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You want to buy a new game, but it’s full price and the next big seasonal sale is months away. There's a simple trick that lets you create your own discount on any digital purchase, any time of year: buying discounted gift cards.

The strategy is straightforward: you buy a digital gift card for a service like Steam, the PlayStation Store, or the Nintendo eShop from a reputable reseller for less than its face value. You then redeem the full value in your account, giving you an instant, built-in saving on your next purchase.

Where to Find Legitimate Gift Card Deals

The key to this strategy is buying from the right places. Shady websites promising 50% off are almost always a scam. Instead, you should stick to large, reputable sources that deal in high volumes of cards.

Look for deals from these types of sellers:

Major Retailers: Stores like Best Buy, Target, or Amazon often run promotions where they sell digital gift cards at a discount, such as $50 of store credit for $45.
Wholesale Clubs: Places like Costco and Sam's Club frequently sell bundles of gift cards at a reduced price.
Reputable Online Resellers: Websites that specialize in discounted gift cards, like Raise or CardCash, can be a good source, but always check their buyer protection policies. Look for user reviews and a long history of operation.

How the Process Works

Once you've found a deal from a trusted source, the process is simple. A typical purchase might look like this:

You buy a $100 Xbox gift card for $90 from a retailer's website.
They email you the digital code.
You log into your Xbox account and go to the 'Redeem Code' section.
You enter the code, and the full $100 is added to your account balance.
You now have $100 to spend, but it only cost you $90. You've effectively given yourself a 10% discount on any game or DLC you buy.

What to Watch Out For

While effective, this method has a few potential pitfalls you need to be aware of to protect your money and your gaming accounts.

Always check the region. A gift card for the UK PlayStation Store will not work on a US account. Ensure the card you're buying matches your account's region perfectly.

Avoid private sellers. Never buy gift card codes from individuals on forums, social media, or marketplaces like eBay. These codes are often purchased with stolen credit cards, and when the fraud is discovered, the code will be invalidated, and your account could even be suspended.

Read the terms. Make sure you're buying a gift card that adds funds to your wallet, not a card for a specific subscription service (like Game Pass or PS Plus), unless that's what you intend to buy.

FAQ

Can I use this discount on top of a store sale?

Yes. This is the best way to maximize savings. You use the funds from your discounted gift card to pay for a game that is already on sale in the store. This is a form of discount stacking.

Are physical or digital gift cards better?

For this purpose, digital codes are usually faster and more convenient, as they are emailed to you almost instantly. The discount opportunities are similar for both.

How much can I realistically save?

Discounts typically range from 5% to 15%. While it might not seem like much on a single purchase, if you fund all your gaming purchases this way, the savings over a year can be substantial.

Key Takeaways

Buy digital gift cards for less than their face value to create a discount on any purchase.
Stick to major retailers and reputable online resellers to avoid scams.
Never buy codes from private sellers on marketplaces or social media.
Always double-check that the gift card's region matches your account's region.
Combine this method with official store sales to maximize your savings.

The Smart Way to Buy Digital Games: Using Discounted Gift Cards