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Digital gifts for long-distance friends close the gap when you can’t hand over a present in person. The best ones give you something to share, like the same show, the same book or the same game. Others treat them to coffee or dinner right where they live.
This guide covers watching, reading and playing together, local treats, travel credit for the next visit and a few personal touches. Each card lists details to check, such as renewal terms and account or region limits. We checked these terms in September 2026, and they can change, so confirm them at checkout.
Quick Picks
| Gift | Best for |
|---|---|
| Netflix Gift Card | A shared series night |
| A Kindle eBook | A two-person book club |
| NYT Games | A daily Wordle rivalry |
| Xbox Game Pass or Gift Card | Online game nights |
| Discord Nitro | Friends who hang out on Discord |
| Starbucks eGift | A virtual coffee date |
| DoorDash eGift Card | Dinner on a tough week |
| Southwest Airlines Gift Card | Planning the next visit |
| Amtrak Gift Card | Friends a train ride away |
Looking for more options? See our guide to Amazon and brand gift cards, or check the gift-giving calendar so you never miss an occasion.
Netflix Gift Card
Why it’s a good gift: Top up their Netflix membership, then pick a series you’ll both watch on the same nights and text each other through the big moments.
Best for: Friends who trade show recommendations
What to check before buying: The balance can’t go toward a Netflix account billed through Apple or a bundle, so ask how they pay.
Disney+ Gift Card
Why it’s a good gift: Disney+ credit brings Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and National Geographic to their screen, making it easy to plan a movie marathon you both follow from home.
Best for: Friends who share a love of Marvel or Pixar
What to check before buying: It only works if Disney bills them directly, not through Apple, Hulu or a carrier, and only for US accounts.
Hulu Gift Card
Why it’s a good gift: Hulu gift credit covers part of their subscription, so you can keep up with the same shows and swap reactions after every new episode.
Best for: TV buddies who catch up weekly
What to check before buying: Retailers sell the card, while hulu.com is just the place to redeem it. Confirm their plan qualifies.
Paramount+ Gift Card
Why it’s a good gift: Paramount+ credit toward their subscription gives you one more service to share, and another reason to set up a weekly watch night over video chat.
Best for: Friends with a standing video-call night
What to check before buying: It covers only subscriptions bought on Paramount+’s own site, in the US. After the gift balance is gone, Paramount+ may bill your friend’s saved card.
Read and Listen Together
A Kindle eBook (sent as a gift)
Why it’s a good gift: Send them the same Kindle book you’re reading and start a two-person book club. They can read along on a Kindle or the Kindle app, wherever they are.
Best for: Friends who love talking about books
What to check before buying: It’s for US readers. Free and pre-order titles can’t be gifted, and your friend could swap it for a gift card.
Audible Gift Membership
Why it’s a good gift: An Audible gift membership gives them monthly credits for a set term, so you can choose the same audiobook each month and compare notes on your next call.
Best for: Friends who listen on long commutes
What to check before buying: An Amazon account is needed on their end. Credits run out 12 months after issue, and a current member gets credits in place of more time.
Libro.fm Audiobook Gift
Why it’s a good gift: Gift the audiobook you just finished through Libro.fm, which shares its sales with independent bookstores, then talk it over once they’re done.
Best for: Bookish friends who shop indie
What to check before buying: What you’re buying is a credit bundle or a single title, not a membership that keeps running.
Spotify Premium Gift Card
Why it’s a good gift: Spotify Premium gift credit gives them ad-free music and podcasts with offline listening, so you can trade playlists and podcast episodes across time zones.
Best for: Friends who trade playlists and podcasts
What to check before buying: Only Premium Individual accepts this credit. Family, Duo and Student plans are left out.
NYT Games Gift Subscription
Why it’s a good gift: With NYT Games you can both tackle Wordle, Spelling Bee and the crossword each day, then compare results by text. It turns a puzzle into a small daily check-in.
Best for: Friends with a friendly Wordle rivalry
What to check before buying: When the gift period ends, it stops on its own rather than auto-renewing.
Game Together Online
Xbox Game Pass or Xbox Gift Card
Why it’s a good gift: Game Pass or Xbox store balance lets them play on Xbox, PC or cloud, so your regular game night doesn’t depend on living in the same town.
Best for: Friends who play on Xbox or PC
What to check before buying: Your friend needs a Microsoft account. Ask which option they’d use more before you pick.
Steam Digital Gift Card
Why it’s a good gift: Send Steam Wallet funds through Steam so they can buy the PC game you’ve been wanting to play with them.
Best for: PC gaming buddies in other cities
What to check before buying: Gifting it requires a Steam account of your own and their correct Steam username.
Nintendo eShop Card
Why it’s a good gift: Nintendo eShop funds can go toward games, add-ons or a Nintendo Switch Online membership, so you can both pick up the same new game.
Best for: Friends who both own a Switch
What to check before buying: It needs a US Nintendo Account, so check where their account is registered.
Discord Nitro Gift
Why it’s a good gift: Discord Nitro perks like custom emoji, bigger uploads and profile customization are a fun upgrade for a friend you already hang out with on Discord.
Best for: Friends who hang out on Discord servers
What to check before buying: Share the gift link in a private message. If it’s posted publicly, anyone who opens it can claim it.
Minecraft (digital game code)
Why it’s a good gift: A Minecraft: Java & Bedrock Edition code for PC gives a friend their own copy of the game you keep talking about. Minecoins packs are sold as codes too.
