Gift cards are one of the most practical purchases you can make online. They’re instant, and they solve the universal problem of not knowing exactly what someone wants but still want them to know that you put in effort. But where you buy a gift card matters almost as much as which card you choose.
Some platforms offer discounts on face value. Others are the only place to buy a specific brand’s card. And if you’re shopping from outside the US, some of the most popular gift card sites will decline your local debit or bank card entirely, and you won’t know until after you’ve tried. This guide covers the 11 best places to buy gift cards online, with honest notes on what each one does well and who it suits.
How to choose where to buy gift cards online
Before getting into the list, these are the four most important things you should check for before choosing a platform.
Delivery speed
Most gift cards bought online are digital and arrive by email within minutes. Physical gift cards will usually take several business days to arrive. If you need the card today, confirm delivery before you pay.
Discounts vs face value
Some platforms sell gift cards at a discount, meaning you pay £45 for a £50 card. This sounds attractive, and often it is, but verify that the platform is legitimate before handing over payment details. Discounted gift cards on unverified marketplaces are one of the most common forms of online fraud.
Payment options
Not all payment methods work on all platforms. US-based gift card sites often require a US-issued card. If you’re outside the US and your local card is declined, a virtual dollar card is the most practical fix.
Buyer protection
Reputable platforms offer some form of guarantee: a refund or replacement if the card doesn’t work. Peer-to-peer marketplaces offer less protection than direct retailer sites, so factor that in when buying discounted cards.
11 best places to buy gift cards online
1. Grey
Right on the Grey app, you can shop for your favourite gift cards, including Amazon, Adidas, and Apple, all directly. You can request a virtual USD card to use on international sites that require a US-issued card, so you can pay in dollars without incurring high conversion fees.
This matters more for gift cards than for most purchases because the largest and most popular gift card catalogues, including Amazon US, iTunes, Google Play US, and major US retail brands, are primarily sold through US-based platforms that require a US card. A Grey virtual dollar card works exactly like a US-issued card from the platform’s perspective.
Beyond solving the payment problem, Grey lets you hold and spend US dollars from a multi-currency account, so you’re not paying a conversion margin every time you shop. The card creation fee is $5 with no monthly fee, and cross-border card fees (non-USD purchases on the USD card) are 2% plus $0.50.
Best for: Anyone outside the US who wants to buy gift cards on US sites without their card being declined.
2. Amazon
Amazon sells gift cards for its own platform and, in some markets, for other retailers through its gift card store. Digital Amazon gift cards are delivered via email within minutes and can be sent directly to a recipient. Physical gift cards are available for delivery or in-store pickup, depending on your location.
Amazon gift card deals appear during major sale events. Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday occasionally feature cashback offers or small bonus credits on gift card purchases, though these promotions vary by market and year.
Best for: buying Amazon gift cards directly, with fast digital delivery and the backing of one of the most trusted retailers online.
3. Best Buy
Best Buy’s online gift card store covers a wide range of brands beyond its own: gaming cards (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo), streaming services (Netflix, Hulu, Disney+), and tech brands. Digital delivery is typically instant after purchase.
Best Buy occasionally offers bundle promotions on gaming gift cards, particularly around console launch periods and major gaming releases. Its broad catalogue makes it a useful single destination if you’re buying cards for a gamer who might want options.
Best for: gaming and entertainment gift cards with reliable digital delivery from an established US retailer.
4. Target
Target sells digital and physical gift cards for its own store and for a selection of popular brands, including Apple, Google Play, Amazon, and various restaurant and retail chains. Target Circle members occasionally receive cashback on gift card purchases, effectively reducing the cost below face value.
Target’s gift card section is straightforward and reliable. Digital cards are delivered by email. The main advantage over other major retailers is the occasional Target Circle promotion, which can make Target the cheapest place to buy certain popular brands on specific dates.
Best for: US shoppers who are Target Circle members looking to benefit from periodic gift card promotions.
5. Walmart
Walmart’s online gift card store covers a similar breadth to Target, with cards for major retailers, restaurants, streaming services, and gaming platforms. Digital cards are delivered within minutes. Walmart+ members occasionally receive gift card deals tied to membership benefits.
