TIME TO CHOOSE YOUR PERFECT GIFT

Woo hoo, you’ve been given you’re perfect gift. Here we’ll show you to get shopping for it super quick!

This is the quick-start guide for virtual gift cards. If you have a physical gift card click here.

You can use your virtual gift card online, and it’s super easy.

First thing to do is activate your gift card and make a note of the long 16 digit card number, expiry date, and 3 digit CCV number.

You’ll need your 9 digit SAN number and 6 digit activation access code that came in your virtual gift card email to do this.

The email came from activation@cardportal.com and you may need to check your junk/spam folder just in case!

So grab those, and we’ll get started. Don’t worry it only takes a few minutes and you’ll be ready to choose your perfect gift.

If you’ve already activated your card and just need to check your card details or balance you can still follow these steps.

Here’s Emily activating her gift card. She’s using a physical card, but it’s the same process for virtual. All the steps are below with screenshots to show you exactly how to do it!

ACTIVATE & GET YOUR CARD DETAILS

You’ll need to activate your gift card and write down your 16 digit card number, expiry date, and 3 digit CVV code before you can start shopping! It only takes a few minutes, just follow the steps below.

Your activation access code is your 6 digit order number.

If you ordered the card yourself, please look for an email from activation@cardportal.com. It may be in your junk folder.

If you were sent the card by someone else, please contact them and ask for the 6 digit activation access code.

 

 

STEP ONE

Log on to www.cardportal.com on your phone or browser. Cardportal are the people that connect our gift cards to the Mastercard system.

STEP TWO

Enter the 9 digit SAN number that came with your virtual gift card. It will be in the email from activation@cardportal.com. You may need to check your junk/spam folder.

STEP THREE

Enter the 6 digit activation access code. Your activation access code is your 6 digit order number and was also in your virtual gift card email.

The email comes from activation@cardportal.com and may have gone to your junk/spam folder.

STEP FOUR

Fill in your name and address. Please make sure it is all spelled correctly otherwise you’ll have problems using the card online! The correct POSTCODE is very important.

When you’ve filled it all in, click on ACTIVATE.

STEP FIVE

Once you’ve clicked ACTIVATE you’ll be taken to this screen where you can see your 16 digit card number, expiry date and 3 digit CVV code.

Please write these down now, you’ll need them!

Your virtual gift card can only be used online, so you don’t have a PIN.

Your balance in the top left hand corner.

Your 3 digit CCV is in the top right hand corner. Click on SHOW MY CCV.

You can report your card lost by clicking LOST CARD, but this will immediately block your card and there’s a £5 fee for it to be reissued. You shouldn’t ever need to hit this button with a virtual card though.

You can come back to this screen anytime to manage your card. It’s a good idea to bookmark this page in your browser for the future.

Next, let’s get you your perfect gift!

HOW TO USE YOUR CARD ONLINE

You need all the same details as when you use your normal bank credit or debit card – your 16 digit card number, expiry date, and 3 digit CVV number. The only difference is that you’ll need to make sure you have enough money left on your gift card, as you can’t part-pay online (that’s the retailers’ systems, not our card).

STEP ONE

Choose your perfect gift.

That’s the fun part, and don’t forget to check out our gift shop where you’ll find genuine discounts off RRP on the latest branded tech, homeware, fashion and more.

STEP TWO

Once you’re at the checkout, simply use your gift card like your normal bank debit or credit card.

Enter the long 16 digit card number, the expiry date, and the 3 digit CCV you wrote down in the last step!

Remember, you’ll need enough money on your card to use it online, and you aren’t able to part-pay (that’s the retailers’ systems, not us).

OR DOWNLOAD THE APP

An even easier way to activate your card, find your PIN, and check your balance is to use our free app. Click on the links to download it to your phone.

STILL HAVING PROBLEMS?

If you’re still having problems please use the form to contact us.

Please make sure you send us your 9 digit SAN number from your virtual gift card email. We won’t be able to help you without this.

Please do NOT send us the long number on the front as for security we do not have access to that number!

