Troubleshooting Non-Functioning Gift Cards

If your Visa or Mastercard gift card isn’t  working, don’t worry.  Reference this list for some common issues and how to solve them. 

  
Plastic or physical Visa and Mastercard gift cards work much like credit cards. Virtual or digital cards are for online or over-the-phone use only. 

Common Issues and Quick Fixes 

Card declined at a restaurant or tipping establishment 

• The payment processor for merchants that normally accept tips (for example, restaurants, nail salons, hair salons, etc.) will preauthorize the card for the number the cashier enters plus an additional 20% to ensure enough is on the card in case you enter a tip amount.
• If the amount due + 20% exceeds the gift card balance, the gift card will decline for insufficient funds.
• If you do not tip with the card or the restaurant already added the tip in their total, the additional 20% will return to the balance in a few business days.

Card not activated 

• If you have a plastic or physical card, make sure it is activated.  
• If you aren’t sure if your Visa or Mastercard has been activated, visit the Activate Your Card Online page at https://www.perfectgift.com/activate.   
• If you have a virtual or digital card, it does not need to be activated.    

Expired card 

• Check the expiration date on your card to make sure it’s still valid. 
• If it is expired, visit the My Gift Card is Expired page at https://help.perfectgift.com/hc/en-us/articles/4404631754519-My-gift-card-is-expired-what-do-I-do.   
    

Insufficient funds 

• Verify your balance is enough to cover your purchase.  
• Multiple online transactions may temporarily reduce available funds.  
• If you have a payment amount that is higher than the gift card amount, ask the merchant if they allow for split payments. If so, ask that the gift card be charged with a specific dollar amount that is equal to or less than the balance. Then, pay the rest with a different form of payment.
• Some merchants, such as gas stations, restaurants, and hotels, often place a pre-authorization hold on your card. This is often higher than the purchase amount to ensure sufficient funds for tips or incidentals.
• To solve for this, make sure your balance is higher than what a total would be with tip, or ask to pay a specific dollar amount.

Merchant does not accept prepaid cards 

• Double-check that the store or website accepts prepaid Visa or Mastercard gift cards. Some merchants and sites do not. In that case, you will need to use the gift card elsewhere. 

Usage Restrictions 

• USA only   
  Gift cards are only valid for use within the United States. This means they typically can’t be used for international transactions, even online.
  • If you have a Visa or Mastercard Rewards card (the word "reward” is printed on the front), it can be used outside of the U.S. 
      
• No ATM or cash access  
  Gift cards cannot be used to withdraw cash or get cash back at the register.    
• Can’t buy other gift cards  
  Most merchants prohibit using a gift card to buy another gift card.    
• Purchase amount 
  Make sure the total purchase amount does not exceed your card balance. Make sure to account for shipping, fees or taxes.    
• Merchant category restrictions 
  Bill pay and subscription services typically do not accept prepaid gift cards. Recurring payment merchants usually don’t accept gift cards since they are non-reloadable.