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
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.
Came here to ask this. Love it. Thanks!
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.
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.
Do these work for federal taxes with paypal?
Scratch the paypal part. Not sure what was I thinking. Do these work for federal taxes as debit?
Anyone have any experience redeeming these on Costco website?
Looks like a good way to convert 5% PayPal into 5% Costco.
Would be a great idea if the purchase would go through. It keeps saying that the purchase couldn’t be completed. 2x $500 pending charges on PayPal, neither completed.
I have never had any luck using Visa gift cards to purchase Costco gift cards online. Costco initially accepts the purchase, but then later it cancels it and then you have to wait about 5 days for your money to return to your Visa gift card. I have, however, had 100% success buying Costco gift cards with VGCs in warehouse, but of course that’s a pain and not possible in the case of a digital gift card.
How do liquidate / convert to cash without paying excessive fees?
1. Buy cards
2.
3. Cash out