It doesn’t matter if you need a last-minute present, a prepaid card for personal use, or a gift, you can get the best gift card at CVS.

Good thing that CVS Pharmacy offers a wide selection of gift cards to suit any occasion. From popular retailers like Amazon and Walmart to entertainment, gaming, restaurant, and prepaid Visa/Mastercard gift cards, CVS makes it easy to find the perfect option — choosing the perfect gift card for any occasion.

But what are the different types of gift cards you can you get at CVS? How do you check your balance or find the best discounts? This guide provides you with everything you need to know about buying gift cards at CVS

About CVS Pharmacy

I’ve been rambling about gift cards available in a drug store, are you not wondering how come? 

CVS Pharmacy is a major American retail store specializing in prescription of drugs, over-the-counter medications, and general health products. CVS operates over 9,000 retail locations across the United States. So, in addition to selling drugs, CVS offers an array of options to get your loved ones gifts. 

Maybe, it occurred to you to give your loved one or yourself a gift while shopping at the CVS store, just walk down to the gift section and get yourself a gift card. You get to have a wide range of gift cards ranging from retail to prepaid and other gift cards options and you can choose conveniently. 

Also, CVS offers a mobile app and online platform for all its services, which includes the buying of gift cards.

Key Features of CVS Gift Cards

CVS gift cards offer flexibility and convenience, making them a great choice for everyday purchases. Here’s what you need to know before using one:

• No expiration dates or fees – Your balance stays intact with no hidden charges.
• Reloadable & balance retention – Keep using the same card by reloading it, and any unused balance remains available.
• Wide usability – Use CVS gift cards to pay for merchandise, prescriptions, and co-pays.
• Purchase restrictions – Gift cards cannot be used to buy prepaid cards or money orders.
• Versatile spending options – Cover essentials like groceries, personal care items, and even fuel at select locations.
• Multiple payment methods – Purchase CVS gift cards with cash, credit/debit cards, or even cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum.
• Extra perks at CVS Pharmacy – Use your visit to access photo printing, flu shots, and COVID-19 testing.

Types of Gift Cards Available at CVS

CVS offers hundreds of gift card options, believe me when I say it is endless, but let’s try to categorize them so that we can get a clearer view of them. They can be categorized into retail, restaurant, entertainment, gaming, financial, and travel-related cards. Below is a detailed breakdown of the available options.

1. Retail Gift Cards

Retail gift cards are perfect for shopping, electronics; including computers, smartphones, tablets, and TVs, clothing, and home essentials. Retail gift cards make shopping at a particular store or brand interesting, when you don’t have to spend a penny from your wallet, but you can still shop at your favorite store.

This makes it a go-to destination for tech lovers as well as retailers. So, if you need anything related to these essentials, retail gift cards at CVS have got you covered! Let’s take a look at some of the available options CVS offers:

• Amazon – One of the most requested gift cards
• Walmart – Ideal for groceries, electronics, and household needs
• Target – A great all-purpose shopping card
• Best Buy – For tech lovers and gadget enthusiasts
• Nike – Perfect for fitness and sneaker lovers
• Macy’s – A top choice for fashion and accessories
• Nordstrom – Premium clothing and designer brands
• Home Depot & Lowe’s – For home improvement and DIY projects

Denominations: Normally, it ranges from $10 to $500, but their availability may vary.

2. Restaurant & Fast-Food Gift Cards

Restaurant gift cards are cards that can be redeemed for meals and quick bites. This makes you enjoy your meal without directly paying for the meal, interesting, right? Dining out or grabbing a quick bite is easier with restaurant gift cards.

These gift cards are perfect for treating oneself and loved ones to delicious meals. So, CVS offers ranges of options on these cards, here are some you can get for yourself and your loved ones:

• Starbucks – A great option for coffee lovers
• McDonald's – A popular fast-food choice
• Chipotle – Perfect for Mexican food fans
• Olive Garden & Red Lobster – Ideal for casual dining
• Applebee’s, Chili’s & TGI Fridays – Great for American cuisine
• Subway, Panera Bread & Dunkin’ – Quick and easy meal options

Denominations: It is usually available in $10, $25, $50, and $100 options.

3. Gaming & Entertainment Gift Cards

Gamers will appreciate these options available at CVS, they are great last-minute options for gamers and streaming service users. CVS provides a range of gift cards, including:

• PlayStation Store, Xbox, Nintendo eShop – For digital games and subscriptions
• Roblox & Steam – Popular among online gaming enthusiasts
• Spotify, Apple Music, and Netflix – Perfect for music and movie lovers
• Hulu, Disney+, and HBO Max – Streaming subscriptions

Denominations: It is usually $10, $25, $50, or custom reloadable amounts.

