Can i buy visa gift cards with a credit card

Yes, you can use a credit card to buy gift cards at most retailers. Occasionally, this won’t be allowed for a variety of possible reasons — for example, store-specific policies or a flagged transaction from your card issuer.

Buying gift cards with your credit card is usually coded as a purchase rather than a cash advance, though there may be exceptions.

While you’ll usually have no trouble using your credit card to buy gift cards, once in a while you may run into a few hiccups. Here are a few common instances to watch out for:

You may be asked for your photo ID.

Some stores will ask that you show a matching ID when using a credit card to buy gift cards. By matching a name and face to the credit card, stores make it more difficult for people to use stolen cards for these transactions.

The transaction may be declined due to store-specific policies.

You could run into any number of responses at the checkout counter:

• A credit card ban may be implemented throughout all stores in a chain.
• Credit cards may not be allowed at the specific store you’re in if it’s a prime target for fraudsters.
• A sales associate may mistakenly tell you the wrong store policy.

The easiest way around these roadblocks? Try a different store. If you’re feeling lucky, you could try the transaction again with another clerk at the same store.

Your card issuer may flag the transaction.

In this case, the transaction will be halted, and you’ll need to verify on your mobile device that you initiated the purchase. If the notification comes quickly enough, you may be able to proceed with the transaction at the counter. Otherwise, you’ll need to cancel the purchase and try again after you’ve verified it with your issuer.

One way to get around this limitation is by carrying a backup card. This card might not offer the rewards you were hoping for, but it may save you from having to try the transaction again.

The answer is usually not. Buying a gift card with a credit card is usually considered a purchase. However, this transaction could be coded as a cash advance in certain instances, such as when:

• You buy a prepaid card.
  Products such as Visa Gift Cards and American Express Gift Cards are sometimes considered cash equivalents, especially as they can be used virtually anywhere credit cards are accepted. You’ll rarely have this problem with closed-loop credit cards, because they can be used only at the stores that issue them.
• You buy a gift card at a financial institution.
  If your card issuer generally codes a merchant’s services as cash advances, your gift-card purchase may fall under this category as well.

Buying gift cards with grocery store credit cards can be a great choice. This is because grocery stores can offer a wide selection of gift cards, and certain cards offer strong rewards at these locations.

Rotating-cashback cards can be useful as well, occasionally offering bonus rewards in categories such as grocery stores and Amazon.com.

Lastly, store-specific credit cards can be lucrative for gift cards on top of giving you rewards for everyday purchases. Be sure to learn their bonus-reward rules for gift card purchases, though. With the Target REDcard™ Credit Card, for example, you won’t get the 5% discount on Target gift cards or prepaid cards, or on lottery, Stockpile or Gift of College gift cards.

How do I earn rewards when buying gift cards with a credit card?

Earn rewards on gift card purchases with your credit card. One of the best strategies is to use a grocery credit card at an eligible grocery store. Specific store cards may also offer excellent rewards.

And if you love the variety of new bonus categories, rotating-cashback cards may give you a few optimal months each year to buy gift cards. None of these card types work for you? Consider a trusty flat-rate cashback card that offers solid rewards on all purchases, including gift cards.

The Citi® Double Cash Card is a market-leading choice.

Issuers typically consider gift cards to be legitimate purchases, but tread lightly if you’re dipping your toes into manufactured spending. This means buying things with your credit card that can be quickly converted to cash — such as gift cards.

Those engaging in manufactured spending may buy gift cards regularly in significant quantities. It’s this volume that typically raises flags with card issuers and leads to account shutdowns.

Ultimately, if you’re buying gift cards for manufactured spending, your issuer may eventually catch on and close your account. But if you buy gift cards here and there — particularly if you plan on giving them as presents or using them yourself — you’re probably fine.

Though policies may vary by store and card issuer, you can usually use a credit card to buy gift cards. Avoid having your gift-card purchases classified as cash advances, and be careful with manufactured spending.

If you want rewards for gift-card purchases, consider one of the best grocery credit cards on the market.

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