How Do You Redeem and Spend a PayPal Gift Card?

Think of a PayPal Gift Card like cash you load directly into your PayPal account. It’s not a regular bank card. Instead, it holds money you add to your PayPal balance. To use a PayPal gift card, you first need to redeem that PayPal gift card.

This just means adding the card’s value into your PayPal account. Once you’ve done that, the money sits in your PayPal balance, ready to go. You can spend it just like any other funds you have in PayPal – it’s that simple.

This flexibility is why people like PayPal Gift Cards, whether they’re given as a gift or used to manage spending. Once you add the money from the card, it blends right into your main PayPal balance.

This makes paying for things online super easy at millions of places that accept PayPal. Knowing how to add the card’s value and then use that balance is really all you need to make the most of it.

Understanding how to easily redeem and then use this balance unlocks the card’s full potential for secure and convenient digital transactions.

What is PayPal Gift Card?

A PayPal Gift Card is essentially prepaid money for your PayPal account. It’s not a traditional credit or debit card tied to a bank. Instead, it holds a set dollar amount you add directly to your PayPal balance.

This gives you a flexible way to shop online, send money to others, or pay for services wherever PayPal is accepted.

Where to Buy PayPal Gift Card?

You find PayPal Gift Cards at several places:

• Online Marketplaces: Reputable sites like Send Credit sell digital PayPal gift cards. Exercise caution and buy only from trusted sellers.
• PayPal Official Website: The most direct source. You buy digital codes instantly or physical cards shipped to you.
• Major Retail Stores: Places like Walmart, Best Buy, Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, and grocery chains often carry physical PayPal cards near other gift cards.

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How to Redeem and Activate PayPal Gift Card?

Redeeming your PayPal Gift Card is the same as activating it. There is no separate activation step. When you add the card’s value to your PayPal balance, the funds are activated and ready for use.

The process is simple and works the same for both digital and physical cards:

• Sign in to PayPal: Go to the PayPal website (paypal.com) or open the PayPal app on your phone or tablet. Sign in to your account.
• Open your Wallet: Find the “Wallet” section in your account. This is usually on the main screen or in the menu. Select it.
• Choose “Add Money”: Inside your Wallet, look for the “Add Money” button. Click or tap it.
• Select “Redeem”: Look for and choose the option that says “Redeem a Gift Card or Voucher.”
• Enter your Code: Type in the long code sent to you by email or text message. For a physical gift card, scratch off the protective coating on the back of the card. Type in the code revealed underneath. Double-check the code is entered correctly.
• Click “Redeem”: Select the “Redeem” button to complete the process.

The money is added to your PayPal balance right away. A confirmation email is sent to you. The funds are now active and can be used anywhere PayPal payments are accepted.

How to Use PayPal Gift Card?

Once redeemed, the money sits in your PayPal balance. Using it is simple:

• Shop Online: At checkout on any website that accepts PayPal, choose PayPal as your payment method. During the PayPal checkout process, your balance gets used automatically before any backup payment method.
• Send Money: Use the “Send” feature within PayPal to send money to friends, family, or businesses. Your available balance covers the payment.
• Pay for Services: Pay freelancers, subscribe to services, or make payments through PayPal invoices – your balance is available.

Requirements to Use a PayPal Gift Card

Following are the requirements to use a PayPal gift card:

• A PayPal Account: You need a personal PayPal account to redeem and use the funds. Create one for free if you don’t have it.
• Account Verification: PayPal may ask you to verify your identity or link a bank account/card for security, especially for larger transactions or sending money. This doesn’t cost money but might be necessary.
• Country Eligibility: Your PayPal account must be based in a country where PayPal Gift Cards can be redeemed (primarily the United States).
• Age: You must meet the minimum age requirement to hold a PayPal account in your country.

Where Can I Use a PayPal Gift Card?

You use PayPal gift card funds in your PayPal balance anywhere PayPal is accepted as a payment method. 

This includes millions of online stores worldwide (like eBay, Etsy, Best Buy, Walmart.com, etc.), paying individuals, and some in-person stores with PayPal QR codes or specific payment terminals.

Important: You cannot use the physical gift card itself directly at a store checkout like a regular debit card; you must redeem it into your PayPal balance first.

You can also check your PayPal gift card balance by heading to the Send Credit check balance page to get the information.

Managing Your PayPal Gift Card Online

After you redeem a PayPal gift card, the funds become part of your overall PayPal balance. Manage them through your PayPal account:

• View Balance: Your total available balance is shown on your account summary.
• Track Spending: See all transactions (purchases, money sent) in your PayPal Activity log.
• Set Preferences: Choose if you want your PayPal balance used first in settings.
• Security Features: Use PayPal’s security tools like two-factor authentication to protect your entire account, including your balance. You can also “Lock” your PayPal balance card (if you have one) temporarily via the app for extra security.

Tips for Safe Usage

Tips to follow to safely use your PayPal gift card online and instore:

• Buy From Trusted Sources: Avoid unknown sellers, especially online, to prevent scams or invalid codes.
• Secure Your Code: Treat the gift card code like cash. Don’t share it with anyone you don’t trust. Once redeemed, the card itself holds no value.
• Redeem Promptly: Redeem your card as soon as possible after getting it to avoid loss or theft of the code.
• Beware of Scams: PayPal never asks for your gift card code via email, text, or phone call unless you initiated the redemption within your secure account. Ignore such requests.
• Understand Fees: Redeeming the card and using the balance for purchases is free. Fees apply if you use the balance to send money to friends/family using a credit/debit card funding source (though this fee is often waived if you use your bank account or balance directly).
• Non-Reloadable: You cannot add more money to a PayPal Gift Card. Once the balance is spent, the card is finished.
• Check Expiry: Physical cards may have an expiration date printed, so you should redeem them before that. In case of digital cards, once the funds are in your account, it doesn’t expire as e-gift cards don’t have an expiry date.

Wrapping It Up

Think of PayPal Gift Cards as an easy way to top up your PayPal balance. Here’s all you need to do: 

• Grab a card from a place you trust.
• Add the money securely by redeeming the code right inside your PayPal account.
• Use that balance however you like – shop online, send cash to someone, or pay for things at any spot that takes PayPal.

Remember the requirements – primarily needing a PayPal account – and always prioritize security by guarding your code and buying wisely. Managed correctly, it’s a flexible tool for digital spending.