Are you the lucky recipient of a Vanilla gift card but not sure how to use it on Amazon? Wondering if you can apply your balance to your Amazon purchases?
Consequently, you’re in luck because using Vanilla gift cards on Amazon is quite simple.
Furthermore, Vanilla is one of the most popular prepaid gift card brands and can be redeemed like cash on Amazon.
In addition, there are several options available for gift cards, but one of the most popular is Vanilla gift cards. They offer physical and electronic gift cards in Visa and MasterCard formats.
What sets Vanilla apart is the ability to personalize your gift card by uploading a photo to their website or selecting from their range of pre-designed cards for various occasions. This added touch can make a gift card seem more personal and thoughtful.
However, while vanilla gift cards are a popular option, there are some potential drawbacks to consider.
For example, there is a 24-hour waiting period after purchasing the card before it can be used and an activation fee is required.
Additionally, there have been numerous complaints against Vanilla’s parent company, InComm Payments, over missing card balances.
Before deciding whether to use a vanilla gift card on Amazon, it’s important to understand how to do it and weigh the potential risks.
How to use Vanilla gift card on Amazon website ?
Using your Vanilla gift card on Amazon is a simple process. Consequently, as one of the most popular gift card brands, Vanilla cards can be redeemed like cash on Amazon.com.
Similarly, whether you received a physical Vanilla card or have a digital code, you can easily apply your balance to your Amazon purchases in just a few steps.
Furthermore, follow below mention steps to use Vanilla gift card on Amazon:
Add card in your Amazon Account
- Firstly, Access your Amazon account by logging in.
- Secondly, click on three lines on top left of screen.
- Thirdly, select your account option.
- Then, scroll down in payments section and select manage payment options.
- Next, scroll down and click on add a payment method.
- Then, fill all necessary information of card.
- Finally, select add your card.
Your Vanilla Gift Card has been added to your Amazon account and can now be used as a payment method during checkout.
Redeem your Vanilla gift card
- Firstly, open Amazon application.
- Secondly, tap on Amazon account.
- Thirdly, tap on your payments.
- Next, select overview option.
- Then, select redeem a gift card link.
- Next, enter gift card claim code in the box.
- Finally, Press on the option to apply to your balance.
After that you can see your Amazon pay balance at the top of your screen.
Use as a payment option at checkout
During the checkout process, you have the flexibility to add a new payment method to your account.
Likewise, this can be done simply by clicking on the “Change link”, which is located in the “Payment Method” section.
Similarly, by doing so, you’ll be able to easily update your payment information and ensure a smooth and hassle-free payment experience.
Also Check: How to use a Visa gift card on Amazon ?
How to use Vanilla gift card on Amazon app ?
The process for adding a payment method in the Amazon mobile app is quite similar. Likewise, simply tap the three-line menu located in the bottom right corner to access your account page.
Follow below mentioned steps to use Vanilla gift card on Amazon app:
- Firstly, open the Amazon app and tap on profile icon.
- Secondly, select your account option.
- Thirdly, scroll down in payment section and select manage gift card balance.
- Next, select “redeem another gift card ” option
- Enter card claim code.
- Finally, select apply to your balance option
Now, when you check out, your Vanilla gift card will be available as a payment option, thereby allowing you to make purchases directly from Amazon or load funds to your Amazon balance.
Also Check: How to use Klarna on Amazon ?
How to activate Vanilla gift card ?
If you purchased the card at a retail store, the card may already be activated.
Similarly, you can check the activation status by looking for the word “Activated” on the back of the card.
However, if the card is not activated, you will need to activate it yourself.
Follow below mentioned steps to activate Vanilla gift card:
To activate your Vanilla gift card online:
- Firstly, go to the Vanilla gift card website.
- Secondly, click on “Activate Gift Card“.
- Thirdly, enter the gift card number and PIN.
- Finally, click on “Activate“.
To activate your Vanilla gift card by phone:
- Firstly, call the toll-free number on the back of the card.
