Hey there! I’m Martin, and if you’re anything like me, your phone is basically an extension of your arm. Specifically, Snapchat. I’ve been on the app since the days when the ghost logo actually looked like a cartoon, but lately, everything has changed with Snapchat Plus.
Last month, my best friend Sarah was feeling a bit “off” because we lost our 500-day streak (RIP). I wanted to do something cool to show her she’s still my #1, even without the fire emoji. I thought, “Hey, I’ll just buy her a Snapchat Plus Gift Card so she can see our Planet ranking!” Turns out, it wasn’t as simple as just hitting a “buy” button. I had to navigate through digital stores, figure out the redemption dance, and explain to her how to actually see our “Solar System.” If you’ve been scratching your head wondering how to buy snapchat plus for friend or how to redeem code perks, I’ve got you. Grab a coffee, and let’s get into it.
My Personal Experience with the Snapchat Plus Gift Card
Honestly, my first attempt at this was a total “fail” moment. I went to the local convenience store thinking I’d find a physical card between the Starbucks and Xbox cards. Spoiler alert: they don’t really exist in the “real world” like that yet.
I ended up buying a digital code from a third-party retailer. I sent the code to Sarah, but then we both sat there staring at our phones because we couldn’t find the “Redeem” button in the app settings. We eventually figured out that for certain types of gift cards, you have to go through the web portal, not just the app.
The best part? Once she finally activated it, she realized I was her “Mercury” (the closest planet to the Sun). It totally made her day and fixed the “streak-loss” heartbreak. What I learned is that while the process has a few quirks, gifting solar system rankings is one of the most personal things you can do on the app right now.
What is a Snapchat Plus Gift Card?
Before we dive into the “how-to,” let’s clear up what you’re actually getting. A Snapchat Plus Gift Card is essentially a digital pass that unlocks the premium tier of Snapchat. It’s not just a fancy badge; it’s a toolkit for power users.
When you use a Snapchat Plus Gift Card, you get:
- Friend Solar Systems: See where you stand in your friends’ top lists.
- Exclusive Icons: Make your home screen look slick.
- Priority Story Replies: Get noticed by your favorite creators.
- Post View Emoji: Let friends know you’ve seen their Story with a custom emoji.
Why Give One?
You aren’t just giving a subscription; you’re giving someone the ability to see their “social standing” through the gifting solar system feature. It’s the ultimate “we’re besties” move for 2026.
How to Buy Snapchat Plus for a Friend
So, you want to be the hero of the friend group? You have two main ways to buy snapchat plus for friend users, depending on how much “surprise” you want to keep.
Option 1: The Direct In-App Method
This is the easiest way if you are already friends on the app.
- Open Snapchat and tap your Profile Icon.
- Tap on your Snapchat+ Membership Card.
- Look for the button that says “Gift Snapchat+”.
- Pick your friend from the list (they must not already have a subscription).
- Choose the duration (3, 6, or 12 months) and pay via your App Store or Play Store.
Option 2: The Digital Gift Card (Third-Party)
If you want to send a physical-ish gift or a code via email, you’ll need to hit up retailers like Amazon, Walmart, or Best Buy. These are typically “Annual Subscription” cards.
- Pros: Great for birthdays; can be printed out.
- Cons: Requires the recipient to manually redeem code on the web.
Step-by-Step: How to Redeem Code for Snapchat Plus
If you’ve received a code, don’t go hunting through the app’s “Settings” menu for an hour like I did. Here is the official 2026 roadmap to get those planets spinning.
Redemption via Web (The Standard Way)
- Head over to snapchat.com/plus.
- Log in with your Snap credentials.
- Look for the “Redeem Gift Card” section.
- Enter your unique 16-digit Snapchat Plus Gift Card code.
- Click Redeem, and boom—you’re a pro.
Using App Store/Google Play Credit
If someone gave you a generic Apple or Google gift card, you can still use it!
- Redeem the card to your Apple/Google account first.
- Go into Snapchat > Profile > Snapchat+.
- Choose a plan. When the payment pop-up appears, it will use your “Account Balance” first.
Read More: Snapchat Planets Not Showing? 6 Easy Fixes (2026)
Gifting Solar System: The “Planet” Rankings Explained
The main reason people want a Snapchat Plus Gift Card is the Solar System. It’s a bit competitive, a bit vanity-driven, and a whole lot of fun.
Once you redeem code and activate your sub, you become the “Sun” of your own system. Your top 8 friends are assigned planets based on how much you interact with them.
The Planet Hierarchy Table
| Planet | Rank | Meaning |
| Mercury | #1 | Your absolute Bestie. Most Snaps/Chats shared. |
| Venus | #2 | Very close. You’re talking almost daily. |
| Earth | #3 | Consistent interaction. You’re in the inner circle. |
| Mars | #4 | You’re definitely “Best Friend” status. |
| Jupiter | #5 | Frequent flyers in your inbox. |
| Saturn | #6 | Part of the core group, but maybe fewer streaks. |
| Uranus | #7 | You talk, but not as much as the others. |
| Neptune | #8 | The edge of the inner circle. |
Martin’s Note: Don’t get offended if you’re a “Neptune” on someone’s list! It just means they have a very busy inbox. It’s all in good fun.
Common Troubleshooting: Why Can’t I Redeem My Code?
Nothing is more frustrating than having a Snapchat Plus Gift Card and seeing an “Invalid Code” error. Have you ever felt that urge to just toss your phone? Same. Before you do, check these three things:
- Region Lock: Gift cards are often locked to the country they were bought in. If your friend is in the UK and you’re in the USA, a US card might not work.
- Active Subscription: You usually can’t redeem a gift code if you already have an active recurring subscription through Apple or Google. You might have to let your current month expire first.
- The “Web Only” Rule: Many third-party codes must be redeemed at snapchat.com/plus and won’t work if you try to type them into a random promo box in the app.
FAQ: Your Snapchat Plus Questions Answered
1. Can I buy a Snapchat Plus gift card with Snap Tokens?
Sadly, no. Snap Tokens are for digital “Gifts” (like the ones you send to creators) and Lenses. To buy snapchat plus for friend, you need real-world currency via the App Store, Google Play, or a retailer.
2. Does the gift subscription auto-renew?
Great news—it doesn’t! If you use a Snapchat Plus Gift Card, the subscription simply ends after the time is up (3, 6, or 12 months). No surprise charges for you or your friend.
3. Will my friend know I checked their “Planet” rank?
They won’t get a notification that you looked at the Solar System badge, but they will know you have Snapchat Plus because of the badge on your profile.
4. What happens to my “Solar System” if I stop paying?
The moment your subscription lapses, the planets disappear. You won’t lose your friends (obviously), but you’ll lose the ability to see the rankings until you redeem code for a new month.
5. Can I use an Amazon gift card to buy Snapchat Plus?
Indirectly, yes! You can use an Amazon gift card to buy a digital Snapchat Plus Gift Card code on Amazon’s website, which is then emailed to you.
Martin’s Final Tip: The “Hidden” Discount
If you’re planning on staying a power user, don’t buy the monthly plan. It’s like buying a single coffee every day when you could’ve just bought the whole pot. The Annual Snapchat Plus Gift Card usually saves you about 25-30% compared to paying month-to-month. Plus, it makes a much better “big” gift for a best friend.
Snapchat is all about those connections, and the gifting solar system feature is just a techy way of saying “I appreciate you.”
Would you like me to walk you through how to set up your custom app icons once you’ve redeemed your code? Just let me know!
