Do Gift Cards Work Internationally?

In today’s digital world, gift cards have become significant when it comes to gifting. Instead of buying a gift, people prefer to give the recipient a choice through gift cards. An important question arises here, “Do gift cards work internationally?”

The US gift card market makes up 275.6 billion dollars (about $850 per person in the US) out of the 984.3 billion-dollar evaluation.

The global gift card market was valued at 984.3 billion dollars (about $3,000 per person in the US) in 2023 and is expected to grow to a whopping 3.09 trillion dollars (about $9,500 per person in the US) by 2030. 

This depends on the gift card under discussion. Large corporations like Visa, Mastercard, etc. have gift cards that work internationally. Conversely, companies like Target, that are big in the USA, have gift cards in that region.  

In this article, we’ll delve into: 

• Do gift cards work internationally? 

• Which gift cards work internationally & what are their benefits? 

• Quick and simple ways to redeem an international gift card. 

If this pique your interest, let’s jump straight into it. 

What is An International Gift Card? 

International gift cards are payment cards that can be used to make payments across countries. The unique thing about these cards is that they allow the user to make payments without the limitation of geographic location.

These gift cards are also called “Global gift cards.” The gift card helps both sender and the recipient. For example, if you have a friend in Japan, you can send an international gift card that can help them enjoy their favorite activities without any limitations. 

The market size also helps businesses generate immense revenue. Another thing to note is that most people do not use the balance in their gift cards.  

This adds up overtime that can be used when required. According to Capital One Shopping, on average, Americans have unused gift card balance of 187 dollars.  

This means more than 64 billion dollars (about $187 per person in the US) is the unused gift card balance of the average American in the USA. 

Benefits of using International Gift Cards 

There are several benefits of an international gift card. In this section we will discuss some of them. 

1. Budgeting 

If you have a loved one who is an impulse shopper and lives abroad. An international gift card is the best thing you can give them. This card will help them budget their spending according to the cap it holds.  

This card will help the recipient control their spending and plan their purchases efficiently. Finally, this makes life easy for the person using the card.  

2. Flexibility and Convenience 

Gift cards make your purchases more flexible and convenient. Having a gift card from a particular retailer or your favorite brand helps you pay quicker and more efficiently. This way the payment is secure and verifiable by the gift card company. 

This is also convenient as you already have store credit, so you just need to pay through that and at times even receive bonuses and cashbacks. 

3. Enhanced Security 

International gift cards are not like normal gift cards. These gift cards come with enhanced security which protects both the giver and the recipient from potential fraud.  

These cards have features like PIN codes and encryption making it secure. Pin code is an authentication method that helps with verification of the user.  

Conversely, the encryption method secures the cardholder’s financial data. These measures add an extra layer of security against fraudulent activities. 

Limitations of International Gift Cards 

Though international gift cards have several benefits. But there’re still a few obstacles in their usage. Let’s talk about a few: 

1. Currency Conversion Issues 

It often happens when people face issues regarding their international gift cards. These can come in terms of a currency conversion fee. To maximize value, you must find a card that has minimal fees.  

The buyer must understand the limitations and restrictions on the cards that they are about to buy. As currency conversion fees and exchange rates can affect the efficiency of gift cards.  

2. Regional Restrictions 

Each gift card provider has their own distinct restrictions based on region. It is recommended that you do thorough research on the card and its limitations based upon region while purchasing a gift card. 

For example, Visa gift cards are limited or restricted in countries like Yemen, Iran, Russia, Iraq, and more depending upon regions. In the listed countries, the restrictions may be different from country to country.  

So, you need to ensure that you understand the limitations of the gift cards and act accordingly. 

3. Additional Charges 

Gift card companies make money not from the gift card itself. They make money from the charges like the activation fee, maintenance fee, purchase fee and conversion fee etc.  

Now what happens is that the company charges a person not on the gift card itself. They add fees on the card from which they generate revenue. 

For example, if you buy a 100-dollar Visa gift card. Visa charges you through different types of fees. Like a purchase fee of 10% on the card you buy. 

6 Gift Cards that Work Internationally 

If you are still wondering “Do gift cards work internationally?” here are 6 gift cards that work in most countries in the world. 

1. Visa Gift Cards 

Visa operates in more than 200 countries, this enables them to provide their customers with a wide range of options. The Visa gift card for this reason becomes a cutout gift for anyone to give.

The Visa gift card works internationally allowing its users to: 

• Be more flexible with payments. 

• Access millions of merchants using Visa as a payment system in different countries and territories. 

• Recover funds if the card is stolen or lost. 

Using cards internationally may require you to add a billing address to Visa card. This saves you from unsanctioned purchases and fraud. 

