For OurVanillaGiftCards.com, you can buy a gift card to any store, retailer, brand or hotel without having to see if we have the brand gift card or travel to the store itself.
The reason we are different is because we don't partner directly with the brands and stores themselves. We have years of IP in spend controls and can allow customers to load money on to a card to "work" or "not work" at a specific store down to the store address.
You want to give a gift card to Aunt Jenny to Kelly's Market on the corner of 1st and broadway? Just tell us the store name and address. When they go to the store it will just work. If they take it to Target, it won't because when the transaction comes through, we can see where they are shopping and approve or decline the charge.
Want to load a true vanilla gift card to any store? Yep we can do that too.
Want to allow the gift card to work at all Target stores like a traditional Target Gift Card? Yes, we can do that. Just don't include a store address.
However, for traditional Gift Cards this isn't so straight forward. Whether you can use a gift card at any restaurant or retailer depends on the type of gift card you have:
1. Closed-Loop Gift Cards
These are specific to a single brand or chain.
- Usage: Only at the issuing business (e.g., Starbucks, Olive Garden, or Target).
- Examples:
- A Starbucks gift card can only be used at Starbucks locations.
- A Target gift card works exclusively at Target stores or its website.
2. Open-Loop Gift Cards
These are issued by major payment networks like Visa, Mastercard, or American Express.
- Usage: Accepted at most businesses that take credit or debit cards from the same payment network.
- Examples:
- A Visa gift card can be used at any restaurant, retailer, or online store that accepts Visa.
- Some open-loop cards may have restrictions (e.g., certain international locations).
Things to Check Before Use
- Card Restrictions:
- Some cards may exclude certain types of purchases (e.g., gambling, recurring subscriptions).
- Read the card’s terms and conditions for limitations.
- Balance Coverage:
- If the purchase exceeds the gift card balance, you may need to pay the difference with another payment method.
- PIN Requirement:
- Some cards need a PIN to work with certain payment systems, especially for restaurants or gas stations.
- Restaurant-Specific Quirks:
- At restaurants, the card may preauthorize a higher amount than the bill (to account for tips), so ensure the balance covers this buffer.
Can You Combine Cards?
- Closed-loop gift cards: Usually not combinable with other forms of payment unless allowed by the retailer.
- Open-loop gift cards: Can often be combined with cash or another card to cover a purchase exceeding the gift card's balance.
If you’re unsure, ask the cashier or check the retailer’s policy to confirm whether the gift card will be accepted.