Frequently Asked Questions
About the Visa® Gift Card
What is a Navy Federal Visa Gift Card?
The Navy Federal Visa Gift Card is welcome everywhere Visa Debit Cards are accepted in the United States (U.S. territories are excluded). Navy Federal Visa Gift Cards are loaded with a set amount of funds that can be used for multiple purchases as long as value remains on the card.
How is my Navy Federal Visa Gift Card different from a store gift card or gift certificate?
Unlike store gift cards and gift certificates, you can use your Navy Federal Visa Gift Card to pay for purchases at any store that accepts Visa Debit Cards (U.S. territories are excluded). You can use it at multiple stores, in person or online.
Are there any fees associated with the Navy Federal Visa Gift Card?
Service | Fee |
---|---|
Card Purchase Charge | $0.00 |
Inactivity Fee (After 12 consecutive months of no activity, the Card will be charged $5 per month until the balance is depleted or the Cardholder makes a purchase. Cards sold in branches located in AZ, CT, HI, LA, ME, NH, NJ, RI and VT don’t incur inactivity fees.) | $5.00 |
Lost/Stolen or Replacement Fee | $5.00 |
Express Delivery Fee | $5.00 |
Note: All fees will be debited from the remaining gift card balance. For initial card orders, the express delivery fee will be assessed on the funding card.
Purchasing a Gift Card
How do I purchase a Navy Federal Visa Gift Card?
You can purchase a Navy Federal Visa Gift Card online or at a Navy Federal branch (domestic branches only). At our branches, we always offer an all-occasion Silver Bow and Birthday design, with additional designs during the holidays. Online, choose from a wider variety of designs for specific holidays and events.
What payment method can I use to buy a Navy Federal Visa Gift Card?
Due to security considerations and the need to authenticate membership, you can only purchase a gift card online using a Navy Federal Debit or Credit Card (Visa or Mastercard® only).
If I use my Navy Federal-issued credit card to purchase a Navy Federal Visa Gift Card, will I be charged a cash-advance fee?
No. You won’t be charged a cash-advance fee when purchasing a Navy Federal Visa Gift Card.
Your website timed out before I was able to complete my purchase. Will I still be charged?
If you received a confirmation number, then your order went through and you'll be charged for the card(s).
If you were unable to click “Submit” before the system timed out, you shouldn’t be charged for your purchase.
Can I add a message on a Navy Federal Visa Gift Card?
Navy Federal Visa Gift Cards purchased online can be personalized with a preselected message. The list of available personalized messages will appear during the purchase process.
I’m a Navy Federal member. Why do you need to know my personal information if I’m purchasing the Card for someone else?
When you provide personal information, such as your name, address and phone number, it enables the cardholder to call a Customer Service Representative and validate their identity as your recipient. It also allows us to quickly locate your order if you need assistance.
Do I have to accept the Terms & Conditions?
Yes. If you don't accept the Terms & Conditions when you place your order, your order won't be processed.
Using your Navy Federal Visa Gift Card also signifies that you accept the Terms & Conditions.
How long will it take to receive a Navy Federal Visa Gift Card?
After placing your order online, please allow 7 to 10 business days for standard delivery and 3 to 4 business days for Express Delivery.
Note: When choosing to send a card Express Delivery, there is a $5 express delivery charge per card. A signature isn’t required for delivery. We cannot guarantee delivery time frames for FPO/APO addresses.
Is a signature required for express delivery?
No. A signature isn’t required. You or your recipient(s) don’t have to be home to sign for the package.
Can I send a Navy Federal Visa Gift Card to any address?
Gift cards ordered online valued between $10 and $200 can be mailed standard or express delivery either to you or your recipient. Cards $200.01 or more must be mailed to your address of record with Navy Federal.
What should I do if the Navy Federal Visa Gift Card never arrives?
If you or your recipient hasn’t received the Navy Federal Visa Gift Card within 10 business days, please sign in to online banking and send us a message or call 1-866-262-7438.
Giving a Gift Card
What do I need to include if giving the Navy Federal Visa Gift Card as a present?
When giving as a gift, provide the recipient with all materials you received when you purchased the card. If you’re giving the card to someone who has little card-use experience, you may wish to review the materials together.
Using a Gift Card
How does my Navy Federal Visa Gift Card work?
