there is no activation if you purchased it you can find the gift card code by going to orderstatus/account (top of page) then under My account click view my gift cards enter the gift card code in when you at checking out. If it was given to you the certificate or email will have the gift card code and again you will enter it during checkout

Heather, to use your "Gift Card" just go to -orderstatus/account (top of page) - then under My account - click view my gift cards - next to each available gift card will be an alphanumeric code to use when you are checking out. If it was given to you the certificate or email will have the gift card code and again you will enter it during checkout