This is a common question that many Best Buy customers have – can I use my Best Buy gift card to pay down my Best Buy credit card bill? The short answer is no, you cannot directly use a Best Buy gift card to make a payment on your Best Buy credit card. But there are some workarounds that allow you to indirectly use your gift card balance to pay off your credit card. In this article, we’ll explain the Best Buy gift card policies why you can’t directly pay your credit card with a gift card and some tips to maximize the value of your Best Buy gift cards.
Why Can’t I Directly Pay My Best Buy Credit Card with a Gift Card?
When you receive a Best Buy gift card, the packaging and terms state that it can only be used to purchase merchandise and services in Best Buy stores and on Bestbuy.com. The gift card funds cannot be used to buy other gift cards or make any kind of bill payment.
This policy applies specifically to using a gift card to pay your Best Buy credit card bill directly. The terms and conditions restrict gift cards to only being used for buying products and services within Best Buy’s ecosystem.
Best Buy does this to encourage customers to spend their gift card balances on Best Buy’s huge selection of consumer electronics, appliances, computers, mobile devices, movies, music, and more. They don’t want the gift card funds being diverted to pay bills, credit cards, or other financial obligations.
So if you try to use a Best Buy gift card to directly pay your credit card bill online, over the phone, or in-store, it will be declined per the gift card policies
Workarounds to Indirectly Use Gift Cards for Bill Payments
While you can’t directly swipe a gift card to pay your Best Buy credit card bill, there are some creative workarounds to accomplish a similar result indirectly. Here are a few tricks that savvy Best Buy customers utilize:
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Buy hot gift cards with your gift card Use your Best Buy gift card to purchase another high-demand gift card, like Amazon, Target, or Visa/Mastercard. Then use that gift card to pay down your credit card
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Buy merchandise to resell: Purchase a popular Best Buy item using gift card funds, then resell it locally for cash to make a credit card payment. Electronics like iPads and game consoles have high resale value.
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Return paid items to get new gift card: Buy any merchandise at Best Buy with your gift card, then return the items and request a new Best Buy gift card with the amount. Use the new gift card to repeat the process until you have a large enough balance to buy hot gift cards.
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Use gift card for daily purchases: Reduce your credit card spend by using Best Buy gift cards to pay for regular purchases like printer ink, batteries, appliances, electronics accessories, etc. This frees up your cash to pay down credit card bills.
As you can see, with some strategic planning, you can effectively transfer the value of your Best Buy gift cards to pay off your high-interest credit card debt in indirect ways. It just takes some clever thinking!
Best Buy Gift Card Tips
Beyond using your Best Buy gift cards to indirectly pay bills, there are some handy tips to make the most of your gift card balance:
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Check the balance online – Avoid getting stuck at the register with a low balance. Check your balance anytime at bestbuy.com/balance.
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Use it for Geek Squad services – Your gift card can be used for Geek Squad installations, repairs, and tech support subscriptions.
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Stack savings with coupons – Get even more value by using gift card funds on purchases where you have additional percent-off coupons and current promotions.
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Shop strategically – Make a list of what you need before going in-store and only use the gift card for those items. Don’t overspend on impulse purchases.
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Split payment – If your purchase exceeds your gift card balance, you can pay the difference with another payment method. The remaining funds stay on your gift card.
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Buy discounted gift cards – You can sometimes find Best Buy gift cards for less than face value on sites like Raise or CardCash. But make sure the seller is reputable.
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Sell unwanted cards – If you end up with any unwanted Best Buy gift card balances, you can sell them and then use the cash to pay down credit card bills.
Frequently Asked Questions about Best Buy Gift Cards
Here are answers to some common questions about using Best Buy gift cards based on the gift card terms and conditions:
Can I use a Best Buy gift card to buy another gift card?
No, Best Buy gift cards cannot be used to purchase other gift cards like iTunes, Amazon, etc. This includes both physical and e-gift cards.
Can I use a gift card to pay for a Best Buy credit card, lease, or financing plan?
No, gift cards can only be used to purchase products/services within Best Buy stores and on BestBuy.com. They cannot be used for bill payments, credit accounts, or financing plans.
What happens if I return an item purchased with a gift card?
The refund will go back onto the original gift card within an hour. If you no longer have the card, call 1-888-BESTBUY to request a replacement card.
What if my gift card gets lost or stolen?
Contact 1-888-BESTBUY as soon as possible and Best Buy can replace the remaining balance with a new gift card as long as you have the original receipt.
Do gift cards expire?
Nope! Best Buy gift cards never expire so you can keep them until you’re ready to use the funds.
Can I use my gift card at Best Buy Canada or other international stores?
Unfortunately no, Best Buy gift cards issued in the U.S. can only be used at Best Buy and BestBuy.com in the United States and Puerto Rico.
Can I check my gift card balance online?
Yes, you can check your balance anytime at bestbuy.com/balance by entering the gift card number and PIN. You can also call 1-888-BESTBUY or check at any register in-store.
What should I do if my gift card has an error or stops working?
First, try checking the balance online or calling customer service. If your card still doesn’t work, visit any Best Buy store to have it replaced. Proof of purchase may be required.
