If you’re looking for the Best or Popular Gift Cards for Students to use as gifting or present, then this is what you need to know.
No doubt, there are many available gift cards today but I will share with you the list of the popular ones among students.
It can be a bit of a challenge to find the perfect gift for students.
You’re looking for something practical that they’ll really value, and of course, it would be great if it doesn’t cost a fortune.
Gift cards are the perfect present for students, checking all the right boxes.
Students really love gift cards these days, and it’s easy to see why.
They provide incredible convenience, making it easy for busy learners to shop whenever it suits their packed schedules.
Being able to pick exactly what they need or want takes away the chance of giving something they don’t really want.
Also, gift cards give students a chance to work on their budgeting skills, which is super important during those growing-up years.
If you’re curious about which gift cards students love the most, you’ve come to the right page.
This guide will show you the Top 7 gift cards that are most popular among students and really fit their lifestyles and needs.
Why Students Love Gift Cards
The appeal of gift cards to students goes far beyond mere convenience.
These portable packets of purchasing power provide pragmatic possibilities in several ways.
First, students face unique financial challenges, balancing tuition costs, living expenses, and occasional indulgences on limited budgets.
Gift cards offer a breathing space in tight financial situations, allowing students to obtain necessities or treat themselves without guilt or budget disruption.
Gift cards also serve as practical financial teaching tools.
With a fixed amount to spend, students learn to prioritize purchases and make thoughtful decisions – valuable skills that extend beyond their academic years.
For parents and relatives, gift cards represent a way to help without the stigma that sometimes comes with direct cash gifts.
Top 7 Most Popular Gift Cards For Students
I’ve put together a list of the top seven gift cards that really match what students are into these days and how they live their lives.
These picks are all about what’s trending right now and what teens are really into.
Here’s a list of the top gift cards that teenagers will love:
- Amazon Gift Card.
- Netflix Gift Card.
- Apple or iTunes Gift Card.
- Google Play Gift Card.
- DoorDash Gift Card.
- Spotify Gift Card.
- Visa or Mastercard Prepaid Gift Card.
1. Amazon Gift Card
When it comes to versatility, Amazon gift cards reign supreme in the student gift card hierarchy.
These digital or physical cards unlock a marketplace of over 12 million products – from textbooks and laptop accessories to dorm essentials and everyday necessities.
What makes Amazon gift cards particularly valuable for students is their integration with Amazon Prime Student.
Recipients can apply their gift card balance toward this discounted membership, unlocking free shipping, streaming services, and exclusive student deals for half the regular Prime cost.
Redeeming the Amazon gift cards is refreshingly straightforward and simple.
Students can add the gift card balance to their Amazon account in seconds, where it remains until used, with no expiration date to worry about.
The balance applies automatically to future purchases, eliminating additional steps at checkout.
For buyers, Amazon gift cards come in virtually any denomination starting at $25, available digitally (instant delivery) or as physical cards with free Prime shipping.
For students away from home, this represents immediate access to virtually anything they might need.
2. Netflix Gift Card
After intense study sessions and exam preparation, students deserve quality downtime.
Netflix gift cards provide the perfect escape, offering access to thousands of shows and movies without requiring a credit card or recurring subscription commitment.
The beauty of Netflix gift cards lies in their simplicity.
Students can redeem them directly on the Netflix website, applying the balance to new or existing accounts.
For those already subscribed, the gift card simply extends their subscription by the corresponding period.
An insider tip: Students can maximize streaming value by opting for shared family plans, where multiple users can access the service simultaneously.
3. Apple or iTunes Gift Card
For the vast ecosystem of iPhone, iPad, and Mac users on campus, Apple gift cards represent digital currency in their most useful form.
These versatile cards fuel everything from productivity apps to creative software subscriptions.
Beyond the obvious music and movie purchases, students can use Apple gift cards to unlock powerful tools like Notability for lecture notes, creative apps like Procreate, or even Apple’s own services like iCloud+ for expanded storage.
For music production, graphic design, or video editing students, these cards can help offset the cost of professional software subscriptions.
