With the rise in popularity of secondary ticket marketplaces like StubHub and Vivid Seats, many people are left wondering if they can use gift cards towards ticket purchases on these resale sites. Gift cards have become a go-to gift item for all occasions – birthdays, holidays, graduations – you name it. Having a Visa or Mastercard branded gift card gives the recipient flexibility in what they can spend it on. But can these versatile gift cards be applied towards resale tickets on secondary market sites?
The Short Answer
In most cases, yes, you can use gift cards to purchase resale tickets on secondary market sites like StubHub and Vivid Seats. As long as the gift card is a major brand like Visa, Mastercard, or American Express, and has sufficient funds to cover the ticket purchase, there should be no issue using it on these sites. The process is the same as making any other online purchase with a gift card. Just make sure to select the gift card payment option at checkout.
How Resale Sites Process Gift Cards
When you go to purchase tickets on a resale marketplace like StubHub or Vivid Seats, you’ll be prompted to choose a payment method at checkout. Along with options like PayPal and major credit cards, you’ll also see the ability to pay with a gift card. As long as the gift card is Visa, Mastercard, or Amex branded, it should be accepted. Here’s a bit more on how it works:
- Enter your gift card number, expiration date, and security code just as you would a regular credit or debit card.
- The site will authorize the gift card and make sure sufficient funds are available to cover the ticket order.
- Once authorized, the ticket purchase amount will be deducted from the gift card balance.
- You’ll receive an emailed receipt confirming the gift card payment and ticket order details.
It’s a straightforward process that’s the same as paying with any other card. The gift card funds are authorized for the ticket amount, that amount is deducted, and the tickets are released via instant download or shipped if physical tickets.
Benefits of Using Gift Cards for Tickets
There are some nice benefits to using gift cards to buy tickets on resale sites:
- Use gift card balances – Put leftover balances on Visa/Mastercard gift cards to good use.
- Avoid fees – Gift cards don’t charge cash advance or interest fees like credit cards.
- Control spending – Gift cards limit spending to the card balance only.
- Convenience – Don’t need cash, checks or a credit card.
- Purchase protection – Gift cards offer the same fraud protection as their branded credit cards.
For those with existing gift card balances, it provides a great way to put those funds towards ticket purchases without needing cash or your credit card. And using gift cards means not having to worry about interest charges or card statement balances accruing.
Potential Drawbacks
While gift cards offer a lot of benefits, there are some potential drawbacks to keep in mind as well when using them for resale ticket purchases:
- Balance not enough – The gift card needs sufficient funds to cover the full ticket purchase amount.
- No refunds to gift card – If you need to cancel the ticket order, the refund will go back to the original purchasing gift card.
- Expiration dates – Gift card balances can expire so double check they are still valid.
- Lost or stolen – Gift cards have the same risks as losing cash. Cancel immediately if lost.
- Platform fees – Resale platforms like StubHub charge service and delivery fees that also need coverage.
While minor, these are good points to be aware of. Make sure to only use gift cards with sufficient balances that cover the ticket cost along with all fees. And take care not to lose gift cards, as replacing the balance can be difficult. As long as these considerations are kept in mind, using gift cards for tickets is a smooth process.
Top Gift Card Tips
If you’re thinking of using gift cards to purchase tickets from a resale marketplace, keep these tips in mind:
- Make sure the gift card is Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover branded. Other store or merchant gift cards likely won’t work.
- Check the expiration date and current balance to ensure there’s enough to cover the ticket costs.
- Enter the gift card information carefully during checkout. Triple check the number, expiration date and security code.
- Print or save the gift card receipt for tracking balances and transaction records.
- Have a backup payment method handy in case the gift card is declined for any reason.
- Use gift card balances quickly. If lost or stolen, getting replacements can be difficult.
Following these tips will help ensure a smooth experience using gift cards at resale ticket sites. The process is quite simple as long as balances are sufficient and the cards are valid.
Common Gift Card Questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about using gift cards on resale ticket sites:
What brands of gift cards are accepted?
Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover branded gift cards are widely accepted. Merchant gift cards likely won’t work unless the merchant is the ticket seller.
Can I use multiple gift cards for one purchase?
Yes, many resale platforms allow using multiple gift cards toward a purchase. Just enter each gift card during checkout until the balance is covered.
Are there any fees to use gift cards?
Typically no. But if purchasing tickets from a resale site, their service fees still apply and need gift card coverage.
How can I check a gift card’s balance?
Each brand has an online portal or phone number to check balances. For Visa, the number is 1-800-VISA-911. For Mastercard, it’s 1-800-Mastercard.
What if my gift card balance isn’t enough?
If the gift card balance can’t cover the full ticket amount, you’ll need to cover the remainder with another payment method. Many sites allow splitting payments.
Can I get a refund back to a gift card?
Unfortunately no. Any refunds go back to the original purchasing gift card, not on the card used at checkout. Refunds go to the original purchase method.
Using Gift Card for Tickets – The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, using gift cards to purchase tickets from resale marketplaces is a straightforward process. As long as you follow the proper procedures, there should be no issues with using Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover gift cards to cover your ticket order. Just make sure balances are sufficient, expiration dates are valid, and take care when entering the card information. Gift cards provide a convenient payment option that allow you to put balances towards great concert, sports, theater tickets without needing cash or your credit card. Give it a try next time you want to purchase tickets on StubHub, VividSeats or other major resale platform.