Guide to International Gift Cards - Swagbucks Articles (2024)

Last updated January 22, 2023

Giving a gift nowadays is easier than ever, thanks to the availability and variety ofgift cardson the market. After all, where else can you score that “perfect” surprise ranging from $10 to $200 for everyone from a reclusive coworker or your child’s substitute math teacher to your spouse or close family member?

The rightgift cardcan do wonders for building or reinforcing a relationship as well as help pad your budget while traveling. Unfortunately, over $1 billion of these little plastic treasures go unspent annually, so it’s essential to know which ones to buy, send, and use whether traveling abroad or sending them Internationally.

Are There Gift Cards That Can Be Used Internationally?

The short answer is yes – there are gift cards that can be used internationally. These international gift cards are used by financial institutions, merchants, and major credit card companies.

There may be different fees and restrictions associated with these cards (imposed by the card issuers), including expiration dates and limitations or restrictions on online purchases.

The majorcredit cardcompanies offer blanket protection and almost instant access to purchases via debit andgift cardsthroughout theUnited States.

After all, what commercial business is going to refuse a purchase made with anAmerican Express,Mastercard, Discover, orVisacardin any form as long as the monetary value is up to par?

Here’s the rub: while those brand logos (like that famous circles design) are recognized globally, the spending rates aren’t in most cases.

International fees and currency transfer rates can significantly change the value of an existinggift card, making it either too hard to transfer or simply not worth the effort. That’s not to say allgift cardsare worthless outside of America because that’s a ridiculous notion in the technology-driven 21st century. But you have to make sure the chosengift cardis recognized Internationally prior tocheckout.

American Expressand Discover cards are never accepted outside of theUnited States, even in Canada. However, somegift cards, such asVisaandMastercardgift cards, can be used in other countries–as long as they clearly state that. International Visa gift cards are especially common. Fees and regulations should also be listed on the packaging when and wherever youbuygift cards.There will be more fees associated with an international Visa gift card.

ArePrepaid CardsGood for International Travel?

Prepaid cardsmay also be sold where you’d get your favoritegift card, butthey are not the same thing.Prepaid cardsdiffer in one specific way: they can and are meant to be reloaded. However, while they can be used internationally, that’s not a given. Aprepaid cardhas rules and regulations just likegift cards, although often far fewer rules. If you can get areloadablegift card, note the restrictions as most labeledgift cardsare only spendable within theUnited States.Prepaid cards, specifically, are not guaranteed to have any protection, regardless of which logo is on the card. Fortunately, eachprepaid cardor company will list those protective clauses.

Prepaid cardsfor specific stores or businesses can rarely be used internationally. But even aVisaorMastercardprepaid cardmay have domestic limits.Reloadable onesare meant to be purchased once and then have additional funds added as the initial value is spent. For that reason, they’re often safer and smarter budgeting solutions for domestic travelers than debit or traditionalcredit cards. If you do want an internationalprepaid card, you’ll need to opt for a specifictravel cardsuch asVisaTravel Moneywhich is intended for such needs.

CanAmazon,Walmart,Mastercard,and VisaGift CardsBe Used Internationally?

Most travelers don’t worry about whether their favoritegift cardwill be honored on their adventure. They simply pack thegift card(or cards) and expect a well-known business name will be accepted without question. Unfortunately, many travelers are disappointed due to blind faith and lack of pre-planning. Regardless of the card logo, mostgift cardsare issued by a specific bank or business and are therefore restricted to domestic use. Some common brand rules are as follows:

Amazon Gift Card–Amazonhas a different site for each country it serves, and each site requires anAmazongift cardto be bought and spent in that region; i.e.: anamazon.comcard cannot be used in Canada, but anamazon.ca card can.

Best Buy Gift Card– While aBest Buy gift cardis easily spent atBest Buy, it is only accepted at stores and online in theUnited States.

Home Depot Gift Card–Home Depotis one store that may accept aHome Depot gift cardin any of its stores or online throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Check theFAQonline beforecheckoutor on thegift cardpackaging for current rules.

iTunes Gift Card– While Apple is a global name, aniTunesgift cardcan only be used in theUnited States.

Walmart Gift Card–Walmartoperates inover 55 countries globally, but the company still doesn’t sell internationalgift cards. AnyWalmartgift cardbought in the U.S. can only be spent domestically.

Whole FoodsGift Card –Whole Foodsmay now be a subsidiary ofAmazon, but it’s still considered an American company, and itsgift cardsare only accepted in theUnited States.

American ExpressGift Card – AnAmerican Expressgift cardis only accepted throughout theUnited States.

