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

Have team members or clients spread across the US and Kenya? You're not alone.

Many companies operate globally today—but when sending rewards or thank-you gifts, complications arise quickly. Most US or Kenyan gift cards only work locally, tied to their currencies (USD vs. KES), merchants, or payment systems.

For example, a US Uber Eats gift card won't work in Kenya, and a Kenyan Uber Eats gift card won't redeem stateside.

The challenge: Finding one gift card that recipients in both the US and Kenya can use seamlessly. This guide breaks down why most merchant-specific gift cards fail across borders—and spotlights solutions like the Toasty Choice Card—that make US-Kenya rewards easier than ever.

US-Kenya Gift Card Limitations

Gift cards rank among the top ways to reward employees and customers worldwide—but few manage international redemptions effectively.

Most US or Kenyan cards remain region-locked, issued in local currencies (USD vs. KES), and limited by brand policies or payment networks.

USD-issued gift cards typically work only in the US. For example, a US Amazon gift card redeems exclusively on Amazon.com, while a US prepaid Visa often fails on Kenyan sites due to payment restrictions.

Key Challenges

• Currency Restrictions: US cards operate in USD, Kenyan ones in KES—leading to conversion issues and merchant rejections.
  
  
• Brand and Licensing Barriers: Global brands run separate programs by region.
  
  
• Digital Compliance Requirements: Cross-border cards trigger varying KYC/AML checks between US and Kenyan regulations.
  
  
• Fulfillment Issues: Physical cards face shipping delays, customs holds, or activation blocks across borders.
  
  

For multinational teams spanning the US and Kenya, these hurdles make unified gifting surprisingly complex.

A cross-border gift card should handle both USD and KES, either through auto-conversion at redemption or by letting recipients choose their local currency and region.

This ensures someone in New York and another in Nairobi both redeem for brands that actually work locally.

2.  Global Catalog

3. Digital Delivery

Best Gift Card Options for the US and Kenya

Why it's ideal for US-Kenya gifting

• Works seamlessly across 90+ countries, including both the US and Kenya.

• Recipients choose from extensive brand catalogs—local favorites plus international options.

• Automatically handles currency and brand localization for region-specific choices.

• Delivered instantly via email—no printing, shipping, or manual distribution needed.

• Completely fee-free for both senders and recipients.

💡 Example: An HR manager in New York and a sales lead in Nairobi both receive a Toasty Choice Card. Each redeems instantly with local merchants in their own currency—no separate US- or Kenya-specific rewards required.

Here are some available redemption options for Kenya (subject to change):

• Swype Global Virtual Mastercard

• Uber Eats Kenya

• Uber Rides Kenya

• Parisland Kenya

• Pierre Cardin Kenya

• Wama Africa Kenya

• Tique A Bou Clothing Kenya

• Cybill Computer Solutions Kenya

• Mahdi Opticals Kenya

• T'jays Spa Kenya

• Outdoors

• Blooming Flowers Kenya

• Janes Beads Kenya

• Rent-A-Fine Car E-Gift Voucher

For the most up-to-date catalog, view our global catalog here.

2. Swype Global Virtual MasterCard

Toasty offers the Swype Global Virtual MasterCard as a versatile alternative, accepted across the US, Kenya, and beyond.

This prepaid Mastercard enables spending at millions of online and in-store locations wherever the network operates.

Keep in mind non-USD transactions include fees—ideal as a supplement rather than primary gifting solution for high-volume programs.

For full details on fees, restrictions, and usage, see this Swype Global Virtual Mastercard guide.​

How to Send US-Kenya Gift Cards via Toasty

1. Sign up

Set values in USD; the platform automatically handles KES conversion for Kenyan recipients.

3. Customize the experience

Add your logo, brand colors, and personal message to create unique, on-brand rewards.

4. Upload your recipients

Import US- and Kenya-based recipients manually or via CSV upload.

5. Send digitally

Choose instant delivery or schedule sends for a future date.

6. Track delivery

Monitor delivery through platform reporting.

Sign-Up   Book a Demo

FAQs

Can the same gift card work in both the US and Kenya?

Toasty Choice Cards and a few international prepaid cards work seamlessly in both the US and Kenya. Most single-brand or local cards work in either market—but not across both.

Does a US Uber Eats gift card work in Kenya?

No—Uber Eats gift cards are region-locked. US cards only work stateside; Kenyan ones stay exclusive to Kenya.

Are Toasty gift cards fee-free?

Toasty remains completely fee-free for both senders and recipients.

Can I send digital gift cards to both US and Kenya recipients in one order?

Yes—send to both countries simultaneously. Toasty auto-converts currencies: fund in USD, Kenyan recipients see seamless KES equivalents.

How fast is gift card delivery?

Instant—recipients get their digital card via email within seconds.

Do recipients need an account to redeem?

No account needed. They simply click the email link to browse brands and redeem immediately.

What's the minimum order size?