Can't buy gift cards with Apple Card?

Question

Level 1

4 points

Can't buy gift cards with Apple Card?

My wife tried to buy a gift card from (and for) Dick's Sporting Goods using her Apple Card, but the transaction was declined.

I got a "suspicious activity" notification and approved the transaction. It was denied again several times.

She contacted support and they claimed that the terms and conditions state that you can't buy gift cards with Apple Card.

We'd certainly never heard of that and it seems really strange. How can we ever get rid of our other credit card and switch to just Apple Card if we can't use it to buy gift cards for people?

Has anyone else run into this or have more info?

Thanks.

Posted on Dec 1, 2021 8:22 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Dec 1, 2021 8:48 AM in response to Kvothe_CB

Hi, there are reports on various social media platforms of this happening to Apple Card account holders. I’ve never tried purchasing a gift card with my Apple Card. Here is a link to the Apple Card Customer Agreement.

https://www.goldmansachs.com/terms-and-conditions/Apple-Card-Customer-Agreement.pdf

Here is the section that I believe pertains to purchasing gift cards (page 3).

“USING YOUR ACCOUNT

You may use your Account to make Transactions. You may not use or permit your Account to be used for:

• Any illegal purpose, including in connection with unlawful domestic or international gambling websites or to purchase illegal goods or services;

• Cash Advances and Cash Equivalents;

• Any purpose in any country or territory that is subject to economic sanctions administered and enforced by the U.S. Department of

the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), or with any person or entity subject to these sanctions; or

• Paying any debts to us.”

I believe they are considering gift cards as a cash equivalent.

I do know that both Chase Bank and American Express have similar restrictions and they apply it to gift cards as well.

Reply

Answer 2

muguy

Level 10

93,242 points

Dec 1, 2021 8:38 AM in response to Kvothe_CB

I've bought many gift cards using Apple Card without issue.

Back in the day I used to have a similar issue with a different card, especially during the holiday season as my spending pattern shifted. I guess I'd try again in a few days or try purchasing somewhere else.

Reply

Answer 3

Kvothe_CB Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 1, 2021 8:45 AM in response to Kvothe_CB

Well I did find in the terms and conditions that it says you can't use it for "Cash Advances and Cash Equivalents". It was the only thing she was purchasing and it was an "e-gift card" that is emailed out. But what if you bought a physical card and a pair of socks? Wouldn't that go through? They'd have no idea what you bought. Seems all a bit strange, though I guess I can see the argument for not converting credit "to cash", effectively.

Reply

Answer 4

muguy

Level 10

93,242 points

Dec 1, 2021 8:52 AM in response to Kvothe_CB

I'm certain that wouldn't cover gift cards. I've never had an issue and it was probably more a merchant issue than anything. Besides, Sachs would never know you were purchasing a gift card with your socks, they just get the amount. Just for kicks, I looked at what most banks consider cash equivalents (below). Not sure this helps, but I still think it's something else.

Foreign currency

Money orders

Wire transfers

Cryptocurrency

Lottery tickets

Casino gaming chips

Racetrack wagers

Person-to-person money transfers

Account-funding transactions transferring currency

Bill payments using third-party services

Reply

Can't buy gift cards with Apple Card?

Similar questions