PayPal Gift Cards: What They Are and How To Use Them

Saving Money / ShoppingBucharest, Romania - June 23, 2012: Android smartphone with the PayPal logo displayed on the screen using a picture viewing software.

bizoo_n / Getty Images Gift cards exist in physical and digital form — but both versions work in a similar way, by allowing one person to give another a stash of cash to use at a given store or franchise. You typically have a few choices about how to redeem a gift card.

You can use it to pay for a transaction in-store, apply it to your online shopping cart or, in some cases, you can opt to store the gift card balance in your PayPal account. That last option is available with PayPal Gift Cards — or digital gift cards that are stored in your PayPal account online. More From Your Money: Choose a high-interest saving, checking, CD, or investing account from our list of top banks to start saving today.

See: 3 Signs You’re Serious About Raising Your Credit Score PayPal will also take your existing gift cards — if you don’t feel you’ll end up using them — and convert them into cash stored in your PayPal account.

Can You Get a PayPal Gift Card?

It’s easy to get a PayPal gift card — as long as your intended recipient has a valid email address, you can send them a gift card digitally via text message or email. You could also choose to print the gift card and hand it to them personally or send it via the postal service.

Where Can I Get a PayPal Gift Card?

You can visit PayPal’s gift card store online to make a selection.

PayPal offers plenty of options to find the right gift card. You can browse what’s available or search for a specific brand, by occasion or by type of gift card, like beauty or dining.

Are Deals Available on PayPal Gift Cards?

You can find select gift cards available at discounted prices on the “Deals” tab of the PayPal Gifts page.

Does a PayPal Gift Card Ever Expire?

No — a PayPal gift card is always available for use and does not have an expiration date. This is a major advantage of these cards, since expiration dates are a frequent point of frustration for users of physical gift cards.

How Do You Redeem a PayPal Gift Card?

Once a PayPal gift card has been issued, it will have a 16-digit code.

If your gift card is in printed form, you’ll want to register it to your PayPal account online. To do that, just follow these steps:

Registering Your PayPal Gift Card

  1. Go to PayPal’s gift card page and log in.
  2. Select “Use Gift Card.”
  3. Enter the 16-digit code from your gift card.
  4. The gift card balance should be added to your PayPal account right away — often instantly.

Once you’ve added the gift card to your PayPal account, it’s as simple as selecting the gift card balance as your payment method when you checkout.

What Can You Use a PayPal Gift Card For?

Once you’ve registered your gift card and it’s reflected in your PayPal account, you can use it to make purchases at brick-and-mortar stores or online retailers that accept PayPal. More From Your Money: Choose a high-interest saving, checking, CD, or investing account from our list of top banks to start saving today.

You can use PayPal gift cards at dozens of retailers and stores, including Apple, Chewy, DoorDash, Instacart, Roblox, Target and Walmart — just to name a few.

What Can’t You Do With a PayPal Gift Card?

While PayPal gift cards make for convenient gifts — or can help you stick to your budget — they do have their limitations. You can’t transfer the balance from a PayPal gift card to another person, you can’t withdraw its balance directly from your PayPal account and you can’t give the PayPal gift card in physical form — like the type of hard plastic gift card that you would buy in a store.

A Flexible, Expedient Gift Card

The PayPal gift card offers both you and your intended recipient a lot of flexibility. As the buyer, you have multiple choices about how to buy and deliver the gift card quickly and easily, without even needing to leave your home.

The recipient, for their part, has flexibility about how to redeem it — whether they want to spend it right away or let the money sit securely in their PayPal account to wait for the perfect purchase. Although physical gift cards are still a preference for many, the reality is that they can disappear into a person’s wallet, purse or car and never get used. With a PayPal gift card, you can rest assured that it will be easier for your recipient to track, store and benefit from your gift.

On top of all of this, without an expiration date to worry about, it’s a stress-free experience for both buyer and seller.

Share This Article:

Tags:

byron-burger listed on couponmatrix.ukedreams-uk listed on couponmatrix.uknational-holidays listed on couponmatrix.ukpaperchase listed on couponmatrix.uksephora listed on couponmatrix.uksquarespace listed on couponmatrix.uk
byron-burger listed on couponmatrix.ukIndulge in the succulent, grass-fed beef of Byron Burgers. Since 2007 they’ve been working to one simple mission: to make delicious burgers with fresh British beef. Inspired by the classic American burger, Byron has brought that sensibility to London and now the nation. With your Byron Burger voucher you can save on good quality ingredients and simply delicious recipes. Choose from classic beef, tasty chicken or new vegan favourites and chow down on good, hearty food.
edreams-uk listed on couponmatrix.ukFrom luxury hotel rooms to the flights and shuttle transfers that get you there, eDreams gives you all you need to enjoy an exotic time abroad at a competitive price. Giving you options to travel to over 20 countries across Europe, America and the Middle East, you’ll want the latest eDreams promo code to bag a bargain on whichever corner of the earth takes your fancy. Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly retreat or an extravagant escapade, you can trust your travel plans with eDreams.
national-holidays listed on couponmatrix.ukFor a weekend away at the British seaside, a cheap city break or a European escape, National Holidays can get you there for the best possible price. Book transport and accommodation, and one of the coaches will pick you up from your nearest pick-up point when the day of departure arrives. It’s the easiest way to travel, and you can use a National Holidays discount code for affordable and unforgettable holidays across Britain, Ireland and Europe. You can even book coach holidays to see the F1 Grand Prix, Cirque du Soleil or Disneyland Paris!
paperchase listed on couponmatrix.ukSplash out on stylish stationery, greeting cards and arty supplies at Paperchase, and let your creative side fly free. Snap up a Paperchase discount code from us and you could treat yourself to high-quality notebooks, quirky office products and a wide variety of beautifully designed homeware without breaking the bank. With the tasteful yet fun Paperchase collection, you can source premium treats without the high-end price tag attached.
sephora listed on couponmatrix.ukSephora is like the big sister of the beauty world, and it’s now Feel Unique’s brand-new home! Choose from thousands of the top brands in makeup, fragrance and skincare – instead of a Feel Unique discount code, you’ll want a Sephora promo code from Groupon instead. Sephora is stocked with world-leading brands like Huda Beauty, DIOR and Charlotte Tilbury, and there are now even more great offers to enjoy, including 10% off your favourite brands, free gifts and Sephora voucher codes.
squarespace listed on couponmatrix.ukAnyone can create a beautiful website with Squarespace. With stand-out templates, handy website tools and ’round the clock customer support, it’s the stuff web designers once dreamed of. At Groupon, we monitor all the live Squarespace promo codes and offers, so if you’re looking for a discount on your Squarespace plan, you’re in the right place! Dream up the perfect website with Squarespace, and let Groupon make the money-saving part simple.