Key takeaways:
- International gift cards eliminate the hassle of choosing gifts and can be used globally for shopping, travel, subscriptions, and experiences.
- General-purpose prepaid cards (Visa, Mastercard) work like debit/credit cards, while retailer-specific gift cards (Amazon, Google Play, iTunes) are limited to their respective platforms.
- International gift cards are available at retail stores, banks, online marketplaces, and official brand websites.
- Platforms like Pawns.app offer opportunities to earn international gift cards through surveys and online activities.
Gifts are amazing, but they can often become a hassle even to those who absolutely love gifting. While some people have precise preferences, others are less specific or don’t even like getting gifts. And then there are those situations at work when you have to get something for someone you don’t know that well.
Enter international gift cards, the most convenient gift item out there, offering convenience, flexibility, and choice. You can literally get gift cards for shops, restaurants, active experiences, leisure getaways, lessons… The list is quite long.
One thing you’ll quickly find looking for gift cards is that their purpose variety also comes with various geographical restrictions. Don’t worry, we’ll break it all down in this practical guide, going over the most popular gift cards, their types, and availability.
What Are International Gift Cards?
International gift cards are prepaid cards that can be used in multiple countries. Unlike your standard gift card which typically only works in the country (or city) where you buy it, global gift cards have cross-border accessibility.
Now, when it comes to international gift cards, there are two main types:
- General-purpose prepaid cards: These include Visa gift cards, Mastercard gift cards, and Visa prepaid cards, which function like debit or credit cards at stores and online.
- Retailer-specific gift cards: Some retailers issue digital gift cards that can be used internationally. Examples include the Amazon gift card, Google Play gift card, and Apple iTunes gift card.
How Do International Gift Cards Work?
When it comes to how global gift cards can be used, there are multiple ways. You can get gift cards for buying items at physical stores, digital products, services, and even subscriptions.
For example, someone in Europe with a Visa prepaid card from the US could use it in restaurants, hotels, and stores as long as Visa is accepted at the location where it’s intended to be used.
- Online use: Some international gift cards allow you to use them for online purchases, just make sure to look into whether the retailer accepts international transactions.
- In-store use: Just like with online purchasing, you can also use a global gift card to buy items at physical stores by simply bringing the card to the store of your choosing. Mind you, not all stores will accept gift cards.
- Currency & fees: Some Visa prepaid cards and Mastercard gift cards allow you to process transactions in foreign currencies. Of course, conversion fees may apply.
- Subscription gift cards: Gift cards can allow you to pay for service subscriptions like Netflix, iTunes, or others.
Benefits of Using International Gift Cards
Global gift cards aren’t just convenient, they’re incredibly flexible. The ability to use them in numerous ways and in different countries is a major plus, but the benefits don’t stop there.
Security and Convenience
International prepaid cards can essentially function like credit or debit cards but in a much safer way. Depending on the exact gift card and the amount of currency in it, you could travel without actual cash, which is already adding to the overall security.
Moreover, some gift card providers also provide a replacement service, making sure that your funds stay safe. So, if your gift card gets stolen or lost, a Mastercard prepaid travel card issuing bank offers replacement, preventing unnecessary financial hurdles.
Great for International Gifting
Do you like traveling and shopping around in different shops? Well, certain global gift cards make it that much easier to pay for your items wherever you want and whenever you want, as long as the gift card is valid.
Gift cards that can be used internationally are also much more cost-efficient than traditional gifts. International gift cards are often digital, avoiding costly shipping prices and long delivery times when sending gifts to people internationally.
For example, if you’re a parent living in Australia, you could send a Google Play gift card to your child in the US to pay for apps, movies, and subscriptions without hassle.
Useful for Travelers
For those who travel all the time whether due to work or personal choice, foreign transaction fees can be an annoying factor. However, with a Visa gift card or a Mastercard gift card, you could easily avoid pesky foreign currency exchange and purchasing fees. To add to the travelers’ benefit, some prepaid cards can be used to withdraw currency at ATMs.
Versatility for Online Shopping
The world has become connected not only in the sense that we can now travel virtually anywhere on the globe. Lots of ecommerce platforms accept digital gift cards and global prepaid gift cards, making it possible to pay for streaming or service-based products like Netflix or Spotify as these platforms support international gift card payments.
Best Gift Cards That Can Be Used Internationally
We’ve covered the basics, but if you’re wondering what gift cards can be used internationally, in the following section we’ll go over our top 11 best international gift cards.
1. Mastercard Gift Card
Mastercard gift cards are some of the most flexible options for international gift cards. Since Mastercard is accepted in 210 countries worldwide, you can use this gift card in any location where Mastercard is available for online shopping, dining, travel, and more.
2. Visa Gift Card
Similar to Mastercard, Visa is also widely accepted across the globe in around 200 countries. Thanks to the widespread availability, you can use a Visa gift card for pretty much the same services as with a Mastercard gift card, as long as they are accepted as a valid payment method.
