Visa gift cards are a popular present, offering flexibility and convenience. If you’ve received one and are looking to spend it on Amazon, you might encounter a slight hurdle. Amazon doesn’t directly accept payments split between gift cards and credit/debit cards in a single transaction, which can be confusing when trying to use a Visa gift card. However, there’s a straightforward workaround to use your Visa gift card on Amazon. This guide will walk you through the steps to seamlessly use your Visa gift card to shop on Amazon, along with some handy tips to maximize your gift card balance.
Step-by-Step Guide to Using Your Visa Gift Card on Amazon
The trick to using a Visa gift card on Amazon is to register it as a credit or debit card. Amazon’s system recognizes it as a standard card payment method, allowing you to apply its balance to your purchases. Here’s how to do it:
1. Activate and Check Your Visa Gift Card Balance
Before you start, ensure your Visa gift card is activated. Most gift cards are activated at the time of purchase, but if you’re unsure, you can usually find activation instructions on the card packaging or by calling the customer service number on the back of the card.
Next, it’s crucial to know your gift card balance. Gift cards can sometimes have activation fees that reduce the initial value. To avoid any payment issues during checkout, check your balance. You can typically do this by visiting the website listed on the back of your card or calling their balance inquiry line. Knowing the exact balance down to the cent will be helpful.
2. Add Your Visa Gift Card as a Credit or Debit Card on Amazon
Now, you’ll add your Visa gift card to your Amazon account as a payment method. Here’s how:
- Go to the Amazon website and sign in to your account.
- Hover over Account & Lists at the top right corner of the homepage and click on it.
- From the dropdown menu, select Your Payments.
Accessing Your Payments section in Amazon Account
- On the “Amazon Wallet” page, locate the Add a payment method section. Click on Add a credit or debit card.
Adding a credit or debit card as a payment method on Amazon
- Enter the Visa gift card details exactly as they appear on the card. This includes:
- Card Number: The long number on the front of your Visa gift card.
- Expiration Date: The expiration month and year printed on the card.
- Cardholder Name: Since Visa gift cards don’t have a personal name, you can enter “Gift Card Recipient” or “A Gift for You”. Some users also find success using their own name.
Accessing Your Payments section in Amazon Account
- When prompted for a billing address, enter your current address. Even though the gift card isn’t tied to a specific address, Amazon requires this field to be filled.
3. Select Your Visa Gift Card at Checkout
Once you’ve added your Visa gift card as a payment method, it will appear as a saved credit or debit card option during checkout.
- Shop on Amazon as usual and add items to your cart.
- Proceed to checkout.
- On the payment selection page, you’ll see your Visa gift card listed along with your other payment methods. It might be identified by the last four digits of the card number.
- Select your Visa gift card as the payment method.
If your order total exceeds the balance on your Visa gift card, Amazon will prompt you to add another payment method to cover the remaining amount. Unfortunately, Amazon’s system doesn’t allow splitting payments directly with gift cards and another payment type in the same transaction. If your gift card balance is less than your total purchase, you might need to use an alternative method to fully utilize your Visa gift card balance, which we’ll explore next.
Alternative Method: Buy an Amazon Gift Card with Your Visa Gift Card
A clever workaround to fully utilize your Visa gift card balance, especially if it’s less than your intended purchase amount or if you want to combine it with another payment method later, is to buy an Amazon gift card with your Visa gift card.
- Follow steps 1-5 above to add your Visa gift card as a payment method to your Amazon account.
- Search for “Amazon gift card” on Amazon.
- Choose the “Email” or “Digital” gift card option for immediate delivery.
- Select a gift card value that is equal to or less than the remaining balance on your Visa gift card.
- Proceed to checkout and select your Visa gift card as the payment method.
- Once you receive the Amazon gift card in your email (or find it in your Amazon Gift Card balance), it will be added to your Amazon account balance.
Now, you can use this Amazon gift card balance for any purchase on Amazon and easily combine it with other payment methods if needed during checkout. Amazon gift card balances are automatically applied to your purchases, making them more flexible than Visa gift cards for use on Amazon.
Tips for Using Visa Gift Cards on Amazon
- Track Your Balance: Keep track of your Visa gift card balance, especially after partial uses, to avoid payment declines during checkout.
- Consider Activation Fees: Be aware of potential activation fees that might reduce the initial value of your gift card.
- Use Full Balance: To maximize the value, aim to use the entire balance of your Visa gift card in one or multiple Amazon purchases or by buying an Amazon gift card.
- Customer Service: If you encounter any issues, Amazon’s customer service is readily available to assist you with payment-related questions.
By following these steps, you can easily use your Visa gift card on Amazon and enjoy shopping with your gift. Whether you choose to add it as a credit card or convert it into an Amazon gift card, these methods ensure you can make the most of your Visa gift card on the world’s largest online retailer.
