By LaToya IrbyCan You Buy Gift Cards With a Credit Card?
By LaToya Irby
Quick Answer
- In most cases, you can buy gift cards with a credit card.
- Some retailers and card issuers may have restrictions or charge additional fees.
Gift cards are simple, versatile and easy to buy. In most cases, you can buy gift cards with a credit card, but some retailers and card issuers place restrictions on these purchases. Here's what to know before using your credit card to buy a gift card.
Can I Buy a Gift Card With a Credit Card?
Yes, you can usually buy a gift card with a credit card as long as both the retailer and your card issuer allow it. Some retailers limit the dollar amount you can purchase.
When you buy a gift card with your credit card, the purchase is added to your credit card balance like any other purchase. Then, you'll repay it according to your credit card's billing cycle. You can spend the gift card balance until it's depleted.
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Is Buying Gift Cards With a Credit Card Considered a Cash Advance?
Buying a gift card with a credit card generally isn't considered a cash advance. However some card issuers may treat prepaid gift cards, like Visa or Mastercard gift cards, as cash equivalent transactions.
If your card issuer treats a gift card purchase as a cash advance, you'll typically pay a cash advance fee and a higher interest rate. There's no grace period for avoiding finance charges, even if you pay your balance in full. You typically won't earn rewards on the transaction.
To avoid surprises, check your credit card agreement or contact customer service to confirm whether buying a gift card with your credit card would be treated as a cash advance.
Learn more: What Is a Grace Period?
Pros and Cons of Buying Gift Cards With a Credit Card
Buying gift cards with a credit card comes with benefits and drawbacks.
Pros
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Earn rewards: Buying gift cards with your rewards credit card can earn points, miles or cash back rewards as long as your card issuer treats the transaction as a regular purchase. You can redeem rewards for statement credits, flights, hotel stays and more depending on your rewards program.
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Earn a welcome bonus: Gift card purchases can help you meet the spending requirement for a welcome bonus, provided the purchase meets your card issuer's terms. Some credit cards offer a welcome bonus high enough to cover a flight or hotel stay, making it a win-win for you.
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Take advantage of bonus rewards: You can maximize rotating or fixed bonus categories by purchasing gift cards from qualifying retailers, like home improvement stores or restaurants. Keep in mind that rewards are generally based on where you buy the gift card, not the brand of the gift card itself.
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Convenience: Using one payment method for gift cards can simplify your budgeting and make it easier to track spending.
Cons
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Cash advance costs: Some card issuers treat certain gift card purchases as cash equivalent transactions. These transactions may incur fees, higher interest rates and won't earn rewards.
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Potential rewards risk: Buying large amounts of gift cards solely to earn rewards can violate your card issuer's rewards program terms. To keep your rewards privileges, buy gift cards as needed rather than trying to game the system.
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Fewer protections: Purchases made with a gift card don't include the same protections as those made with a credit card. For instance, you'll lose purchase protection, extended warranty and zero fraud liability on purchases made with the gift card.
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Store restrictions: Some stores may limit or restrict the purchase of gift cards with a credit card. With these retailers, you'll have to use another form of payment.
How to Buy a Gift Card With a Credit Card
You can buy gift cards online or in person at major retailers like digital marketplaces, grocery stores, supercenters, drug stores and gas stations.
- Choose your gift card. Select a physical or digital gift card from a retailer or online marketplace. Some retailers sell their own branded gift cards as well as third-party gift cards, which gives you more options.
- Select the amount. Decide how much you want to load onto the gift card. Some gift cards include a small activation fee.
- Complete your purchase using your credit card. Proceed to checkout for online purchases or take your gift card to the cashier if you're shopping in the store. Use your credit card as the payment method and complete the transaction just like you would with any other purchase.
Tip: Many rewards credit cards let you redeem points or cash back for gift cards. Using rewards instead of your credit card lets you avoid increasing your balance. Gift card redemption values vary by card issuer.
The Bottom Line
Gift cards can be a convenient way to give gifts, prepay for purchases or stick to a budget. If your card issuer allows it, you'll earn rewards when you use your credit card to purchase a gift card. Before buying, check the retailer's payment policies and your card issuer's terms to confirm you won't be charged unexpected fees.
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About the author
LaToya Irby
LaToya Irby is a personal finance writer who works with consumer media outlets to help people navigate their money and credit. She’s been published and quoted extensively in USA Today, U.S. News and World Report, myFICO, Investopedia, The Balance and more.
Read more from LaToya