By LaToya Irby
Edited by Michelle TipswordCan You Buy Gift Cards With a Credit Card?
By LaToya IrbyEdited by Michelle Tipsword
Quick Answer
- In most cases, you can buy gift cards with a credit card.
- Some retailers and card issuers may have restrictions or charge additional fees.
Gift cards are simple, versatile and easy to buy. In most cases, you can buy gift cards with a credit card, but some retailers and card issuers place restrictions on these purchases. Here's what to know before using your credit card to buy a gift card.
Can I Buy a Gift Card With a Credit Card?
Yes, you can usually buy a gift card with a credit card as long as both the retailer and your card issuer allow it. Some retailers limit the dollar amount you can purchase.
When you buy a gift card with your credit card, the purchase is added to your credit card balance like any other purchase. Then, you'll repay it according to your credit card's billing cycle. You can spend the gift card balance until it's depleted.
Best rewards cards of 2026
Compare cards from our partners that earn points, cash back or miles on everyday spending.
Offers from our partners
Revel® Platinum Mastercard®
Ongoing APR:35.90% Fixed
Rewards:
N/A
Annual Fee:$49 - $125
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Intro bonus:
$100
Earn a $100 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
Intro APR:0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Ongoing APR:18.74%, 24.74%, or 28.74% Variable APR
Rewards:
2% (Cash Rewards)
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
Annual Fee:$0
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Ongoing APR:18.99% - 26.99% (Variable)
Rewards:
1% - 5% (cash back)
Earn 5% cash back rewards on gas at Costco and earn 4% cash back on other eligible gas and electric vehicle (EV) charging purchases for the first $7,000 combined spend per year, and then 1% thereafter. 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases and eligible travel, including Costco Travel. 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com. 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Annual Fee:$0
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
Ongoing APR:19.74% - 29.74% (Variable)
Rewards:
2x (Miles per dollar)
Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants, and on eligible American Airlines purchases. Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases.
Annual Fee:$99, waived for first 12 months
First Progress Select Secured Mastercard® Cash Back Rewards
Ongoing APR:17.74% Variable
Rewards:
1% - 10% (cash back)
Earn up to 10% Cash Back on everyday purchases at participating dining, grocery, retail, and other eligible merchants, plus 1% Cash Back on payments made to your First Progress Card.^^
Annual Fee:$39
Credit One Bank® Platinum Rewards Visa® Card
Ongoing APR:29.99% Variable
Rewards:
1% (cash back)
Earn 1% cash back rewards on eligible gas, grocery purchases and mobile phone service, internet, cable and satellite TV services, terms apply
Annual Fee:$39
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
Intro bonus:
10,000 Miles
Earn 10,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
Ongoing APR:19.74%-28.74% Variable
Rewards:
1x - 2x (Miles per dollar)
Earn 2X Miles per dollar at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 2X Miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases, and 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
Annual Fee:$0
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Intro APR:0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days
Ongoing APR:17.74% - 27.74% Variable
Rewards:
1.5x - 3x (Points per dollar)
3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through BofA Travel and 1.5 points per $1 spent on everyday purchases
Annual Fee:$0
See all our best rewards credit cards for 2026.
Is Buying Gift Cards With a Credit Card Considered a Cash Advance?
Buying a gift card with a credit card generally isn't considered a cash advance. However some card issuers may treat prepaid gift cards, like Visa or Mastercard gift cards, as cash equivalent transactions.
If your card issuer treats a gift card purchase as a cash advance, you'll typically pay a cash advance fee and a higher interest rate. There's no grace period for avoiding finance charges, even if you pay your balance in full. You typically won't earn rewards on the transaction.
To avoid surprises, check your credit card agreement or contact customer service to confirm whether buying a gift card with your credit card would be treated as a cash advance.
Learn more: What Is a Grace Period?
Pros and Cons of Buying Gift Cards With a Credit Card
Buying gift cards with a credit card comes with benefits and drawbacks.
Pros
-
Earn rewards: Buying gift cards with your rewards credit card can earn points, miles or cash back rewards as long as your card issuer treats the transaction as a regular purchase. You can redeem rewards for statement credits, flights, hotel stays and more depending on your rewards program.
-
Earn a welcome bonus: Gift card purchases can help you meet the spending requirement for a welcome bonus, provided the purchase meets your card issuer's terms. Some credit cards offer a welcome bonus high enough to cover a flight or hotel stay, making it a win-win for you.
-
Take advantage of bonus rewards: You can maximize rotating or fixed bonus categories by purchasing gift cards from qualifying retailers, like home improvement stores or restaurants. Keep in mind that rewards are generally based on where you buy the gift card, not the brand of the gift card itself.
-
Convenience: Using one payment method for gift cards can simplify your budgeting and make it easier to track spending.
Cons
-
Cash advance costs: Some card issuers treat certain gift card purchases as cash equivalent transactions. These transactions may incur fees, higher interest rates and won't earn rewards.
-
Potential rewards risk: Buying large amounts of gift cards solely to earn rewards can violate your card issuer's rewards program terms. To keep your rewards privileges, buy gift cards as needed rather than trying to game the system.
-
Fewer protections: Purchases made with a gift card don't include the same protections as those made with a credit card. For instance, you'll lose purchase protection, extended warranty and zero fraud liability on purchases made with the gift card.
-
Store restrictions: Some stores may limit or restrict the purchase of gift cards with a credit card. With these retailers, you'll have to use another form of payment.
How to Buy a Gift Card With a Credit Card
You can buy gift cards online or in person at major retailers like digital marketplaces, grocery stores, supercenters, drug stores and gas stations.
- Choose your gift card. Select a physical or digital gift card from a retailer or online marketplace. Some retailers sell their own branded gift cards as well as third-party gift cards, which gives you more options.
- Select the amount. Decide how much you want to load onto the gift card. Some gift cards include a small activation fee.
- Complete your purchase using your credit card. Proceed to checkout for online purchases or take your gift card to the cashier if you're shopping in the store. Use your credit card as the payment method and complete the transaction just like you would with any other purchase.
Tip: Many rewards credit cards let you redeem points or cash back for gift cards. Using rewards instead of your credit card lets you avoid increasing your balance. Gift card redemption values vary by card issuer.
The Bottom Line
Gift cards can be a convenient way to give gifts, prepay for purchases or stick to a budget. If your card issuer allows it, you'll earn rewards when you use your credit card to purchase a gift card. Before buying, check the retailer's payment policies and your card issuer's terms to confirm you won't be charged unexpected fees.
Don't have a rewards credit card? Experian's card comparison platform can match you with credit cards that fit your unique credit profile.
Don’t apply blindly
Apply for credit cards confidently with personalized offers based on your credit profile. Get started with your FICO® Score for free.
See your offers
About the author
LaToya Irby
LaToya Irby is a personal finance writer who works with consumer media outlets to help people navigate their money and credit. She’s been published and quoted extensively in USA Today, U.S. News and World Report, myFICO, Investopedia, The Balance and more.
Read more from LaToya