A Visa gift card can be used internationally only if it was issued for global use. Most U.S. purchased Visa gift cards, including those sold on Giftcards.com are only redeemable in the U.S. where Visa debit cards are accepted. That includes consumer spending in-store, online or by telephone. Since Visa gift cards are issued by domestic banks and financial institutions, regulatory rules state that usage be limited to domestic transactions only. If you need a gift card to make purchases internationally, even if you are local and transacting on an international website, you must use a globally enabled prepaid card from Visa.

Follow these steps to determine if your gift card will properly work abroad:

• Check the back of the card: Language like "valid worldwide where Visa is accepted" denotes global usage, while "valid only in the United States" means limited usage to the U.S.
• Contact support: Call the number on the back of the card and ask whether international transactions are enabled
• Test before travel: Make a small purchase on an international website and confirm it clears
• Note: Virtual Visa Gift Cards enabled for global use must be loaded into a digital wallet to work in a physical store abroad

Globally enabled Visa prepaid cards can be used in over 150 countries around the world at locations where Visa is accepted. While this represents Visa's current coverage, cards may not work in countries under U.S. sanctions or in specific high-risk regions blocked by card issuers.

Closed loop gift cards for specific brands may work for retailers who have stores domestically and abroad, most commonly found in Canada. For example, GAP brands have locations across North America and per their terms and conditions, GAP gift cards can be used in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada.

When using a prepaid card internationally, be aware of the following currency and added fee conditions that could alter the amount that is debited from the card beyond the purchase price:

• Exchange Rate: When a global enabled Visa prepaid card is used in a foreign currency, Visa automatically performs the exchange rate conversion so the buyer does not need to worry about having to calculate it themselves
• Fees: Foreign transaction fees may apply per transaction with fluctuating rates
• Credit Card Holds: Hotels, car rentals, gas stations and other similar merchants may place holds that temporarily lock up much of your card's balance

If you are traveling within the United States, a gift card is a great alternative to cash and debit/credit cards. Cash can easily get lost or stolen with no hope for recovery, while credit and debit cards are tied to bank accounts and personal financial information. Visa gift cards on the other hand are just as flexible and easy to use without the stress of a drained bank accounts or stolen identity should the gift card become misplaced during travel.

Answer these questions before you travel to ensure there are no surprises with your payment options while abroad:

• Can a Visa gift card be used internationally?: Usually not if the card was bought in the U.S. so check the back for global enablement. Visa gift cards purchased on Giftcards.com make excellent choices for domestic travel.
• Where can I buy a Visa gift card for travel? For domestic travel, visit our Visa page for digital and virtual options. For international travel, visit visa.com for more information.
• Can I use a retail gift card abroad? Each branded gift card is different so check the terms & conditions on the product page before purchasing to see the countries it can be redeemed in. You can also visit Giftcards.com's country specific sites for local brands outside the U.S.
  • Canada: https://www.giftcards.ca/ca/en
  • UK: https://www.giftcards.com/uk/en
  • Australia: https://giftz.com.au/