Frequently Asked Questions

Closed-loop gift cards can only be used at specific retailers or family of stores that issued the card. Examples include Amazon, Starbucks, or Target gift cards.

Open-loop gift cards carry a payment network logo (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) and can be used at any merchant that accepts that payment network. These cards typically have more fees and may require activation.

Under federal law in the United States (the Credit CARD Act of 2009), gift cards cannot expire for at least five years from the date of purchase or from the last date additional money was loaded onto the card.

Some states have even stronger consumer protections that prohibit gift cards from expiring at all. However, inactivity fees may still apply after a certain period of non-use (typically 12 months).

Always check the terms and conditions of your specific gift card for details about its expiration policy.

Fees can vary widely depending on the type of gift card:

• Purchase fees: Open-loop cards often have a purchase fee (typically $3.95 to $6.95).
• Inactivity fees: Some cards charge monthly fees after 12 consecutive months of inactivity (legally cannot be charged before 12 months of inactivity).
• Replacement fees: Some issuers charge a fee to replace a lost or stolen card.
• Foreign transaction fees: May apply when using an open-loop card internationally.

Store-specific (closed-loop) gift cards typically have fewer fees than general-purpose (open-loop) gift cards.

To protect your gift cards from fraud:

• Keep your gift card receipt as proof of purchase
• Register your gift card with the retailer if that option is available
• Check the balance immediately after receiving the card and periodically thereafter
• When buying a physical gift card from a store, examine the packaging for tampering
• Only check your gift card balance on the official retailer's website or app
• Treat gift cards like cash and keep them in a secure location
• Use gift cards promptly rather than storing them for long periods

Be aware of these common gift card scams:

• Payment scams: Fraudsters impersonating government agencies, utilities, or tech support demanding payment via gift cards. Legitimate organizations never ask for gift cards as payment.
• Tampered cards: Criminals record gift card numbers in stores, wait for activation, then drain the funds.
• Fake giveaways: Scammers claim you've won a prize but need to pay "fees" or "taxes" with gift cards.
• Phishing emails: Fake emails claiming issues with gift cards that link to fraudulent websites designed to steal your information.
• Social media scams: Fake gift card exchange groups or gift card "deals" that are too good to be true.

Remember: If anyone asks you to pay for anything with a gift card, it's almost certainly a scam.

If you lose your gift card:

1. Contact the retailer or card issuer immediately
2. Provide any information you have about the card (the card number if you have it, purchase receipt, etc.)
3. If you registered the card, mention this as it increases your chances of recovery
4. Ask if they can freeze the card and issue a replacement

Replacement policies vary widely by retailer. Some retailers may replace cards if you have proof of purchase and if the card was registered, while others treat gift cards like cash and won't replace them if lost.

You can check your gift card balance through several methods:

• Online: Most retailers have a dedicated webpage for gift card balance checks
• Mobile app: Many retailers offer balance checking through their official mobile apps
• Phone: Call the customer service number printed on the back of the card
• In-store: Visit the retailer's physical location and ask a cashier or customer service representative

For security, always use the official retailer website, app, or phone number to check balances. Be cautious of third-party websites offering to check gift card balances, as these may be scams.

Most major retailer gift cards can be used both online and in physical store locations. However, some restrictions may apply:

• Some retailers may have separate online and in-store systems and might restrict gift cards to one or the other
• International websites of the same retailer may not accept gift cards purchased in other countries
• E-gift cards (digital gift cards) may be restricted to online use only for some retailers
• Some restaurant gift cards may be valid only for dine-in and not for online ordering

Always check the terms and conditions of your specific gift card or contact the retailer directly if you're unsure about where you can use your gift card.

Whether you can combine multiple gift cards depends on the retailer's policy:

• In-store purchases: Most retailers allow you to use multiple gift cards for a single transaction in physical stores.
• Online purchases: Policies vary widely. Some online stores allow multiple gift cards per order, while others limit you to one.
• Card consolidation: Some retailers offer the option to combine the balances of multiple gift cards onto a single card.

If you're shopping online and can only use one gift card per order, you might be able to use one gift card to purchase another gift card with the combined value (though not all retailers allow this).

If your gift card is declined, follow these steps:

1. Check the balance: Verify there are sufficient funds on the card
2. Confirm activation: Make sure the card has been properly activated (especially for recently purchased cards)
3. Verify expiration: Check if the card has expired or has become inactive due to non-use
4. Examine the card: Look for physical damage that might affect the magnetic strip or chip
5. Usage restrictions: Confirm you're using the card at an authorized retailer (especially important for open-loop cards)
6. Split payment: If the purchase amount exceeds the card balance, ask if the cashier can split the payment between the gift card and another payment method

If all else fails, contact the gift card issuer's customer service for assistance.

Generally, gift cards cannot be directly exchanged for cash, with a few exceptions:

• State laws: Some states (like California) require merchants to cash out gift cards below a certain threshold (typically when the balance is less than $10)
• Cash back at purchase: Gift cards typically do not allow cash back when making a purchase
• Third-party exchange services: Some websites and services offer to buy unwanted gift cards for cash, but typically at a discounted rate (75-90% of card value)

Check your state's laws regarding gift card cash redemption, as they vary significantly across different states. When using third-party exchange services, research them thoroughly to avoid scams.

Options for using small remaining gift card balances include:

• Partial payment: Most retailers allow you to use the remaining balance and pay the rest with another method
• Cash out: Some states require retailers to give cash for small balances (typically under $5-10)
• Reload: Add more funds to the card if the retailer offers reloadable gift cards
• Digital wallet: Some retailers let you add gift card balances to their app for future use, even small amounts
• Combined purchase: Buy something that costs less than or equal to the remaining balance

Retailers count on "breakage" (unused gift card balances) as profit, so it's in your best interest to use the entire balance if possible.