Are you wondering how to use Vanilla Gift Card on Amazon ? You are in great company. Many users receive the Vanilla Visa or Mastercard gift card only to want to redeem it for purchases on Amazon, the world’s largest online marketplace. In this detailed guide from earnstart.com.in, we shall walk you through every step of the way, explain the process, troubleshoot common issues, and share some bonus tips to get the most value from your gift card.
What is a Vanilla Gift Card?
A Vanilla Gift Card is a prepaid Visa or Mastercard credit card.
It functions like a debit card, and merchants that accept the respective card company also accept it, including online retailers such as Amazon. Usually, these cards come with a preloaded amount; in India, amounts such as ₹500, or ₹1000, or higher are quite common, while in the U.S., these amounts are less.
Vanilla Gift Cards are made for one-time use since they cannot be reloaded. These gift cards can be excellent gift options, tools for budgeting, or for online shopping.
However, since there is a slight glitch with Amazon not allowing its users to add a Visa or MasterCard gift card to their accounts as store credits, a little workaround will be necessary.
Can You Use Vanilla Gift Card on Amazon?
Yes, Vanilla Gift Cards can be used on Amazon; however, it is not a straightforward process that anyone can imagine. Amazon does not permit the direct loading of a Visa or Mastercard gift card into the Amazon Gift Card Balance. You can either charge the card during checkout or bend the rules slightly by adding it to your account as a debit or credit card.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Use Vanilla Gift Card on Amazon
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Step 1: Check Your Vanilla Gift Card Balance First
Before you attempt to use your vanilla card, check the available balance. You may visit the particular website given at the back of the card (usually vanillagift.com for US cards) and enter card information. Please make sure you note the exact balance amount, down to the last cent. Amazon will deny the card if you try to make a purchase even one cent over the balance. It means the transaction should not be for just ₹1 or $0.01 more than the balance.
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Step 2: Register Zip Code (for US cards)
Some Vanilla Gift Cards are invalid for online use unless a billing address is registered. To do this:
- Visit the website at the back of the card.
- Login through your card details.
- Register a billing address or zip code (for US/Canada-based cards).
For Indian Vanilla cards, generally, this is not required.
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Step 3: Add Vanilla Gift Card as a Payment Method on Amazon
- Visit Amazon.in (or Amazon.com, depending on your region).
- Hover over “Account & List” and click “Your Account.”
- Under Payments, click on “Your Payments.”
- Choose the option: “Add a credit or debit card.”
- Input in the Vanilla Gift Card number, expiry date, and CVV.
- Enter the billing address (if applicable).
Your card will now be stored in your Amazon account, similar to any debit or credit card.
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Step 4: Use the Vanilla Gift Card for Shopping
Now that your Vanilla Card is added:
- Shop on Amazon as usual and continue to add items to your cart(s).
- At checkout, choose the Vanilla Gift Card as your payment option.
- If the total equals or is less than your card’s balance, the order will be successfully placed.
- In case your order total is higher than the card balance, Amazon might decline the transaction.
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Step 5 (Optional): Purchase Amazon eGift Card with Vanilla Gift Card
This is the most dependable trick. Buy an Amazon eGift Card using your Vanilla Gift Card and apply it to your Amazon account balance.
Here’s how:
- Move on to Amazon Gift Cards.
- Pick an eGift card worth ₹500 or any amount matching or lesser than your card balance.
- Use your Vanilla Gift Card on checkout.
- The eGift card will be sent to your email once paid.
- Redeem it into your Amazon account under “Gift Card Balance.”
You can now buy away with the Amazon balance without any chances of decline due to insufficient funds on your card.
Common Issues and How to Solve Them
❌ My Vanilla Gift Card is being declined on Amazon
Solution: Check your balance. If your purchase exceeds the available amount, the card will be declined.
Try using the card to buy an Amazon eGift Card for a smaller amount instead.
❌ Amazon says the billing address doesn’t match
Solution: Register a billing address on the Vanilla Gift Card website before using it online.
❌ Split payment not allowed
Amazon does not allow split payment with debit/credit cards. That means you cannot pay partially with a Vanilla card and the rest with another card. If your item costs more than the card balance:
First, buy an Amazon gift card equal to the Vanilla card’s balance.
Apply that to your account, then pay the rest with your regular payment method. click here
Tips to Maximize Your Vanilla Gift Card on Amazon
Use it quickly – Do not let the balance remain unused; some cards may have inactivity fees after a few months.
Purchase Amazon Gift Card in Exact Amounts – Do not leave behind unforgiving leftover amounts such as ₹3 or ₹5 that are difficult to spend.
Combination of More Gift Cards – Use more than one card with multiple Vanilla cards for Amazon eGift cards to merge them together under one Amazon balance.
Track the Transaction – Log in to the Vanilla Gift Card portal for keeping track of the usage and remaining balance.
Avoid Trying Out International Cards on Indian Amazon – Remember that some US-issued Vanilla Gift Cards might not work on Amazon.in, so do use them on Amazon.com instead.
Final Thoughts
Vanilla Gift Cards let you make almost any online purchase securely. When you use the card correctly, it works just like an Amazon gift card. With just a few simple steps, you can either use it directly as a payment card or convert it into an Amazon eGift Card.
At earnstart.com.in, we talk about making sure the users get the most from their money and resources. Vanilla gift cards are great for smarter shopping, so now you have this neat little trick to use Amazon as payment for them without any hurdles.
