Gift cards are widely used for easier payment options for both online and offline goods and services. The voucher can even be exchanged for cash and other digital assets in its equivalent.
However, if you are in Italy or an Italian and you want to buy/sell gift cards, you might have wondered whether or not Italy has gift cards like in most other countries.
The answer is Yes, there are several types of gift cards available for use in Italy, and your access to purchasing these cards is not limited. However, the gift card you’ll be able to use in Italy depends on the company, store, or brand that issues the gift card.
A gift card is just like a debit card, and so it is widely embraced in most economies. You will need to prepay the gift card with a certain amount of money before it can be used for purchases in specific stores, websites, restaurants, or brands.
Meanwhile, it is necessary to admit that most of the stores that issue gift cards as a payment option do not have their headquarters in Italy. Nevertheless, they are still available to Italians for use. For example, Amazon gift cards.
The Amazon parent company is not in Italy but there are some Amazon stores around Italy wherein you can purchase things there and pay with gift cards.
We will run through a list of the type of gift cards currently available for people in Italy. , there are some things you should keep in mind before using gift cards in Italy for any purpose.
What You Should Know About Using Gift Cards in Italy
Most of the popular gift cards from iconic companies that you are probably conversant with can be used in Italy, especially when you discover that they have a footprint around the country. But these cards can be grouped into two categories namely Store gift cards and Cash gift cards.
Gift cards that are issued by companies and brands for the sole purpose of purchasing items from their stores are known as store gift cards.
These kinds of gift cards are less generic and can be used to purchase items from only one retailer – the issue of the gift card. Good examples of this gift card category are Macy’s, Amazon, iTunes, and so on.
Store gift cards are ideal for personal gift items because it evokes thoughtfulness in the recipient’s interest. You are offering the person the opportunity to shop for any item in the particular store that issued that gift card.
So if you are concerned about getting a gift card in Italy, you’d want to be sure that it is a store gift card you need, not another. The issue with store gift cards is that they usually have various redeeming policies, depending on the store that issues them.
On the other hand, Cash Gift Cards can be used anywhere. The purchasing power of cash gift cards is not limited to one single store or retailer. If you have a cash gift card in Italy, you can use it for physical purchases and payments online and from any brand since they are issued by MasterCard and Visa.
While cash gift cards are flexible, they are not ideal as gifting ideas since they do not convey any message of thoughtfulness. It is more like giving the recipient cash.
Where In Italy Can I Buy Gift Cards?
It is one thing to know that Italy has gift cards; it is another to know where in Italy to buy or sell them. Thankfully, Gift cards are always available in Italy as in many other countries and the process of acquiring one is simple.
You can get Gift cards in Italy either from third-party websites like SnappyExchange, a retailer’s/issuer’s website, or physical stores where gift cards are sold and redeemed.
Let’s look at how you can buy gift cards using any of these approaches.
Buying Gift Cards on Third-Party Websites in Italy
There are many websites out there that sell gift cards and offer other gift card services irrespective of your location. Apart from Amazon and gift websites, you can buy gift cards from reliable and trustworthy exchange platforms like Snappy Exchange.
They are many other sites that are dedicated to discovering and selling gift cards from various stores but it is better to stick to the one you can trust.
Buying Gift cards from Retailer’s/issuer’s website in Italy
If the type of gift card you want to buy is issued to be used in specific retail stores, then another way you can acquire such cards is by going to the official website of the particular store.
For example, the official Sephora website would have a page that is created to purchase Sephora gift cards. To buy, you’d have to fill in your location (Italy).
Afterward, a list of stores around your location where physical gift cards are sold will be displayed
Buying Gift Cards from Physical Stores in Italy
Some stores across Italy sell gift cards. Examples are Rex Supermarkets, Carrefour, Tigros, Conad Conforama, and even Supermedia.
Alternatively, you can consider visiting stores like Interspar, Pam, Aspiag Despar, and Auchan to purchase your gift cards.
When next you visit the supermarket, store, or gas station, you can generally ask about purchasing a gift card. Most of these walk-in purchase locations would have an idea of how you can get a physical gift card.
Commonly Used Gift Cards In Italy
While there are many store gift cards used in Italy, here are some of the popular ones. In a way, these ones are easy to buy and sell because they are in high demand.
Amazon gift card
There is no doubt that Amazon has its footprint in most countries of the world, and can even be patronized from anywhere in the world on its eCommerce site.
For this reason, the shopping site has its own gift cards that allow you to enjoy goods and services like household products, fashion items, gadgets, and many more.
In Italy, people who have Amazon gift cards can buy Amazon’s digital products like movies, ebooks, and subscriptions. You don’t even have to visit any Amazon outlet in Italy before having their gift card.
After registering for it on the amazon website, your gift card can be delivered to you via email through codes that you can then redeem by using to shop on the Amazon website.
Cruchyroll Gift Cards
Japan is not the only place where Anime is held in high regard. Many Italians stream Anime on platforms like Cruchyroll and the online streaming service has its own gift card that allows viewers to access the platform without ads just like Netflix.
So, it is one of the most commonly used digital gift cards that can be purchased and redeemed. But many people with this card in other countries prefer to sell it to Italians on P2P marketplaces in exchange for cash.
iTunes Gift Cards
it is impossible to make a list of the top streaming platform in Europe without mentioning Apple Music/
this has made it one of the popular gift card issues in so many places aside from Italy. You can buy an iTunes gift card with at least 50 Euros and pay for your access to the Apple music platform where you can play music, audiobooks, movies, radio, and other entertainment options.
You don’t have to use an Apple device before enjoying an iTunes gift card provided you have access to your Apple ID. But this gift card has its own redeeming policies.
eBay Gift Cards
eBay is an online shopping platform and you can tell people in Italy to shop for gift items, new products, or any other thing on eBay.
The platform has its own gift card that has no expiration date and does not attract taxes when used. But some people use it for buying other digital assets like crypto or exchange for cash instead of using it for its intended purpose.
Conad Gift Cards
Conad is the Walmart of Italy. It is a large chain where many Italians shop for groceries and other household items. They have gift cards that facilitate cashless payments when making purchases in-store.
However, Conad gift cards expire after one year and will only work in Conad physical stores based in Italy.
Other common gift cards in Italy include Steam Gift Cards, Skype gift cards, and even Spotify gift cards.
