Holiday Gift Cards Without the Purchase Fee
Holiday shopping has a way of sneaking up on you. If you plan to buy Visa or Mastercard gift cards for teachers, neighbors, or relatives this year, there is a small deal worth knowing about before you check out.
TheGiftCardShop normally charges a purchase fee on these cards. Right now, a promo code takes that fee away. Here is how it works and how to get the most out of it.
The deal, in plain terms
Use the promo code CUSTOM26 at TheGiftCardShop and the purchase fee on Visa and Mastercard gift cards is waived completely. The site calls it 100% off purchase fees. The code expires on November 11, 2026, so you have a short window.
A quick word on what a "purchase fee" is. In plain terms, it is an extra charge added on top of the amount loaded on the card. When the fee is waived, you pay only for the value on the card. Nothing extra, and that is the whole idea behind this offer.
Frequent Miler, the travel rewards site that spotted this offer, explains the details here.
Digital or physical?
You have two choices, and they are not the same.
- Digital cards: You pay zero fees on the purchase, and there is no shipping charge either.
- Physical cards: The purchase fee is still waived, but you pay shipping.
Digital is the cheapest way to go. The catch is that you need to be comfortable using a digital card number online, or have an easy way to turn it into something you can spend. Frequent Miler suggests digital cards only if you can easily use up or cash out the balance. If you are buying a present to hand to someone, a physical card may be worth the shipping cost.
Pick the right card to pay with
This is the part that matters long after the sale ends.
The reason people buy gift cards with a credit card is to earn rewards on the purchase. But not every card pays you for it. The source is clear on one point: you won't earn points if you buy these cards with an Amex card. So pay with a credit card from a different bank instead.
Here is a simple example. Say you buy $500 worth of gift cards for the holidays. With the fee waived, you pay $500 and not a penny more. If you charge it to an Amex, you get no points for that $500. If you charge it to a card from another bank, you give yourself a shot at earning rewards on all $500. Same cards, same price, very different result.
It is also worth checking the rules of your own card. Some card companies treat gift card purchases differently from everyday shopping, so a quick look at your card's terms or a call to the number on the back can save you a surprise.
Why fees matter whenever you buy
Even when there is no promo code, the same rule holds. Before you buy any gift card, add up the full price: the amount on the card, any purchase fee, and any shipping. If you pay a fee, it can easily cancel out the rewards you hoped to earn. A fee-free window like this one is the best time to buy.
If you like stretching your rewards, you may also enjoy our guide to stacking Rakuten with credit cards, and our beginner's look at shopping portals.
What to do this week
- Decide how many gift cards you actually need for the holidays, and in what amounts.
- Choose digital or physical. Digital has no shipping. Physical costs shipping.
- Enter code CUSTOM26 at TheGiftCardShop before November 11, 2026.
- Pay with a credit card from a bank other than Amex so your purchase can earn rewards.
- Check the total at checkout to make sure the purchase fee shows as zero.