Where can you use prepaid Visa gift cards?
By Zach Links●7 min. read●Apr 25, 2025
You can use Visa gift cards for most of your everyday purchases. These prepaid gift cards are almost as versatile as a regular debit card, and some of them have more protection than cash against loss or theft.
If you need to get someone a gift but you don't know them well enough to pick out a personalized present, then prepaid Visa gift cards are a great option. That's why many companies use Visa gift cards to reward employees, incentivize customers, and pay research participants.
Here’s a quick look at how Visa gift cards work and how you can put them to use.
How prepaid Visa gift cards work
Visa gift cards work similarly to regular credit or debit cards at merchants (both online and in store).
The key difference is that gift cards come loaded with a set amount and you can't reload the card again after it's spent. Cardholders can check their remaining balance by calling the toll-free number provided on the back of the card, or they can visit the card issuer’s website.
Visa gift cards won’t expire for at least five years from the date of issue, per federal law. In some states, they’re valid for even longer. In New York, gift cards must be valid for at least nine years from the date of purchase.
8 ways to spend prepaid Visa gift cards
1. Online shopping
Visa gift cards can be used for just about any online purchase — most ecommerce sites accept them. And, unlike a debit card, the gift card isn’t linked directly to your bank account, so you can't overdraft your account.
The payment process works just like any other credit or debit card. Simply enter your card number, expiration date, and CVV number. You'll use your own address as the billing address. If the site only allows for one payment method, make sure the remaining balance on your gift card is enough to cover the purchase.
2. Credit card balances
If your credit card issuer allows debit card payments, then you can use your Visa gift card to pay an existing credit card balance. But keep in mind the process for using a debit card to pay a credit card balance can be complicated, and not all card issuers will let you do this.
Before you try to pay a credit card balance with your Visa gift card, be sure to check your gift card balance to know exactly how much you can apply to your credit card bill.
3. Traveling abroad
Don’t want to carry a ton of cash or worry about currency exchange when traveling abroad? Use an eligible Visa gift card instead.
Visa gift cards are accepted at most merchants in the U.S., but the card has to be enabled for international use before you can use it abroad.
Virtual Visa gift cards sent through Tremendous are accepted in over 200 countries, with no conversion or transaction fees. But if your gift card came through a different platform, then you'll need to check the back of the card, or the cardholder agreement, to find out where yours is valid.
4. Hotel bookings and car rentals
Some hotels will let you book a stay with a prepaid Visa gift cards, just know that you might still need to provide a regular credit card for incidentals.
Car rental agencies are a bit more complicated — some, such as Enterprise Rent-A-Car, will let you use a Visa gift card to pay at the end of a rental period. But you can't pay with a gift card at the beginning of your rental, or use a gift card to hold a reservation.
5. Gas stations
It’s generally easy to use prepaid Visa gift cards to fuel up your car. They usually go through right away at self-pay pumps that accept other Visa cards.
If the transaction doesn't go through, you'll just need to go inside and pay at the counter instead.
6. Charitable contributions
Most charities accept Visa cards to take donations, so you can use your prepaid gift card to support your favorite cause.
It’s worth noting that nonprofits are still subject to card processing fees, so they don't get the entire amount of your donation if you pay with a card.
If you’re giving a charitable donation as a gift, you might want to look into fee-free options.
7. Entertainment
All shopped out? Treat yourself to a nice dinner or a choice tee time with your Visa gift card.
Pro tip for movie buffs: Some theater chains will let you load your gift card balance directly onto their loyalty apps. This way, you can grab tickets whenever you want and earn points towards popcorn.
8. Subscription services
Depending on the card issuer, you can sometimes pay for streaming services like Netflix with your prepaid Visa gift card. The same goes for some memberships like Amazon Prime. Just remember to switch payment methods before the card balance runs out.
(Note that Tremendous virtual Visa gift cards can't be used for recurring subscriptions.)
Why prepaid Visa gift cards are used as incentives
Prepaid Visa cards take the guesswork and legwork out of gifting. They’re also a great way to incentivize employees and customers with varying tastes — perfect for SPIFFs, survey rewards, and more.
Plus, prepaid Visas are:
Flexible
Recipients can use Visa gift cards for almost anything they want, which is why people often perceive a $100 gift card to have a higher value than a physical gift that cost $100.
Cost-effective
With prepaid Visa cards, marketers and HR pros don’t have to spend time shopping for ideal incentives. Instead, that extra time can be put towards strategic initiatives that drive business growth.
Can be accepted globally (depending on the card)
Visa gift cards enabled for international use can be used by more distributed employees because they’re accepted in 200+ countries. Just note that there are some notable exceptions, including China and India.
Simple distribution and tracking
It’s easy to send virtual Visa prepaid gift cards, and recipients can spend them right away. They’re also easy to track, so companies don’t have to worry about shipping delays or physical cards getting lost.
Sending prepaid Visa gift cards at scale
It’s easy to send virtual prepaid Visa cards in bulk with Tremendous.
You can let recipients choose from prepaid Visas and 2,000 other great redemption options, like Amazon and Starbucks gift cards.
This way, everyone gets exactly what they want, boosting the ROI of your incentives and rewards programs.
Sending rewards internationally? The Tremendous rewards catalog covers over 200 countries — including places like China and India that don’t accept Visa prepaid gift cards.
Ready to send great rewards like prepaid Visa gift cards at scale? Sign up today or take a demo to learn more.
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Updated April 25, 2025