3. Global Prepaid Cards
Prepaid cards are more of an umbrella term that essentially includes gift cards from banks or fintech companies. These cards can be used internationally for various purposes, although the available actions depend on each individual company and bank that provides these cards.
4. Visa Debit Cards
Much like Visa gift cards, a Visa debit card is a card that’s linked to an international account for better flexibility and increased spending opportunities in different currencies for avid travelers or frequent online shoppers.
5. Google Play Gift Card
Google Play gift cards are some of the most popular gift cards for international use. They’re digital, easy to use, and can be accessed from anywhere in the world on any of your Android devices.
You can buy apps, games, movies, and subscriptions on the Google Play Store hassle-free. Just note that there might be geographical or country-specific restrictions for some applications.
6. iTunes Gift Card
For those who use iTunes on a daily basis, an iTunes gift card is a great gift for nearly any occasion. You can purchase and send this gift card to be used for buying music, movies, or any apps from the Apple Store.
However, like with the Google Play Store gift card, the iTunes gift card may also be region-locked. For the best experience, they usually work best when purchased for the intended country.
7. Spotify Gift Card
Did you know that Spotify had 675 million monthly active users in December 2024? It’s become the number 1 platform for listening to our favorite tunes. Getting a Spotify gift card to someone who’s considering this platform is the best gift because it will both be useful and give a chance for that person to try out the platform and see if they like it or not.
8. Steam Gift Card
We all know at least one hardcore gamer in our midst, and while we might not know the exact games they enjoy playing, gifting a Steam gift card is a great way to show attention and care for that person’s preferences. A Steam gift card is perfect for gamers who want to buy games, in-game content, or software from the Steam platform.
9. Sephora Gift Cards
For beauty enthusiasts, a Sephora gift card is sure to be an amazing surprise. There are so many cosmetics brands that even if you know a person well, there’s still a risk of getting something that won’t appeal to the person you’re gifting the items for. That’s why a Sephora gift card is a handy gift, accepted at any Sephora location.
10. Airbnb Gift Card
Traveling has become someone nearly anyone can experience, and with so many competing platforms, it’s no wonder that the giant Airbnb has launched its gift cards to attract more attention. Airbnb gift cards can largely be used worldwide to book stays and experiences, or bought in bulk for business purposes as well.
11. Digital Gift Cards
Last but not least on our list, we have digital gift cards. These cards can come in various brands, from Amazon to Netflix and other major brands. Moreover, a truly digital gift card from international companies, retailers, and brands is typically also accepted all around the world. This is also why an Amazon gift card is a popular benefit or bonus provided by companies to their employees.
Where to Buy International Gift Cards?
Usually, you can buy an international gift card at a physical location or an online shop. Where and how you buy a card depends on your intent and the specific type of gift card you want to get.
Before you go in and purchase a gift card, make sure to always check for region restrictions, and verify that the seller is legitimate to avoid scams or unusable gift cards.
Physical Locations
- Retail stores like Walmart, Target, and convenience shops.
- Banks that offer international payments.
- Electronics & gaming stores like GameStop or Best Buy.
Online Sources
- Official brand websites like Amazon, Google Play, and Netflix.
- Digital marketplaces like Gift Card Mall, Raise, and CardCash.
- Payment platforms like PayPal or cryptocurrency exchanges.
How to Check if a Gift Card Works in Another Country?
International gift cards are all about convenience, but there are many different choices and all of them depend on the purpose for which they will be used. Moreover, while global gift cards can be used internationally, it doesn’t mean that all gift cards will always work in all countries.
If you want to confirm whether or not a gift card can be redeemed in different countries, you should:
- Read the terms and conditions on the retailer’s website.
- Contact customer support for clarification.
- Look for region-specific restrictions on the card.
- Test the card you have online by attempting a purchase.
How to Earn Free International Gift Cards with Pawns.app
Pawns.app is an incredibly user-friendly money-making platform and mobile app that anyone can use to earn a bit of side cash in a variety of ways. Whether it’s taking tailored online paid surveys, playing play-to-earn games, or sharing your internet bandwidth, you’re free to choose whatever method suits you best.
If your goal is to get free international gift cards, one of the best methods for that is online surveys. To get started, all you have to do is go through a simple and free signup process with your basic personal information, navigate to surveys, and start taking them!
Most surveys take only a couple of minutes to complete. Once you get enough in-app cash, you can redeem from a wide selection of gift cards. Do note that gift card availability may differ across regions, however.
Conclusion
International gift cards are one of the best gifts for anyone with unique or super-specific interests, does a lot of cross-border purchasing, or simply travels a lot. The best part about globally accepted gift cards is that the majority of them can be used to pay for shopping items, at restaurants, travel expenses, gaming needs, or subscription services, offering unparalleled flexibility.