Using an Apple gift card couldn’t be simpler.
Recipients redeem their code through the App Store or iTunes, adding the balance to their Apple ID account.
This balance then becomes available across all their Apple devices, ready for immediate or future purchases.
For maximum value, watch for Apple’s back-to-school promotions when gift card purchases sometimes come with bonus credits or discounts on hardware.
4. Google Play Gift Card
The Android equivalent to Apple’s offering, Google Play gift cards unlock a world of possibilities for students using Android phones, tablets, or Chromebooks.
These cards fund app purchases, in-app upgrades, books, movies, and crucial subscriptions.
A particularly valuable use case is applying Google Play credit toward YouTube Premium subscriptions.
This eliminates ads during educational videos and enables background play – features especially useful when researching or studying with YouTube tutorials.
Redemption happens directly through the Google Play Store app or Website.
Once added to the Google account, the balance becomes the default payment method until depleted, with no expiration timeline to worry about.
5. DoorDash Gift Card
College life can really wear you out and I can totally relate to how it felt for me.
Figuring out what to cook every day after lectures can really add a lot of stress, can’t it? This is where the DoorDash gift card really shines.
Any student who receives this will definitely appreciate you a lot.
You’re really helping them save time, energy, and resources that they would have spent on cooking a meal a few times.
A DoorDash gift card is a super handy option for students who are always busy and just don’t have the time to whip up a meal for themselves.
6. Spotify Gift Card
For students, music often serves as both productivity enhancer and stress reliever.
Spotify gift cards provide access to over 100 million tracks, podcasts, and curated playlists that set the perfect backdrop for both intense study sessions and necessary downtime.
The premium experience makes all the difference for students.
By eliminating advertisements, enabling offline downloads for subway commutes and providing unlimited skips, Spotify Premium removes all the friction from the listening experience – something particularly valuable when deep focus is needed.
Redemption works through the Spotify website, where gift cards can either start new premium subscriptions or extend existing ones.
A $30 card covers approximately three months of individual premium service.
The student-specific advantage comes through Spotify’s student discount program, which offers premium service at half price and sometimes includes additional services like Hulu.
7. Visa or Mastercard Prepaid Gift Card
Gift cards with prepaid Visa or Mastercard are convenient and multipurpose.
They work just like debit cards and may be used at many different places, such as online businesses, campus bookshops, and even for unexpected Uber journeys.
Whether it’s for late-night food delivery, laptop repairs, or increased textbook expenses, these cards may adjust to meet students’ evolving demands.
But you have to activate it either online or over the phone, and most cards only last for a year or two before they expire.
They are Ideal for those last-minute gifting moments, card issuers allow customisation of designs or messages and even offer virtual versions for instant delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions About Popular Gift Cards For Students
1. What is the best gift card for college students?
The best gift card for college students depends on their lifestyle, but Amazon and prepaid Visa cards are generally the most versatile.
2. Can students use gift cards to pay for subscriptions?
Yes, many gift cards like Spotify, Netflix, and Google Play can be used for monthly subscriptions.
3. Are there gift cards with student discounts?
Some gift cards (e.g., Amazon, Spotify) can be used with student-discounted programs.
4. Where can I safely buy digital gift cards?
Always buy from trusted retailers like Amazon, brand websites, or recognized platforms like PayPal.
5. Can I use multiple gift cards at once?
Yes, depending on the retailer. For example, Amazon allows combining balances, while others might limit it to one per transaction.
Conclusion
Choosing the right gift card for students comes down to understanding their specific needs and preferences.
Whatever your choice, gift cards represent a thoughtful recognition of students’ independence and unique needs.
They provide financial flexibility during a life stage often characterized by tight budgets, while allowing personal choice that acknowledges their transition to adulthood.
In gift-giving terms, that’s pretty much the perfect combination.
Next time you’re celebrating a student’s birthday, achievement, or holiday, remember that the most popular gift cards for students offer more than convenience.
They provide exactly what students need most: freedom, flexibility, and fun in just the right balance.
Enjoy!
