How To Quickly Check Your Visa Gift Card Balance

filadendron / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Commitment to Our Readers

GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.

20 Years
Helping You Live Richer

Reviewed
by Experts

Trusted by
Millions of Readers

If someone has given you a Visa gift card, it’s good to keep track of the balance so you don’t risk a purchase getting declined due to insufficient funds. Fortunately, you have a few options for how to check your card balance before a purchase.

Read: How To Get Money Back on Your Everyday Purchases

How Do I Check the Balance on My Visa Gift Card?

You can typically check the balance on a Visa gift card online and by phone.

Checking Your Visa Gift Card Balance Online

Many card issuers allow you to check your Visa gift card balance online. The issuer’s web address may be listed on the back of your card or in any documentation that came with the card. 

Enter your card’s 16-digit number and security code on the issuer’s website to check your balance. You may also need to enter the card expiration date. Some card issuers, such as Navy Federal Credit Union, require that you first register the card before you can check the balance.

You can check your balance online if any of the following financial institutions or retailers issued your card:

• Navy Federal Credit Union
• Commerce Bank
• Visa Vanilla Gift Cards
• Giftcards.com
• Gift Card Mall
• Walmart

If you have a Visa gift card from Walmart, you can check your gift card balance at a register in any Walmart store.

What Number Should You Call To Check Your Visa Gift Card Balance by Phone?

Each card issuer has a different phone number you can call to check your Visa gift card balance. Most Visa gift card issuers provide a phone number on the back of the card. Check the issuer’s website for the phone number if it’s not printed on your card.

What if a Purchase Is Declined Despite My Visa Gift Card Balance?

If you’ve checked the balance on your Visa gift card, but a purchase is declined, contact your card issuer by calling the number on the back of your card or visiting the website. 

Can I Add Money to My Visa Gift Card Balance?

Unfortunately, you can’t add more money to a Visa debit gift card balance. If you need a reloadable card, consider getting a prepaid card, such as the Netspend Visa Prepaid Card.

How Can I Use My Visa Gift Card Balance?

You can typically use your gift card in-store and online anywhere Visa is accepted in the United States, although you may need to activate the card first. However, you can’t use Visa gift cards for recurring payments, such as subscriptions. Some retailers only accept registered Visa gift cards with a billing address attached to the card’s number. 

Final Take

A Visa gift card balance check is as easy as picking up the phone or going online. If your card issuer allows you to register your card, even if it isn’t required to check your balance, you might consider doing so. Registration may offer additional protections if the card is lost or stolen.

Editorial Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.

Share This Article: