How to Activate & Register Visa Gift Cards

All the information you need to set up your card securely and start shopping right away

Co-authored by Dan Hickey

Last Updated: January 18, 2023 References

Activating by Phone

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Activating Online

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Registering the Card

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Security Considerations

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Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

Who doesn’t love getting a Visa gift card? You can use it anywhere Visa cards are accepted, and you’ve probably got a long list of bills or fun purchases you want to apply the balance toward ASAP. The card is ready to use as soon as it’s activated, and thankfully, activation is a breeze! In this article, we’ll show you how to activate and register your card by phone or online, plus share some security tips to help you use it safely. You’ll be shopping before you know it!

Things You Should Know

Call the phone number on the front sticker or on the back of the card to activate it by phone. Provide the 16-digit card number, expiration date, and 3-digit security code.
Visit the link on the front sticker or on the back of the card to activate it online. Enter the 16-digit card number, expiration date, and 3-digit security code when prompted.
Register your card by phone or online (during or after activation) to use it for online purchases, to check your remaining balance, or to manage the card.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Activating by Phone

1
Call the phone number on the front sticker or on the back of the card. Look for a toll-free activation number included on the sticker attached to your card or in any accompanying letters or instructions. If you have no sticker or instructions, dial the customer service or activation phone number listed on the back of the card.^{[1]
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- If the card was purchased in-person, it’s probably already activated and ready to use. Cards ordered online need to be activated to access the balance.
- The phone number most likely leads you to the gift card issuer’s customer service team and not to Visa directly.
2
Provide the 16-digit card number, the security code, and expiration date. Read the numbers out loud to a live customer service agent, or enter them on your phone’s keypad if you’re on an automated call. Speak slowly and clearly so the agent can enter all of your information correctly. You may be asked to create a 4-digit PIN to enable purchases.^{[2]
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- Once you’ve submitted all of the card’s information, it will be activated and ready to use.
- Choose a strong PIN you’ll remember that’s also difficult for others to guess (not your birthday, for example).
- Look for the card number on either the front or back of the card. The expiration date and security code are most likely on the back of the card.^{[3]
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- If you’re struggling with an automated call, press “0” repeatedly. This may redirect you to a live customer service agent.^{[4]
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3
Contact Visa directly to resolve any activation issues. If you have any questions or concerns during activation or if the activation was unsuccessful for any reason, call, chat, or email Visa’s customer support. Look for the customer service phone number on the back of the card or Google “Visa customer support.”^{[5]
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- Call Visa customer support at 1-800-847-2911.
- Email Visa through their online contact form.
- Click “Start Chat” on Visa's “Contact Us” page for live assistance online.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Activating Online

1
Go to the link on the front sticker or on the back of the card. If you can’t find an activation site listed, go to the card issuer’s website and navigate to the Visa gift card section to begin activation. The landing page will have prompts for you to enter the card information to activate and register your gift card.^{[6]
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- If you can’t find the activation website and aren't sure who the issuer is, visit Visa’s prepaid gift card activation page to begin activating the card.
- The card issuer is often a bank or a retail company, such as Walmart or Vanilla Gift.
2
Enter the requested card information to activate your gift card. Follow the prompts on the screen to provide the 16-digit gift card account number (located on the front or back of the card), the expiration date and security code (both usually found on the back of the card), and any other relevant information.^{[7]
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- Once you’ve submitted all information about the card, it will be active and ready to use.
- You may be asked to create an account through the issuer or through Visa so you can also register and manage your card online.
- If you register your card at the same time, also provide your name, billing address, contact info, and potentially your Social Security number.^{[8]
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  US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
  U.S. government agency for protecting consumers in the financial sector
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3
Be wary of scams and activate your card on a secure site only. Double check that you’re on a secure website (look for “https” in the page’s URL) belonging to Visa or to the gift card issuer. If a site looks suspicious (maybe it has lots of typos or doesn’t show the name or logo of the card issuer), try activating the card directly through Visa instead.^{[9]
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- Inspect the card’s packaging before activation. If the packaging is damaged or the security code is exposed, request a new one card.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Registering the Card

1
Call the gift card issuer or visit their registration website. Check the sticker on the front of your gift card for a registration link or toll-free phone number. If there’s no sticker, look at the back and use the customer service phone number or website provided.^{[10]
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- If you can’t find any phone numbers or websites on the card, go to the provider’s home page and navigate to the Visa gift card registration page.
- Registering the gift card allows you to make purchases online or over the phone and check the card’s balance.
- Consider registering cards with high balances as an extra safety precaution against theft, loss, or fraud.
2
Provide your name, billing address, and contact info when prompted. List your legal name and correct billing address when you register your gift card. If the billing information you use to make a purchase doesn’t match what you provided to register your card, your transaction may be declined.^{[11]
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- You may need to create or sign into an account through the card provider to register and manage your gift card.
- Update your registered billing information if you move, change your name, or change your contact information.
3
Use your registered card to make phone and internet purchases. Provide the same billing information you gave when you registered your card to ensure your transactions go through. If you encounter any identity verification issues, call the customer service number on the back of the card to confirm the billing address and other registration information with a customer service agent.^{[12]
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- Registration makes it easier to cancel the card, request a new one, and dispute fraudulent charges if it's stolen or missing since it's tied to your identity.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Security Considerations

1
Sign the back of the gift card to help prevent identity theft. Add your signature to the designated spot on the back of the card with a blue or black ink pen. Merchants may compare the signature on the card to the signature on any purchase receipts or check your ID to verify your identity.^{[13]
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- Visa may not consider your card (or purchases made with it) valid if it’s not signed on the back.
2
Save the card number, security code, and customer service number. Write down and store all of your gift card information in case you lose the physical card. Use the card number and security code to continue making online purchases or to report a missing card and get a new one issued.^{[14]
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- The security code and customer service number are both on the back of the card. The gift card number may be on the front or the back of the card.
- If there is a 4-digit card identification code on the front of the card, copy that down too.
- Alternatively, take pictures of the front and back of the card and save them to your phone for easy access.
3
Spend the card’s balance before it expires. Check the front or the back of the card to find the expiration date. Legally, gift card balances must be valid for at least 5 years after the purchase date. After the expiration date passes, you won’t be able to spend any of the card’s remaining balance.^{[15]
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US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
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- Depending on the gift card issuer’s policy, you may be able to request a new card with your remaining balance after the original card expires.
4
Report lost or stolen cards to the gift card provider ASAP. Call the toll-free number from the back of the card or locate the provider’s customer service number online. Provide the 16-digit gift card number to the agent so they can cancel and reissue your gift card.^{[16]
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- You may also need to provide the expiration date or security code from the back of the card.

Community Q&A

Question

Can you buy lottery tickets with it?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Yes, your Visa gift card should be usable for any purchase where a regular Visa credit or debit card would be accepted.
Question

My card is activated, but I cannot pay online with it.

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Make sure the card is registered (in addition to being activated). Call the customer service number or g to the card issuer's website to enter the card info as well as your name, billing address, and contact information to register it.
Question

Is there a charge for a Visa gift card? Can I order one online to mail to another recipient?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Depending on the balance and where you purchase it from, there may be a one-time fee as low as $2.95 at purchase. Yes, you can ship a physical card to another recipient.

Warnings

Only purchase Visa gift cards from reputable companies and sellers. Unknown sellers with seemingly generous discounts or deals may be compromised.^{[17]
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