Venmo has become one of the most popular peer-to-peer payment apps, allowing you to easily send and receive money with friends and family. Did you know you can also add Visa gift cards to your Venmo account?
In this step-by-step guide, I‘ll walk you through how to link a Visa gift card to Venmo so you can get more use out of your gift card balance.
Overview of Venmo
For those new to Venmo, it‘s a free digital wallet app owned by PayPal that lets you:
- Send/request money to/from contacts
- Split bills and expenses
- Pay select merchants online and in-store
- Transfer money to your bank account
Venmo uses bank-level security measures to protect transactions and accounts from fraud. It also has a user-friendly mobile interface that makes sending money as simple as sending a text.
Why Add a Visa Gift Card to Venmo?
Here are some of the top reasons for linking your Visa gift card balance to Venmo:
1. Simplifies Online Purchases
Instead of entering your gift card details every time you buy something online, you can check out instantly with merchants that accept Venmo.
2. Send Money to Contacts
Send your gift card balance to friends, family, and contacts right from the Venmo app. Great for paying people back or gifting money.
3. Monitor Your Balance
The Venmo app makes it easy to view your updated balance in real-time so you always know how much you have left to spend.
4. Extend Your Gift Card‘s Use
Adding it to Venmo lets you get more mileage out of your Visa gift card instead of just using it for one single purchase.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Ready to add your card? Follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Check Your Card‘s Balance
Before linking your Visa card, it‘s a good idea to check the remaining balance by calling the number listed on the back of your card. This ensures you know exactly how much is available to add and spend from Venmo.
Step 2: Open the Venmo App
If you already have Venmo, open your app and log into your account. If not, install it from your app store first and sign-up.
Step 3: Go to Settings
From your Venmo home screen, tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner, then tap the gear settings icon in the top right corner.
Step 4: Select Payment Methods
In your settings menu, tap "Payment Methods" then scroll down and tap "Add a Card".
Step 5: Enter Your Gift Card Details
Type or scan your gift card number, expiration date, CVV security code, and zip code to link it to Venmo. Ensure all details entered are correct!
Once successfully added, your gift card balance will reflect in your Venmo account balance.
And remember, Venmo charges a 3% fee per transaction made with your linked gift card. So a $10 purchase would incur a $0.30 fee. This is deducted automatically with each gift card payment.
Popular Venmo Questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Venmo:
Is Venmo safe to use?
Yes. Venmo uses bank-grade encryption and security measures to protect account and payment information from unauthorized access or fraud. For added safety, enable two-factor authentication.
What fees does Venmo charge?
There are no fees for sending personal payments from bank accounts or debit cards linked to Venmo. Fees apply for credit card payments (3%), instant transfers to banks (1% with $0.25 minimum and $10 maximum charge), and business transactions (additional charges apply).
Can I use Venmo at stores?
Select merchants accept Venmo as payment in-store through their mobile POS systems. Venmo also has an ATM locator that lets you payback friends in cash at eligible ATMs instead of bank transfers.
Does Venmo offer customer support?
Yes. You can get assistance through Venmo‘s help center or by contacting their customer service team for any account, payment, or security issues.
Ready to Add Your Gift Card to Venmo?
I hope this guide covered everything you need to know to successfully link your Visa gift card balance to your Venmo account. With just a few quick taps in the Venmo app, you can unlock more ways to spend your gift money.
For related reads, check out this comparison of top peer-to-peer payment apps and this ultimate guide to using Venmo.
Thanks for reading and happy spending! Let me know if you have any other Venmo questions in the comments.