Tips for Buyers and Recipients of Gift Cards
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Encourage the recipients of gift cards to use them quickly to avoid losing the value of the cards to fees.
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Ask for a gift receipt for each card purchased and include the receipt when giving a gift card. This will allow the card holder to replace the card if it is lost or stolen.
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Read all terms and conditions prior to purchasing a card. If the terms are not disclosed or if they are too difficult to understand, consider purchasing a different card.
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Be wary of gift cards sold on online auction sites. These cards are often stolen or counterfeit.
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Keep all gift cards and receipts in a safe, easily accessible place to avoid loss and neglect of gift cards.
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If a card requires registration prior to use, be sure to do so soon after receiving the card.
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If a card’s value is too low to cover an entire purchase, a merchant may be able to do a “split-tender” transaction that will allow part of a purchase to be paid with the gift card and the balance to be paid by another means (cash, check, credit/debit card). If an employee seems unsure how to conduct a “split-tender” transaction, ask a manager to help.
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Be aware of state laws pertaining to gift cards. These may affect expiration dates, fees, and card replacement.
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Don’t throw away depleted cards. Some merchants require a card for returns.