Can I use a prepaid or gift card?
Not on a payment plan. Prepaid cards, including gift cards and other stored-value cards, aren't accepted on Defera's installment plans. Use any debit or credit card instead, including the debit card your bank issued you.
Airline gift cards are a different story. You can apply one at checkout to lower your fare, and we explain how below.
What counts as a prepaid card?
A prepaid card is loaded with money ahead of time, instead of drawing on a bank account or a line of credit. Common examples include:
- gift cards from a card network, like the Visa or Mastercard gift cards sold in stores;
- reloadable prepaid cards;
- other stored-value cards.
Not sure whether your card is prepaid? The bank or company that issued it can tell you.
Why does my card keep failing?
When a prepaid card is declined, the message doesn't always say why. So if a card keeps failing at checkout or on Update Card, and it's a prepaid or gift card, that's the reason.
Switch to a regular debit or credit card. Trying the same card again won't change the result.
Is my plan affected?
No. If you tried to switch an existing trip to a prepaid card and it didn't save, nothing changed on your plan. The card already on file keeps being charged on schedule.
To change it, update your card on your trip with a debit or credit card, using Update Card.
How do airline gift cards work?
At checkout, under Travel Credits & Gift Cards, you can apply:
- an airline gift card;
- an airline travel credit or eCredit;
- a certificate or voucher.
The amount comes off the fare right away. It shows "Pending verification" until our team verifies it with the airline.
Any payments left on your plan still need a debit or credit card on file. So an airline gift card lowers your price, and your card on file covers the payments that remain.
Not sure a card will work?
Chat with the Defera Concierge, our AI concierge, and it can help you check. For everything we accept, see What payment methods can I use?