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Valued Contributor
Posts: 707
Registered: ‎06-27-2016

@Jordan2 wrote:

@pigletsmom @gidgetgh , I really wanted to buy something for myself, not buy groceries or that type of thing. I have used gift cards online where the purchase was more than the gift card. In that case the amount of the gift card was applied to the purchase and I charged the difference.


I think @pigletsmom is exactly correct. If the amount you are trying to purchase is OVER $50 it's not going to work.

~ Hope in TN ~
Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,429
Registered: ‎07-12-2010

Re: Vanilla Visa Gift Cards

[ Edited ]
  • I've never heard of registering just a ZIP code with a gift card. You must register your name and address and have it match the shipping address.
  • Some cards are for online purchases only. You also won't be able to pay for something in an installment plan. They know it is debit, not credit by the number.
  • Some retailers only accept PayPal. You can register a debit card with your PayPal account, Pay with PayPal, and the money will be deducted from the card.
  • Some retailers accept multiple forms of payment. You may be able to use the whole card and pay the balance with a store-specific gift card.
Honored Contributor
Posts: 14,664
Registered: ‎03-16-2010

I'm the OP and was in CVS this morning. Looking at the gift cards, every Visa gift card is issued by Vanilla. I was speaking to a worker in the store, I was telling her about my problem using the card, she said she also can never use one online. Also I asked about using a gift card to purchase a gift card and the answer is no ( I knew she would say this, but I had to ask). I asked why you can't use it on gift cards, she said you just can't. I don't why you can't, it is a form of currency, the funds are there, why does it matter if you want to buy a gift card? Also what good is a gift card you can't use online, I have to schelp to a brick and mortar store to buy something.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,296
Registered: ‎09-18-2010

@Jordan2 , I hate that you can't use that card. 

I think after reading all this, I will just give good old cash from now on. I'd hate to be trying to treat someone with a gc, and be treating them to a headache instead.

I really hope you can end up treating yourself. Sorry you will have to go to a brick and mortar to do it, its obviuosly not what you were wanting.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,058
Registered: ‎11-21-2011

Under the circumstances I'd for sure try to buy an amazon card for the total amount with it and just let the amazon card sit on your account until you want to buy something. I've had no problem doing this on Amazon and it's what I normally do. I hate to bring them to a store unless I'm spending over that amount. Annoying when you end up with like 5.47 on it or whatever.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 41,919
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

@Jordan2 wrote:

I'm the OP and was in CVS this morning. Looking at the gift cards, every Visa gift card is issued by Vanilla. I was speaking to a worker in the store, I was telling her about my problem using the card, she said she also can never use one online. Also I asked about using a gift card to purchase a gift card and the answer is no ( I knew she would say this, but I had to ask). I asked why you can't use it on gift cards, she said you just can't. I don't why you can't, it is a form of currency, the funds are there, why does it matter if you want to buy a gift card? Also what good is a gift card you can't use online, I have to schelp to a brick and mortar store to buy something.


 

 

 

@Jordan2 

 

i wonder how she would know that you were using a gift card to purchase a gift card? you dont even turn the gift card over to her so she would not even see it. you buy a gift card for $50 (as long as there is no other fee attached) and swipe your $50 gift card to purchase it.

 

for visa gift cards especially, i feel it is so much easier to just use them at a store rather than trying to use them online.

********************************************
"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing." - Albert Einstein
Honored Contributor
Posts: 9,733
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

@pigletsmom wrote:

Under the circumstances I'd for sure try to buy an amazon card for the total amount with it and just let the amazon card sit on your account until you want to buy something. I've had no problem doing this on Amazon and it's what I normally do. I hate to bring them to a store unless I'm spending over that amount. Annoying when you end up with like 5.47 on it or whatever.


That is exactly what we do with the occasional Visa gift card we receive.  I use it on Amazon to purchase an Amazon Gift Card (e-card), then I load that Amazon gift card back onto my Amazon account.  There is never any unused amounts for sure since we are always buying something from Amazon.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 14,664
Registered: ‎03-16-2010

Re: Vanilla Visa Gift Cards

[ Edited ]

@Mj12 wrote:

@pigletsmom wrote:

Under the circumstances I'd for sure try to buy an amazon card for the total amount with it and just let the amazon card sit on your account until you want to buy something. I've had no problem doing this on Amazon and it's what I normally do. I hate to bring them to a store unless I'm spending over that amount. Annoying when you end up with like 5.47 on it or whatever.


That is exactly what we do with the occasional Visa gift card we receive.  I use it on Amazon to purchase an Amazon Gift Card (e-card), then I load that Amazon gift card back onto my Amazon account.  There is never any unused amounts for sure since we are always buying something from Amazon.


I haven't tried using it on Amazon, I'm going to try that. An update to my post, I just tried to buy an Amazon Gift Card with this gift card, it wouldn't take it!

Honored Contributor
Posts: 37,766
Registered: ‎05-22-2016

@Jordan2 

Try adding that gift card as another credit card. In other words, trick Amazon into seeing it as another credit card which you have added to your account.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 9,733
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

@SilleeMee wrote:

@Jordan2 

Try adding that gift card as another credit card. In other words, trick Amazon into seeing it as another credit card which you have added to your account.


@Jordan2 ^ this! I left out a very important step. Add it as a new cc to your account then use it. (After it's over, delete that cc from your acct).