Re: No words ... payment options

santorini · ‎03-09-2010

I understand completely. It's so frustrating. I have run into that problem many times. It seems like they would let the transaction go through (using every possible penny off of the prepaid credit card) and then show a balance due that you could then use another card for. Nope. No one wants to mess with it.

I had a $200 card that I had used all but $61.95. It was set to expire within a few weeks and I was finally able to use it on a trip. A restaurant waitress told me if I had the exact amount available, she could wipe it out and then I paid for the remainder.

pigletsmom · ‎11-21-2011

The problem is it isn't processed like a gift card. It's considered a credit card and will decline just like any card that doesn't have enough credit. It's possibly they could do it over the phone if you tell them you want to to 50 bucks on X card and the rest on the other. A split transaction like that is easier if you do it with a different form like cash.

As someone mentioned if you're shopping online the best answer is to purchase a gift card from the retailer and use it that way.

SilleeMee · ‎05-22-2016

@Tori3569

It does work with Google Pay. I made a purchase using a pre-paid debit card in my google wallet but I forgot the amount on that card and it wasn't enough so Google Pay automatically put the remaining unpaid balance on my other cc.

Tori3569 · ‎06-27-2010

@SilleeMee wrote:
@Tori3569
It does work with Google Pay. I made a purchase using a pre-paid debit card in my google wallet but I forgot the amount on that card and it wasn't enough so Google Pay automatically put the remaining unpaid balance on my other cc.

That's great and good to know! Thanks

Carmie · ‎10-25-2010

@Tori3569 Thanks. That's a great work around.

I hate getting and using any gift cards. They are a Pain with a capital P.

On a few Visa cards, I lost money on, mostly a small balance leftover from transaction and some substantial cards that charged a monthly free until the balance was zero.

Now, I will add them to Apple Pay immediately.

Thanks again.

lynnie61 · ‎04-28-2010

We got them one year as a gift. I bought something, something $3-4 and then didn't know the exact amount left. If you didn't know the exact amount left it's almost impossible to use. I've never bought them again as gifts. Plus the darn fee. I usually know the person well enough. And when you called the number it couldn't tell you the exact amount left either. Any more, cash or Amazon. I didn't know you couldn't pay cash against the balance.

You would think Visa would want to make it easy. No wonder they say there is billions out there on unused gift card balances.

I work part time in a restaurant and so many disgusted when it didn't go through. I no longer buy or gift them.

cheriere · ‎12-01-2023

@shy bobcat wow, I didn't know that either. It's no wonder news shows are always telling us about all of the money never used on gift cards. They make it that way on purpose it sounds like.

Ainhisg · ‎03-09-2010

I used to think that the generic Visa gift cards you get at CVS, Walgreens, Wal-Mart etc. were the bee's knees, because the recipient could use them anywhere. UNTIL! I received one as a gift. What a royal PITB! Couldn't be used online with the merchants I tried and could only be used in certain stores easily. I finally used it at Wal-Mart, and they used the full card amount first and then I paid with an alternative form of payment for the balance. Don't remember what form of payment I used. I still like to receive gift cards for the places "I" shop as using them up is no issue, but I hope to never receive a Visa gift card again, and I sure won't be getting them for anyone!

My go-to gift card now for gifts is an Amazon gift card. Even if someone doesn't have a Prime membership, they can still use the card there. (But everyone to whom I would gift a card has a Prime account...)

50Mickey · ‎05-21-2010

I don't think this is always the case. Every year our medical insurance sends a nurse to our home under a program call House Calls. They do a mini physical and a yearly Medicare check up and in return we are each sent a $50 Visa gift card. We have never had a problem using this. In fact last year I purchased some furniture and I used both cards and the rest of the balance went on my AMEX card. I also gave my Visa gift card to my daughter one year and she spent it at B&B Works. I guess it is up to the merchant.