How to Buy a Gift Card With a Credit Card
Yes, you can buy a gift card with a credit card at most retailers
You can use a credit card to buy a gift card in almost every situation where you'd normally pay with that card. Retailers accept credit cards for gift card purchases the same way they do for regular merchandise — at checkout in a store, on their website, or through their app. The transaction appears on your credit card statement just like any other purchase.
The main thing to understand is that buying a gift card with a credit card is a straightforward purchase, not a cash advance or special transaction. Your credit card company treats it the same as if you bought a sweater or a sandwich. You'll earn any rewards or cash back your card normally offers, and the purchase counts toward your credit limit.
Key Takeaways
- Credit cards work for gift card purchases at physical stores, online retailers, and directly through brand websites or apps.
- The purchase counts as a regular transaction on your credit card statement and uses your available credit, not a special cash advance.
- You'll earn any rewards, points, or cash back your credit card offers on the gift card purchase itself.
- Some retailers limit how many gift cards you can buy at once or set a maximum dollar amount per transaction, though these rules vary by store.
- If you're buying a gift card as a gift, the recipient gets a new card to use — your credit card is only used to pay for it.
Where you can buy gift cards with a credit card
Physical retail stores accept credit cards for gift card purchases at the register. This includes grocery stores, department stores, electronics retailers, and restaurants. You walk up, tell the cashier which gift card you want and in what amount, hand over your credit card, and walk out with the card in hand.
Online shopping sites let you buy gift cards through their website. Amazon, Target, Walmart, and most major retailers have a dedicated gift card section where you can choose the amount, add it to your cart, and check out with your credit card. Digital gift cards often arrive by email within minutes.
Brand websites and apps frequently sell their own gift cards directly. If you want a Starbucks card, you can buy it on Starbucks.com or through the Starbucks app using your credit card. The same applies to restaurants, entertainment venues, and specialty retailers.
How rewards and cash back work on gift card purchases
Most credit cards treat gift card purchases like any other buy, meaning you earn the rewards or cash back your card normally offers. If your card gives 2% cash back on all purchases, you'll earn 2% on a $50 gift card purchase. If you have a card that offers bonus points at grocery stores, buying a gift card at that grocery store usually qualifies for the bonus.
The reward is based on what you spend, not what the gift card is worth. If you buy a $100 gift card but pay $105 due to a store fee, your reward is calculated on the $105 you actually charged to your card.
A few cards have restrictions on gift card rewards — they might exclude gift cards from bonus categories or cap how much you can earn. Check your card's terms or call the card issuer if you're unsure whether gift card purchases earn rewards.
Store limits on how many gift cards you can buy
Some retailers set rules about gift card purchases to prevent fraud or limit bulk buying. These limits vary widely. A store might allow you to buy up to $500 in gift cards per day, or they might have no limit at all. Some retailers cap the number of cards you can buy in a single transaction rather than the dollar amount.
These rules are set by individual retailers, so there's no single answer. If you're planning to buy a large amount in gift cards, call the store ahead or check their website for their policy. If you hit a limit at checkout, the cashier or website will tell you what it is.
The difference between buying a gift card and loading money onto a card
A gift card is a prepaid card you give to someone else. You buy it with your credit card, and then that person uses the gift card to make purchases. Your credit card is only involved in the initial purchase.
A reloadable prepaid card is different — it's a card you own and can add money to repeatedly. Some people confuse the two because both involve prepaid balances, but they work differently. When you load money onto your own prepaid card using a credit card, that's a cash advance or fund transfer, which may carry fees and work differently than a regular purchase.
For gift-giving purposes, you want a gift card, not a reloadable card. The gift card is simpler and doesn't require the recipient to set up an account or deal with fees.
What happens if the gift card has a fee
Some gift cards charge a fee when you buy them — usually $2 to $5 for physical cards. This fee is added to your credit card charge. If you buy a $50 gift card with a $3 fee, you'll be charged $53 total on your credit card.
Digital gift cards sold online usually have no purchase fee. Physical cards sold in stores are more likely to have a fee, though many retailers have eliminated them. Before you buy, the cashier or website will show you the total amount you're being charged, including any fee.
The fee is separate from any rewards you earn. If your card offers cash back, you earn it on the full amount you're charged, including the fee.
Using a credit card to buy a gift card you'll use yourself
There's nothing wrong with buying a gift card for yourself with a credit card. Some people do this to lock in a discount — for example, buying a restaurant gift card when it's on sale. Others do it to earn rewards on a purchase they were going to make anyway.
If you're buying a gift card to use yourself, the process is identical to buying one as a gift. You pay with your credit card, receive the card, and then use that card to make purchases later. Your credit card is only charged once, at the time you buy the gift card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does buying a gift card count as a cash advance?
No. Buying a gift card is a regular purchase, not a cash advance. Your credit card company treats it the same as buying anything else. Cash advances are different transactions that typically charge higher interest rates and fees — they're only used when you're withdrawing actual cash.
Can I buy a gift card with a credit card online if I don't have the physical card?
Yes. You can buy a gift card online using your credit card number, expiration date, and CVV, just like any other online purchase. You don't need to have the physical card in your hand. Digital gift cards are often delivered by email within minutes.
What if my credit card is declined when I try to buy a gift card?
The most common reasons are insufficient available credit, a fraud alert, or the retailer's payment system having a temporary issue. Contact your credit card company to check if there's a fraud hold or if you've hit your credit limit. If the card is fine, try again or use a different payment method.
Do I pay interest on a gift card purchase?
Only if you carry a balance on your credit card. The gift card purchase itself isn't charged interest — interest applies to any unpaid balance on your credit card statement. If you pay your full statement balance by the due date, you pay no interest on the gift card purchase or anything else.
Can I return a gift card I bought with a credit card?
Most retailers allow returns of unused gift cards within a certain period, usually 30 to 90 days. The refund goes back to your credit card as a credit. Check the retailer's return policy before you buy, since some have restrictions on gift card returns.