And for Nigerian Apple fans who receive gift cards but don’t plan to use them, there are smart options. You can sell Apple gift cards in Nigeria at the highest rates through trusted platforms, converting them to cash value quickly and safely.

4. Prepaid & Financial Gift Cards

Prepaid gift cards are versatile cards that offer flexibility since they can be used anywhere that accepts major credit and debit cards. It works well for people who love convenience while shopping, and on that note, CVS stocks a wide range of options to keep you covered:

• Visa Gift Cards – This can be used almost anywhere and they come with different options.
• Mastercard & American Express Prepaid Cards – They are versatile prepaid cards that work just like debit cards.
• Vanilla Gift Cards – Another popular prepaid card option.
• Green Dot Prepaid Visa – This is useful for budgeting and online purchases.
• GoBank Prepaid Visa Card: This provides mobile banking features without a traditional bank.
• MoneyPak: A service to reload funds into compatible prepaid cards.

Fees: Some prepaid cards have activation fees ranging from $3.95 to $7.95.

5. Travel & Transportation Gift Cards

Transportation cards are redeemable vouchers that can be used for travelling, it is perfect for frequent travelers and those who enjoy unique experiences, CVS offers:

• Uber & Lyft – Perfect for rideshare users
• Airbnb – Great for vacation rentals
• Southwest Airlines & Delta Airlines – Travel-related gift cards

Denominations: Usually range from $25 to $500.

6. Specialty & Miscellaneous Gift Cards

There are some additional options available at CVS, which include:

• SpaFinder – For wellness and spa experiences
• Barnes & Noble – Great for book lovers
• Google Play & Apple App Store – For app purchases

How to Buy a Gift Card at CVS

You can buy physical and digital gift cards at CVS, bringing you options to choose Physical gift cards such as Steam gift cards or E-gift cards.

• In-Store Purchase:

Right, you can purchase your gift cards at any CVS store close to you, you just need to follow these simple steps:

1. Visit any CVS Pharmacy and locate the gift card section in the Pharmacy.
2. Then select the desired brand and amount you would like to get.
3. Pay at the checkout, cash, credit, or debit cards are accepted.
4. The cashier will activate the card for immediate use.

• Online Purchase:

Most CVS stores offer digital gift cards, which can be purchased online and sent via email, then you follow the instructions in the email to claim and activate the card. You can then use the code to pay for items on CVS website.

Best Deals & Discounts on CVS Gift Cards

If you are looking for ways to save money on the gift cards at CVS? Here’s how you can go about it:

• Extra Care Rewards: Every time you make a purchase, either online or in-store, you will earn ExtraCare program rewards, or ExtraBucks Rewards. Every 3 months, your ExtraBucks Rewards will print on your store register receipt which can be redeemable. 
• Seasonal Promotions: Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and holiday sales may include discounted gift cards.
• Gift Card Bundles: CVS sometimes offers deals like “Buy $50, Get $10 ExtraBucks”.
• Third-Party Websites:  You can earn ExtraBucks Rewards on qualifying purchases made through third-party websites, you can check platforms like Instacart, Shipt, Raise, Rakuten for discounts.

Safety and Security Measures for Your Gift Cards

Gift cards are convenient, but they also need to be protected just like cash. Here’s how you can keep your CVS gift card safe and what to do if issues arise.

Protecting Your Gift Card Information

• Keep your receipt as proof of purchase—it can be useful for recovering lost funds.
• Store physical gift cards in a secure location to prevent loss or theft.
• For digital gift cards, use strong passwords for your email or gift card account and avoid sharing card details over unsecured networks or public Wi-Fi.
• Be wary of gift card scams—CVS will never call, email, or text you asking for gift card details as payment.

Reporting Lost or Stolen Gift Cards

• If your CVS gift card is lost or stolen, act fast—contact CVS customer service immediately.
• For third-party gift cards purchased at CVS, you’ll need to contact the card issuer directly.
• Some gift card issuers offer balance protection, so reporting it quickly can help you recover unused funds.

CVS Pharmacy’s Fraud Prevention Policies

CVS takes fraud prevention seriously and has security measures in place to protect customers, including:

• Purchase limits on the number and value of gift cards bought in a single transaction to deter fraudulent bulk purchases.
• Employee training to recognize suspicious transactions and potential scams.
• Monitoring and reporting fraudulent activity to prevent scams targeting customers.

CVS Gift Card Policies (Fees, Returns & Expiry)

• Do CVS gift cards have activation fees?

Retail and restaurant gift cards – No activation fees.

Prepaid Visa/Mastercard/American Express cards – These cards may have activation fees.

• Do CVS gift cards expire?

Retail & restaurant gift cards – They typically do not expire.

