Beware of Air BNB Gift Card "Deals"

Recently, a "deal" was posted on another blog for Air BNB and other gift cards that one could purchase at a discount.  For example, a $110 Air BNB gift card for $100.  This is substantial if you plan on spending a week or more at a property.  Can you add each gift card to your Air BNB account?  Yes you can!  But what you may not know is:

• You cannot use one on a rental that you've already partially paid for
• You cannot use more than ONE gift card per rental!

You may have assumed otherwise, but you would be wrong, having invested in perhaps hundreds or thousands of dollars worth of gift cards.

Always call the company associated with the gift card to find out the fine print because even the fine print on the website DOES NOT TELL YOU THIS!!

See for yourself:

Airbnb Terms and Conditions

Funds do not expire. No fees apply to purchase/activation of Card. Redeemable for merchandise and services on www.airbnb.com only. Cards can’t be redeemed for cash except as required by law. Not valid as payment on credit account or for gratuities. Treat this Card as cash; lost, stolen, or damaged Cards may be replaced at the Issuer’s election, if at all, only with Card purchase receipt and Card number, and then only for the Card’s remaining value. Issued by Airbnb Payments, Inc. For Card and balance info, call 1-855-424-7262 or visit www.airbnb.com. If your purchase exceeds the unused balance of the Card, you must pay the excess at the time of purchase using another payment method.

Also, be aware that US gift cards CANNOT be shipped out of the country.  You are okay with e-gift cards though, but the fine print still applies.