You can use your card to pay for purchases at millions of places that accept Visa cards in the United States (U.S. territories are excluded). The card’s initial value is set by the person who purchased it. Additional funds cannot be added later.
How to use your card:
- Before making your first purchase, sign the back of the gift card.
- When ready to pay, select CREDIT and sign the receipt. Or, select DEBIT, if prompted, and enter your Personal Identification Number (PIN).
- Each time you make a purchase, the amount is automatically deducted from the card balance. It’s important to keep track of your balance. The card doesn’t offer a line of credit like a credit card.
How do I activate and register my Navy Federal Gift Card?
With your Navy Federal Visa Gift Card in hand, please visit navyfederal.org/mygiftcard.
If your card doesn’t have a personalized name, it will automatically activate in one business day. To verify your card is active, enter your username in the “Username” field and click “Sign In”. Please note, if you have not created a username for your gift card, select “Need Username?” under the “Username” field.
If your card is personalized with a name, click “Activate.” If this is a new gift card, you’ll be required to select a 4-digit PIN.
Once signed in, to register your card, click "My Profile" and under the "My Settings" drop-down menu, enter your name, address and phone number.
Note: The fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required. All other fields are optional.
Can I change my address and telephone number after I’ve registered my Navy Federal Visa Gift Card?
Yes. After signing in to navyfederal.org/mygiftcard, select “My Profile” under “My Settings” and make updates.
Where can I use my Navy Federal Visa Gift Card?
You can use your Navy Federal Visa Gift Card at millions of places that accept Visa Debit Cards, including retail stores, online merchants and over the phone. Gift cards are only valid in the United States (U.S. territories are excluded).
You cannot use gift cards for recurring bill payment transactions.
Can I use my Navy Federal Visa Gift Card at more than one merchant?
Yes. You can use your Navy Federal Visa Gift Card anywhere Visa Debit Cards are accepted in the United States (U.S. territories are excluded).
Can I use my Navy Federal Visa Gift Card at gas stations?
Yes. We caution against using this card at an automated fuel pump, as the transaction may be declined or a hold may be placed on available funds for several days. In this situation, we recommend pre-paying for fuel with the cashier.
Can I use my Gift Card at merchants where a tip may be appropriate?
Yes. To make an online or phone purchase, you’ll need to register your card by visiting navyfederal.org/mygiftcard, entering your username in the “Username” field and clicking “Sign In”. Please note, if you have not created a username for your gift card, select “Need Username?” under the “Username” field. After signing in, select “My Profile” under “My Settings” and enter your name, address and phone number.
Be sure the balance on your card is enough to cover the bill and the tip. If not, the transaction will be declined.
Can I use my Navy Federal Visa Gift Card at hotels or car rental companies?
Yes. You can use your Navy Federal Visa Gift Card for the final payment for both hotels and car rentals. Some car rental companies and hotels may require a credit card to make a reservation. At check-in, hotels will put a hold on the estimated amount of your stay, making those funds unavailable for a period of time. Avoid a hold on your gift card by checking in with a credit card, then using your Navy Federal Visa Gift Card for final payment.
Can I use my Navy Federal Visa Gift Card for online or phone purchases?
Yes. To make an online or phone purchase, you’ll need to register your card. After signing in to navyfederal.org/mygiftcard, select “My Profile” under “My Settings” and enter your name, address and phone number.
When you make an online or phone purchase, the name, address and phone number you use must be exactly the same as the information you provided when registering your card. If the information is different, the transaction may be declined.
Can I use my Navy Federal Visa Gift Card outside of the United States?
No. Your gift card won’t be accepted at locations outside the United States. It’s welcome at millions of locations where Visa Debit Cards are accepted within the United States (U.S. territories are excluded).
How long can I use my Navy Federal Visa Gift Card?
The funds on your gift card expire on the date displayed on the front of the card. You can make purchases using your card until the expiration date or the full value of the card is depleted. Cards purchased at our Arizona branches are exempt from expiration—even though they have an expiration date displayed on the front. You may request a replacement card if funds are left on the card after the expiration date.
Managing Purchases
How do I make a purchase with my Navy Federal Visa Gift Card?
Using your Navy Federal Visa Gift Card is similar to using a debit card. When you’re ready to pay, select CREDIT, sign the receipt and go! Or, select DEBIT if prompted and enter your PIN.
