How To Send Money to Someone Using Gift Cards

If you know enough about gift cards, you will know that you can use them as a medium of sending money.

I remember the first time I learned about gift cards like yesterday. It was one of my uncles who introduced me to the amazing world of gift cards. He stays in the US and wanted to send me some money, so he said he would send me a Visa gift card. 

As a sharp girl, I ran to Google and searched “What are gift cards”. After my research, I was wondering what Nigerian stores I would be able to use the card at before I realized I could also sell the gift card for cash. 

In this digital age, sending money has become easier than ever before, with several options available at our fingertips. However, one often overlooked method is using gift cards as a means of transferring money. 

If you want to know how to send money to someone using gift cards, this article is for you. Additionally, I will explain what gift cards are, highlight the advantages of using gift cards to send money, and also answer some popular questions about this topic. 

Without further ado, let’s get into it!

What Are Gift Cards?

Gift cards are like cards that contain money. They differ from credit and debit cards in the sense that gift cards come with a preloaded amount of money. They are prepaid cards that you can use to pay for goods and services at the store that issues them or online. 

When you get a gift card, it’s loaded with a certain amount of money, and you can spend up to that limit. You can buy gift cards at stores, gift card trading platforms, or from the brand. They’re great because you can choose what you want to buy, just like using cash, but without carrying around paper bills.

Aside from brand gift cards such as Apple gift cards and Amazon gift cards, there are open-loop gift cards that you can use almost anywhere. Examples of such gift cards are Visa and Mastercard gift cards which can be used anywhere that form of payment is accepted. 

How To Send Money Using Gift Cards

Gift cards are one of the means through which you can send money to someone without a bank account. Also, you can choose to send money through gift cards to someone with a bank account for convenience purposes. 

Below is a step-by-step guide on how to send money using gift cards:

1. Decide on the type of gift card you want to send money through. 
2. Open your Nosh app and log in. If you don’t have the app, you can download it here. 
3. On the homepage, click on “Buy/Sell Gift Cards”, and then select “Buy Gift Cards” from the options displayed. 
4. Select the country of the gift card e.g. United States. 
5. After picking the gift card country, select the gift card brand you decide to buy. 
6. Then enter the amount and quantity of gift card you want to purchase. The price of the gift card(s) will be displayed.
7. Click on “Proceed” and confirm that the purchase summary is correct before proceeding to buy the gift card(s). 
8. When the transaction is successful, copy the e-code displayed and send it to the recipient through any means of your choice. 

The recipient can then redeem the gift card for purchases or instant cash. 

Alternatively, you can get a physical gift card. Just buy it from a store or from the brand and have it delivered to the recipient. 

Benefits of Using Gift Cards to Send Money

Let’s talk about some of the advantages of sending money to someone using gift cards. Here are some of the benefits:

1. Flexibility: In case a recipient decides to not redeem their gift card for cash, they can easily use it to make purchases. 
2. No Bank Account Needed: Recipients don’t need a bank account to use gift cards, which can be helpful for those without traditional banking access.
3. Bypass Currency Limitations: Gift cards can bypass currency limitations since they can be sold or traded for cash, allowing recipients to convert the currency if needed.
4. Safe and Secure: Gift cards usually come with security features like PINs, reducing the risk of theft or fraud during transactions.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sending Money Using Gift Cards

1. Can I withdraw money from a gift card?

No, you can’t withdraw money directly from a gift card or use it at an ATM. However, you can sell it for cash.

2. How do I turn a gift card into money?

There are several ways to turn a gift card into money. You can sell it online through gift card exchange websites or online marketplaces, or sell it to friends or family. Also, you can exchange it for cash at a gift card kiosk. 

3. Where can I convert my gift card to cash in Nigeria?

In Nigeria, you can convert your gift card to cash on Nosh, a gift card trading platform. Nosh allows you to sell your unused gift card at high rates and get paid in Naira instantly. 

Conclusion 

To sum it all up, sending money using gift cards is a pretty straightforward process. You can decide to use an open-loop gift card like my uncle did with the Visa gift card, or use a retailer-specific gift card. 

Whatever gift card you decide to use, these prepaid cards can be used to facilitate money transfers across borders or simply to provide financial assistance to friends and family.