Reader Gerald suggested we make a list of where Vanilla Visa gift cards can be used and where not. These cards don’t have the ability to set a zip code, and won’t work for certain payments. It should work for most in-store purchases which don’t typically require inputting a zip code.
We’ll put a few data points below as a conversation starter, and readers can share and discuss in the comments what works and what does not. Use the search bar in the comments to read the various data points that are discussed there.
What works – sample:
- Pay1040.com (U.S. federal tax payment)
- Amazon.com
- Medicare.gov
- National Grid
- PSEG
What does not work – sample:
- ACI payments (U.S. federal tax payment)
- PayUSATax.com (U.S. federal tax payment)
- Geico (and other insurances)
- Gas stations often need a zip code and won’t work with the Vanilla cards
- Reports in the comments of various utility payments not working
I’m curious if Paypal or other electronic wallets accept Vanilla cards. If they do, that would be a roundabout way of using them on various venues. For example, I’d then be able to use PayUSATax.com to make a federal tax payment by using the Paypal payment option instead of paying directly.
best buy accepts these, thank god. was able to buy an amazon gc. literally nothing else would accept it. happy i don’t have to waste time figuring it out so hope this helps someone else out there
Doesn’t work for Oscar insurance payment
Have Vanilla GCs become much harder to use lately? I mean since mid-October or early-November. My utilities stopped taking them, and it sounds like the Federal tax processors have also turned them down. Can’t get any of them to work online, except Amazon with the “Gift Card” as the name on card trick. Using them in-store seems OK, but it is more hassle and then tracking the balance is a pain.
Would appreciate recent data points on Vanilla GCs in the past month or so, what are you seeing out there?
Same, I used Visa Vanilla on pay1040 on 9/29/2024 (note: this was a replacement card so maybe it worked because it had my correct billing address on file when they mailed it out to me again?), but three different Visa Vanilla card attempts after that in November and December have all declined. I have successfully used them at other places online though (ie, local businesses), so Vanilla will not replace the card saying it has not been blocked. Frustrating since the main purpose of these cards was for estimated taxes.
Replacement Vanilla Visas received in the mail worked today both on Pay1040 directly and also for PayUSATax via Visa Click to Pay on first attempt for estimated quarterly tax. Good to see PayUSAtax working again after failed attempts earlier in the month.
[Cross-posting from the tax payments thread]:
Wanted to reconfirm prior reports (https://www.doctorofcredit.com/a-complete-guide-to-paying-your-taxes-with-a-credit-card/#comment-1912952) (https://www.doctorofcredit.com/vanilla-visa-giftcards-discussion-post/#comment-1773067) that INCOMM’s UFan MCGCs (https://www.ufangiftcards.com/), which are sold at many of the same stores that sell Vanilla VGCs, are accepted not only by Pay1040 but also by ACI Payments, despite the fact that one cannot set a zip code on those cards.
I was too chicken to try them on PayUSA in light of reports that Vanilla VGCs were being blocked after attempted payments on PayUSA (https://www.doctorofcredit.com/a-complete-guide-to-paying-your-taxes-with-a-credit-card/#comment-1911949). Maybe someone else can provide that DP.
Anybody got a physical card not drained but bricked ? What was the best way to deal with it, wait it out or call the support to inquire ?
Call
I was using my Vanilla Visa while I was traveling. It worked well everywhere until I arrived in Los Angeles. It worked at McDonald’s but was declined at Target. I tried to load it to Amazon and it declined there as well. I called in and was told to keep trying. I did and it failed at Panda Express and a local store. I called again and now they are sending me a replacement card.
Hi TRJ, Thanks for the DPs! Did you call in and ask why it did not work in so many online and physical stores? Did they say anything about no zipcode attached to card?
The CSR told me originally that the card was not locked. She told me to try again and if that didn’t work to call back and they would send me a new card.
When I first started buying these a few months ago, I had several that were locked when I tried to use them online. I discovered that I needed to use them in store first and then online to prevent that from happening. I usually “seasoned” the card by making a purchase at a local DG, Giant Eagle or Subway.
She never addressed the zip code issue but I do think traveling to different states triggered their security protections and the card was basically frozen.
They do work in person at restaurants but it’s less than ideal as they allocate an extra 20% to account for possible tip that takes a few days to fall off. This is true even at non tipping restaurants like McDonald’s, and even at the vending machine where I work.
Any recent data points on Pay1040?
Not having any luck w/ a Physical Vanilla Visa purchased from Vons today.
False alarm. Payment went through. Probably didn’t wait long enough after purchasing the card.
Not sure why but I couldn’t get a standard Vanilla to go through at Amazon or my usual utilities. Luckily, still worked at Target.
It’s a known issue. The do not assign a zipcode so this vgc is blocked in a lot of places.
Unnecessary data point by now but confirm working Amazon reload today