Does that gift card expire? Am I going to get hit with fees if I don't use it for a while? Can I reload it?
The interactive chart below answers those and other questions about gift cards offered by dozens of the nation's most popular restaurants, retailers, airlines and other businesses. That way, in these difficult economic times, you can make the smartest possible decision when it comes time to buy this holiday season.
Click on one of the stores below for more information, or scroll down this page to find links to the rest of our 2011 gift card special section.
Methodology: From late September through early October 2011, CreditCards.com surveyed gift cards from 63 major restaurants, retailers, airlines and other businesses. We tracked those cards in nine different areas that can impact a consumer. We gathered that information using several different methods, cross-checking them against each other for accuracy. We visited the businesses' websites, called their toll-free customer service phone numbers, called individual stores and/or visited individual stores in person.
PIN defined as a cardholder-created security code needed to conduct a
transaction involving a card, whether its checking a balance, making a
purchase or something else. It does not include PIN numbers that are
found on the back of a card.
Free shipping/delivery is only for physical cards. Being able to send an e-card for free doesn't qualify.
Three most recent Emerging payment systems: Prepaid, debit, gift cards stories:
Tips to avoid problems with prepaid calling cards – The Federal Communication Commission and Consumer Reports offer tips to prepaid calling card purchasers before they buy, plus where to turn if something goes wrong ...
FCC: Prepaid calling cards remain 'a trap' – PINs that don't work, murky fees, short fuse expiration dates and higher-than-advertised rates are among the prepaid calling cards' continuing flaws, says the federal agency ...
Survey: Costs of prepaid cards vary widely – As more consumers turn to prepaid cards for budgeting and flexibility, our 2012 survey reveals that fees for these cards vary greatly ...
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