You can move to the Philippines with your luggage, passport, and admission letter sorted, yet still run into one surprising problem of paying for digital services before you have a local bank card.
That is where gift cards can be useful. Instead of depending on a Filipino bank card for every purchase, the right gift card can give you prepaid access to stores and digital platforms you already use.
So, which gift cards actually work in the Philippines?
This guide covers nine (9) gift cards you can use in the Philippines, what you can buy with each one, and the regional or redemption details worth checking before spending your money.
I will also show you where to buy them easily, so you can choose a card that fits what you actually want to pay for.
Top 9 Types of Gift Cards in the Philippines
In no particular order, the most useful gift cards you can get your hands on in the Philippines are Apple, Jollibee, Steam, Amazon, Puregold, Razer Gold, American Express (Amex), PlayStation, and Lazada.
Let’s quickly look at each of them briefly.
1. Apple Gift Card
If you own any Apple device in the Philippines, this one’s a no-brainer.
An Apple Gift Card covers iTunes, the App Store, Apple Music, Apple TV+, additional iCloud storage, and even physical Apple products.
Without a Filipino bank card, this is your ticket to keeping all your favourite Apple services running without interruption.
You can pick one up from authorized stores in the Philippines or buy one securely through ApexPay.
2. Jollibee E-Gift Cards
Jollibee needs no introduction if you’ve spent any time in the Philippines.
It’s the country’s beloved fast-food chain, with over a thousand branches. E-gift cards are easy to grab from any location.
They come in two forms: Vouchers, which are redeemed for specific menu items, and gift certificates, which work more like cash; you can use the balance toward whatever meal you’re craving.
3. Steam Gift Card
Gamers, this one’s for you in the Philippines or anywhere else.
A Steam Gift Card unlocks the full Steam catalogue: game purchases, in-game items, and software downloads.
You can grab a Steam gift card through ApexPay and be gaming within minutes. Not a gamer yourself? It still makes a genuinely thoughtful gift for someone who is.
4. Amazon Gift Card
Amazon is one of the largest online retailers on the planet, and yes, it delivers to the Philippines.
An Amazon Gift Card lets you buy pretty much any physical or digital product on the platform.
You can source one from ApexPay or a physical store locally.
To redeem it, log into your Amazon account, click “Redeem a Gift Card,” enter the code, and you’re ready to shop.
5. Puregold Gift Card
Puregold is one of the country’s leading supermarket chains, and its gift card is built for groceries and household essentials.
If you’ve just moved to the Philippines, this card takes a lot of the pressure off everyday shopping without needing a bank card.
A nice bonus: you can also use it to pay basic utility bills like power, cable, and internet.
6. Razer Gold Gift Card
Razer is a household name among gamers, hosting a huge library of games, apps, and entertainment content.
A Razer Gold Gift Card is a solid pick if that’s your world.
To use it, head to the Razer website, sign in, pick out what you want to buy, and select the gift card as your payment method at checkout.
7. American Express (Amex) Gift Card
If there’s a gift card that deserves the title “most versatile,” it’s Amex.
You can use it to pay for almost anything, online or offline. Your morning coffee, groceries, or any platform that accepts Amex.
Think of it as a credit card in disguise. You can buy one from an authorized store in the Philippines or through the Amex website.
8. PlayStation Gift Card
PlayStation owners, don’t skip this one. It’s a prepaid card that funds your PlayStation Network account, letting you buy games and downloadable content whenever you like.
Just note that it’s region-specific; you’ll need to buy the version tied to the country where you plan to redeem it.
Fortunately, you can get a Philippines-compatible PlayStation gift card through ApexPay.
9. Lazada Gift Card
Lazada is a major online marketplace in the region, connecting buyers and sellers across a wide range of categories.
A gift card here lets you shop the platform freely.
To get one, sign up for a Lazada account and purchase a card in your preferred amount.
When you’re ready to shop, redeem it for cash credit and start browsing.
Where to Buy Gift Cards in the Philippines
Gift cards are widely used across the country, so getting your hands on one usually isn’t difficult.
Local gift cards are readily available at supermarkets and department stores, many of which issue their own branded cards to make shopping there more convenient.
International gift cards are a bit trickier; they’re typically limited to specific authorized retailers, and there aren’t always many of them nearby.
You may need to check a map to track down the closest one.
If you’d rather skip the legwork, buying international gift cards online is the easier route. Just be careful. Scams are common on the internet.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gift Cards in the Philippines
1. How much is a $100 gift card in the Philippines?
Roughly ₱4,000 to ₱5,000, though rates vary depending on the specific card and current market conditions. For an accurate, up-to-date figure, check the ApexPay rate calculator.
2. Are international gift cards accepted in the Philippines?
Yes, as long as they aren’t region-locked. Non-restricted cards can be purchased from anywhere and redeemed straight from a device in the Philippines.
Region-locked cards, on the other hand, won’t work. You’ll need the local version instead.
3. How can I send a gift card to someone in the Philippines?
If the card isn’t region-restricted, you can buy it from anywhere in the world and simply share the code with the recipient. They redeem it directly using the shared details.
4. Do gift cards expire in the Philippines?
It depends entirely on the brand rather than the country. Some cards never expire; others come with a set validity period.
Always check the terms and conditions before buying to know exactly what you’re working with.
5. Which gift cards are currently available in the Philippines?
All nine cards covered in this article, both the local and international, are available right now.
You’ll typically find local cards at physical stores and international ones through authorized online platforms.
Final Thoughts
Living in the Philippines does not mean every digital purchase has to begin with a bank card.
With the right gift cards, you can shop, stream, eat, and game without any of the usual friction.
Gift cards aren’t just convenient; they’re budget-friendly too.
You get access to the services you actually want, spend more intentionally, and if you ever need cash instead, you can convert your gift cards to cash through a trusted platform like ApexPay.
Quickly download the ApexPay mobile app here and start trading your Philippines gift cards and enjoy peace of mind.
Happy Trading!