Best for: Friends who like to build and explore
What to check before buying: Ask which platform they play on first, because this game code is for PC.
Treat Them Where They Live
Starbucks eGift
Why it’s a good gift: A Starbucks eGift sent by email or text lets you buy them a coffee from across the country. Set up a video call and sip together.
Best for: Coffee-date friends in another city
What to check before buying: It works at participating US stores, so it won’t help a friend living abroad.
DoorDash eGift Card
Why it’s a good gift: DoorDash credit covers restaurant and store delivery, so you can send dinner during a tough week or for a celebration you can’t attend.
Best for: Friends having a rough or busy week
What to check before buying: See whether DoorDash delivers where they live before you send it.
Grubhub eGift Card
Why it’s a good gift: Grubhub credit lets them order food delivery on you, a welcome surprise after a move, a long shift or a big exam.
Best for: Friends who just moved or started a new job
What to check before buying: They must have a card saved on their Grubhub account to use it. The credit doesn’t expire.
Instacart Gift Card
Why it’s a good gift: Instacart credit toward grocery and retail delivery is a practical kindness for a friend settling into a new place or getting through a busy stretch.
Best for: Friends settling into a new home
What to check before buying: This digital card doesn’t expire, and Instacart+ membership is sold separately.
Uber Gift Card
Why it’s a good gift: An Uber gift card gives one balance for rides and Uber Eats, so they can get a ride home or order in, whichever the night calls for.
Best for: City friends who rarely drive
What to check before buying: Before buying, make sure Uber operates in the city where they live.
Lyft Gift Card
Why it’s a good gift: Lyft credit covers rides, bikes and scooters, a handy way to help a friend get around a new city while they learn their way.
Best for: Friends without a car
What to check before buying: Lyft credit works in the US only, so skip it for friends overseas.
Help Plan the Next Visit
Southwest Airlines Gift Card
Why it’s a good gift: Southwest credit toward flights on southwest.com sends a clear message: it’s time for a visit. It’s an open invitation they can book whenever works.
Best for: Friends who keep saying they’ll visit
What to check before buying: It never expires. Make sure Southwest flies from their home airport.
Amtrak Gift Card
Why it’s a good gift: Amtrak credit works for train travel booked online, in the app, by phone or at staffed stations, a relaxed way for them to come see you.
Best for: Friends within a train ride
What to check before buying: There’s no expiry and no fees, so they can plan the trip whenever it suits them.
Airbnb Gift Card
Why it’s a good gift: Airbnb credit for stays and experiences can help cover a place to meet halfway or a weekend trip you take together.
Best for: Friends planning a reunion trip
What to check before buying: According to Airbnb, its gift cards don’t expire. Review the terms at checkout anyway.
Hotels.com Gift Card
Why it’s a good gift: Hotels.com credit covers prepaid hotel bookings, useful when they come to your city and would rather have their own room.
Best for: Visiting friends who like their own space
What to check before buying: It applies to Pay Now bookings on Hotels.com US, with a limit of one card per booking.
A Personal Touch From Afar
Cameo Gift Card
Why it’s a good gift: Book a personalized video from a celebrity, athlete or creator you both love with Cameo credit. It turns a shared fandom into a surprise they’ll remember.
Best for: Friends with a shared favorite star
What to check before buying: Prices vary a lot by person, so find who you want before choosing an amount.
Etsy Gift Card
Why it’s a good gift: An Etsy gift card lets them choose something handmade or vintage from Etsy shops, so the gift still feels personal even from far away.
Best for: Friends who love handmade and vintage
What to check before buying: A US billing address is required, it only works at shops accepting Etsy Payments, and it never expires.
How to Make a Long-Distance Gift Feel Close
- Share the experience. Pick a book, show or game you’ll both enjoy, then set a time to talk about it.
- Check their location. Delivery and ride services vary by area, and many cards here are US only.
- Match the platform. For games, make sure you’d both be playing on a platform that suits your plans.
- Schedule a call. Send a coffee eGift and set up a video chat to enjoy it together.
- Send links privately. Gift links like Discord Nitro can be claimed by anyone who opens them, so use a direct message.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s a good digital gift for a long-distance best friend?
Something you can share works well, like the same Kindle book, a Netflix gift card for a series you both watch or NYT Games for daily puzzles. A Starbucks eGift for a video coffee date works too.
Can I send a gift card to a friend in another country?
Many cards here are US only, including Lyft, Hotels.com and Paramount+. Check the region note on each card before you buy.
How do I send someone food from far away?
DoorDash, Grubhub, Uber and Instacart gift cards give credit toward delivery orders. Check that the service operates in their area first.
Is a Discord Nitro gift safe to send?
Yes, as long as you send the gift link privately. Anyone who opens a publicly posted link can claim it.
Can a travel gift card help plan a visit?
Yes. Southwest and Amtrak gift cards never expire, and Airbnb says its gift cards don’t expire either, so they can book when it works.
Getting the Timing Right
- Digital gifts are sent electronically, usually by email or text. Check the delivery options on each gift page.
- Many let you schedule the send date, which is handy for birthdays and holidays.
- Double-check the email address and the recipient’s country before you pay.
Before You Buy
- Confirm their city and country
- Check which apps and platforms they use
- Read billing and renewal notes
- Send gift links privately
- Plan a time to enjoy it together