Gift cards make it easier to buy products, services, games, food, and digital subscriptions without using cash at the point of purchase.
However, not all gift cards work in the same way. Some are made for shopping, while others are used for gaming, entertainment, travel, or online services. Some can be used across different stores, while others work only with one brand.
Understanding the different types of gift cards can help you choose the right card, avoid redemption problems, and know if a card is suitable for gift-card trading in Nigeria.
If you are new to gift cards, you can first read what a gift card is and how it works.
Quick Question: Which Gift Cards can you redeem for Cash on Hara?
You can redeem the following gift card brands for Naira cash on the Hara app: eBay, Walmart Visa, One Vanilla, Macy's, Nike, Footlocker, OffGamers, PlayStation, Apple Store, GameStop, Xbox, Etisalat, American Express, Visa, and Razer Gold.
Types of Gift Cards and What Each One is For
1. Retail Gift Cards
Retail gift cards are designed for shopping. They allow the holder to buy products from a particular retailer or a group of participating stores.
What are retail gift cards used for?
They are typically used to buy:
- Clothing
- Shoes and bags
- Electronics
- Beauty products
- Home items
- Groceries
- Other products sold by the retailer
Who usually buys them?
Retail gift cards are common gifts for birthdays, weddings, holidays, employee rewards, and special occasions.
They are also useful when the buyer is unsure about the recipient’s preferred product.
Common examples
Examples include gift cards from:
- Amazon
- Walmart
- Target
- Best Buy
- Macy’s
- Nike
- Sephora
The exact brands available depend on the country and card issuer.
Where can they be redeemed?
A retail gift card can usually be redeemed on the retailer’s website, mobile app, or physical store.
Can they be traded in Nigeria?
Yes. Some retail gift cards are accepted by gift-card exchange platforms in Nigeria.
2. Gaming Gift Cards
Gaming gift cards are made for people who play video games. They add funds to a gaming account or help users pay for games and related services.
What are gaming gift cards used for?
They are used to buy:
- Video games
- Downloadable content
- In-game items
- Gaming credits
- Gaming subscriptions
- Add-ons and digital extras
Who usually buys them?
Gamers, parents, friends, and family members often buy gaming gift cards.
They are useful when the recipient has a preferred console, gaming platform, or online account.
Common examples
Popular gaming gift card brands include:
- PlayStation
- Xbox
- Steam
- Nintendo
- Roblox
- Google Play, for supported gaming purchases
Where can they be redeemed?
Gaming gift cards are usually redeemed through the relevant gaming platform.
For example, a PlayStation card is generally used through a PlayStation account.
The card’s region is important. A card issued for one country may not work on an account registered in another country.
Can they be traded in Nigeria?
Yes. Gaming gift cards are traded on apps like Hara, but rates differ by brand, region, card format, and demand. Confirm that the exchange platform supports the exact card before submitting it.
3. Entertainment Gift Cards
Entertainment gift cards help users pay for digital or physical entertainment.
They are often used for movies, music, books, and streaming services.
What are entertainment gift cards used for?
They typically cover:
- Movie rentals
- Music subscriptions
- Streaming subscriptions
- E-books
- Audiobooks
- Digital entertainment purchases
Who usually buys them?
They are popular among people who enjoy music, movies, series, books, and other digital content.
Common examples
Examples include:
- Netflix
- Spotify
- Apple
- YouTube
- Google Play
- iTunes
- Audible
- Availability and redemption rules vary by brand.
Where can they be redeemed?
These cards are usually redeemed on the brand’s official website, app, or digital store.
Some are limited to subscription payments, while others may support a wider range of purchases.
Can they be traded in Nigeria?
Yes. Entertainment gift cards are supported by Nigerian gift-card exchange platforms.
4. Food and Restaurant Gift Cards
Food and restaurant gift cards are used to pay for meals, drinks, groceries, or food delivery.
What are they used for?
Depending on the brand, they are used for:
Restaurant meals
Takeaway orders
Food delivery
Grocery purchases
Coffee and snacks
Catering services
Who usually buys them?
They are common gifts for friends, family members, colleagues, and employees.
They can also be used as rewards or promotional incentives.
Common examples
Examples include cards from:
- Starbucks
- McDonald’s
- Uber Eats
- DoorDash
- Domino’s
- Restaurant chains
- Grocery stores
Where can they be redeemed?
Redemption may be available in a physical restaurant, mobile app, or website.
Some cards work only at participating locations.
Can they be traded in Nigeria?
Some food and restaurant cards typically have limited demand in Nigeria because redemption can depend on location.
Check the platform’s supported brands before trying to exchange one.
5. Travel Gift Cards
Travel gift cards are designed for travel-related purchases.
They help pay for flights, hotels, holiday bookings, or other travel services.
What are travel gift cards used for?
They cover:
- Hotel bookings
- Flights
- Holiday packages
- Car rentals
- Travel activities
- Travel-related services
Who usually buys them?
Travel gift cards are purchased for people planning a holiday, business trip, or special journey.
Companies also use them as employee rewards.
Common examples
Examples include gift cards from:
- Airbnb
- Hotels
- Airlines
- Travel booking websites
- Car rental companies
Where can they be redeemed?
