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Buying gift cards with a credit card

You can usually buy gift cards with a credit card, but you could be charged a cash advance fee and get no reward points. Here’s what you need to know.

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By

Amy Bradney-George

Updated

Fact checked

If you need to get someone a present and don't know what they want, gift cards are a quick win. You can buy one online or in a shop – and can make it thoughtful by choosing a card you know the person will use.

But if you use your credit card to buy gift cards, the payment could be processed as a cash advance transaction. This is because gift cards are equivalent to getting cash – which usually comes with more costs and restrictions than other credit card transactions.

What happens when a gift card is processed as a credit card cash advance?

  • You’ll be charged a cash advance fee

Cash advance transactions typically attract a fee worth around 2-3% of the total that you spend. This means if you use your credit card to pay for a $100 gift card, you could be charged an extra $2 to $3.

  • Interest will be charged immediately

Cash advance transactions start collecting interest from the time they are made. Most credit cards also have a cash advance interest rate that is higher than the purchase rate, so you could end up paying more for gift cards than you would for other presents that cost the same amount (but are processed as purchases on your card).

  • You won’t earn rewards

Cash advance transactions usually don’t earn points per $1 spent. They also don’t count towards the spend requirement for any bonus point offer you may get with a new rewards credit card.

  • Your transaction won’t be eligible for a 0% purchase rate

While an interest free credit card that offers 0% p.a. interest on purchases during the introductory period can help you save on interest charges for most of your shopping, these offers generally don’t extend to cash advance transactions.

  • It could affect how your balance is paid off

Credit card repayments typically go towards the part of your balance that attracts the highest interest rate first.

So, if you have a credit card offering 0% p.a. on purchases and you use it to buy gift cards, your repayments could go towards the gift card balance first because this type of transaction is considered a cash advance. This could mean you end up with debt from your purchases at the end of the 0% interest period, resulting in even more interest charges.

Example: How much could buying gift cards with a credit card cost?

Let’s say you plan on buying a $500 gift card as a birthday present for someone. If you used a credit card that charges a 3% cash advance fee, an extra $15 would be charged to your account at the time of the transaction. This would bring your total spend to $515.

If your credit card charged 20.99% p.a. on cash advances, you’d also be charged around $9 in interest in the first month (assuming you didn’t make a payment towards your balance during that time). That works out to be an extra $24 you’d spend on gift cards or 4.8% of the original $500 in value.

How can I avoid extra charges when buying gift cards?

Thinking about the following factors will help you avoid cash advance fees and interest charges when you get to the checkout:

1. Check your credit card’s definition of a “cash advance”

While most credit cards include gift cards in their definition of a “cash advance transaction”, you should double-check before you go shopping so that you can plan your repayments around any extra rates or fees.

2. Pay for gift cards with a debit card or cash

Buying gift cards with your debit card or cash won’t attract any cash advance fees or interest rates.

3. Separate your purchases in-store

When you’re at the checkout, separate the gift cards from any purchases you want to pay for with a credit card. Then you can buy those items separately before paying for your gift cards with a debit card or cash.

4. Redeem gift cards using reward points

If you’re a member of a frequent flyer or rewards program, you could use points to redeem gift cards for people instead of paying for them. Just be aware that this usually isn’t the most valuable way to use points.

5. Consider a credit card that offers the same interest rate for all spending

If you really don’t want to juggle cards while you're out Christmas shopping, another option is to look at a credit card that offers the same interest rate for all transactions, such as the Bank Australia Low Rate Visa. This could make it easier to keep track of interest charges and budget for repayments, although you’re still likely to be charged a cash advance fee when buying gift cards.

Bottom line?

While you can buy gift cards with just about any piece of plastic in your wallet, using a credit card could cost you more if the transaction is processed as a cash advance. If you keep this in mind when you're buying gifts, you can swap your credit card for cash or a debit card to help keep your spending as affordable as possible.

Frequently asked questions

Can I buy a gift card with a gift card

If you have a Visa or Mastercard gift card with enough value on it, you may be able to buy a different gift card with it. But it depends on the gift card terms and conditions, as well as the business that is selling the new gift card.

For example, some gift cards state that you can't use them for ATM withdrawals or cash out at the shops, and others state that you can't get a cash advance. Check the gift card terms and conditions to see if it's possible with a gift card.

Can a gift card be used as a credit card

You can spend Visa and Mastercard gift cards at many of the same places you can use a credit card, but they are not the same thing. A gift card is a prepaid account and, unless you have a reloadable gift card, eventually you'll run out of funds or the card will expire. Credit cards, on the other hand, can be used on an ongoing basis when you pay off the balance.

Some businesses will process gift card and credit card payments differently as well. So, for example, if you wanted to use a gift card for recurring payments, you'd need to check if it was accepted by the business. If it wasn't, you'd need to choose a regular debit card or credit card for the payment.

  1. Gift Card Store gift card terms and conditions accessed 23 March 2022
  2. Giftcards.com.au terms of use accessed 23 March 2022
  3. Woolworths gift card terms and conditions accessed 23 March 2022
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