Most shops and websites in the UK will let you use your credit card to buy gift cards, just like buying anything else. It's a handy way to get presents without needing cash.
Whether you're popping into your local supermarket or shopping online, your credit card will usually work just fine for buying gift cards. You can pick up cards for all sorts of places – from big shops like Amazon and John Lewis to restaurants, streaming services, and even travel companies.
There are two main types of gift cards you can purchase with your credit card:
Many credit cards give you points, travel rewards such as Air Miles, or cashback when you spend money. Buying gift cards usually counts just like any other purchase, so you could earn rewards while picking up a present – a win-win!
Some cards even offer extra perks when you shop at specific places, like supermarkets or department stores. You might find that using your card to buy gift cards earns you bonus points, cashback, or even extra value when redeeming rewards for gift cards. This means you could turn your usual spending into something that gives a little extra back.
You can buy gift cards online from your phone or computer without leaving home. No need to find a cash machine or carry lots of money around. Plus, many shops offer digital gift cards that arrive by email straight away – perfect for last-minute presents!
Before you rush to buy gift cards with your credit card, there are some important things you should know about.
This is the biggest thing to watch out for. Some credit card companies treat gift card purchases as something called a "cash advance" rather than a normal purchase. If this happens, you'll face:
The good news is this doesn’t happen very often, especially if you buy gift cards during your normal shopping. It’s more likely if you buy from gift card websites or certain online platforms.
To stay safe, check your card’s terms or call your provider to confirm if gift cards count as cash advances.
This means if you want to put £50 on the card, you might actually pay £53 to £56 in total. This fee has nothing to do with your credit card – it's just how these cards work.
Shop gift cards usually don't have these fees, so a £50 card costs exactly £50.
Whilst many credit cards do give you points for buying gift cards, some don't. The card company decides this based on their rules. Before buying gift cards specifically to earn rewards, it's worth checking your card's terms to make sure gift card purchases count.
When you buy something with a credit card, you usually get extra protection if things go wrong.
But this protection doesn't extend to gift cards themselves. Once you've bought the card and given the code to someone, that's it – you can't get the money back if the card gets lost or stolen, or if the shop goes bust.
Here are a few simple tips to keep things safe and stress-free:
Gift card scams are becoming more common in the UK, and it's important to know how to spot them.
Scammers may pretend to be your boss, HMRC, the police, or even a family member in trouble. They create panic and demand you buy gift cards urgently.
Remember: No legitimate company or government department will ever ask you to pay with gift cards. If someone asks for gift card codes, it's always a scam – no matter how urgent it sounds.
Buying gift cards with a credit card is usually simple and can even help you earn rewards. Just make sure you know your card’s rules about cash advances, stay alert for scams, and always buy from reputable places.
Gift cards make easy, thoughtful presents – and using your credit card wisely can make them even more rewarding.
Just remember: if someone ever asks you to pay with gift cards, it’s a scam. Stop and check before you act – it could save you a lot of stress.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure content is correct when published. Information on this website doesn't constitute financial advice, and we aren't responsible for the content of any external sites.
Fiona is a personal finance writer with over 7 years’ experience writing for a broad range of industries before joining Ocean in 2021. She uses her wealth of experience to turn the overwhelming aspects of finance into articles that are easy to understand.
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