Home  ›  How to Activate Visa Gift Card Without Activation Code

How to Activate Visa Gift Card Without Activation Code

Written By Wednesday, November 24, 2021 Add Comment Edit

Download Article

Download Article

Gift cards are a great option when you don't know what to buy for your family or friends! Many gift cards are activated when they're purchased, so they don't need to be activated by the recipient. However, some do need to be activated by the recipient before they can be used. You can activate a gift card by calling the merchant or accessing the provided URL and inputting the correct activation numbers.

  1. 1

    Locate the URL by checking the sticker on the front of the card. There's usually a white sticker or some other indicator prominently displayed on the front of the card if it requires activation. You should see a toll-free number and/or a website link on the sticker that you need to use to activate the card.[1]

    • Your card is probably ready to use and doesn't need activation if you don't see a sticker or other indicators.
    • Check the back of the card for specific instructions if you don't see an activation sticker.

  2. 2

    Type the provided URL into your search bar exactly as it appears. Type the URL carefully and double check it before you press "enter." There are gift card scams out there that prey on people who accidentally type in the wrong URL for activation.

  3. 3

    Enter the ID number, activation code, and/or PIN number. Typically, the first number that you enter is the identification number, but the spaces should be labeled accordingly on the web page. The second number that you enter is usually the activation code or PIN that activates the card. The activation code is usually shorter than the identification number.[2]

    • If you have trouble working out what numbers to use, contact the customer service department phone number on the back of the card.
    • The gift card is ready to use as soon as you activate it!

  4. 4

    Use the emailed activation code if you received a virtual card or eGift. Virtual gift cards are sent to your email address. The email will provide instructions and any necessary activation codes to complete the process online. Virtual cards may have directions about claiming eGifts rather than activating them.[3]

  5. 5

    Register your card online or by phone to prevent theft. Some merchants offer gift card registration to protect them from loss or theft. If you are concerned about the safety of your gift card, or if it is of particularly high value, contact the customer service phone number or visit the merchant's website to register it.

    • You'll need the identification number, the activation code or PIN, your name, and your address to register the card.[4]

  1. 1

    Pick the gift card that you want to purchase. Some stores have a range of gift cards available to purchase from many different retailers. This is common at supermarkets and department stores. Alternatively, other stores will only sell gift cards that can be used for that particular retailer. This is typical of clothing stores, food outlets, and smaller, local businesses.

    • There are often many different designs and patterns available for the same gift card, so look at the full selection before you decide.

  2. 2

    Choose the amount you want to load onto the card. A gift card is the equivalent of cash that can be used with a particular merchant. There is usually a minimum and maximum amount that can be loaded onto the card, which typically ranges from $10 and up to $500. Decide the amount that you want to be loaded onto the gift card once you have purchased it.[5]

    • Many gift cards have the option of you choosing the exact amount to load. However, some gift cards are only sold with set balances such as $25, $50, or $100. In this scenario, pick a gift card with a set balance that is closest to the amount that you want to spend.

  3. 3

    Purchase the gift card to get it activated. Take the gift card to the cashier and say the amount that you want to load onto the card if it doesn't have a set amount specified. The cashier will load and activate the gift card as you purchase it.[6]

    • If you have any questions about the terms and conditions, or the expiry date of the gift card, ask the cashier.
    • If you are concerned about the activation of the gift card, check with the cashier that it is properly activated and ready to use. The cashier may provide you with a receipt confirming that the card has been activated.

  4. 4

    Keep the gift card and the receipt in a safe place. The receipt will provide proof of purchase and activation of the gift card. Keep the receipt for as long as you have the gift card, just in case it doesn't work as it should.[7]

    • The receipt will be useful if you have any problems with the gift card at a later stage.
    • It can also be a good idea to give the recipient of the gift card the receipt in case they encounter any problems with the card.

  1. 1

    Locate the activation sticker on the front of the card. If your gift card requires activation, there's usually a white sticker or some other indicator prominently displayed on the front that says so. These stickers typically provide a toll-free number or a website link that you need to use to activate the card.[8]

    • If you don't see this sticker or something similar on your card, it's probably ready to use and doesn't need activation.
    • You can also check for specific instructions printed on the back of the card or included with the packaging.

  2. 2

    Find the ID number, activation code, and/or PIN number. If a card needs to be activated, the ID number and activation code will be on the sticker. Gift cards that need activation may also require you to use a PIN number. Flip the card over and look for a sticker or area that looks similar to scratch-off material on lottery tickets. Pull off the sticker or use a coin to scratch off the material to obtain the PIN number.