2. MasterCard Gift Cards 

MasterCard is a widely known company in the world when it comes to payments. They have connections in more than 210 countries which helps them achieve cohesion in their business.

Now coming to the gift card, due to their vast network of merchants their cards are redeemable in areas where Mastercard operates. This card is good for recipients around the world like the Visa gift card. 

3. American Express Gift Cards 

American Express is a global company that employs more than 84,000 people. The company is available in more than 200 countries. Their vast network allows them to provide a seamless service to their customers. 

The American Express gift cards also work internationally. These cards are accepted around the world where American Express is used. American Express gift cards also provide a refund if a person loses their gift card. 

4. Netflix Gift Cards 

Netflix is a video streaming platform that allows you to enjoy movies and TV shows. They are available in over 190 countries. They provide original and licensed content depending upon the country you live in.  

The Netflix gift card allows you to access the platform. This card can be bought online and through retail stores. Netflix gift cards are non-refundable, do not expire, and can’t be recharged. 

Netflix gift cards work internationally but the user needs to ensure that their gift card currency is same as the Netflix bill. Using a secure VPN can help you access a global library of movies and TV shows internationally. 

5. Airbnb Gift Cards 

Airbnb gift is a perfect gift for people who like to travel and explore new places. These gift cards enable its user to enhance their experience when traveling around the world. The gift cards can be bought online and instore from certified sellers. 

Airbnb has 7 million active listings in more than 220 countries. These gift cards help in getting the best deals on the market and earn rewards.

The international gift card must be bought in the region it is going to be used in. The European Economic Area (EEA) countries use the same gift card applicable across Europe. 

6. Uber Gift Cards 

Uber gift cards are bounded by region but can be a great choice for global gifting. Uber is active in more than 580 cities around the world.

Its availability in these areas helps users to purchase uber gift cards regularly. The best part is that the gift card never expires, and the credit remains stored on the gift card.

The recipient receives promotional offers periodically depending on the usage of the card. This makes the gift card a great choice for gifting. 

Factors to Consider before Purchasing International Gift Cards 

International gift cards are beneficial for users trying to send gifts to friends and family abroad. Before making the purchase, a person must consider the following factors: 

• Be aware of any additional charges on the gift card. 

• Choose cards that have longer expiration dates providing its user with significant time to utilize the card. 

• Ensure there are no sanctions on the use of the gift cards you are selecting in the receiver’s country. You can check the terms and conditions page to get more details. 

• Finally, currency exchange rates are different for gift cards across the board. So, you need to make sure to use a card with the best rates. 

How to Purchase an International Gift Card? 

Here are three ways to purchase your international gift cards. 

Third-party Authentic Platforms

You can buy your international gift cards from third-party worthy retailers.

Send Credit

Send Credit is an authentic platform that can help you purchase international gift cards. You can also send it as a gift directly in the inbox of the recipient in under 3 seconds. To purchase a card, you need to: 

1. Login or signup into your Send Credit Account. 

2. Find the gift card you want to purchase. 

3. Add your favorite gift card to cart. 

4. Check out using your details. 

5. Receive the gift card details via email.

Amazon 

Amazon also deals in all sorts of gift cards. Verify from the customer service department on the availability of the international gift cards. You can visit the website or the Amazon store to make your purchase and redeem your amazon gift card. 

The Gift Card Retailers’ Websites 

You can buy your international gift cards from the official website of providers like Visa, MasterCard, Netflix etc. Here’s how: 

1. Create an account on the provider’s website. 

2. Select a gift card plan you wish to purchase. 

3. Add a payment method to proceed with payment. 

4. Wait for the verification email. 

5 Simple Steps to Redeem Your International Gift Cards 

Following are the steps to redeem your gift cards from most of the websites out there: 

1. Open your web browser to visit the provider’s website 

2. Create an account on the website or sign in using your credentials. 

3. Select the Voucher Code/Add Gift Card option to check available codes. 

4. Tap on the “buy now” option to add credits. 

5. Start shopping and use the gift card code during checkout. 

The steps may change when it comes to a specific vendor like Netflix, Visa, etc. 

Wrapping it up 

An international gift card adds convenience and flexibility to the life of the recipient. It’s like providing your friend in the UK with a gift card that helps them quickly checkout saving time.  

However, international gift cards have their own fair share of issues. It is important to do your due diligence to minimize the effect of the issues like currency conversion, regional restrictions, additional charges, etc.  

The 6 gift cards that work internationally are some choices to consider while gifting your loved ones abroad. These cards will enable the recipient to fulfil their wishes according to their will. 

You can get the best value on gift card purchases through Send Credit. Check it out today and enjoy the rewards of gift cards.