MastercardandVisa Gift Card–MastercardandVisaplay by similar and different rules. Because the company logos are recognized globally,Visagift cardsare easier to find for international use. However, they have to be marked as such. The same goes for aMastercardgift card.

Do InternationalPrepaid CardsHave Foreign Transaction Fees/Where Can You Find Them?

Prepaid cardsandgift cardscan be a great alternative toATMcards or a wallet full ofcredit cardswhile traveling. It’s essential to be aware of potential transaction fees, though. Most specific stores or businesses are pretty lax on that, butprepaid cardsthat are tied to banks can come with a lot of extra fees. These can include monthly usage or inactivity fees of up to $10, loading orATMfees of up to $6 per transaction, and a foreign transaction fee of up to 3% every time it’s used. Always, always, always check the fine print prior to buying any prepaid orgift card.

While mostgift cardscan only be used domestically,MastercardandVisadebit cards, prepaid or otherwise, can usually be used anywhere.

Some of the best InternationalVisa gift cards include:

• AAA MemberPayVisaPrepaid Card
• Green Dot PrepaidVisaCard
• TD ConnectReloadablePrepaid Card(fewer fees if you’re already a TDcardholder)
• Netspend®Visa® Prepaid Card
• VisaTravel Money

Some of the best international Mastercard gift cards include:

• Green Dot PrepaidMastercard
• Netspend®MastercardPrepaid Card
• PayPal PrepaidMastercard
• Travelex Money Card– promoted byMastercardInternational Incorporated

At the very minimum, always read the fine print andFAQsto make sure you’re not taken unaware by unnecessary or expensive surprises when out of the country due to your chosen prepaid orgift cardlimitations. And safe travels!

Where to buy international gift cards?

You can purchase international gift cards at financial institutions and at the same place that you buy regular gift cards – retailers like Walmart, Target, Kroger, and Costco.

Typically international gift cars will not be specifically labeled “International” gift card. You’ll need to read the fine print on the back of the card. It will be marked on the card’s wrapper where the card can be used and what the international transaction fees are if any.

Are All Visa Prepaid Cards for International Use?

Most Visa prepaid cards can be used internationally, however, there may be international transaction fees.

And with a Visa prepaid card, like with any gift card, there may be merchant limitations. For example, some U.S. Visa gift cards cannot be used for online, telephone, or mail-order purchases. This is because there is a higher fraud risk for catalog and online retailers.

Because of additional fraud risks, international gift cards for Visa and other types, often come only in physical plastic card format. Electronic or eGift cards, with electronic delivery, are sent via email and are designed to be used online.

If you need an international eGift card (i.e. for a client or coworker in a different country), your best bet may purchase a country-specific gift card for that individual that can be used online. Amazon has lots of international, electronic gift card options.

How Do You Register an International Gift Card?

If you do need to register a gift card, you can do so online or by phone. Typically, this is a requirement for Visa, Mastercard, or American Express (Amex) gift cards specifically for the US, and it is required only for online purchases.

In the event you need to register an international gift card, it’s easy for the recipient to do so.

1. Go to the gift card registration page (the website should be printed on the gift card packaging or printed on the card.)
2. Follow the prompts to register your name, gift card number, and security code.

That’s it. You may need to create a free account online and include an email address to use as your account login and to use for verification purposes. If you do need to provide an email, do not give your work email address.

• Your work may block the email from coming through.
• You could lose or quit your job.
• Either of these issues becomes a big problem if you later forget your password and the website will only send a password reset to your work email.

Just use your personal or non-work email address that you can access from anywhere.

What if My International Gift Card is Stolen?

In some situations, you may be able to get your card replaced if you have the receipt and you contact the card issuer before the funds are depleted.

But in most instances, you’ll be out of luck. Put another way, what if you took out cash from the bank and got robbed around the street corner? The bank will not give you that same amount of money again. You may be directed to file a police report but that’s about the extent.

Most gift cards, international and otherwise, outright stipulate that they will not replace stolen cards. So pay attention and keep close tabs on your gift cards.

CanAmazon,Walmart,Mastercard,and VisaGift CardsBe Used Internationally?

Most travelers don’t worry about whether their favoritegift cardwill be honored on their adventure. They simply pack thegift card(or cards) and expect a well-known business name will be accepted without question. Unfortunately, many travelers are disappointed due to blind faith and lack of pre-planning. Regardless of the card logo, mostgift cardsare issued by a specific bank or business and are therefore restricted to domestic use. Some common brand rules are as follows:

Amazon–Amazonhas a different site for each country it serves, and each site requires an Amazongift cardto be bought and spent in that region; i.e.: anamazon.comcard cannot be used in Canada, but anamazon.ca card can.

