Gift cards are increasingly popular in Saudi Arabia, offering convenience, flexibility, and choice for shopping, gaming, entertainment, and digital services. They are commonly used for birthdays, holidays, and personal gifting.
Top gift cards in Saudi Arabia include Carrefour, Extra, Jarir Bookstore, Google Play, Apple/iTunes, Steam, PlayStation, and Netflix.
Many Saudis also sell or exchange unused gift cards on platforms like Ricki, ensuring that their value is never wasted.
Before we dive into the details, here are the top 7 most popular gift card types in Saudi Arabia.
Most Popular Gift Card Types in Saudi Arabia
- Carrefour Gift Cards
- Extra Gift Cards
- Jarir Bookstore Gift Cards
- Google Play Gift Cards
- Apple App Store & iTunes Gift Cards
- Steam Gift Cards
- PlayStation Gift Cards
- Netflix Gift Cards
Let’s take a closer look at each gift card type and why they are popular in Saudi Arabia.
1. Carrefour Gift Cards
Carrefour is one of Saudi Arabia’s leading retail chains, offering groceries, household items, electronics, and fashion products.
Why they are popular:
- Practical for everyday shopping.
- Can be redeemed in-store or online.
- Suitable for birthdays, holidays, and general gifting.
- Unused Carrefour gift cards can be sold or exchanged for other gift cards or cash.
2. Extra Gift Cards
Extra is a major electronics and home appliance retailer in Saudi Arabia, known for phones, computers, and appliances.
Why they are popular:
- Perfect for tech and electronics enthusiasts.
- Can be used online or in-store.
- Flexible for gifting birthdays or holidays.
- Unused cards can be exchanged or sold easily.
3. Jarir Bookstore Gift Cards
Jarir Bookstore is a popular retailer in Saudi Arabia specializing in books, stationery, electronics, and educational products.
Why they are popular:
- Ideal for students, professionals, or book lovers.
- Can be redeemed online or in-store.
- Practical and versatile gift for any occasion.
- Unused Jarir gift cards can also be exchanged or converted to cash.
4. Google Play Gift Cards
Google Play gift cards are widely used among Android users in Saudi Arabia. They allow purchases of apps, games, movies, books, subscriptions, and in-app content.
Why they are popular:
- Convenient for students, gamers, and prepaid users.
- Can be redeemed instantly online.
- Easy and quick to gift digitally.
- If not needed, Google Play gift cards can be sold or exchanged for cash or other gift cards.
5. Apple App Store & iTunes Gift Cards
Apple gift cards are in demand in Saudi Arabia due to the growing number of iPhone, iPad, and Mac users.
Why they are popular:
- Can purchase apps, music, movies, subscriptions, and iCloud storage.
- Popular for birthdays, holidays, or tech-savvy recipients.
- Can be used across multiple Apple services.
- Unused Apple gift cards can also be converted to cash or exchanged for other cards.
6. Steam Gift Cards
Steam gift cards are popular among PC gamers in Saudi Arabia. They allow users to buy games, downloadable content, and in-game items.
Why they are popular:
- Gaming is a major hobby among teens and young adults.
- Cards don’t require a credit card to redeem.
- Flexible and easy to gift digitally.
- Unused Steam cards can also be sold or exchanged for cash or other gift cards.
7. PlayStation Gift Cards
PlayStation gift cards are widely used among console gamers in Saudi Arabia. They allow purchases of games, add-ons, subscriptions like PlayStation Plus, and in-game currency.
Why they are popular:
- Recipients can choose exactly what they want.
- Convenient and safe for gifting.
- Redeemable online or in-store.
- Unwanted PlayStation gift cards can also be sold or exchanged for cash or other gift cards.
8. Netflix Gift Cards
Netflix gift cards are commonly used in Saudi Arabia for prepaid streaming subscriptions.
Why they are popular:
- Convenient for users who don’t want to link a bank card.
- Easy and thoughtful gifts.
- Simple to redeem online.
- If a recipient already has a subscription, Netflix cards can be sold or exchanged.
FAQs About Gift Cards in Saudi Arabia
Are gift cards popular in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. Gift cards are widely used for shopping, entertainment, gaming, and gifting.
Can international gift cards be used in Saudi Arabia?
Many international gift cards, such as Google Play, Apple, Steam, PlayStation, and Netflix, are accepted.
Which gift cards are most popular in Saudi Arabia?
Carrefour, Extra, and Jarir are top local choices, followed by Google Play, Apple, and gaming/streaming cards.
Can unused gift cards be sold?
Yes. Platforms like Ricki allow Saudis to sell or exchange unused gift cards easily.
Conclusion
Gift cards are an essential part of modern shopping and gifting in Saudi Arabia. From Carrefour, Extra, and Jarir to gaming, streaming, and digital cards, Saudis value their convenience, flexibility, and security.
Even when a card isn’t used, resale platforms like Ricki ensure it retains value, making gift cards a practical, thoughtful, and modern gifting option in Saudi Arabia.