Please note due to Mastercard security checks it can take up to 48 hours before we can respond to you, but we aim to do it much faster!

    TIME TO CHOOSE YOUR PERFECT GIFT

    Woo hoo, you’ve been given you’re perfect gift. Here we’ll show you to get shopping for it super quick!

    This is the quick-start guide for virtual gift cards. If you have a physical gift card click here.

    You can use your virtual gift card online, and it’s super easy.

    First thing to do is activate your gift card and make a note of the long 16 digit card number, expiry date, and 3 digit CCV number.

    You’ll need your 9 digit SAN number and 6 digit activation access code that came in your virtual gift card email to do this.

    The email came from activation@cardportal.com and you may need to check your junk/spam folder just in case!

    So grab those, and we’ll get started. Don’t worry it only takes a few minutes and you’ll be ready to choose your perfect gift.

    If you’ve already activated your card and just need to check your card details or balance you can still follow these steps.

    Here’s Emily activating her gift card. She’s using a physical card, but it’s the same process for virtual. All the steps are below with screenshots to show you exactly how to do it!

    ACTIVATE & GET YOUR CARD DETAILS

    You’ll need to activate your gift card and write down your 16 digit card number, expiry date, and 3 digit CVV code before you can start shopping! It only takes a few minutes, just follow the steps below.

    STEP ONE

    Log on to www.cardportal.com on your phone or browser. Cardportal are the people that connect our gift cards to the Mastercard system.

    STEP TWO

    Enter the 9 digit SAN number that came with your virtual gift card. It will be in the email from activation@cardportal.com. You may need to check your junk/spam folder.

    STEP THREE

    Enter the 6 digit activation access code. Your activation access code is your 6 digit order number and was also in your virtual gift card email.

    The email comes from activation@cardportal.com and may have gone to your junk/spam folder.

    STEP FOUR

    Fill in your name and address. Please make sure it is all spelled correctly otherwise you’ll have problems using the card online! The correct POSTCODE is very important.

    When you’ve filled it all in, click on ACTIVATE.

    STEP FIVE

    Once you’ve clicked ACTIVATE you’ll be taken to this screen where you can see your 16 digit card number, expiry date and 3 digit CVV code.

    Please write these down now, you’ll need them!

    Your virtual gift card can only be used online, so you don’t have a PIN.

    Your balance in the top left hand corner.

    Your 3 digit CCV is in the top right hand corner. Click on SHOW MY CCV.

    You can report your card lost by clicking LOST CARD, but this will immediately block your card and there’s a £5 fee for it to be reissued. You shouldn’t ever need to hit this button with a virtual card though.

    You can come back to this screen anytime to manage your card. It’s a good idea to bookmark this page in your browser for the future.

    Next, let’s get you your perfect gift!

    HOW TO USE YOUR CARD ONLINE

    You need all the same details as when you use your normal bank credit or debit card – your 16 digit card number, expiry date, and 3 digit CVV number. The only difference is that you’ll need to make sure you have enough money left on your gift card, as you can’t part-pay online (that’s the retailers’ systems, not our card).

    STEP ONE

    Choose your perfect gift.

    That’s the fun part, and don’t forget to check out our gift shop where you’ll find genuine discounts off RRP on the latest branded tech, homeware, fashion and more.

    STEP TWO

    Once you’re at the checkout, simply use your gift card like your normal bank debit or credit card.

    Enter the long 16 digit card number, the expiry date, and the 3 digit CCV you wrote down in the last step!

    Remember, you’ll need enough money on your card to use it online, and you aren’t able to part-pay (that’s the retailers’ systems, not us).

    DOWNLOAD THE APP

    An even easier way to manage your card is to use our free app. Click on the links to download it to your phone.

    STILL HAVING PROBLEMS?

    If you’re still having problems please use the form to contact us.

    Please make sure you send us your 9 digit SAN number from your virtual gift card email. We won’t be able to help you without this.

    Please do NOT send us the long number on the front as for security we do not have access to that number.

    Please note due to Mastercard security checks it can take up to 48 hours before we can respond to you, but we aim to do it much faster!