How do u use a visa gift card

The beauty of receiving a Visa gift card is that it gives you the flexibility to use it with any online merchant that accepts Visa debit cards. Depending on how your card was purchased, it may be already activated when you receive it. If not, you'll have to activate it before you can use it, and if you want to use your Visa gift card online, you''ll also have to register it.

Activate Your Card

A Visa card from a retail outlet is activated at the cash register, and you'll receive the activation slip. Some Visa gifts cards purchased online need to be activated once you receive them in the mail.

In this case, follow the activation instructions on the little sticker that comes on the front of the card. Typically, this requires you to call an 800 number or access a website to enter the 16-digit card number and associated security code. For additional security, sign the card on the back as soon as you receive it.

Register Your Card

To register your card for online use, locate the issuer's 800 number or web address. You'll find this information on the back of the Visa card or in a leaflet that comes with the card. Call the telephone number or access the website to get started.

You'll need to provide the card code and card security number, as well as your personal information, including your name, address and telephone number. Use the same format for your personal information that you plan to use when making your online purchases. This is important as many payment processors check to verify that the information matches.

Use Your Card Online

At checkout you'll be given a variety of payment options. This may include PayPal, Amazon or a debit or credit card. You need to select the debit/credit card option and then specifically choose the Visa card for payment. Enter your personal information exactly as you did to register your card and then add the card code and security code.

Make a Partial Payment

Cardholders should always check their Visa gift card balance before making an online purchase. This can be done using the 800 number on the back of the card and following the prompts.

If the total amount on the card is less than the total purchase price, it may be possible for you to use the remainder of your card to buy a store e-gift card. In most cases, this is a code sent to your email inbox. You can then use that egift card code toward your total balance.

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You can use a Visa gift card for any purchase that you could normally make with a standard credit or debit card. While some Visa gift cards are activated automatically when they are purchased, others require additional steps to activate them. You can activate your card by calling the phone number printed on it, or by going online and entering the card’s information. Once activated, you can register your card if you’d like to use it for online purchases.

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   Call the number on the sticker on the front of your card. Most credit and debit cards come with a sticker attached to the front of the card when you first get it. This sticker contains the phone number that you need to activate your card. This is also true for some Visa gift cards. If there is a sticker on the front of your card, call the number listed and follow the automated prompts to activate it.[1]

   • To activate your card over the phone, you will have to verify the card’s account number and card verification number (or CVN) by entering it into the keypad.[2]
   • The CVN is three numbers, and is usually printed on the back of the card.[3]

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   Dial the number on the back of the card if there isn’t a sticker on the front. Your Visa gift card will have a customer service number listed on the back of the card. Call this number and follow the necessary button prompts to activate it. You will likely need to verify your card over the phone by entering your card’s account number and creating a PIN before using your card.[4]

   • Some Visa gift cards come with a PIN automatically assigned to it. You will be given your card’s PIN when you activate it.
   • If you prefer talking to an actual person instead of following an automated menu system, you can try to press "0" on your phone repeatedly. This often redirects you to a customer support employee.[5]

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   Contact Visa directly if you’re not sure how to activate your card. Contact Visa directly if you have questions while activating your card. It may also be best to call their customer service number if there is an issue with your activation.[6]

   • The customer service number is found on the back of your card.

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   Visit the activation link listed on the sticker on front of your card. If you don’t feel like making a phone call, you can usually activate your gift card online. There should be an activation link listed either on back of your card or on the sticker on the front of your card. It will likely prompt you to register your card online as well.[7]

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   Use the website listed on the back of the card if there’s no sticker. If isn’t a specific activation link listed on a sticker, you can flip the card over and find the website of the issuing vendor. The vendor’s website should contain a link to activate a gift card.[8]

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   Enter your information to register your card. While it isn’t mandatory, it may be a good idea to register your card in the event that you have problems with it in the future. You also need to register your card with the original vendor to make online purchases.[9]

   • Activating your card allows you to use it for purchases you make an in-person purchase. Registering your card allows you to use the account associated with the card, which is what you do when you make an online purchase.[10]
   • You may be asked to provide your full name, address, date of birth, or Social Security number. This is a legal requirement in most cases.[11]
   • When making an online purchase with your registered card, the address and name that you entered is checked against the card’s registered information. If they don’t match, you will have problems completing your purchase.[12]

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   Watch out for shady websites and scams when registering your card. Make sure that you’re registering your card on the correct website. There are several online scams that ask you to enter personal information related to your gift card, and if the wrong person has access to your card’s details, you may lose the opportunity to access the funds. Only register or activate your card with Visa or the vendor listed on the card.[13]

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   Sign the back of your card to prevent identity theft. Flip your card over and sign the strip on the back to prevent future issues surrounding fraudulent purchases. When using your card, merchants may check the signature on the back and compare it to the sales receipt in order to verify the card’s use.[14]

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   Record the card’s information in the event that you lose it. Write down the account number and registered information associated with the card and store it somewhere safe. In the event that you lose your card, you can’t replace it. However, you can still use it for online purchases if you have the account information stored somewhere.

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   Use your card before it expires. Visa gift cards often have an expiration date. If you don’t activate and use your card before it expires, you won’t have access to the remaining balance.[15]

   • The expiration date is usually printed on the front of your card, but it is occasionally found on the back as well.

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Add New Question

• Question

  How long after activation do I have to wait for the card to be usable?

  

  It should be usable immediately after activation.

• Question

  If I had provided Visa Vanilla card info. and 3 digit code on back of card to someone and didn't receive the service that card was to pay for., how do I see if the card has been spent?

  

  Put the card info into Onevanilla.com and it will give you a summary of what has been done with the funds inside.

• Question

  I just received a $50 gift card and the # on the card will not activate, so I can use it.

  

  If it was bought right before you received it ,there's a 1 hour period for the card to officially set up before you can use it. Try again later. If not, call Visa about it.

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