Walmart’s catalogue is large enough that it’s worth checking before going directly to a brand’s own website, particularly for everyday retail and restaurant gift cards.
Best for: a broad selection of retail and dining gift cards from a reliable retailer.
6. GiftCards.com
GiftCards.com is a dedicated gift card retailer rather than a general marketplace. It sells both branded gift cards (for specific retailers) and open-loop Visa and Mastercard gift cards that can be used anywhere those networks are accepted. This makes it one of the more flexible options for giving a gift card that works like cash.
Visa and Mastercard gift cards from GiftCards.com can be personalised with a custom image and a personal message, giving them a slightly more gift-like feel than a plain digital code. There are fees on open-loop cards, typically a purchase fee of $3 to $6 per card.
Best for: Visa or Mastercard gift cards that work anywhere, or personalised cards for a recipient who’d appreciate a more customised touch.
7. Raise (The Gift Card Exchange)
Raise is a marketplace where people sell unwanted gift cards, typically at a discount to face value. Buyers can find cards for major US retailers at 5 to 25% below face value, depending on the brand and current supply.
The discount is the main draw. The trade-off is that cards come from other users rather than directly from retailers. Raise verifies cards before listing them and offers a money-back guarantee if a card doesn’t work, which makes it more reliable than unverified peer-to-peer platforms.
Best for: US-based buyers who want discounted gift cards for major retailers and are comfortable buying from a verified secondary marketplace.
8. CardCash
CardCash operates similarly to Raise: it buys unwanted gift cards from people and resells them at a discount. The difference is that CardCash acts as both the buyer and seller rather than a peer-to-peer marketplace, so prices are set by CardCash rather than by individual sellers.
Discounts on CardCash typically range from 3% to 15%, depending on the brand. CardCash guarantees card balances for 45 days after purchase. Digital cards are delivered within one to three business days, which is slower than major retailers but reasonable for a discounted purchase.
Best for: discounted gift cards with a platform that takes direct responsibility for the transaction rather than connecting you with an individual seller.
9. Gameflip
Gameflip is a peer-to-peer marketplace focused specifically on gaming and digital goods. It's the most established platform for discounted gaming gift cards: Steam, PlayStation Network, Xbox, Nintendo eShop, Roblox, and similar. Cards are listed by individual sellers at prices they set, usually 2 to 15% below face value.
Because the buyer base is built specifically for gaming, popular gaming cards tend to sell and be available in higher quantities than on general marketplaces. Gameflip charges a buying fee per transaction, and as with any peer-to-peer platform, buyer protection is slightly less straightforward than buying directly from a retailer.
Best for: discounted gaming and digital platform gift cards, particularly for Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox.
10. Google Play Store
Google Play sells its own gift cards directly, with digital delivery to your Google account or by email code. Google Play gift cards can be used for apps, games, subscriptions (YouTube Premium, Google One), and other digital purchases on the Google Play ecosystem.
Buying directly from Google is the safest option for Google Play cards: there's no risk of a deactivated card or a balance that doesn't match what was advertised. Google occasionally offers bonus credit promotions on Play gift card purchases.
Best for: Google Play gift cards for Android users, bought directly from the source with no risk of fraud.
11. Apple (App Store)
Apple sells App Store and iTunes gift cards directly through its website and the Apple Store app. These cards work across the Apple ecosystem: App Store purchases, Apple Music, Apple TV+, iCloud storage, and in-app purchases on iOS.
As with Google Play, buying directly from Apple eliminates fraud risk and guarantees the card balance. Digital codes are delivered immediately. Apple gift cards are among the most universally useful gift cards for anyone in the iOS ecosystem.
Best for: gift cards for iPhone and iPad users, bought directly from Apple with immediate digital delivery.
How to find the best gift card deals
The most reliable way to find gift card deals is to time purchases around major retail events. Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday consistently feature gift card promotions from major retailers, typically in the form of bonus credit (buy a £50 card, receive £5 in account credit) rather than discounted face value.
