Does a Gift Card exist in the Philippines?

The Philippines does have gift cards. The popularity of gift cards has been on the rise, making gifting easier. One would not have to select specific items. From tech lovers and gamers to movie fans and online shoppers, Filipinos regularly use gift cards for flexible digital purchases. Whether you’re looking for Apple gift cards, Google Play credits, or Steam top-ups, there are plenty of options to choose from. These are gift cards from diverse local and international brands within the clothing, food, and online shopping platforms, among others. Major merchants include Lazada, Shopee, and Jollibee, which offer their respective gift options, thus allowing the recipient an opportunity to choose exactly what he or she wants.

Gift Cards in the Philippines

1. Steam Gift Card

Gaming has exploded in popularity in the Philippines, particularly with younger generations. Steam gift cards have become one of the most requested gifts among gamers. Steam is the world’s largest digital distribution platform for PC games, offering everything from indie titles to blockbuster releases. For Filipino gamers, Steam gift cards are more than just gaming credits. They open the door to in-game items, downloadable content, and community features, which are all that make the Steam card the best gift card for video gamers. In a country where esports and streaming are rapidly growing, a Steam gift card is considered a premium gift. It resonates with both casual gamers and those aspiring to enter competitive gaming.

2. GrabFood Gift Card

GrabFood is a go-to delivery platform in the Philippines, offering meals from a wide range of restaurants. It’s especially popular in urban areas where convenience is key. A GrabFood gift card allows users to order food at their convenience without needing cash or a credit card. It’s a flexible gift for students, busy professionals, or anyone who loves dining in.

3.  Apple Gift Card

Apple Gift Cards are a popular type of gift card in the Philippines. They can be used to purchase products from Apple’s online store, App Store, and iTunes Store. Apple Gift Cards can also be used to buy content from Apple Music, Apple TV, Apple News, and iCloud storage services. The cards can be bought at Apple Store branches, Apple Authorized Resellers, and other retail outlets. When purchasing an Apple Gift Card, you can choose to have the card loaded with an amount that ranges from P500 to P25,000. The gift card can be used to pay for products and services on the Apple platform. You can also transfer your balance to another gift card if needed.

4. Puregold Gift Card

Puregold is one of the largest supermarket chains in the country, with over 400 stores nationwide. It offers everything from groceries and household goods to electronics and clothing. A Puregold gift card is perfect for families, students, or employees. It can be used to buy everyday essentials, making it both a practical and meaningful gift.

5. Starbucks Gift Card

Starbucks gift cards are widely used in the Philippines, especially among coffee lovers and young professionals. They can be used at any Starbucks store nationwide to purchase beverages, snacks, and merchandise. It’s a convenient choice for both a casual treat and a thoughtful gift. They’re also great for corporate giveaways, rewards, or simply saying “thank you” with a cup of coffee.

6. Amazon Gift Card

While Amazon doesn’t have a local store in the Philippines, its gift cards are still in high demand. They’re often used for international shopping or traded for cash. Amazon gift cards tend to offer high resale value on platforms like Xbanka. For Filipinos receiving them as gifts from abroad, they’re both versatile and profitable.

Where to Buy Gift Cards in the Philippines

Since most residents of the Philippines use gift cards, they are easily accessible for purchase. You can get local gift cards from different supermarkets and department stores. Some of these stores also sell their own gift cards to make shopping from them easier. Meanwhile, you can get international gift cards only from specific authorized stores. You can check your map to find the nearest locations of these authorized stores, as there are not many of them. However, if you value your comfort and don’t want to go through the stress of finding these authorized stores, then you can buy international gift cards that can be used in the Philippines online.

Benefits of Gift Cards in the Philippines

Gift cards provide a range of practical advantages in the Philippines, both for personal use and gifting. Below are some key benefits worth noting. 

1. Gift Alternatives: Gift cards are widely accepted as a practical and appreciated gift in the Philippines. Virtual gift cards, in particular, are gaining popularity for their ease of delivery and flexibility, ideal for birthdays, holidays, and corporate giveaways.
2. Payment Convenience: For tourists or foreign residents, handling cash or dealing with currency exchange can be a hassle. Gift cards simplify the process, allowing you to shop at local stores or online platforms without the need to carry cash or convert foreign currency.
3. Budget-Friendly: Using gift cards helps control spending and avoid unnecessary charges. They promote mindful purchasing, making it easier to stick to a budget and avoid impulse buys often associated with using cash or credit.

How Do You Redeem a Philippines Gift Card Online?

Generally, here are the steps to redeem your gift cards online. Although steps may vary depending on the specific retailer or service, here’s an overview:

1. Check Card Validity: Make sure your gift card is valid and not expired. This information usually appears on the card or in accompanying documentation.
2. Go to the Website: The website of the place you want to spend your gift card is where you’ll go, ensuring that gift cards are a means of payment accepted by them.
3. Select Items: You will then proceed to the online store to choose items you want to purchase, making sure that those items can be paid for using a gift card, because sometimes some items cannot be paid for using gift cards.
4. Proceed to Checkout: Once you have selected your items, go to the checkout page by clicking on “Checkout” or a similar button.
5. Choose Payment Method: On the checkout page, select an option labeled “Gift Card” or “Gift Certificate.” Click on it to apply your gift card.
6. Enter Gift Card Details: Enter your gift card number and PIN, if required, in the provided space. Most often, these can be found on the reverse side of the card or on the email the card was received in if it is digital.
7. Validate and Apply: After putting your gift card information in, click on “Apply” or “Validate.” The system will validate your balance and subtract the exact amount from the total cost of your purchase.
8. Complete Transaction: After applying the gift card, review any remaining balance (if applicable) and complete your order by following any additional instructions provided by the online store.
9. Receive Confirmation: After completing your purchase, you should receive an order confirmation via email, which includes details like your order number and a summary of what you bought.