- Secondly, provide the gift card number and PIN to the customer service representative.
- Lastly, the customer service representative will activate the card for you.
Once your Vanilla gift card is activated, you can use it to make purchases anywhere Visa debit cards are accepted.
How to use vanilla gift card in-store ?
Using a Vanilla gift card in-store is similar to using any other prepaid card. Follow the steps mentioned below:
- Firstly, make sure the gift card balance is more than the total cost of the purchase, including taxes and shipping.
- Secondly, swipe your gift card at the checkout.
- Thirdly, if your gift card does not have a PIN, select “credit” as your payment method.
- Next, if your gift card has a PIN, select “debit” as your payment method and enter the PIN when prompted.
- Finally, sign the receipt if necessary.
Also Check: How to redeem Amazon Gift card ?
How to use multiple Vanilla gift cards on Amazon ?
Unfortunately, you can’t use multiple Vanilla gift cards on Amazon in a single purchase.
Similarly, Amazon does not allow users to combine multiple gift cards or use a gift card and another credit or debit card in a single transaction.
However, there is a solution. Consequently, you can add each Vanilla gift card to your Amazon account as a payment method.
Likewise, once added, you will be able to select which one you want to use when you checkout. In this way, you can use the gift cards to pay for different items in your cart.
Is it advisable to use Vanilla gift cards for purchases ?
Recently, there have been several reports of fraudulent activity related to Vanilla gift cards.
Furthermore, many consumers have reported that their card balances have disappeared shortly after using the card for the first time, likely due to a hack.
Similarly, InComm Payments, the company that owns Vanilla, has come under fire for its customer service policies, which include a 90-day waiting period to refund missing balances.
Given these current issues, as well as other drawbacks of the Vanilla card, such as the inability to reload or use it at ATM’s or for recurring bills, it may not be the best option for a debit card.
Consequently, a debit card issued directly by a card issuer may offer more security and fewer restrictions on its use.
Likewise, for purchases on Amazon, using your Amazon balance is the safest and easiest payment method.
Additionally, you can also add funds to your Amazon balance using cash at participating brick-and-mortar stores through the Amazon Cash program.
Also Check: How to use Apple Pay on Amazon ?
How to pay with Vanilla visa online ?
- Firstly, go to the website of the merchant where you want to buy from.
- Secondly, add the items you want to purchase to your cart.
- Thirdly, click on “Checkout“.
- Next, select “Credit” or “Debit” as the payment method. Do not select “Gift Card“.
- Then, in the Payment Method section, enter the necessary information from your Vanilla Visa gift card:
- Finally, click on “Pay“.
You may be required to enter your billing address and zip code. Likewise, this is usually the case for online retailers that do not accept gift cards as a payment method. However, some retailers will only check the zip code.
Note: If the total cost of your order is more than the balance on your Vanilla Visa gift card, you will need to pay the remaining balance with another payment method.
Conclusion
In conclusion, vanilla gift cards can be a convenient way to shop on Amazon if you receive one as a gift.
Furthermore, the process of adding a vanilla card to your Amazon account is simple, whether on desktop or mobile.
However, there are some drawbacks to consider, such as activation fees and missing balance reporting.
An alternative is to use Amazon gift cards or add funds to your Amazon balance in cash at participating stores.
For security reasons, we recommend paying directly with your Amazon balance instead of using debit/credit cards.
Similarly, please note that you can only use one Vanilla card at a time on Amazon and they are not ideal for recurring payments or cash withdrawals
Frequently Asked Question’s (FAQ’s)
There is no direct way to transfer a vanilla gift card balance to another account or card. However, you can still get cash from a Vanilla Visa gift card using third-party services like PayPal or Venmo.
Yes, you can use a Visa gift card on Amazon by adding it as a credit or debit card to your account. However, this requires a special solution since Amazon does not directly accept Visa gift cards as a payment method.
Verify that your Vanilla Gift Card has sufficient funds to cover the cost of the purchase and that the card information entered is accurate if it is declined when making a purchase on Amazon.
