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Thursday, February 9th 2012

2008 gift card comparison table

By Tyler Metzger

Gift cards will continue to be a popular present during the 2008 holiday season even in the face of the current economic disorder. Use this chart to find the gift card that's best for you.

expires Never expires fees No dormancy or maintenance fees insurance Loss & theft protection
PIN PIN available reload Reloadable      ecard eCard available onlinebal Online balance check

line

 
expires
fees
insurance
PIN
reload
ecard
onlinebal
 
Retail stores
Kmart
yes
yes
 
yes
yes
yes
yes
 
Meijer
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
 
yes
 
Target
yes
yes
yes
 
yes
yes
yes
 
Wal-Mart
yes
yes

yes
yes
yes
yes
 
Supermarkets
H-E-B
yes


     

 
Kroger
yes
yes
   
yes
     
Publix
yes
yes

 
yes
     
Department stores
Bloomingdale's
yes
yes
yes
 
yes
yes
yes
 
JCPenny
yes
yes
yes
 
yes
yes
   
Kohl's
yes
yes
yes
 
yes
yes
yes
 
Macy's
yes
yes
yes
 
yes
yes
yes
 
Sears
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
 
Convenience stores
7-Eleven
yes
yes
yes

yes
 
yes
 
Pilot Travel Center

 
yes
 
yes
     
Clothing
Banana Republic
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
 
yes
 
Gap
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
 
yes
 
Old Navy
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
 
yes
 
Restaurants
McDonald's
yes
yes
yes
 
yes
 
yes
 
Olive Garden
yes
yes
   
yes
 
yes
 
Panera Bread
yes
yes
yes
 
yes
 
yes
 
Red Lobster
yes
yes
   
yes
 

 
Starbucks
yes
yes
yes
 
yes
 
yes
 
 
expires
fees
insurance
PIN
reload
ecard
onlinebal
 
line
expires Never expires fees No dormancy or maintenance fees insurance Loss & theft protection
PIN PIN available reload Reloadable      ecard eCard available onlinebal Online balance check
line

 
expires
fees
insurance
PIN
reload
ecard
onlinebal
 
Pharmacies
CVS
yes
yes
yes
yes

 
yes
 
Rite Aid
yes
yes
       
yes
 
Walgreens
yes
yes
yes
 
yes
     
Electronics
Best Buy
yes
yes
yes
 
yes
 
yes
 
Radio Shack
yes
yes


yes


 
Home improvement
Home Depot
yes
yes
yes
         
Lowe's
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
 
yes
 
Office supply
Staples
yes
yes
yes
 
yes
 
yes
 
Office Depot
yes
yes
 
yes
yes
 
yes
 
Books
Barnes & Noble
yes
yes
 
yes
 
yes
yes
 
Borders
yes
yes
yes
         
Toy stores
Toys R Us
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
 
yes
 
Bulk
Costco
yes
yes
yes
 
yes
yes
yes
 
General purpose
American Express
yes
 
yes
     
yes
 
Discover    
yes
   
yes
yes
 
HSBC MasterCard    
yes
     
yes
 
KeyBank MasterCard    
yes
yes
       
Visa*    
yes
yes
   
yes
 
 
expires
fees
insurance
PIN
reload
ecard
onlinebal
 
line
expires Never expires fees No dormancy or maintenance fees insurance Loss & theft protection
PIN PIN available reload Reloadable      ecard eCard available onlinebal Online balance chec

*Most, but not all, Visa gift cards offer online balance check. Visa gift cards are available through those who already have Visa cards. Talk with your card provider for details.

Can't find the card you want? Check out GiftCertificates.com and Gift Card Mall to shop hundreds of gift cards for stores not listed here.

See related: Gift cards 2008: Special section, As holidays tighten, gift cards remain popular, 2008 gift card comparison chart, Top 10 creative ways to wrap gift cards, 8 ways to get gift cards for less, Tips: Don't let those gift cards expire

Published: October 29, 2008

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Updated: 02-09-2012

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