Quick answer: You can buy an REI gift card straight from REI.com and in REI stores, on Amazon, from reputable online gift-card sites, and as a PerfectGift for REI that sends by text or email in seconds and lets the recipient keep it as REI, switch brands, or move the balance to a Visa. The big-box stores — Walmart and Target — don't carry it, since REI is a specialty outdoor co-op.

An REI gift card covers more than gear

Worth knowing before you buy: an REI gift card isn't only good for jackets and tents. The recipient can spend it on gear and apparel, but also on in-store services like the bike and ski shop, gear rentals, and classes. It works in any REI store and at REI.com, it never expires, and there are no fees.

Buying it as a gift vs. for yourself

Buying it as a gift? You want it on time, presentable, and flexible if the recipient turns out to be more of a road-trip-than-trailhead type. A digital card you can send to a phone or inbox beats a plastic card in a drawer.
Buying it for yourself? You want the fastest path to a balance for your next trip or gear haul. REI.com, the REI app, or any store does it.

Where to buy an REI gift card at a glance

Where	Formats	Amounts	Best for
PerfectGift	Digital + physical	$5–$500	Gifting with flexibility to swap or cash out
REI.com / stores	Digital + physical	$5–$1,000	Buying direct + the widest amount range
Amazon	Digital	$25–$200	Prime users who want fast digital
Online gift-card sites (giftcards.com, eGifter)	Digital + physical	from $15–$500	Online alternative to REI.com
GCX (Raise)	eGift	Varies	A small discount if you're not in a rush

The 5 best places to buy an REI gift card

1. PerfectGift — best for gifting an REI card

A PerfectGift for REI starts as an REI card, but the recipient isn't stuck with REI. If REI is their store, that's what they get. If you weren't sure, they can switch it to another brand, move the balance to a Visa gift card to spend anywhere, send it on with Zelle, or regift it. It sends by text or email in seconds, so it works when you're short on time, and it never expires.

Pros: recipient can keep it as REI, swap brands, or move to Visa; digital delivery in seconds; $5–$500; never expires. Cons: the swap-to-another-brand step is the recipient's choice, not yours. Our take: reach for this when REI is probably right but you'd like the recipient to have options if it isn't. Image courtesy of PerfectGift.com.

2. REI.com and REI stores — best for buying direct

You're buying straight from the co-op. Buy a digital or physical card at REI.com or at any REI register, in any whole-dollar amount from $5 up to $1,000, the widest range of any source here. No fees, no expiration, and it works on gear, rentals, shop services, and classes.

Pros: first-party, widest amount range ($5–$1,000), digital or physical. Cons: no flexibility if the recipient turns out not to want REI. Our take: the move for your own card, or a gift when you're certain they shop REI.

3. Amazon — best for Prime users

Amazon carries the REI Co-Op eGift Card in digital form, $25 to $200, with fast email delivery. Handy if you're already in a cart there.

Pros: fast digital delivery, trusted checkout. Cons: digital only and caps at $200; no swap or cash-out option. Our take: use it if you need digital fast. If it's a gift, PerfectGift looks more like one.

4. Online gift-card sites — best alternative to REI.com

Established gift-card sites like giftcards.com and eGifter sell REI cards online, with amounts from about $15 up to $500. A solid option when you're not buying on REI.com directly. Stick to well-known sellers.

Pros: online, digital delivery, flexible amounts. Cons: a plain-brand card with no swap option. Our take: if REI.com isn't convenient, these are a fine backup.

5. GCX (Raise) — best for a small discount

GCX resells gift cards at a discount, so you can sometimes pick up an REI card below face value. Discounts move with inventory and are usually modest, but the 90-day guarantee protects you if a card doesn't work.

Pros: legitimate discounts with a 90-day guarantee; instant delivery on most listings. Cons: discount and availability change with inventory; not suitable for gifting. Our take: only worth it for a self-purchase; skip it if you're gifting.

Do Walmart or Target sell REI gift cards?

No. As a specialty outdoor co-op, REI keeps tight distribution, so the big-box stores don't stock its gift card; a search at Walmart or Target turns up nothing. Amazon is the exception among the big retailers. The reliable places to buy are the ones above: REI directly, PerfectGift, Amazon, a reputable gift-card site, or GCX.

Match the source to your timeline

Need it in minutes: a digital PerfectGift, REI's own eGift card, or an Amazon eGift card.
Need it today, in hand: any REI store.
Have a few days: any physical card by mail, including a plastic PerfectGift.

Watch out for resale-marketplace "deals"

Resale sites and auction listings advertise discounted REI cards. That's also where a lot of gift-card fraud happens. A card sold below face value by an unofficial seller can arrive already drained. Buy from REI directly, PerfectGift, Amazon, or a reputable gift-card site — not a stranger on a marketplace.

How to redeem an REI gift card

In store at any REI location, toward gear, apparel, rentals, shop services, and classes.
Online at REI.com — enter the card number and PIN at checkout.
By phone with REI customer service.
With a PerfectGift, the recipient can also swap the brand, move the balance to a Visa, send it via Zelle, or regift it. They choose how to redeem it.

The bottom line

For a gift, a PerfectGift for REI is the safer pick if you're not sure REI is right for them, and it still arrives in seconds. For a self-purchase, buy direct from REI.com for the full $5–$1,000 range. For tonight, an REI store works. Don't count on Walmart or Target for this one.

More where-to-buy guides: GameStop, Nordstrom, and Chewy.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I buy an REI gift card? At REI.com and in REI stores, on Amazon, from reputable online gift-card sites, and as a PerfectGift that sends by text or email. Walmart and Target don't carry it.

Can I buy an REI gift card online? Yes. REI.com sells digital and physical cards, Amazon carries the REI Co-Op eGift Card, and a digital PerfectGift for REI is delivered by email or text in seconds.

What can you buy with an REI gift card? Gear and apparel, plus gear rentals, bike and ski shop services, and classes, in any REI store or at REI.com.

Do REI gift cards expire? No. REI gift cards don't expire and carry no fees. A gift sent through PerfectGift never expires either.

What's the highest denomination? $1,000 direct from REI.com. Amazon tops out at $200, and PerfectGift goes up to $500.

What's the difference between an REI gift card and a PerfectGift for REI? A standard REI card only spends at REI. A PerfectGift starts as REI but lets the recipient switch brands, move the balance to a Visa, or regift it.