Help centre
The questions we are asked most, answered plainly.
How fast does a gift card arrive?
Most cards arrive by e-mail within a few minutes of payment. Now and then an order gets a quick security check first; if yours does, we tell you straight away and send the card as soon as it clears.
Can I send a card to someone else?
Yes. Choose “Send as a gift”, enter their e-mail address, add a note if you like, and pick today or a date up to a year ahead. They get an e-mail from you with the card inside.
Is the card’s value exactly what I pay for?
The card is worth exactly the value you pick. A small service fee is added on top and shown before you pay, so there are no surprises on your statement.
Which countries do you cover?
Gift cards are issued per country and currency: a card bought for the United States is spent in the United States. Use the country menu on the gift cards page to see what is available where the recipient lives.
Can I get a refund?
Until a card has been delivered we can cancel the order and refund you. Once a card is delivered it cannot be returned, the same as a gift card bought in a shop. If anything is wrong with a card, write to us and we will put it right.
Is it safe to pay here?
Your card number goes straight to our payment processor over an encrypted connection. It never touches our servers and we never store it.
My card has not arrived. What should I do?
First check the spam or promotions folder of the address the card was sent to. Then open your order from the confirmation e-mail: it shows each card’s status and has an “Open card” button once it is delivered. If the order says a check is in progress, the card follows as soon as it clears. Still stuck after an hour? Write to us with your order number.
I typed the wrong e-mail address for a gift.
Write to us with your order number and the right address as soon as you can. If the card has not been opened, we can send it again to the correct address.
Can I schedule a gift for later?
Yes. Choose “On a date” when you send a card as a gift and pick any day up to a year ahead. It is sent at 9:00 in the morning, your time.
How do I use the card?
Open it from the e-mail. Catalogue cards open a secure page with the code or a claim button and the brand’s own instructions. Cards sold by a brand on cardyay show a 16-character code and where to spend it.
Do cards expire?
It depends on the brand and the country. Any expiry date is shown on the card’s page when you open it. Cards sold by a brand on cardyay show their validity on the brand’s page before you buy.
Why was my order held for a check?
Gift cards are a favourite of fraudsters, so a small share of orders gets a manual look before cards are sent. It usually takes a few hours. If we cannot approve an order, we refund it in full.
Which payment methods can I use?
Major credit and debit cards. Where your device and bank support it, you will also see wallet buttons in the payment form.
I run a business. Can I sell my own card here?
Yes. See “A gift card for your brand” for how it works and how to apply.