Gift Card That Works Both in the US and Canada: The Complete Guide

Have team members spread across the US and Canada? We do too.

But many traditional gift cards for the US or gift cards for Canada only work in their respective countries due to currency and regional brand restrictions.

The challenge?
Finding a gift card that works both in the US and Canada.

A single, versatile option that can be sent, redeemed, and enjoyed on either side of the border.

In this guide, we’ll explore how international and multi-region gift cards work, which options are compatible in both countries, and why Toasty Card is the easiest, most reliable solution for cross-border gifting.

Why Finding a Cross-Border Gift Card Is So Difficult

Gift cards are one of the most popular rewards and recognition tools globally, but they’re not all built for international use. Most gift cards for the US and gift cards for Canada are sold in local currencies and limited by brand licensing agreements.

That means a Starbucks gift card bought in New York might not work in Vancouver—and vice versa.

Key Challenges

1. Currency Restrictions: US cards are typically issued in USD; Canadian cards use CAD.
   
   
2. Regional Availability: Not all brands operate under the same structure in both countries.
   
   
3. Cross-Border Processing: Payment systems sometimes reject foreign-issued cards.
   
   
4. Shipping and Fulfillment: Physical cards often can’t be mailed or activated internationally.
   
   

For businesses with North American operations, these barriers make it difficult to run consistent recognition or rewards programs that cover both US and Canadian employees.

What Makes a Gift Card Work in Both the US and Canada

To qualify as a cross-border gift card, a card must meet three essential criteria:

1. Multi-Currency Compatibility

The card must support transactions in both USD and CAD, converting automatically or allowing recipients to select their preferred currency.

2. Global or Multi-National Brand Access

The brand selection needs to include merchants with a presence in both countries—like Amazon, Starbucks, or Visa-affiliated stores.

3. Digital Delivery and Redemption

Digital cards eliminate shipping restrictions and enable instant global delivery, ensuring the same experience for recipients in both countries.

Cards that check all three boxes—like the Toasty Choice Card—offer true cross-border usability and simplicity for modern teams.

Top 5 Gift Card Options That Work in Both the US and Canada

Here are the best types of gift cards for cross-border use in 2025, whether you’re rewarding employees, thanking clients, or sending gifts to remote teams.

1. Toasty Choice Card (Best Overall for Businesses)

The Toasty Choice Card is the leading digital gift card that works both in the US and Canada, designed for companies with distributed teams or global customer bases.

Why It’s Perfect:

• Works seamlessly across 90+ countries, including the US and Canada.
  
  
• Recipients can choose from hundreds of brands, both local and international.
  
  
• Automatically handles currency and brand localization.
  
  
• Delivered instantly via email—no mailing required.
  
  
• Completely fee-free, with no activation or redemption costs.
  
  

💡 Example: An HR manager in Chicago sends a $50 Toasty Choice Card to an employee in Toronto. Both receive it instantly, and each can redeem their balance with local merchants in their currency.

2. Swype Global  MasterCard

Mastercard prepaid gift cards can often be used in both the US and Canada—depending on the issuer.

Pros

• Broad acceptance (online and in-store) across most retailers

• Useful for general spending where brand choice is needed

Cons

• Foreign transaction fees may apply outside the card’s home country

• Issuer terms and regional restrictions vary; check the specific card’s fine print

3. Lululemon

Lululemon gift cards are commonly usable in both the US and Canada, with balances adjusted for exchange rates at redemption.

Best for

• Personal gifts and fitness/wellness perks

Watch-outs

• Brand-specific

• Not ideal for large, mixed-preference programs

Here's everything you need to know about Lululemon gift cards.

4. Subway

Subway cards can be redeemable in the US and Canada, and are easy to send digitally.

Pros

• Accepted across borders at participating locations

• Great for small appreciation gifts and field teams

Watch-outs

• Brand-specific

• Participation can vary by franchise/region

For detailed information on Subway gift cards, read our article here.

5. Tim Hortons

Tims Gift Cards are usable at participating restaurants in both Canada and the US.

Pros

• Cross-border acceptance where Tim Hortons operates

• Familiar, everyday utility for recipients

Watch-outs

• Brand-specific and location-dependent

• Not a fit when recipients want broader choice
  
  

Check out our informative article for a closer look at the Tims gift card.

Why the Toasty Choice Card Is the Best Cross-Border Solution

The Toasty Choice Card eliminates every pain point companies face with regional cards. It’s specifically designed for international teams, supporting easy delivery, customization, and redemption in the US, Canada, and beyond.

Here’s Why Businesses Prefer Toasty for North American Gifting:

1. True Multi-Country Functionality

Employees or clients in both countries can redeem the same card instantly, choosing from localized brands and currency options.

2. Fee-Free Simplicity

Unlike prepaid Visa cards, there are no hidden fees, setup charges, or international conversion deductions.

3. Instant Digital Delivery

Toasty’s secure digital platform allows for instant sending—whether you’re rewarding a U.S. salesperson or a Canadian customer.

4. Real-Time Tracking and Reporting

HR and marketing teams can track delivery, redemption, and engagement data in real time—ideal for compliance and performance measurement.

5. Personalized Branding

Add your company’s logo, colors, and custom messages for a branded experience that feels thoughtful and professional.

How to Send Gift Cards That Work in Both the US and Canada

Follow these steps to create a seamless cross-border gifting experience for your recipients:

Step 1: Choose a Multi-Region Provider

Select a gifting platform—like Toasty Card—that supports delivery and redemption in both countries.

Step 2: Upload Recipients

Upload your US and Canadian employee or customer lists directly into the platform.

Step 3: Customize the Message

Add your company’s logo and personalized message (e.g., “Thanks for going above and beyond this quarter!”).

Step 4: Send Digitally

Schedule instant or automated deliveries by email.

Step 5: Track Redemption

Monitor delivery success and redemption rates to ensure no gift goes unused.

Benefits of Using a Gift Card That Works in Both the US and Canada

1. Unified Rewards Program

One card = one process. No need to manage separate US and Canadian systems.

2. Cost Efficiency

Avoid activation, mailing, and international transaction fees.

3. Scalability

Easily scale your recognition or incentive program across borders.

4. Better Employee Experience

Global consistency helps employees feel equally valued—no matter where they’re located.

5. Compliance and Security

Digital delivery ensures security and eliminates the risk of lost or stolen physical cards.

Real-World Example: Cross-Border Gifting in Action

A North American tech company with offices in both Seattle and Toronto wanted a single reward program for birthdays, anniversaries, and spot bonuses.

They switched from separate Visa and Amazon gift cards to the Toasty Choice Card, allowing both US and Canadian employees to redeem locally with no fees or delays.

The result:

• 100% delivery success rate
  
  
• Zero lost or expired cards
  
  
• 35% increase in employee satisfaction with recognition programs
  
  
  

Conclusion: One Card, Two Countries—Simplified Gifting with Toasty

Finding a gift card that works both in the US and Canada used to mean compromising on flexibility, speed, or cost. But with digital, multi-brand solutions like the Toasty Choice Card, global gifting has never been easier.

Toasty removes the guesswork—offering instant delivery, local brand selection, and fee-free redemption for employees, clients, and partners in both countries.

Make your next recognition program borderless.

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FAQs About Gift Cards That Work in the US and Canada