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How to Avoid the Gift-card 'Gotcha'
December 2009 - By Star Tribune
Remember the Gift-Card "Gotchas" - the expiration dates, fees for dormancy or monthly use, and initial set-up charges? The jolly news is that nearly all states have passed laws to eliminate restrictions. In Minnesota, cards cannot have expiration dates or fees, with a few exceptions, including debit cards, prepaid calling cards, reward cards such as the $25 bonus card from a restaurant, and cards sold at banks that can be used anywhere issued by Amex, Visa or Mastercard.
Save with American Express. If you want to give a "use almost anywhere" card, American Express costs less in fees. It usually charges $4 or more per gift card, but if you have an Amex charge card and want to buy gift cards, you can use code GEN222 to waive the gift card fees. You'll still pay the $2 shipping fee, but cardholders can have multiple cards sent to one location to save shipping. Amex also allows the cardholder to personalize the card with the recipient's name. Go to www.americanexpress.com/gift to order or call 1-877-297-4438. Press "0" and "#" several times to reach an operator.
Write down a gift card's ID number and customer service number in case of loss. Most vendors offer replacement, although some might charge a fee.
Buy gift cards at a discount at GiftcardGranny.com . Granny is a new comparison shopping clearinghouse that directs customers to the best deals on discounted gift cards at sites such as Giftcards.com and Plasticjungle.com. Discounts aren't always steep (10 percent is common), but why not save $5 on a $50 gift card? All cards featured on Granny include free shipping. An auction site, DFWbid.com, also offers good deals, but the waiting for the best deals can be time consuming. Getting a $50 gift card for a penny might mean spending two hours to obtain it.
Use a gift card quickly, especially if you think the business might be vulnerable to closing. This is especially true for small businesses and restaurants.
