How to Get a Gift Card to Your International Employees
Want to show your appreciation for an international employee? That can quickly turn into a considerable challenge. One of the major difficulties is the cost of getting something from where you are to where they are. Shipping fees often make the cost rise astronomically regardless of what you are sending their way. In this instance, more than ever, you don’t want to get your employee something they aren’t overly fond of because of the effort required to get it to them! Something that doesn’t fit with their current life, or isn’t to their taste, or any other reason. The stakes are high when it comes to international gift-giving.
There is, however, one gift that almost guarantees that they will enjoy it: a gift card. While gift cards are sometimes considered impersonal and less-than-perfect gifts, they open up so many doors your international employees can pick on their own. This comes with its own problems, however, as sending gift cards internationally comes with its challenges.
Not sure where to start? No worries! In this article, we are covering the ins and outs of international gift cards, including:
- Which cards can be spent internationally?
- What to keep in mind when buying a gift card for international employees
- The power of Visa and MasterCard prepaid cards
Earn Cash Back On International Gift Cards with Gift Card Granny
As a quick reminder, we’ve pointed out all of the retailers on this list that you can find on Gift Card Granny as of this writing. Gift Card Granny makes it easy to buy and send customized gift cards online and earn cash back while you do. Gift Card Granny carries thousands of local and national brands, including Visa gift cards, Mastercard gift cards, and gift cards for many of the awesome spots on this list.
Now that we’re on the same page let’s jump right into our list!
Buying an International Gift Card
Finding a gift card that works for your international employees will always be a challenge, but we hope to assist!
Buying a gift card for your international employees is challenging. Gift cards are turning into spectacular gifts, allowing you to cover a broad spectrum of possibilities for those worried about finding the right specific gift. Gift cards bridge the gap between all ages and types of people, giving them the agency to purchase something independently. A 2021 survey revealed that the average American adult has $116 of unspent gift cards. That is a lot of money! It adds up to billions of dollars of unspent gift cards in the States. That means the stakes are high when purchasing a gift card, too!
When purchasing an international gift card, you must ensure it can be spent in the recipient's country. If, for instance, you purchase an Amazon card in their US store, it can only be spent in the United States. You can purchase international Amazon gift cards tied to another country's Amazon store, but you have to ensure those countries have Amazon stores!
What’s the Right Currency for Your Gift Card?
When buying an Amazon gift card internationally, you must ensure it is in the right currency. Your international employees will not use a European gift card if it is in US Dollars! Well, most of the time, the exception of which we will discuss later in the article. When you buy a gift card in another country's Amazon store, it will default to the normal currency of that country, which is almost always the currency in which you will want to purchase the gift card.
The trouble comes when the country's currency is not the favored currency, which usually happens for one of two reasons. One is that the national currency is very unstable, leading to risky fluctuations. In that case, getting an accepted currency that is more stable is ideal. The other problem is when a country’s national currency is less accepted than a specific international one. In that case, the international currency is better.
This is a rather complicated process, the details of which vary depending on the specific country that you have in mind. We recommend researching the policies of Amazon in that country and progressing according to those instructions.
Can Your Gift Card be Spent Internationally?
Unfortunately, that depends. Various factors go into international gift cards, but most are only usable within the country where they are purchased. That means when you buy, for instance, a Home Depot gift card at your local Home Depot, that card is only usable in Home Depots nationwide. When deciding what gift card to get, research what gift cards are available in the recipient’s country. Many international businesses are restrictive on the locations where their gift card is used. The mechanics behind the international distribution and acceptance of gift cards are rather complex. If you are interested, there are other ways to show your appreciation to your international employees, such as transferring money, but even that comes with its own set of fees and restrictions. This is a list of common stores and their policy on international gift card use:
- Amazon Gift Card. As we discussed, Amazon has country-specific stores. Your Amazon gift card is usable in the country where it was purchased.
- Best Buy Gift Card. These gift cards are only valid in US stores.
- Home Depot Gift Card. Home Depot stores accept gift cards in the US, Canada, and Mexico, regardless of where it was purchased.
- iTunes Gift Card. iTunes gift cards are only valid in the United States.
- Walmart Gift Card. A gift card bought in the States can only be spent in the States. As of now, Walmart does not offer international gift cards.
- Whole Foods Gift Card. Gift cards for Whole Foods are only usable in the States.
- American Express Gift Card. Gift cards are only usable in the US.
- Mastercard and Visa Gift Card. These are not the same as others on this list and are available internationally. It is not quite that simple, which we will elaborate on later in this article.
Cautions when Buying a Gift Card for Your International Employees
It would be terrible to go through the process of sending a gift card internationally only for it not to work when your employee receives it, so we advise an overabundance of research and certainty for the company that you plan on using as your gift card and that it is absolutely acceptable in the country in which your employee lives. In the next section, we will talk about what might just be your best option for sending a gift card to your international employees — Visa and Mastercard prepaid cards.