Each time your card is used for a purchase, the amount is automatically deducted from your balance. It’s recommended that you know your balance before making a purchase because some merchants won’t be able to provide that information.
What if I want to purchase an item that costs more than the balance on my Navy Federal Visa Gift Card?
To make a purchase in an amount greater than the available balance, you’ll need to use a second form of payment to cover the difference.
Tell the cashier the amount you’d like applied to your Navy Federal Visa Gift Card, then pay the balance with your second payment method.
What should I do if my Navy Federal Visa Gift Card is declined?
If your purchase is declined after you’ve verified the card has sufficient funds, call the toll-free number listed on the back of the gift card, 1-866-262-7438.
What if I change my mind and want to cancel a purchase?
Let the cashier know you want to cancel the purchase. If the merchant cancels a transaction after it was processed, it will take 3 to 7 days for the authorization hold to be removed from your card and the funds to become available again.
What if I need to return an item that I purchased with my Navy Federal Visa Gift Card?
If you decide to return merchandise purchased with your Navy Federal Visa Gift Card, you may be asked to present the card to process that return. Be sure to hold onto your purchase receipts and your card—even after the balance is depleted. If store policy is to credit the card used to make a purchase, it will take 3 to 7 days to be added back to the available balance on the card. When returning an item purchased online, you may need to provide your gift card number.
Security & Privacy
Why should I register my Navy Federal Card?
Registering your Navy Federal Visa Gift Card has several benefits:
- It enables you to make purchases online and by phone. Most online retailers don’t accept payments without a valid billing address. Your registered address will serve as the billing address.
- It enables Customer Service Representatives to assist you quickly.
- It protects you if your card is lost or stolen so you can be reimbursed for unauthorized purchases.
How do I select the PIN for my Navy Federal Visa Gift Card?
If your card is personalized with a name, you’ll be required to select your PIN during activation. If you have not activated your card, please visit navyfederal.org/mygiftcard and select “Activate”.
If your card isn’t personalized, the PIN is automatically defaulted to the last four digits of the card number.
You can change your PIN by visiting navyfederal.org/mygiftcard and signing in. Please note, if you have not created a username for your gift card, select “Need Username?” under the “Username” field. Once signed in, select “My PIN” under “My Settings.”
What if I’ve forgotten my gift card PIN?
If you’ve forgotten your PIN, visit navyfederal.org/mygiftcard, enter your username in the “Username” field and click “Sign In”. Please note, if you have not created a username for your gift card, select “Need Username?” under the “Username” field. Once signed in, select “My PIN” under the “My Settings” drop-down menu, and then select “Forgot PIN”. Please make sure to have your gift card in hand.
What should I do if my Navy Federal Visa Gift Card is lost or stolen?
Report a lost or stolen card immediately by calling 1-866-262-7438. You may also write to us at Visa Debit Processing Service, P.O. Box 026098, Miami, FL 33103. If you tell us within 2 business days after you discover the loss or theft of your card, you won’t be liable for losses if your card was used without your permission. If you don’t tell us within 2 business days, you may be liable.
Balances
How do I learn the value of my Navy Federal Visa Gift Card?
If the card was ordered online and personalized with a name, the initial value is printed on the front of the gift card. If your card was purchased in a branch and isn’t personalized, the initial value may be included in the materials that came with your card. To check your balance online, please visit navyfederal.org/mygiftcard, enter your username in the “Username” field and click “Sign In”. Please note, if you have not created a username for your gift card, select “Need Username?” under the “Username” field. You may also check the balance by phone at 1-866-262-7438. Be sure to have your Navy Federal Gift Card in hand.
It’s important to know your remaining balance before you make a purchase. Your purchase could be denied if it’s greater than your balance. Keep a record of your purchases and remaining balance.
Is there a limit to the value placed on the Navy Federal Visa Gift Card?
Navy Federal Visa Gift Cards can be purchased in $0.01 increments, between $10 and $500.
Why is my actual balance different from my available balance?
Your available balance reflects purchases that have been authorized but haven’t cleared your account. Your actual balance reflects all purchases that have cleared.
What should I do with my Navy Federal Visa Gift Card once the value is depleted?
You should keep your card until you know you won’t be returning anything you purchased with it. If you try to make a return, the store may require you to present the card you used to make the purchase. Once you’re sure there’s no further need, destroy the card.