Another way to use up 3V Virtual Visa cards

Since a block was placed on 3V Virtual Visa cards being used to pay off tax bills or to pay into bank accounts, their uses have shrunk.  Some people are also sitting on a pile of unused cards.

Reader Jon dropped me a line with an interesting tip.  I have not tested this myself, but it appears to work OK.

As I posted in December (in relation to an offer which is now over), TopCashback has started selling gift cards for various retailers.

These include:

• Starbucks
• Debenhams
• Chef & Brewer
• Currys PC World
• Fayre & Square
• Ernest Jones
• Flaming Grill
• H Samuel
• John Barras
• Leslie Davis
• Marks & Spencer
• Taylor Walker
• Toys R Us
• Wacky Warehouse

The official list is here.

Here is the little trick.  These are all RELOADABLE gift cards.  (Note that only the TopCashback versions are reloadable, you cannot reload a standard M&S gift card for example.)  This page confirms that TCB gift cards can be topped up online.  3V cards DO work for topping up giftcards, according to Jon.

Let’s imagine you have £200 of 3V cards which you are struggling to use.  You can buy a £20 Marks & Spencer gift card via TopGiftCards.  You can then top it up with your 3V cards.  You can them use instore at M&S without any problems, even though these are theoretically only for online transactions.

In theory, if you spend a lot of money at one of these stores on a regular basis – M&S is probably the most likely – then this may even prove to be a long-term way of using 3V cards.  At least for as long as Tesco is giving 150 Clubcard points for every £50 you buy ….

You need to be a TopCashback member to use TopGiftCards – if you are not already a member, my ‘refer a friend’ link is here.  You will receive 500 Clubcard points when you earn £10 cashback, as long as you join before February 10th.

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Want to earn more points from credit cards? – May 2025 update

If you are looking to apply for a new credit card, here are our top recommendations based on the current sign-up bonuses.

In 2022, Barclaycard launched two exciting new Barclaycard Avios Mastercard cards with a bonus of up to 25,000 Avios. You can apply here.

You qualify for the bonus on these cards even if you have a British Airways American Express card:

Barclaycard Avios Plus Mastercard

Get 25,000 Avios for signing up and an upgrade voucher at £10,000 Read our full review

Barclaycard Avios Mastercard

Get 5,000 Avios for signing up and an upgrade voucher at £20,000 Read our full review

You can see our full directory of all UK cards which earn airline or hotel points here. Here are the best of the other deals currently available.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card

Your best beginner’s card – 30,000 points, FREE for a year & four airport lounge passes Read our full review

British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card

30,000 Avios and the famous annual Companion Voucher voucher Read our full review

The Platinum Card from American Express

80,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review

Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Mastercard

18,000 bonus points and 1.5 points for every £1 you spend Read our full review

Earning miles and points from small business cards

If you are a sole trader or run a small company, you may also want to check out these offers:

The American Express Business Platinum Card

50,000 points when you sign-up and an annual £200 Amex Travel credit Read our full review

The American Express Business Gold Card

20,000 points sign-up bonus and FREE for a year Read our full review

Capital on Tap Pro Visa

10,500 points (=10,500 Avios) plus good benefits Read our full review

Capital on Tap Visa

NO annual fee, NO FX fees and points worth 1 Avios per £1 Read our full review

British Airways American Express Accelerating Business Card

30,000 Avios sign-up bonus – plus annual bonuses of up to 30,000 Avios Read our full review