How To Activate A Gift Card

1. To activate a gift card, you must first locate the activation information on the card or its packaging. This information may be a phone number, website, or other instructions for activating the card.

2. Once you have located the activation information, follow the instructions to activate the gift card. This may involve calling a phone number, visiting a website, or providing the card’s activation code to the retailer in some other way.

3.  If you are activating a gift card in-store, take it to the checkout counter and ask the cashier to activate it. The cashier will typically ask for the card’s activation code and will then activate the card on the spot.

4. Once you activate the gift card, it can be used to purchase items at the retailer’s store or website. To check the balance on the card, visit the retailer’s website or ask a cashier in-store.

Why Gift Cards Thrive in the Philippines

Gift cards have grown in popularity in the Philippines for several reasons. One major factor is convenience. Shopping malls, food outlets, and e-commerce platforms all offer gift card solutions, which means they are easily accessible. Another reason is flexibility. Filipinos value practicality, and gift cards let recipients decide what they need most. Whether it’s groceries from SM, mobile data from Globe, or entertainment from Steam, gift cards empower people to use them according to their lifestyle. Lastly, gift cards are safe and secure. With fraud concerns surrounding cash or vouchers, digital gift cards are harder to misuse and easier to track. Many brands even allow digital gift cards to be sent instantly via email, making them ideal for last-minute gifting.

How to Check the Philippines Gift Cards Balance

To check gift card balances in the Philippines, the steps depend on the type of gift card you have:

1. Locate the Card Information: Most gift cards will carry a 16-digit card number and probably a PIN or security code on the back.
2. Visit the Issuer’s Website: Many issuers offer balance checking services online.
3. Call Customer Service: Many cards have a toll-free number on the back that you can call for assistance.

By following these steps specific to each type of gift card, you can easily check your balance in the Philippines.

Benefits of Trading Philippine Gift Cards On Xbanka

1. Competitive rates

Xbanka offers competitive rates whether you want to buy your Philippine gift cards. Xbanka gift card rates are the best rates you can find anywhere. You don’t have to worry about getting ripped off, as Xbanka also has a rate calculator that you can use to calculate the rates of gift cards in real time.

2. Instant payments

With Xbanka, you get your payment immediately after your transaction is confirmed. No unnecessary waits or delays.

3. Security

Xbanka places priority on security to ensure that your funds and data are safe. With two-factor authentication and biometric authentication, you can rest assured that your data and funds are safe with Xbanka.

4. Wide range of gift cards

Apart from the top five best gift cards in the philippine, Xbanka also offers other gift cards, including Sephora, Nike, Airbnb, and many others. So, no matter which type of gift card you want to buy, you can always count on Xbanka.

5. Multiple payment options

You can choose to either pay or receive your payment in Naira, Cedis, or even cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Litecoin, and USDT.  Xbanka offers payment options so you can choose the one that best fits your needs.

How To Buy Philippine Gift Cards on Xbanka

Visit the official Xbanka website. 

1. Visit the Xbanka website
2. Create an Account or Sign In
3. Select “Buy Gift Card”
4. Enter Gift Card Details
5. Upload Gift Card Image 
6. Get Paid

How To Sell Your Philippine Gift Cards on Xbanka

1. Visit the Xbanka website.
2. Create an Account or Sign In
3. Select “Sell Gift Card”
4. Enter Gift Card Details
5. Upload Gift Card Image 
6. Get Paid

Conclusion

Gift cards have become an integral part of Filipino gifting culture. They combine practicality with thoughtfulness, offering recipients the power to choose what suits them best. From shopping on Lazada or Shopee to enjoying meals at Jollibee or Starbucks, gift cards cater to different needs and lifestyles. For gamers, Steam remains the ultimate choice, while mobile load cards from Globe and Smart remain everyday essentials. Today, there are platforms and stores in the Philippines that accept gift cards for nearly every type of purchase, from food and fashion to tech and everyday essentials. If you’re looking to buy or sell gift cards with ease, Xbanka offers a secure and reliable platform trusted by many across the country.

FAQ

1. Is Zelle available in the Philippines?

Does Zelle Work In the Philippines? It isn’t available in the Philippines. Zelle® requires both the sender and recipient to have U.S. bank accounts, which limits its use to domestic transactions within the United States. As a result, users in the Philippines cannot access Zelle®’s functionalities.

2. Does the Philippines do Apple Pay?

The Philippines does not support Apple Pay, and local banks do not issue cards that support Apple Pay.

3. Does the Philippines use Bitcoin?

Yes, Bitcoin is legal in the Philippines. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) regulates cryptocurrency exchanges to ensure they adhere to financial and consumer protection standards.

4. Do the Philippines use US dollars?

Can you use USD in the Philippines? Tourist areas in big cities like Manila may allow you to use USD, but this won’t apply everywhere. To make transacting seamless, you’ll want to ensure you have plenty of PHP to spend on your trip.

5. Can I use Venmo in the Philippines?

Does Venmo work in the Philippines? Venmo is not available in the Philippines. The service is currently supported only within the United States, and users outside the U.S. cannot sign into their Venmo accounts.