    • Be careful not to scratch the covering off too roughly, or you might remove the numbers underneath.[9]
    • You may need the PIN number to activate the card and check the balance.
    • Only some gift cards have PIN numbers. If you don't see one on your card, don't get worried!

  3. 3

    Call the provided phone number to start the activation process. Dial the phone number on the sticker exactly as it appears and wait for instructions. Be sure to have your gift card in front of you so you can input or communicate the information required to complete the activation process.[10]

    • The phone number will probably be a toll-free 800 number.

  4. 4

    Follow the automated prompts or speak with an agent. After you dial the number, you'll either hear automated instructions or get a live customer service representative on the line. Follow the instructions you're given to correctly provide the activation numbers.[11]

  5. 5

    Call customer service if you aren't sure what to do. If you can't figure out if you need to activate the card or not, call the customer service number located on the back of the card. Follow the prompts until you get a live agent on the line. Then, ask them what you need to do. They can clear the matter up for you quickly!

    • Be sure to read the information carefully, since some cards list 2 phone numbers: 1 for live customer service, and 1 for automated service that allows you to check the balance.

  6. 6

    Use the gift card to make purchases from the correct merchant. Gift cards are either closed-loop or open-loop. Closed-loop gift cards can only be redeemed with a specified retailer. This means that the gift card can only be used to purchase goods at 1 specific company, such as at Walmart, Amazon, or iTunes. Open-loop gift cards can be redeemed by any retailer where the specified payment card processor is accepted. These types of cards are similar to standard, prepaid cards.

    • Open-loop gift cards are sold for large payment card processors such as Visa, MasterCard, or American Express.[12]

Add New Question

  • Question

    How do I find out how much a gift card has on it?

    Kaitlyn Wislang

    Kaitlyn Wislang

    Community Answer

    If your card doesn't specify the amount that is loaded on, look at the website for the merchant to see if you can check online. Alternatively, call the customer service team or visit the merchant in-store to get the amount checked.

  • Question

    What should I do if my gift card won't work?

    Community Answer

    If you have the receipt, you could go back to the store and make an inquiry at the customer service desk. If you don't have the receipt, you could try the customer service desk anyway and try to explain the situation. You could also call the company or location where the gift card is valid (or where it was distributed) to ask what you should do in the event of a dud gift card. They should be able to look it up, see if it's been used, and issue a replacement if not.

  • Question

    How do I make sure a gift receipt was activated if it isn't showing on my store receipt?

    Kaitlyn Wislang

    Kaitlyn Wislang

    Community Answer

    Visit the website for the store, as some companies let you check online if the card has been activated or not. Alternatively, return to the store to get the card checked.

  • Question

    I have a gift card code online and it's not ativated yet, how can I do that

    Kaitlyn Wislang

    Kaitlyn Wislang

    Community Answer

    Follow the directions on the back of the gift card. Go to the URL and enter the card identification number and the activation code to activate the card.

  • Question

    How do I find out if a gift card has been registered with the company it is from?

    Jasmine Wills

    Jasmine Wills

    Community Answer

    On all gift cards there should be a number on the back. If you call this you can get access to all the information about it.

  • Question

    How do I activate a DirecTV Walmart gift card?

    Community Answer

    Your best options are to look for information on the DirecTV website or ask a Walmart clerk online or at a physical location.

  • Question

    Where do I find the 16 digit number?

    Kaitlyn Wislang

    Kaitlyn Wislang

    Community Answer

    The gift card identification number and activation code should be on the back of the gift card. If you cannot find the number, contact the customer service team for the merchant.

  • Question

    What does URL stand for?

    Community Answer

    The abbreviation URL means Uniform Resource Locator. It is a human readable address for resources (such as files or web pages) on your computer or on the internet, pretty much anywhere on computers or in storage.

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit


Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

About This Article

Article SummaryX

To activate a gift card, start by locating the activation sticker on the front of the card. If you don't see this sticker or something similar on your card, it may not need activation. Next, find the ID number, activation code, and/or PIN number on the sticker. If your card has a PIN number, you may have to pull off the sticker or use a coin to scratch off the material to obtain it. Then, call the provided phone number on the sticker and wait for instructions. You'll probably hear automated instructions or get a live customer service representative on the line. Follow the instructions you're given and provide the activation number(s) on the sticker to activate the card. For tips on activating a gift card online, read on!

Did this summary help you?

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 213,793 times.

Did this article help you?

How to Activate Visa Gift Card Without Activation Code

Source: https://www.wikihow.com/Activate-a-Gift-Card

0 Response to "How to Activate Visa Gift Card Without Activation Code"

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

Iklan Atas Artikel

Iklan Tengah Artikel 1

Iklan Tengah Artikel 2

Iklan Bawah Artikel