Digital gift cards have become one of the most popular ways to show appreciation especially when shopping from abroad or giving long-distance gifts. But not all gift cards are created equal neither do they have a generally accepted use like cash.
Although all gift cards are essentially alternative finance options, they have varying applications. If you give someone an Apple gift card for valentine, you may look like a valentine genius, but if that same person receives a Google Play gift card, your gift may leave them super frustrated.
When it comes to gifting gift cards, having a noble intention is as important as finding a gift card that delivers the right value. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best and worst gift cards for Valentine, and we will also show you how FlipEx can help you derive and deliver premium value for your gift cards.
The Best Gift Cards to Get for Valentine’s Day
There are over 1000 gift card options available online and across different stores globally. The best gift cards are not determined by their popularity or by the ease of acquiring such cards. Each gift card has certain benefits that they provide and this is what matters most to the person spending them.
Based on our assessment of over 100 gift card brands, these are the 5 gift cards that we believe to be the best gift cards for valentine and our reasons are stated clearly:
1. Apple Gift Cards
Apple gift cards have become essential to Apple’s ecosystem as its currency. Since the launch of Apple gift cards around 2008, the widespread adoption of Apple products have been largely successful due to the ease of using Apple cards.
Apple gift cards are:
- Perfect for tech lovers - people who want to access apps, music, games, TV, subscriptions, and other exclusive content on Apple’s various marketplaces.
- Accepted globally as a legal tender to purchase Apple devices ranging from phones to Macbooks, iPads, etc.
- Easy to redeem and widely appreciated.
- Easy to use, even for long-distance gifts
- One of the gift cards with the highest rates when converted to Naira on FlipEx. Real time Apple gift card rates can be confirmed via FlipEx’s rate calculator.
2. Steam Gift Cards
Steam gift cards are a gamer’s delight. Steam boasts a unique array of gaming options that makes it a versatile spot for gamers with all kinds of gaming interests. Its availability in virtually all currencies makes it perfect for any one who loves games.
These are the reasons why we consider Steam to be one of the best gift cards for valentine:
- Access to thousands of gaming titles and accessories
- Attracts high rates on FlipEx and can be redeemed under 5 minutes
- Great for both casual and hardcore gamers
- Cross platform availability across mobile (Android and iOS), Mac, Windows, Linux etc.
- Gives access to Downloadable Content (DLC) and software
3. Razer Gold Gift Cards
Razer gold gift cards are another gamer’s favorite gift card. Razer gold delivers premium value for gamers although its popularity is still on the rise.
Here’s why we believe Razer gold gift cards are one of the best gift cards for valentine
- Popular among Nigerian gaming enthusiasts who play titles like PUBG.
- Can be used to access gaming hardware
- Razer gold gift card $100 trades at a premium rate on FlipEx.
- Can be used for in-game purchases, streaming, and entertainment
- Fun and modern gift choice for Val as it grants access to over 42,000 games and digital content.
4. Store Gift Cards (Footlocker, Macy’s, Gamestop, Sephora)
Store issued gift cards that are designated to one store such as Foot Locker, Macy’s, Sephora, Gamestop etc., are one category of gift cards that we consider to be among the best gift cards.
This is why we think they are a great gift for valentine:
- Works for fashion, beauty, and lifestyle gifts
- Flexible redemption options
- High appeal for recipients who enjoy shopping
- Access to a wide range of products leaving the recipient spoilt for choice.
- Fast exchange to cash on FlipEx
5. Visa and Mastercard Gift Cards
Visa and Mastercard are the gift cards with the most global footprint but, this is not the only reason why we consider them to be among the best valentine’s gift cards.
- Universally accepted for both online and offline purchases.
- Flexible and safe once registered in your details
- Very active support and quick resolution channels
- For people who prefer to exchange Visa gift cards for cash or Mastercard gift cards for cash, FlipEx provides this service without issues.
The Worst Gift Cards to Get for Valentine’s Day
Now, it is difficult to label any gift card as the worst gift card. All gift cards have their advantages, but as you read on, we believe that you will agree with some of the reasons why we have selected these gift cards as the worst ones to get for valentine.
