No, a Visa gift card is not a debit card. It is a prepaid card with already preloaded funds that users can use to shop and make purchases for goods and services seamlessly. On the other hand, a debit card is a payment card that links directly to your bank account and enables you to withdraw funds from it.
Furthermore, a Visa gift card makes the user anonymous, as there is no access to their personal or financial information, while the debit card has complete access to a user’s personal and financial data.
Additionally, funds on a Visa gift card cannot be retrieved if the card is stolen or missing, while a debit card offers the user protection liability for stolen or missing cards.
This goes on to say that a Visa gift card is not a debit card. Even though they both have quite a good number of similarities, they also vary in their functionalities.
In this guide,
Key takeaways
- Visa gift cards are not the same thing as debit cards.
- Visa gift cards are prepaid cards, which means a specific amount of money needs to be preloaded into them before use.
- A debit card is a payment card that is linked directly to your bank account for seamless transactions.
- Visa gift cards can come in physical or virtual formats.
- Debit cards are mostly plastic cards.
Differences between a visa gift card and a debit card
| Feature | Visa Gift Cards | Debit Cards |
| Funds | Has a specific amount of funds preloaded into it. | Linked directly to the funds in your bank account |
| Spending Limit | Limited to the amount loaded into it | Limited to the amount in your bank account. |
| Personalization | Not linked to a user's personal information | Linked to the cardholder's bank account information. |
| Anonymity | Keep users completely anonymous. | Has access to user's data record |
| Protection | Once the gift card is missing, funds are lost. | Offer users liability protection if their cards are stolen or missing |
Similarities between Visa gift cards and debit cards
Acceptance: Both Visa gift cards and Debit cards are accepted anywhere in the world.
Ease of Use: Both cards allow users to easily use them to make payments for purchases effortlessly.
Security: Users are required to input their PIN before transactions are authorized on both cards.
Promotes Cashless System: With both cards, you are safe to make payments without carrying cash.
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Where to purchase Visa gift cards
There are quite a number of places where you can purchase a Visa gift card both online and in physical retail stores. However, the most trusted and reliable place where you can purchase your Visa gift card is on the Visa website.
On the website, you will find various kinds of Visa gift cards available for purchase. Once you choose the type of Visa gift card you want, the next step is to choose the amount and follow through with the rest of the prompt.
I have to add that you can choose if you want a virtual or physical card. A virtual card will require your email address, while a physical card will require your mailing address.
How to check Visa gift card balance
Assuming you now have your Visa gift card and you are wondering how much credit balance is left on the card, simply follow the steps below to seamlessly check your Visa gift card:
- Visit Visa's Gift Card checking page
- Input your 16-digit gift card number in the box.
- Then enter your 3-digit security code (CVV) in the the provided box
- And click on the “Check your gift card balance” button.
What is a debit card?
Debit cards, also called bank cards, are payment cards that reduce money directly from your bank account when used to make payments for purchases. They are mostly issued by the bank you have an account with and contain 16 to 19 digit numbers and a PIN (Personal Identification Number).
Having a debit card does not only give you direct access to funds in your bank account but also access to the ATM, as you can easily withdraw funds in your account with it.
However, the downside is that there is a limit to the amount you can withdraw daily from your bank account with it. Also, having a debit card comes with having to pay for unnecessary fees all the time, like transaction fees, card replacement fees, and so on.
Other than that, a debit card is a great option for carrying large sums of cash all the time.
How to get a Visa debit card
Getting a debit card is pretty simple if you follow the step-by-step process below:
- Head over to any preferred bank in your country and open an account with them. Provide them with all the necessary documents and ensure the account type offers debit card services.
- Once an account is opened, ask for a debit card if you are not issued one automatically.
- Once you are given the debit, set up a PIN that you can remember and activate it by trying it on an ATM or Point of Sale. If it dispenses cash, you have an active debit card.
Conclusion
A Visa gift card is clearly not a debit card.Both visa gift cards and debit cards enable users to have a seamless payment process; however, their functionality differs very much. While a Visa gift card comes with a preloaded monetary value and offers anonymity to the user, a debit card is linked directly to your bank account. It makes payments using the funds in your bank account and has access to your personal and financial information.
So I would advise you to use the card tailored to your goals and suit your payment needs. All the best!
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