Present Hunting? Reasons to Consider an eGift Card

By: Dannie Phan | March 7, 2020

Are you running out of gift ideas for your friends and loved ones? If you need the perfect gift for a special occasion, why not purchase an e-gift card? Not only is it possible for you to earn these gift cards for free on platforms like Swagbucks, but you can buy gift cards online and send them to distant recipients via email delivery.

That said, the ins and outs of gift card use can be challenging to understand. Before you make a purchase, make sure you know what kind of gift card you’re purchasing and where your recipient will be able to use it.


Sending Digital Gift Cards

How you send an e-gift card to a friend, loved one or yourself will vary based on the platform you’re interested in using. That said, there are several third-party systems that make the delivery of an e-gift card a little simpler. You can freely use the Swagbucks platform to send free gift cards to yourself or to anyone you’d like. Similarly, GiftCardGranny makes it easy for you to earn free money and send it off in the form of an electronic gift card. You can also use platforms like GiftCards.com to do just the same.

If you’re looking for specific instructions, however, check with the platform you’re most interested in using. Amazon, for example, expects you to purchase an Amazon gift card and select your recipient before purchase. Starbucks similarly wants you to do the same. When you do so, either through these brands or through another, the e-gift card you’ve selected will appear in your recipient’s email inbox.


Stores With e-Gift Cards

Outlets that sell electronic gift cards include but are not limited to:


  • Sephora
  • Visa
  • Apple
  • Best Buy
  • iTunes
  • Mastercard
  • The Home Depot
  • Google Play
  • Xbox
  • Netflix
  • Nike
  • Amazon
  • Old Navy
  • Gap
  • H&M
  • Brook Brothers
  • Forever 21
  • JCPenney
  • CVS
  • Best Buy 

No matter what you’re interested in sharing with your loved ones, you’ll be able to find an outlet and a digital gift card that allows them to make any purchase they want.


How Do E-Gift Cards Work?

For the most part, gift cards and e-gift cards work in the same fashion. When you receive a physical gift card, you’ll be able to take it out to a specific store (or a not-so-specific store, if you’re using a gift card for Visa or Mastercard). Once you’re there, you’ll be able to use your gift card in place of your credit card or debit card.

E-gift cards work in much the same manner. However, you won’t have a physical copy of your card to use in stores. Instead, you’ll be able to use an e-gift card while online shopping or through your phone, if you want to head out on a shopping spree.


What’s the Difference Between Gift Cards and E-Gift Cards?

There are some obvious differences between physical gift cards and e-gift cards. For example, you usually have to mail someone a physical gift card – made out of plastic and easy to keep in your wallet – or deliver it to them in person. Comparatively, e-gift cards appear in a person’s inbox via email and can be accessed immediately via a mobile device.

That said, e-gift cards aren’t restricted to mobile. You can easily use them to make a purchase from your desktop as long as you have the appropriate digital code on hand.

Upon receiving your physical gift card, you can go out and begin making purchases immediately – unless the card requires activation. Under those circumstances, you’ll need to go online to the store’s website and activate your card. From this point, you’ll be able to either use the card in person or make purchases by inputting the card’s code into the appropriate box upon checkout.

Comparatively, e-gift cards don’t need to be activated and can instead be used by their recipient upon receipt. Do note, though, that some outlets won’t allow you to print out a digital gift card and use it in stores. Check with your brand before you print to make sure you can use your digital gift card in-person. When it doubt, it’s best to have your gift card pulled up on your phone if you want to make a purchase in stores.


Can You Send A Gift Card Online?

You can send your recipient of choice a gift card online. However, these gift cards won’t be e-gift cards. Instead, the store of your choice will mail a physical gift card to your recipient.


Checking a Gift Card Balance

Most e-gift cards come with emails letting the recipient in question know how much money they have at their disposal. However, if your recipient starts shopping and isn’t sure how to check their balance, you’re going to have to guide them through the necessary steps.

The process through which you check the balance of your gift card will vary based on the type of gift card you’ve purchased. Most of the aforementioned outlets make their balance-checking process clear in the FAQs. If your recipient is confused as to how to proceed, direct them to an FAQ or help them navigate the platform in question. The sooner they’re able to check their balance, the sooner they’ll be able to get back to purchasing the collectibles or other new arrivals they’re most interested in.

So are you struggling to find the perfect gift for Mother’s Day? Do you want to give a home improvement-loving friend a hand with their next remodel? Or do you and your roommates just want to watch TV shows at a reduced cost? E-gift cards are the best gifts for even the pickiest of recipients.



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