topic Re: Issue with GIft Card in Community Chat

Issue with GIft Card

Mom2Dogs — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 01:25:46 GMT

My husband has a MsterCard gift card. We have tried to use it two times, once at a restaurant the other a retail store. Both times the card was denied. I went to the website, what a runaround...it has taken me two days to find a number where I can talk to some one.

When I finally got a real person the accent was so thick I could barely understand her...she did tell me that the card had restrictions and could only be used a 'certain' locations....but to go to the website to see where the card could be used. I tried, cannot find where she was talking about.

His daughter has been sending gift cards for years we have never had an issue with a card or where it could be used.

We have the receipt and went to Walgreens to try and fix the problem but they could not help us.

Any advice appreciated.

Re: Issue with GIft Card

Caffeina — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 01:36:02 GMT

@Mom2Dogs

Has the card been activated?

Re: Issue with GIft Card

Kachina624 — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 01:38:44 GMT

@Mom2Dogs. There's a fraud scheme on gift card where thieves steal the numbers off them when they're on display in stores. They use them and thre legitimate buyer is out of luck. Google gift card fraud and see if there's information about the scam.

I've read you should only buy cards from a protected source.

Re: Issue with GIft Card

Mz iMac — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 01:48:44 GMT

@Mom2Dogs wrote:
We have the receipt and went to Walgreens to try and fix the problem but they could not help us.

Any advice appreciated.

@Mom2Dogs I'm sorry but, I find it hard to believe that Walgreens "could not help you" w/o providing you w/an explanation since you had a receipt?

Did you ask to speak w/the manager?

Re: Issue with GIft Card

Mom2Dogs — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 01:51:39 GMT

@Kachina624 The card is good - not a scam....MASTERCARD is trying to tell me it can only be used in certain locations and the merchant also puts a hold on part of the charges...at least from the horrible broken English the agent was using, that is what I understand.

I a beyond frustrated...I spoke with two different agents, both barely spoke English.

Re: Issue with GIft Card

Mom2Dogs — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 01:52:52 GMT

@Mz iMac No, I did not ask from a manager, but the woman behind my husband said she had the same problem...Walgreens would not help her i ether.

Re: Issue with GIft Card

Mom2Dogs — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 01:54:11 GMT

@Caffeina Yes the card is activated. I have NEVER had an issue with a card being denied because the merchant had a 'hold' on funds..I understand the words, just don't understand why they would put a hold on funds from a gift card.

Card was denied at a restaurant and a chain retail store.

Re: Issue with GIft Card

shoekitty — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 02:31:42 GMT

@Mom2Dogs wrote:
@Mz iMac No, I did not ask from a manager, but the woman behind my husband said she had the same problem...Walgreens would not help her i ether.

@Mom2Dogs they should help you. I have had issues, and resolved some. One, is they didn't do it right at check stand. Also you could ask who ever gave it to you if they have receipt. That way Walgreens has to help. Once I had a card for some reason had not been paid for, although others were. Then I had big problem with a couple I had being declined. Story was ...someone was taking the numbers off cards, activating them online and using online. It was a scam. I had receipt and Raleys store refunded card price

Re: Issue with GIft Card

spumoni99 — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 02:09:09 GMT

Those cards are a pain, I never gift those.

Re: Issue with GIft Card

Mom2Dogs — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 02:11:17 GMT

I am not a fan either, but his daughter lives on the other side of the country....so gift cards work for her.

Re: Issue with GIft Card

spumoni99 — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 02:13:45 GMT

@Mom2Dogs wrote:
I am not a fan either, but his daughter lives on the other side of the country....so gift cards work for her.

@Mom2Dogs Maybe find a chain you like that she can give you a card for? Those visa/mastercard gift cards seem to be a pain. I know in the past I had to have use the exact amount or something like that.

Re: Issue with GIft Card

Mom2Dogs — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 02:14:46 GMT

@shoekitty I know the card is good and yes we have the receipt. I will go to Walgreens and see if I can get somewhere with the problem.

