An easy way to use Vanilla gift cards to shop on AliExpress (Other cards might work too)

I bought a Vanilla gift card from FamilyMart and tried to use that on AliExpress, but it kept getting declined. Eventually I found a way to get it working and was able to pay without any further hassles. Just wanted to share this lifehack with everyone, because I myself couldn’t find much information on it on the internet.

Here goes the procedure:

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1. Get a prepaid credit card from the convenience store. I used Vanilla VISA gift card with a value of 3000 yen, not sure if others will work.
2. Open a PayPal account and link the card to your account.
3. Select PayPal as payment method while checking out on AliExpress, it will automatically deduct the amount from your card.
4. That’s all!

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Even though according to the Vanilla website I’m not supposed to be able to use the card more than once, but I managed to make two payments successfully and nearly emptied the card balance.

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Notes:

1. I’ve heard other people saying on the internet that they got Vanilla gift cards declined on AliExpress before, so unless you have a PayPal account – don’t get Vanilla gift card for AliExpress.
2. Surely, if you get an international card from one of the banks in Japan, that would be the best way. However, as I myself have been living here for less than 6 months, I assumed I wouldn’t be eligible for most banks (except for JP Post Bank, where I have my current account) so went the prepaid card way.

Hope this was helpful!