Prepaid gift cards – They may have expiration dates, just do well to check the packaging.

• Can I return a gift card to CVS?

CVS does not allow gift card returns or exchanges after purchase.

• What are the restrictions on CVS select gift cards?

It is not usable for purchase of lottery, alcohol, or smoking products.

Complete FAQ Guide for CVS Gift Cards

If you're considering buying or using a gift card from CVS, this guide answers all your questions.

1. What Types of Gift Cards Can You Buy at CVS Pharmacy?

CVS Pharmacy offers a wide range of gift cards, including:

• Streaming services – Netflix, Hulu, Disney+

• Movie theaters – AMC, Regal Cinemas, Fandango

• App stores – Google Play, iTunes

• Retail & Restaurants – Amazon, Macy’s, Starbucks, Nike, Best Buy

• Prepaid Cards – Visa, Mastercard, AMEX

2. What Can You Buy with a CVS Select Gift Card?

A CVS Select Gift Card is designed for health and wellness products, including:

• Baby care items (diapers, formula)

• Allergy and cold medicine

• First aid supplies (bandages, antiseptics)

• Pain relievers (ibuprofen, acetaminophen)

• Home medical tests (pregnancy, diabetes)

• Oral hygiene products (toothpaste, mouthwash)

• Stomach medicine (antacids, probiotics)

• Nicotine replacement products (patches, gum)

• Eye and ear care items (eye drops, contact lens solution)

Please Note: You cannot use a CVS Select Gift Card to buy general merchandise, alcohol, lottery tickets, or other gift cards.

3. Does CVS Sell Gift Cards Worth Up to $500?

Yes, CVS offers gift cards with values ranging from $5 to $500.
If you need multiple cards, you can place bulk orders in increments of 10 cards per transaction.

4. Can You Buy Target Gift Cards at CVS?

Yes, Target gift cards are available at many CVS locations.
You can also find them at other retailers like Kroger, Albertsons, and Walgreens.

5. Can You Use CVS Pharmacy Gift Cards in West Africa?

CVS Pharmacy gift cards are only valid in the U.S.

However, third-party gift cards sold at CVS—such as Amazon, iTunes, and Google Play cards—can often be used internationally, including in West Africa. Always check the card’s terms before purchasing.

6. What Is the Minimum and Maximum Amount You Can Load on a Gift Card?

This depends on the type of gift card:

• Most gift cards have a minimum of $10 to $25.

• The maximum can range from $200 to $500.

• Some prepaid cards, like Visa or Mastercard gift cards, may allow higher limits.

7. Can I Buy a Gift Card at CVS with a Debit or Credit Card?

Yes! CVS accepts multiple payment methods for gift cards, including:

• Debit cards

• Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, Discover)

• Cash

However, some prepaid cards may have restrictions on purchases with a credit card.

8. Does CVS Sell Amazon and Visa Gift Cards?

Yes! You can buy both Amazon and Visa gift cards at most CVS locations.
However, availability may vary depending on the store.

9. Can I Use a CVS Gift Card to Buy Another Gift Card?

No, CVS does not allow you to use a CVS gift card to purchase another gift card.

10. How Do I Check My CVS Gift Card Balance?

You can check your CVS gift card balance in three ways:

• Online – Visit CVS.com and enter your card details.

• Phone – Call the customer service number on the back of the card.

• In-store – Ask a CVS cashier to check your balance at checkout.

11. Are There Any Fees for Buying Gift Cards at CVS?

CVS does not charge additional fees for most gift cards.
However, prepaid cards like Visa, Mastercard, and AMEX may have an activation fee (usually between $3.95 and $6.95). Always check the terms before buying.

12. Can You Return or Exchange a Gift Card Bought at CVS?

No, CVS accepts returns or exchanges on gift cards unless required by law.
Make sure you choose the right gift card before purchasing.

13. Do CVS Gift Cards Expire?

• CVS Pharmacy gift cards do not expire.

• Some third-party gift cards may have expiration dates or inactivity fees if unused for a long time.

• Always check the terms and conditions on the card.

14. What Are the Best Gift Cards to Buy at CVS?

• Retail & Fashion: Amazon, Macy’s, JCPenney, Kohl’s, Nike, Baby Gap, American Eagle, Hollister

• Electronics & Gaming: Best Buy, GameStop, Steam, Google Play, iTunes

• Entertainment & Dining: AMC, Starbucks

• Prepaid Cards: Visa, AMEX, Mastercard

15. Does CVS Buy Unwanted Gift Cards?

Yes, CVS offers a Gift Card Exchange Program, where you can trade in unwanted gift cards for cash or a CVS store credit.
However, the amount you get depends on the value of the card and the exchange rate at the time.