topic Re: Question about Visa Gift Cards in Community Chat

Question about Visa Gift Cards

SXMGirl — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 22:58:34 GMT

I am thinking of giving Visa gift cards as presents to my trainers a the gym. Do they have to pay a fee or is there an expiration date? I usually give a WaWa gift card, which is our local convenience store. I always keep them in my car so that I have extra money for gas and food, if necessary. I am thinking that young women might want something a little different. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

Re: Question about Visa Gift Cards

NicksmomESQ — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 23:07:05 GMT

@SXMGirl I buy several Visa gift cards every year.You pay a fee when you purchase them of between 6 & 7 dollars.The receiver doesn’t pay a fee for using the card. It also doesn’t expire for about 5 years.

Re: Question about Visa Gift Cards

SXMGirl — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 23:10:00 GMT

@NicksmomESQ, thank you for the info!

Re: Question about Visa Gift Cards

coffee drinker — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 23:38:30 GMT

@SXMGirl I agree with @NicksmomESQ. We were so lucky last year when my nephew's school had a gift cart fundraiser. There were no service charges for Visa cards -- just had to pay for the GC value.

Re: Question about Visa Gift Cards

VenturaHighway — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 23:40:14 GMT

@SXMGirlI buy my gift cards at my bank. Check to see if there is any places they can't use them.

Re: Question about Visa Gift Cards

sidsmom — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 00:09:53 GMT

Re: Question about Visa Gift Cards

SXMGirl — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 00:22:24 GMT

Thanks, everyone! I am not sure that I can really do a gift card and might just go with the WaWa card. No fee and they are on every block.

Re: Question about Visa Gift Cards

drizzellla — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 01:41:25 GMT

Every year our company gave out VISA gift cards. And every year the "rules" seemed to be different.

The first year, I saved the card for my trip to Disney World. But then when I went to use it, the card did not work. The castmembers were so helpful and spent at least 1/2 of an hour trying to help me. Finally we called the bank that issued the card. The bank was deducting $.75 each month for inactivity. I got the card at Christmas and tried to use it in March. A whopping 2.5 months and they deducted $1.50.

Then the next year, I got another VISA card from the company. Tried to buy gas but it would not work. Because the $ amount was not set before using the card. No problem - next tried to use it in a restaurant. Again did not work. Finally used it in the grocery store. And it worked.

The next year I got a VISA card from the company, I bought shoes and no problems. I don't think they bought the cards at the bank.

I think a WaWa card is a great idea. She will always need gas. And maybe a quick snack, sandwich or drink.

Re: Question about Visa Gift Cards

bowlicious — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 03:07:04 GMT

I couple of yrs ago I bought a gift card so I could buy something from an online company I wasn't so sure about. I bought a card from a company callled Green Dot (didn't know that when I bought it). To use the card you had to register the card. They wanted your whole life history including your social security #. I eventually requested a refund because I didn't want to give that info. They did issue me a check. If you are buying gift cards check the fine print before you buy one.

Re: Question about Visa Gift Cards

morganjen — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 03:13:54 GMT

@bowlicious Exact same thing happened to me with the Green Dot Visa gift card. I ended up cancelling because they would continue to charge monthly fees. Received a refund check from them for $2.

Re: Question about Visa Gift Cards

tucsongal — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 03:46:00 GMT

We received a Visa gift card a few years ago and tried to use it at a restaurant, wasn’t accepted. I would never give one of these to someone.

Re: Question about Visa Gift Cards

Gorgf — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 15:29:16 GMT

I received one for a Birthday gift in September. I just used it the other day and it ran through like a Debt Card. The expiration date was March ,so a six months effective date. I used it for a stepstool in my basement so will think of the giver when I use it. It came in a scented envelope card and was pretty. I think it was purchased at Dollar General. I did not pay a fee but I believe it had a fee when purchased.