The card is usually redeemed through the issuing travel company or its approved partners.
Some cards have location, booking, or date restrictions.
Can they be traded in Nigeria?
Travel gift cards are accepted by some exchange platforms, but their rates and demand can vary.
Check the card’s terms and confirm support before submitting it.
6. Digital Service Gift Cards
Digital service gift cards pay for online tools, subscriptions, apps, or digital services.
What are they used for?
They are used for:
- Software subscriptions
- Cloud storage
- Online learning
- Design tools
- Productivity services
- App purchases
- Digital memberships
Who usually buys them?
Students, freelancers, business owners, designers, content creators, and other digital-service users buy these cards.
Common examples
Depending on the market, examples include cards for:
- Apple services
- Google Play
- Microsoft
- Online learning platforms
- Software subscriptions
- Digital marketplaces
Where can they be redeemed?
Digital service gift cards are usually redeemed on the provider’s official website or app.
Some are tied to a particular account country or currency.
Can they be traded in Nigeria?
Some digital service gift cards are tradable, but acceptance depends on the exchange platform.
A card that works for personal use may not automatically be accepted for trading.
7. Prepaid Visa and Mastercard Gift Cards
Prepaid Visa and Mastercard gift cards are payment cards that can be used at participating merchants.
They are different from cards that work only with one retailer.
What are they used for?
Depending on the card’s terms, they are used for:
- Online shopping
- In-store purchases
- Service payments
- Subscription payments
- Other approved transactions
Who usually buys them?
They are typically purchased by people who want to give the recipient more spending flexibility.
Businesses also use them for incentives, rewards, and promotions.
Where can they be redeemed?
They work at merchants that accept the relevant payment network.
However, some cards have restrictions on:
- Country
- Merchant category
- Online payments
- International transactions
- Recurring subscriptions
- ATM withdrawals
Can they be traded in Nigeria?
Some Visa and Mastercard gift cards are accepted by gift-card exchange apps like Hara.
The final rate depends on the card’s issuing country, type, balance, condition, and current demand.
For more information, read Open-Loop vs Closed-Loop Cards: Visa/Mastercard vs Store Cards .
8. Store-Specific Gift Cards
Store-specific gift cards are issued for use with one retailer or brand.
They are often called closed-loop gift cards.
What are they used for?
They can be used to buy products or services from the issuing store.
For example, a clothing-store gift card only works at that clothing retailer.
Who usually buys them?
They are commonly purchased by:
- Friends and family
- Employers
- Customers
- Businesses running promotions
- People who know the recipient’s preferred store
Common examples
Examples include cards from:
- Clothing retailers
- Electronics stores
- Supermarkets
- Beauty brands
- Restaurant chains
- Gaming stores
Where can they be redeemed?
Redemption is usually limited to the issuing brand’s stores, website, or approved locations.
Some cards work only in a particular country.
Can they be traded in Nigeria?
Some store-specific cards have strong demand, while others may be difficult to exchange.
The brand, region, card type, and current market demand all affect the possible rate.
9. Open-Loop and Closed-Loop Gift Cards
Open-loop and closed-loop describe where a gift card can be used, not whether it is physical or digital.
Open-loop gift cards
Open-loop cards are linked to a payment network, such as Visa or Mastercard.
They are typically accepted by different merchants that support the network, subject to the card’s terms.
Closed-loop gift cards
Closed-loop gift cards are restricted to one store, brand, or group of participating businesses.
Why does this difference matter?
The acceptance model can affect:
Where the card can be redeemed
- How flexible it is
- The type of recipient it suits
- Its demand in the gift-card market
- Its possible exchange rate in Nigeria
You can learn more about this distinction in Open-Loop vs Closed-Loop Cards.
Which Gift Cards Are Useful for Trading in Nigeria?
There is no single gift-card category that always has the highest rate.
The possible exchange value depends on:
- Brand
- Card type
- Country or region
- Currency
- Denomination
- Card balance
- Demand
- Card condition
- Current market rate
- Platform support
A card must also be valid and unused. Some cards have restrictions that affect their acceptance.
Before trading a gift card, confirm:
- The platform supports the brand.
- The card is from a supported region.
- The code is clear and readable.
- The card has not been redeemed.
- The current quote is available.
- You understand the submission process.
You can also review common mistakes to avoid when selling gift cards in Nigeria before submitting a card.
To understand the basic gift-card lifecycle, read What a Gift Card Is and How Does It Work?.
Summary
Gift cards come in different categories, and each one serves a different purpose.
Retail cards support shopping, gaming cards support video games, entertainment cards pay for digital content, and travel cards support travel-related purchases.
Visa and Mastercard gift cards offer wider acceptance, while store-specific cards are usually limited to one brand.
Physical and digital cards describe the delivery format, not the card’s purpose. Open-loop and closed-loop cards describe where the card can generally be used.
If you plan to trade a gift card in Nigeria, confirm the brand, region, card type, balance, expiry conditions, and current rate before submitting it.
Have a supported gift card? Check the Hara App to redeem it instantly for Naira cash.