1. Google Play Gift Cards
Google Play Gift Cards were developed as a cash alternative majorly for users on Android. Unlike Apple, it is limited by too many similar competing products from Google such as Google Pay, Google Payments, etc.
Here are more reasons why we think Google gift cards are not a great choice for valentines.
- Hard to redeem internationally. Google cards are restricted to their currencies
- Google More Information Error - This error plagues most Google gift card users and it is unclear what triggers it or how to solve the error. Most cards with this error end up useless.
- Limited local support and slow almost non-existent online support.
- Competing Google payment options cannot be used interchangeably.
2. Netspend Gift Cards
Netspend gift cards also fall among the worst gift cards because although they are mostly issued by Visa, they are not straightforward to use.
This is why Netspend is one of our worst gift cards:
- Activation errors are common
- Registering Netspend gift cards is complex and a registration mistake can render the card useless
- Incessant platform maintenance makes Netspend gift cards trigger risk protections when you try to use them
- Can frustrate the recipient and reduce the joy of the gift
3. Starbucks & Applebees Gift Cards
Starbucks and Applebee's gift cards made this list of worst gift cards for valentine’s day simply because they are restaurant gift cards. Starbucks and Applebee's are popular restaurants so for many people, they wouldn’t hit the mark for Valentine’s day.
- Restricted to specific restaurants
- Not a flexible option as they can only be spent on available restaurant offerings.
- Not practical for many people who can’t access these restaurants.
- Cannot be used internationally.
4. Amazon Gift Cards
Amazon gift cards are one of the most popular gift card brands. They are a great payment option for Amazon’s storefront but in our observation, we gathered more negative feedbacks based on user experiences on Amazon
Here’s what we found out about Amazon gift cards:
- Amazon has one of the lowest resale rate on FlipEx
- Has restrictions on the Amazon marketplace. Not accepted for all products and certainly not accepted by all merchants.
- Subject to a lot of fraud due to Amazon’s weak fraud detection and management system.
- Long verification periods can delay usage
- Not ideal if your Valentine prefers instant value or cash
How FlipEx Makes Even Tricky Gift Cards Useful
Even if your Valentine receives a gift card that’s hard to redeem locally, FlipEx makes it easy to convert gift cards to Naira. This includes:
- Visa and Mastercard gift cards
- Apple or Steam gift cards
- Amazon and other store cards
With FlipEx, you can ensure your Valentine gift never goes to waste, and you can give your loved one the freedom to use their gift card as they wish.
Tips for Choosing the Perfect Gift Card for Valentine’s
- Know your recipient’s interests: Tech, gaming, fashion, or lifestyle
- Check redeemability and restrictions: Avoid cards that cannot be used in online or internationally.
- Consider convertibility: FlipEx can convert most cards to Naira instantly but you have to keep an eye on FlipEx’s daily rate updates on Instagram, Facebook and other platforms to know the top gift cards
- Balance thoughtfulness and practicality: A gift is only valuable if the recipient can actually use it
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which gift cards are best for Valentine’s Day?
The best gift cards include Apple, Steam, Razergold, and store cards like Footlocker, Macy’s, Gamestop, and Sephora. Visa and Mastercard gift cards are also highly recommended because they are flexible and can be converted to Naira via FlipEx.
Can I sell my gift card in Nigeria?
Yes. Platforms like FlipEx allow Nigerians to sell most gift cards, including Apple, Steam, and store cards, like Visa gift cards that can be sold for cash with instant Naira payments.
Are Amazon gift cards a good Valentine gift in Nigeria?
Amazon gift cards are generally less ideal due to long verification periods, low resale rates, and restricted usability.
What should I avoid when buying Valentine’s gift cards?
Avoid Google Play (international restrictions), Netspend (activation errors), and restaurant-specific cards like Starbucks or Applebees that may not be accessible to the recipient.
Use These Tips to Make Valentine’s Day Stress-Free
The best Valentine’s gift cards are flexible, high-value, and widely usable, while the worst ones are restrictive, prone to errors, or low in value.
With FlipEx, Nigerians can convert gift cards to cash, ensuring every digital Valentine gift works in real life. Give your Valentine the gift of choice, and make this Valentine’s Day truly stress-free.