How can Vanilla Visa gift cards be used for online purchases?

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How do you use Vanilla Visa gift cards for online purchases? How can I get Vanilla Visa Gift Cards to function on specific websites?

I’ve encountered an issue where my Vanilla Gift Card gets declined on every website I’ve tried. The error message typically reads, ‘Your card was declined by the issuing bank. Please try a different card or contact your card issuer with questions.’ (This message was specifically from PayPal). There was one instance where it worked, but only because the website didn’t require an address, just card information. I’ve attempted to use the bank street address listed on the Cardholder’s Agreement, but it hasn’t resolved the issue. Does anyone have a solution?

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Hi wafl3s,

Here’s some advice that might clarify why your Vanilla Gift Card isn’t working for certain transactions:

How can I use my Vanilla Gift Card for online shopping?

Ensure that the balance on your Vanilla Gift Card covers the total cost of the purchase, including taxes and shipping. You can check your balance at balance.VanillaGift.com or by calling 1-833-322-6760.

Please note: Some types of transactions may require a hold of up to 20% above the purchase amount. Refer to your Cardholder Agreement for more details.

  1. Select “Credit” or “Debit” as the payment method (do not select “Gift Card”).

  2. Enter the Gift Card information in the Payment Method section, just like you would with a credit or debit card.

  3. For the Billing Address, enter your name and address as it appears on your account.

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Here’s how I use my Vanilla Visa gift card for online purchases: I can use my Vanilla gift card just like a regular Visa debit card to make purchases on any website that accepts Visa. When checking out online, I select “credit” or “debit” as the payment option, then enter my 16-digit card number, expiration date, and 3-digit CVV code. I may also need to provide my name and billing address. The purchase amount is deducted from my available gift card balance. Some sites require a balance 20% above the total to allow the transaction. I can also add my Vanilla card to a mobile wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay to make contactless payments. Vanilla gift cards are a convenient way to make online purchases with a pre-set spending limit, without using a credit or debit card directly.

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