How to Activate a Vanilla Gift Card to Start Spending It However You Want
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Vanilla gift cards are one of the most versatile gifts to receive, whether you've been given the physical version or an e-gift card. They're a type of Visa gift card that can be used almost anywhere in the U.S. that accepts debit cards. You can use a Vanilla gift card to offset practical expenses like groceries or buy yourself something special!
If you've received a physical Vanilla gift card, activating it is quick and easy. Vanilla e-gift cards, on the other hand, are activated as soon as they hit your email inbox, so you can start shopping with it (or add it to your Amazon account) right away.
Here's how to activate a Vanilla gift card, along with a few other helpful tips for getting the most out of it.
How to activate a physical Vanilla gift card
To activate a physical Vanilla gift card, visit balance.vanillagift.com or call the toll-free number that's located on the back of your card: 1-833-322-6760. You'll need to enter the 16-digit card number, expiration date, and CVV for both of these methods.
Once you receive confirmation that the card has been activated, you can also get the card balance as well.
How to add a PIN to your Vanilla gift card
If you're asked to input a PIN when using your Vanilla gift card at checkout, simply type any four digits you'd like. Choose something easy for you to remember but hard for someone else to guess. Note that this will be the PIN to use for this specific card in the future.
How to use your Vanilla gift card for an online purchase
You can use your Vanilla gift card for making online purchases — just make sure that your card balance can cover your purchase total.
On the website's checkout page, you can designate either "credit" or "debit" as the card type (but not "gift card"). Then, enter the card information as you would normally, and add your name and address to the "billing address" section.
Keep in mind that according to some cardholder agreements, certain online orders may require a card balance up to 20% above the total amount. If your card isn't accepted for an online order, this may be why. You also won't be able to use a Vanilla gift card for recurring bill payments or subscription services.
How to add your Vanilla gift card to your smartphone
If you want to make touchless payments with your Vanilla gift card, you can add it to a digital wallet on your smartphone, such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay.
Add to Apple Wallet:
Go to the Apple Wallet app and tap the "+" in the upper right-hand corner
Select "Debit or Credit Card"
Either scan the card with the phone's camera or enter the card details manually
Add your billing address and save your information
Your Vanilla gift card should now appear as a payment option in your Apple Wallet app
Add to Google Wallet:
Go to the Google Wallet app and tap "Add to Wallet +" at the bottom
Select "Payment Card"
Select "New credit or debit card"
Either scan the card with the phone's camera or enter the card details manually
Enter your billing address information and select "Save"
Your Vanilla gift card should now appear as a payment option in your Google Wallet
Add to Samsung Wallet:
Go to the Samsung Wallet app and tap the "+" in the upper right-hand corner
Either scan the card with the phone's camera or enter the card details manually
Enter your billing address information and select "Save"
Your Vanilla gift card should now appear as a payment option in your Samsung Wallet
What happens if the Vanilla gift card is overspent?
If you attempt to spend more than the available balance on your Vanilla gift card, two things can happen: The purchase will be declined or it will go through, but you'll need to cover the remaining balance with a different payment method.
If you know your Vanilla gift card balance is less than the purchase total, you may also be able to ask your checkout cashier to apply the card balance amount to your purchase, then pay the remainder with a different payment method. Keep in mind that this may not work with online payments.
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