The practice of supplementing an online purchase with a Visa gift card when the card’s balance does not cover the full transaction amount is a useful strategy for consumers. This involves combining the gift card’s value with another payment method, such as a credit card or another gift card, to complete the purchase. For instance, if an item costs $100 and the gift card has a $60 balance, the remaining $40 can be paid using a credit card.
This approach offers several advantages. It allows consumers to fully utilize the value of their gift cards, preventing residual balances from going unused. It also provides flexibility in managing online spending and can be particularly helpful when budgeting for purchases. Historically, using gift cards for partial payments was often cumbersome, requiring contacting customer service. However, advancements in online payment systems have made this process more streamlined and user-friendly.
