Update 12/23/24: new code on Vanilla Visa e-gift cards for 100% off fees VGHURRY24. Valid through 12/24/24.
Update 11/29/24: 100% Off Purchase Fees on Orders $200+ with Promo Code VGCYBER24
Update 11/18/24: 100% Off Purchase Fees on Orders $250+ with Promo Code VGTHANKS24. Valid Through 11/28/2024. Excludes Charity Cards.
Update 10/20/24: 100% Off Purchase Fees on Orders of $375+ with Promo Code VGSHOP24. Valid Through 10/31/24 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Excludes Charity Cards
Update 8/13/24: 100% Off Purchase Fees on Orders over $50. Valid thru 8/18/24 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
Use Code: VGBTS24. (ht Bockrr)
Update 5/15/24: use code VGPS2024 for 100% off purchase fees.
Update 5/6/24: Use code VGMOM24 for 100% off purchase fees through 5/12/24. (ht GC Galore)
Update 3/8/24: Fee-free eVGCs for the International Women’s Day gift card using code VGWOMEN. Expires today 3/8/24 at 11:59pm EST. (ht to reader T.D.)
The Offer
- VanillaGift.com is offering 100% off the purchase fees on vanilla gift cards with promo code LASTMINUTE23
The Fine Print
- Valid until December 25, 2023 at 11:59pm EST
Our Verdict
American Express codes this as a cash advance and there’s no category bonuses available (unless you checkout via PayPal and then Chase Freedom). These are difficult to use, read the comments for more information.
Hat tip to GC Galore
Do these work when paying tax?
Not anymore. Pay1040 used to work, but the latest batches dont seem to work
A lot of these digital visa gift cards are tricky to use online because merchants require a hold of up to 20% above the purchase amount.
That means you will NEVER be able to fully empty the gift card balance.
How does one solve this thorny issue? Any ideas?
I think you are confused, the 20% extra hold is usually applied to restaurants and maybe gas stations. I never use VGCs there. For online use, Vanillas suck just b/c it is a borderline scam now without any ability to register them with your zipcode.
Do any of these work with Pepper? The OfficeDepot visa/mc ones never seem to work (except for first couple of times).
Also, anyone know if these work at costco .com?
Visa GC surely works with Costco, not sure about MasterCard.
i ordered Costco Shop Card with MasterCard GC. So, it works.
Mastercards work online as credit and in-store as debit.
No luck, the card is unable to pass their security point.
Does this count as online shopping for shop your way?
Yes. Done it many times. Just got 200k points for 750.00 of gift cards.
Got the 200k points offer for the first time and recently made a purchase from a similar VGC seller (who also had 100% off purchase fees code).
Would hate to miss out on the points, so if they only post when statement closes and the offer expires, I might do another order through VanillaGift website…
Usually in a few days, but never noticed if it’s when statement closed.
I rec’d the 200.00 points 3 days after I paid my 750.00 charge to VG.com
Thanks for the datapoint,
barrytuneup .
I ordered Vanilla GC’s from TheGiftCardShop (they had a similar promo a few days before this one) and I can confirm that this worked to get the 200k points posted similar to your experience.
Redeemed SYW points via eVGC and added that to Google Wallet to use for further MS… 🙂
Came here to ask this. Love it. Thanks!
I just got the SYW card less than a month ago and have had a lot of transactions denied while buying gc at various storefronts and can’t get my card to go through on the vanilla website. After I called CS to verify it wasn’t fraud, the transactions were still declined and they said the card doesn’t allow gift card purchases and that’s why I’m continuing to get declined transactions.
you gotta season it. give it 90 days
Major retailers stopped accepting Vanilla and I have a feeling it’s because of the charge backs/high risk associated with those cards. The $5 in fees your saving are likely going to cost you hours and hours of pain in finding a spot that accepts this card. Very very unlikely you’ll be able to use it online and if used in person, that process is also a pain.
Try retailers that take “Square” payment system because that’s how I was able to liquidate my $50 gift card.
Just liquidate through known methods. Also works at grocery stores and rest. And takeout. Just swipe and select “credit”, if it asks for pin just push enter button. No problem.
The Vanillas are difficult to use with online transactions. I was able to use it at CVS by selecting “debit”.
Do not buy. The Vanilla Visa Gift Card sold in grocery stores does not work in any of the tax payment processor as of November 2024.
works in Pay1040. Other 2 sites require zip code
Didn’t work at Pay1040 just now even with a replacement card. All 3 still not working for me.
Indeed redeeming these can be a pain. I thought I had tried to use it for Xfinity and failed, but today it seems to have succeeded. The card is now over two months old.
Does anyone know if the issues with using these cards online also apply to their physical cards as well, or the issue with the e-gift cards only?
I placed an order before seeing the comments (my mistake), and now they won’t let me cancel it. So now I’m trying to figure out what would be the best use for a physical vanilla gift card?
See reply above
These cards are worthless, stop promoting them here!
This card didn’t work on ANYTHING! Absolutely nothing online, for sure. Even in store, it was still getting declines. Many retailers are blocking this card for online purchases and even B&M retailers are as well. Stay away!
Agreed 100% with this comment. Have CFPB complaint with this garbage company for a refund. Never again. You cannot even register a zip code or address online or by phone any longer either. Failed at more than 5 different merchants.
This warning should be in article. I have never bought this and have no horse in the race but would be interested hearing what *can* be bought with these cards.
I used mine to donate to my church. I did the math to include paying the fee and used up the full $500 in one shot.
I buy them at Stop and Shop and Walmart.
Used in-person at Great Clips.
Used for co-pays at doctors’ offices.
Used in-person at Target.
Used in-person at Walmart.
Used in-person at Aldi.
Used in person at Ross Dress for Less.
Haven’t had an issue using in person in a store yet.
I agree that using them online is problematic.
You can load these into apple pay and use them wherever apple pay is accepted.
Ironically these are the ONLY prepaid debit cards I can use to pay my rent – none of the other ones work. The cards issued by Blackhawk or US Bank always fail.