The agents that I spoke to could see where the card was run thru but then declined....they can see that the card has been activated and has the full amount still on the card.

Re: Issue with GIft Card

Kachina624 — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 02:33:22 GMT

@Mom2Dogs. I wouldn't waste time with a Walgreens manager. I'd contact the corporate offices.

Re: Issue with GIft Card

homedecor1 — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 02:58:58 GMT

On the area where the gc are in our Walgreens they have signs that state "third party purchase Walgreens has no responsibility after activation" or something like that.

Im hesitant to buy those Visa or Mastercard gc for the reasons stated here. My gd wanted one for Christmas I'm just giving her the money (she wants sneakers).

Re: Issue with GIft Card

nikkisaunt1 — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 05:52:54 GMT

Walgreens likely cannot help you because the problem isn't likely on their end. Here are some things that might be the reason:

1). Check the expiration date on the card and make sure it did not expire.
2). Several merchants may simply not accept prepaid cards. This happens at restaurants and can happen in other places. They may be rejecting your card even though there is nothing wrong with it simply because their system cannot process a prepaid card

3) if you used the card somewhere before and paid for something with it, and then it was declined at the next place, it might be because their system cannot process it because the first place has a hold on the monies until they clear. A hold can sometimes take 48 hours or even more. In other words, it's like the card reads as insufficient funds even when there is still money on it

4) it could just be a system glitch with MasterCard itself. Sometimes vendors have trouble processing credit cards let alone prepaid cards.

These are just some of the things that could be happening. The above presumes the card was properly activated which it appears it was based on what you already said.

Re: Issue with GIft Card

Etoile308 — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 04:05:41 GMT

My suggestion is to attempt to use it at a mega retailer like Amazon or Walmart. It's hard for me to imagine they would decline it.

Some chains do put restrictions on types of payments received. In fact I think even here at QVC the only gift cards they accept are their own.

Re: Issue with GIft Card

sunshine45 — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 04:26:33 GMT

you really cannot use those cards at gas stations or restaurants. there may be other types of businesses also, but those are two main ones.

your best bet is to use it at one place, know exactly how much is on the card, and use the entire amount.

for example......

say you have $50 on the card. go to kohls and buy something for $75. use your gift card first and have them process $50 as a payment. then pay cash or use your own cc to pay the difference.

Re: Issue with GIft Card

FancyPhillyshopper — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 06:03:32 GMT

There was a big news story yesterday about a major litigation settlement Mastercard and Visa just had with merchants who accept their cards.

According to CNBC, merchants can now choose which cards to accept, and can also ask customers for surcharges. A lot of this has to do with what is called a "swipe fee."

There are many merchants who now charge consumers extra when they use credit cards instead of cash.

I know gift card fraud has also been a challenge, and many people were also getting scammed and paying in gift cards.

Yes, gift cards were always popular in the past, but nowadays it seems they are becoming more entangled in all the financial issues of the world.

I agree--probably easiest to use them online with major retailers, not small local businesses.

Re: Issue with GIft Card

haddon9 — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 08:56:10 GMT

@Mom2Dogs wrote:
@Kachina624 The card is good - not a scam....MASTERCARD is trying to tell me it can only be used in certain locations and the merchant also puts a hold on part of the charges...at least from the horrible broken English the agent was using, that is what I understand.

I a beyond frustrated...I spoke with two different agents, both barely spoke English.

@Mom2Dogs It is very frustrating trying to speak with someone who has a very strong accent. I have experienced that too often as well and sometimes I just don't understand what they are saying at all.

Try calling again to see if there is someone else you can speak to.

Re: Issue with GIft Card

lynnie61 — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 09:52:06 GMT

@Mom2Dogs I had one last year. Couldn't use it several places. I finally tried the grocery store, bought over $50, and paid cash for the difference. It finally worked! One time I used it for a partial purchase, you then have to know the exact amount left. The place I originally used it, didnt print the balance. I really try not to ever purchase them now for anyone.

I try to stick to an Amazon card. But anyone I would be giving gift cards, I would normally know a specific store for them.

Sorry its been such a hassle for you.