How To Use A Gift Card

We all want to give our loved ones the best gifts, but it can be tricky when we are unsure of their preferences. A smart solution is to give them freedom of choice with a Gift Card! They can use it for shopping, dining out, entertainment, or even online purchases—the decision is entirely theirs.

Whether you are looking to buy a Gift Card or have received one and are unsure how to use it, here is everything you need to know about it.

Several leading banks offer Gift Cards at all their bank branches. Banks also allow you to purchase Gift Cards online through their NetBanking facility and send them to the recipient. For example, here is how you can purchase HDFC Bank GiftPlus Cards through NetBanking.

• Step 1: Log in with your NetBanking credentials using your customer ID and password.
• Step 2: Go to the Request section on the left panel.
• Step 3: Go to the Cards tab
• Step 4: Select 'Purchase Gift Card'
• Step 5: Customise the Gift Card by keying in the beneficiary's name who will receive the Gift Card.

You can also opt for eGiftPlus Cards as an alternative to a physical Gift Card.

Let's take an example to understand the usage of Gift Card.

Suppose you have an HDFC Bank GiftPlus card; you can swipe it at all merchant outlets that accept Visa cards within India. Gift Cards are considered as Prepaid Cards, so anytime you swipe the card for a purchase, the amount is automatically deducted from the value of the funds loaded on the card. You can easily check the balance on your Gift Card at HDFC Bank ATMs. For eGiftPlus Cards, you can use them on any e-commerce for any purchases. These Gift Cards cannot be used for cash withdrawal though.

Freedom of choice

The recipient is free to use the Gift Card for any purpose-shopping, entertainment, eating out or as an alternative to cash!

Usable all around the year

The recipient can use the Gift Cards at any time within a year from the date of purchase.

Offers!

Banks offer discounts from time to time that you can claim using the Gift Cards.

Customisable:

You can personalise the Gift Card by having the name of the recipient on the Gift Card.

Easy to order:

You can simply order a Gift Card online by using the NetBanking facility. The order placement will take only a few minutes.

Widely available:

These Gift Cards have wider acceptance at merchant outlets. For example, Visa Gift Cards are acceptable across all Visa merchant outlets. If you have an HDFC Bank GiftPlus card, you can use it at over 4 lakh merchant outlets in India.

Safe:

You can easily hotlist the card through NetBanking in case of card loss. The card can be reissued by the purchaser too!

For anyone and everyone:

Gift Cards are over-the-counter products. That means you do not need an account with the bank to purchase them. You only need to visit the bank branch and submit your application by providing the required details. Upon application verification, the card will be issued to you.

Looking to apply for an e-GiftPlus Card? Click here now!

* Terms & conditions apply. GiftPlus Card approvals are at the sole discretion of HDFC Bank Ltd.