Using Visa or American Express Gift Cards to Shop Online
One of the most asked gift card questions, particularly on Yahoo Answers is whether you can use a Visa or any other bank issued gift card (American Express, Discover, or MasterCard) to shop online. The answer is yes.
However, there are additional steps you have to take to prevent your card from being rejected by the merchant. The problem with using Visa (or any other bank issued) gift card online is that there is no verifiable name and address associated with the card. When buying things online, most merchants want your name and billing address to match the name and address you have on file with your card (credit, debit, or bank gift card) issuer.
Therefore, before you use your Visa or other bank issued gift card, call the merchant/financial institution that issued the card or go to their website and add your name and address to the card. This will ensure that when you use the card online, the name and address you provide to the merchant for billing will match the name and address on file for the card. Once you have registered your card, you can use it online just like you would use a regular credit card.
If your information (name and address) has changed since you registered your Visa gift card, call the card issuer or go online and update your information before you use the card online.
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[...] http://www.giftcardblogger.com/gift-card-question-using-visa-or-american-express-gift-cards-to-shop-…References : [...]
[...] 2. Can the Vanilla Visa Gift Card Be Used to Shop Online? The short answer is yes and no. Yes, because Vanilla Visa has information on their FAQs addressing the issue of using the card online. They do encourage card holders to use their mailing address when using the card online. They do not explicitly say that you cannot use the card online, but they do acknowledge that your personal information is not linked to the card. And that is where the problem lies. Since your personal information is not linked to the card, when the online merchant tries to verify the name and address you provide against the information on file with your gift card issuer (just like the do for credit cards), they are not able to match the information against your Vanilla Visa card, which leads to the card being rejected. I am not sure why Vanilla Visa will not come out and just tell their customers that. Some people buy these cards with the hope of using them online only to find out they cannot. That can be frustrating. For more on using bank issued gift cards online, click here. [...]
[...] According to All-Access Visa, you have to register your card via phone or online (at http://www.allaccessgift.com) to be able to use the card online. This is necessary because the online merchant will then be able to match the name and billing address you provide for your order with the name and billing address on file for your visa gift card (just like they do for credit cards). If they are unable to match this information, your All-Access card will be rejected. For more on using bank issued gift cards like the All-Access card to shop online, click here. [...]
[...] 3. Can I use the American Express Gift Card to make purchases online? Yes, but before you do that, you need to register the card with American Express (add your name and billing address to the card). This is necessary because the online merchant will then be able to match the name and billing address you provide for your order with the name and billing address on file for your visa gift card (just like they do for credit cards). Should they be unable to match your information, your card may be rejected. For more on how to use the American Express Gift Card online, click here. [...]
Thank you for this information!!!! VERY helpful.
[...] Using Visa or America Express Gift Cards to Shop Online [...]
[...] http://blog.giftcardrescue.com/gift-card-question-using-visa-or-american-express-gift-cards-to-shop-…References : [...]
where on the american express website does one register so that the gift card may be used for online purchases?
I bought a visa debit card for some online payments through my brother living in the US since there is no a credit card marketing here in my country,Ethiopia.But Icouldn,t make use of it.I tried it two times and was rejected.
[...] http://blog.giftcardrescue.com/gift-card-question-using-visa-or-american-express-gift-cards-to-shop-…References : [...]
Most online merchants won’t require you to register your card, but some will. American Express cards are the worst, go with Visa if you ever get one for someone.
if a gift card you buy at target is only worth 100 dollars.how do you add money, if the thing you want to buy is more than 100 dollars.or can you use 2 gift cards online
I just called up American Express and registered my card.
It wasn’t an easy process, but the first step after calling the automated system is entering your card number.
From the main menu, select the number “0″ every time the spoken menu begins again. They will then transfer you to a CS Rep. They should have your number on file.
I get the feeling that this is an overseas call center. I have a few suggestions to make things run more smoothly:
1. Be nice. They probably screen an inordinate number of unhappy callers every day, and you’ll finish faster if you have a pleasant, polite demeanor.
2. Have your card and registration address ready.
3. Use the international aviation alphabet. It will make sure that no typos appear, and you will be able to properly use your card. It’s international for a reason. Here’s a link. http://www.witsflyingclub.co.za/help/alphabet.asp
This saved me from a few typos in my registration.
Hope this helps!
i live in the uk and was given a american express gift card. where can i use it or can i use it on a american online site?
I work at a store and when a person uses an amex gift card the name that comes up on the receipt is A GIFT FOR YOU. So when i tried to use it i just typed that in and it worked. Just put A GIFT FOR YOU as the name
and what does that mean?????
I don’t understand!!!!!!!!!!
Would you please tell me what the error is??????
I finally got intouch with AMEX and if you call the number on the back of the card they will make sure that the card is active (takes upto 70mins) and they will register the card in your name. You must call them to do this, there is not a website to register. Now I can finally pay my bills online.
With Visa and Mastercard prepaid debit cards, you will have to go to their website get it activated by filling out a form wait a few seconds and you’re ready to shop online (yes you can actually shop online with a prepaid debit card; but make sure you have the full amount otherwise your purchase will be rejected). At retail stores you won’t need to active the card since the card is normally swiped with the little black strip that is located at the back of the card. I thought about using a CVS or Walmart gift card prepaid loaded with 50 dollars to get a Visa or MasterCard prepaid so I can purchase something over the internet. It may work, or at least I hope it will.
[...] you’re going to make a purchase online with a prepaid gift card you may also be interested in using the American Express gift card to shop online. var a2a_config = a2a_config || {}; a2a_config.linkname="How to use a Walmart Visa Gift Card to [...]
I was not able to change my account information online at American Express.com because you need an account and I do not have an account, just a gift card.
Alex, u must call the number on the back of ur american express gift card, and have a amex rep do it for you over the phone. The only thing u can do if u have a gift card that is american express is that the american express web site will check the gift cards balance, u must call them live to give them ur name and address, hope this helped u. I had to do that very thing to cover my tracks because I ordered online with my almost expired amex card, so i called them to make sure that my mailing and name would show up on the merchants end when they checked the card number.
Well i have a visa gift card and i tried to register it on giftcardmall.com/idealgifts but when i press register it doesnt do anything.