Our Top 8 Gift Card Picks for International Employees
1. Custom Visa Card
When choosing a gift card for international employees, a Visa gift card is likely to be one of your safest bets. Accepted anywhere that Visa credit cards are accepted, Visa gift cards can be used virtually anywhere in America and in countless online stores. We recommend double-checking the fine print to make sure a Visa gift card will be a usable gift in your employee's area. Once you confirm that a Visa gift card will work, it's time for the fun part -- customizing your gift. With Gift Card Granny, you can add your company logo and a personal message to show your international employee how much they are appreciated in just a few clicks.
2. Mastercard Prepaid Cards
The Mastercard Travel card is another one of your best bets for sending a gift card to your international employees. It is meant to be a purchase made before going on a trip to avoid going to local banks and converting money before you go. It is prepaid, meaning you can load however much you want on it, and it is usable in many countries around the globe. Getting your international employee a gift card can be a great gift, as it takes off some of the financial weight of their day-to-day life. It can go to groceries, rent, or utilities, giving them more savings or more money to spend on something exciting.
Sending a gift to another country requires a certain amount of dedication. To ensure that your efforts are not in vain, we recommend double and triple-checking all the relevant details so that your international employees can spend your gift card, no matter where they are. If possible, try to get some insight from someone living there (it could even be your employees if you aren’t planning a surprise!) on what gift cards are available locally. Depending on the country, there may be an easier way to get the money to them.
If you’ve settled on getting a Mastercard prepaid travel card, only one obstacle remains — actually getting the card to them! If you’ve gotten a physical card, you have to check that your carrier is cool with shipping a credit card overseas (most of them are) and that the country won’t detain it upon its arrival. International shipping takes some time, but it is out of your hands once you have it set and ready to go. Then, after shipping time, it will arrive and there will be smiles.
3. Amazon Gift Cards
Amazon gift cards are available in around 100 countries. That’s a lot! When ordering an Amazon gift card, make sure to direct it to the right region. Amazon gift cards are region locked to a specific region, so if you were to purchase a gift card to the United Kingdom Amazon store you’d have to spend it at the United Kingdom Amazon store.
4. Uber Gift Cards
Uber is available in over 71 countries and has cemented itself as an excellent public transportation service. This is a great gift card for international employees, but make sure to purchase it in the same currency used in their country. Uber gift cards, while available in all of these countries, are only redeemable in countries that use the currency in which it was issued.
5. Uber Eats Gift Cards
Just like Uber, Uber Eats is available internationally and is a great way to get local food delivered to the doorstep. The same international rules apply. Make sure to purchase an Uber Eats gift card in the currency used in the recipient’s country. Otherwise, it is unredeemable.
6. Spotify Gift Cards
Spotify is another worldwide brand that’s a great gift card for international employees. It is an excellent service that provides a near-limitless supply of music to anyone with a premium membership. If you know that your employees enjoy a premium membership, then consider purchasing a Spotify gift card! This is an excellent way to get them a few free months of premium. Spotify gift cards are, however, only redeemable in the country they were purchased in, so make sure you are purchasing the gift card through the right channels!
7. Steam Gift Cards
Digital Steam gift cards have no international restrictions! They are in a league of their own regarding the ease they are sent abroad. If you have some international employees who enjoy computer gaming, a Steam gift card is an excellent way to say thanks.
8. Starbucks Gift Cards
Rounding out our list are Starbucks gift cards. This coffee chain is worldwide. Starbucks gift cards issued in the U.S. or Canada are accepted in almost all North American locations, as well as Puerto Rico, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Australia. Double-check before you purchase that they are redeemable in their final destination!
These are our favorite gift cards for international employees
Those are our thoughts on international gift cards. It is very difficult to send money internationally. Before you do, it is good practice to look up the specific company you plan on getting a gift card from beforehand to check their policy. They might offer international gift cards! That little insight can lead you down the path to a gift that your international employees will cherish, no matter where they are on the globe. There is also the chance that they, or a mutual friend, is doing some traveling in the area.
If you know someone in the recipient’s country that will soon be nearby, you could reach out and see if they will handle it. Gift cards can be wondrous, especially when purchased by someone who has the land and knows the best bar, cafe, and luxury spots in town.
A third party, while further complicating matters, can deliver a personalized gift card to one of your international employee’s favorite establishments. At that point, we guarantee their jaw will drop to the floor with how amazing you are. A prepaid Visa or Mastercard is a great gesture, and a card delivered by a third party is perfect. Regardless of which one you choose, your employee will be very happy when they receive their gift, and we wish you the best of luck when it comes to finding the right gift for your international employee, gift card or not.
Gift cards are a fantastic way to show appreciation and a great gift. They allow the recipient to go out and try something new. Gift cards allow them to take the initiative; sometimes, you can come along for the ride. Gift cards are always valuable gifts, and we hope you have found the perfect card for the occasion with your new knowledge.
Remember: many retailers on this list are available at Gift Card Granny, where you can earn cashback and rewards on all your gift card purchases.
From all of us here at Gift Card Granny, happy shopping!