International Gift Cards

Gift cards are a common form of gratitude expression given to friends and family members. They’re also great if you’re a frequent traveler as you don’t have to carry a wallet that is full of credit cards. 

In this article, we’ll be going over some varying aspects of gift cards. We’ll be looking at what exactly a gift card is while explaining how they work.  

Let’s begin!

What Is an International Gift Card

The world is growing smaller, and yes, international gift cards are part of that shrinking landscape. Brands like American Express, Mastercard, Discover, and Visa have transformed the way we spend across the globe. But it’s not all smooth sailing.

While these major players may appear as ubiquitous, their global spending rates can play tricks on you. International fees and currency exchange rates may decrease or even eliminate your gift card’s value. Understanding your chosen card’s international recognition is crucial, especially before you hit checkout.

Some of the big names, such as American Express and Discover, rarely cross the U.S. border. On the other hand, some international Visa and Mastercard gift cards come with global acceptance, along with clear listings of any associated fees and regulations. So, whether for leisure or business, knowledge is your best ally.

How Do International Gift Cards Work

As we’ve mentioned earlier, a gift card is a form of payment that is most often used to acquire items from particular retailers or stores. How a gift card works is that you essentially place a certain amount of set funds onto a card, which can range from anywhere from €5 to €200 in most retailers for example. Once you have placed the funds on the gift card, you can then use it yourself or give it to someone else to allow them to spend the placed funds at the possible locations where it’s accepted.

With gift cards, there are usually two types. That being, open-loop or closed-loop gift cards. An open-loop card can be made use of anywhere where the card is redeemable. An example of this is if you have a gift card that is branded with Visa, then this gift card is usable in any location that Visa is deemed acceptable.

However, with a closed-loop card, they are restricted to certain merchants or services. For example, an Amazon or Steam gift card can only be used to purchase goods from Amazon or Steam, not anywhere else.

Are Prepaid Cards Good for International Travel?

Prepaid cards might sit on the same shelf as gift cards, but they dance to a different tune. While they offer reloadable convenience, their international use isn’t a given. Even well-recognized Visa or Mastercard prepaid cards may limit you to domestic spending only.

Options like Visa Travel Money, on the other hand, are created with this exact problem in mind. With fewer rules and smart budgeting solutions, they can be your travel companion. Just be aware of their protective clauses and restrictions.

Which Gift Cards Work Internationally and Which Don’t

Despite a lot of brand names being internationally known, it’s quite common for their gift cards to be regionally specific. That means they can only be redeemed in certain locations. We’ll be going over just some of the places that sell gift cards and whether or not they can be redeemed internationally or not.