Best Buy– While aBest Buy gift cardis easily spent atBest Buy, it is only accepted at stores and online in theUnited States.

Home Depot–Home Depotis one store that may accept aHome Depot gift cardin any of its stores or online throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Check theFAQonline beforecheckoutor on thegift cardpackaging for current rules.

iTunes– While Apple is a global name, aniTunesgift cardcan only be used in theUnited States.

Walmart–Walmartoperates inover 55 countries globally, but the company still doesn’t sell internationalgift cards. AnyWalmartgift cardbought in the U.S. can only be spent domestically.

Whole Foods–Whole Foodsmay now be a subsidiary ofAmazon, but it’s still considered an American company, and itsgift cardsare only accepted in theUnited States.

American Express– AnAmerican Expressgift cardis only accepted throughout theUnited States.

MastercardandVisa–MastercardandVisaplay by similar and different rules. Because the company logos are recognized globally,Visagift cardsare easier to find for international use. However, they have to be marked as such. The same goes for aMastercardgift card.

Do InternationalPrepaid CardsHave Foreign Transaction Fees/Where Can You Find Them?

Prepaid cardsandgift cardscan be a great alternative toATMcards or a wallet full ofcredit cardswhile traveling. It’s essential to be aware of potential transaction fees, though. Most specific stores or businesses are pretty lax on that, butprepaid cardsthat are tied to banks can come with a lot of extra fees. These can include monthly usage or inactivity fees of up to $10, loading orATMfees of up to $6 per transaction, and a foreign transaction fee of up to 3% every time it’s used. Always, always, always check the fine print prior to buying any prepaid orgift card.

While mostgift cardscan only be used domestically,MastercardandVisadebit cards, prepaid or otherwise, can usually be used anywhere. Some of the best Internationaltravel cardsolutions include:

AAA MemberPayVisaPrepaid Card

Green Dot PrepaidMastercardorVisaCard

TD ConnectReloadablePrepaid Card(fewer fees if you’re already a TDcardholder)

Netspend®Visa® orMastercardPrepaid Card

PayPal PrepaidMastercard

Travelex Money Card– promoted byMastercardInternational Incorporated

VisaTravel Money

At the very minimum, always read the fine print andFAQsto make sure you’re not taken unaware by unnecessary or expensive surprises when out of the country due to your chosen prepaid orgift cardlimitations. And safe travels!

Where to buy international gift cards?

You can purchase international gift cards at financial institutions and at the same place that you buy regular gift cards – retailers like Walmart, Target, Kroger, and Costco.

Typically international gift cars will not be specifically labeled “International” gift cards. You’ll need to read the fine print on the back of the card. It will be marked on the card’s wrapper where the card can be used and what the international transaction fees are, if any.

Are All Visa Prepaid Cards for International Use?

Most Visa prepaid cards can be used internationally, however, there may be international transaction fees.

And with a Visa prepaid card, like with any gift card, there may be merchant limitations. For example, some U.S. Visa gift cards cannot be used for online, telephone, or mail-order purchases. This is because there is a higher fraud risk for catalog and online retailers.

Because of additional fraud risks, international gift cards for Visa and other types, often come only in physical plastic card format. Electronic or eGift cards, with electronic delivery, are sent via email and are designed to be used online.

If you need an international eGift card (i.e. for a client or coworker in a different country), your best bet may purchase a country-specific gift card for that individual that can be used online. Amazon has lots of international, electronic gift card options.

How Do You Register an International Gift Card?

If you do need to register a gift card, you can do so online or by phone. Typically, this is a requirement for Visa, Mastercard, or American Express (Amex) gift cards specifically for the US, and it is required only for online purchases.

In the event you need to register an international gift card, it’s easy for the recipient to do so.

1. Go to the gift card registration page (the website should be printed on the gift card packaging or printed on the card.)
2. Follow the prompts to register your name, gift card number, and security code.

That’s it. You may need to create a free account online and include an email address to use as your account login and to use for verification purposes. If you do need to provide an email, do not give your work email address.

• Your work may block the email from coming through.
• You could lose or quit your job.
• Either of these issues becomes a big problem if you later forget your password and the website will only send a password reset to your work email.

Just use your personal or non-work email address that you can access from anywhere.

What if My International Gift Card is Stolen?

In some situations, you may be able to get your card replaced if you have the receipt and you contact the card issuer before the funds are depleted.

But in most instances, you’ll be out of luck. Put another way, what if you took out cash from the bank and got robbed around the street corner? The bank will not give you that same amount of money again. You may be directed to file a police report but that’s about the extent.

Most gift cards, international and otherwise, outright stipulate that they will not replace stolen cards. So pay attention and keep close tabs on your gift cards.

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