It depends on the retailer’s offer. Some offers exclude the gift-card-funded portion, while other terms can make the whole purchase ineligible. Read the terms for paying with a gift card before checkout, especially if you are planning to buy one just for this purchase.
Buying a gift card and using one are two transactions
You might earn a reward when you buy a gift card through an eligible card offer, or save money by buying the card below face value. Later, when you use it to pay for merchandise, the shopping portal evaluates that order separately. Write down the price you paid for the card and the reward you expect on the purchase as separate amounts.
A gift card you already own changes the decision. If you can use it for a purchase you planned, you may prefer spending that balance to preserving a small portal reward. If you don’t yet own the card, consider how you would use any leftover balance and what happens to a refund before buying it.
Three phrases to distinguish in the offer terms
| If the terms exclude | What to check next |
|---|---|
| Purchasing gift cards | This concerns buying a card. Look for separate language about using one at checkout. |
| The portion paid with a gift card | Only the remaining eligible amount may earn. Check which payment methods and merchandise count. |
| Purchases made with gift cards | Read the full clause or ask support about split payment. Budget for zero portal reward if you can’t confirm that the order qualifies. |
Rakuten’s general terms point shoppers to the brand’s offer terms for gift-card restrictions. Its Chewy offer is a concrete example of a listing that excludes both buying and redeeming gift cards. Terms for another store or portal can differ. Rakuten rewards exclusions · Rakuten’s Chewy terms
An $80 order with $30 paid by gift card
Suppose the portal pays 5% and the store excludes only the gift-card-funded amount. Paying $30 by gift card and $50 by eligible debit would yield an estimated $2.50 in portal cash back. Paying the full $80 by eligible debit would yield $4. The difference is $1.50.
If you bought the $30 gift card for $27, the $3 discount plus $2.50 in expected cash back gives you $5.50 in total savings. If the gift card instead makes the whole order ineligible, the same route saves $3, while the all-debit route could save $4. All rates and prices in this example are hypothetical.
What about store credit or a prepaid debit card?
Store credit, a retailer gift card and a network-branded prepaid card can appear differently at checkout. Review the portal rules for credits and eligible payment methods, and ask about the exact payment type if the language is unclear. If you expect a return, check where the merchant refunds each portion before placing the order.
How we checked
We reviewed Rakuten’s general and store-specific terms on November 7, 2026. We did not test a split payment or a refund.