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.
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.
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.
To qualify as a cross-border gift card, a card must meet three essential criteria:
The card must support transactions in both USD and CAD, converting automatically or allowing recipients to select their preferred currency.
The brand selection needs to include merchants with a presence in both countries—like Amazon, Starbucks, or Visa-affiliated stores.
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.
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.
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:
💡 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.
Mastercard prepaid gift cards can often be used in both the US and Canada—depending on the issuer.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Employees or clients in both countries can redeem the same card instantly, choosing from localized brands and currency options.
Unlike prepaid Visa cards, there are no hidden fees, setup charges, or international conversion deductions.
Toasty’s secure digital platform allows for instant sending—whether you’re rewarding a U.S. salesperson or a Canadian customer.
HR and marketing teams can track delivery, redemption, and engagement data in real time—ideal for compliance and performance measurement.
Add your company’s logo, colors, and custom messages for a branded experience that feels thoughtful and professional.
Follow these steps to create a seamless cross-border gifting experience for your recipients:
Select a gifting platform—like Toasty Card—that supports delivery and redemption in both countries.
Upload your US and Canadian employee or customer lists directly into the platform.
Add your company’s logo and personalized message (e.g., “Thanks for going above and beyond this quarter!”).
Schedule instant or automated deliveries by email.
Monitor delivery success and redemption rates to ensure no gift goes unused.
One card = one process. No need to manage separate US and Canadian systems.
Avoid activation, mailing, and international transaction fees.
Easily scale your recognition or incentive program across borders.
Global consistency helps employees feel equally valued—no matter where they’re located.
Digital delivery ensures security and eliminates the risk of lost or stolen physical cards.
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:
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.