and have gained a lot of popularity. The use of gift cards for online shopping or as a gift is a very safe method of managing finances or giving personalized presents. They serve multiple purposes, and you can get a lot of mileage out of them if you want a fun alternative method of payment at your disposal.
FAQs
Addressing some of the most poignant questions about the best gift cards, here are some answers that might help you.
Which Are the Best Gift Cards for Online Shopping?
You can never go wrong with any of the top ten best gift cards we have listed in the article.
Why Use a Gift Card for Online Shopping?
It is a great way to avoid paying with cash or your credit card, should you not want to use them.
How to Use Gift Cards for Online Shopping?
Simply select what you want to buy and provide the card number at the checkout.