Secondary marketplaces like Raise and CardCash offer ongoing discounts on popular brands, with the discount percentage varying based on how many people are selling a particular card at any given time. Popular retail brands (Amazon, Target, Walmart) tend to have smaller discounts because demand is high. Niche brands sometimes have larger discounts because they’re harder to sell.
Cashback apps and browser extensions can also reduce the effective cost of a gift card purchase when buying from major retailers. These work by applying cashback to the purchase the same way they would for any other transaction.
How to buy gift cards safely
A few rules can protect you regardless of which platform you use.
Never share a gift card code with someone who asked you to buy it. Legitimate organisations do not ask for payment in gift cards. If someone asks you to buy gift cards and send them the code, it is a scam.
Buy from platforms with verified reviews and clear return policies. Avoid buying gift cards from individuals on general classified ad sites where there’s no verification and no buyer protection.
Check the card before you hand it over as a gift. Scratch-off panels on physical cards should be intact. If the PIN area appears to have been tampered with, don’t use the card and return it to the retailer.
Keep your receipt until the card has been fully redeemed. If a card turns out to have no balance when used, a receipt is what gives you grounds for a refund.
Paying for gift cards from abroad
If you’re outside the US and trying to buy from a US gift card platform, there’s a common and frustrating problem: your local bank card gets declined. This happens because many US retail and gift card sites check the card’s billing country against their supported regions. A Nigerian, Kenyan, Ghanaian, or Indian card will fail this check on many US platforms, even if you have sufficient funds.
The practical solution is a virtual dollar card that registers as a US-issued card for payment purposes. A Grey virtual card does this. It’s a virtual USD that works on international sites the same way a US card does, because it’s issued through Grey's US banking infrastructure.
You hold and spend US dollars from your Grey account, buy the gift card on the US platform, and receive the digital code exactly as a US-based buyer would. No declined transactions, no conversion fees on the purchase itself.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to buy gift cards online?
For US-based shoppers, buying directly from retailers (Amazon, Best Buy, Target) is the most reliable option, with guaranteed delivery and no risk of fraud. For discounted gift cards, Raise and CardCash offer below-face-value purchases with verified balances. For gaming gift cards specifically, Gameflip is the most established secondary marketplace. For shoppers outside the US who need to buy from US platforms, a Grey virtual dollar card solves the card-decline problem that affects most local bank cards.
Can I buy gift cards at a discount?
Yes. Secondary marketplaces like Raise and CardCash sell gift cards below face value because they acquire them from people who received cards they don’t want. Discounts typically range from 3 to 25%, depending on the brand and current supply. Discounted cards from reputable, verified platforms are generally safe. Avoid buying discounted gift cards from unverified individuals on classified ad sites, where the risk of fraud is significant.
Are online gift cards safe?
Buying from official retailer websites and verified platforms is safe. The main risks are on unverified secondary marketplaces where card codes may be invalid, partially used, or fraudulent. Platforms like Raise and CardCash verify balances before listing. Buying directly from Amazon, Google, Apple, or other major retailers eliminates most risk. The FTC advises against buying gift cards at the request of someone you don’t know, as gift card scams are among the most commonly reported forms of payment fraud.
Can I buy US gift cards from abroad?
Yes, but you may need a US-issued card to complete the purchase on some platforms. Many US gift card sites decline non-US cards. A Grey virtual dollar card is issued through the US banking infrastructure and works on US platforms the same way a US card does. Once you have the card, you can buy digital gift cards from US sites and receive the code by email the same way a US-based buyer would.
How do I pay if my card is declined on a gift card site?
The most common reason a card is declined on a US gift card site is that the site requires a US-issued card, and your local card doesn’t pass that check. A Grey Card fixes this because it’s a virtual USD Mastercard that registers as a US-issued card for payment purposes. Create the card in the Grey app, fund it from your USD balance, and use it on the platform where your local card was declined.
Do gift cards expire?
In the US, federal law requires that gift cards not expire for at least five years from the date of purchase, and inactivity fees cannot be charged until the card has been inactive for 12 consecutive months. In other countries, rules vary. Some gift cards, particularly promotional or bonus cards, may have shorter expiry windows stated in the terms. Always check the expiry terms before buying, and use or gift the card well within its valid period.
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