A Few Basic Things to Watch For When Buying a Gift Card
1. Some issuers will not replace a lost, stolen, or destroyed card. Others may charge a replacement fee. Some will replace the card if you can prove that you owned it.
2. Some cards cannot be exchanged for cash. Others may charge a fee for doing so.
3. Look for monthly "maintenance" fees. These are especially common with bank-issued cards like Visa or Mastercard.
4. Be sure to check the expiration date.
5. Look for restrictions on where and how you can use your card.
6. Don't use an ATM! Many gift cards allow this but some charge $1.50 per transaction or more. And if you use the card at an ATM that is not owned by the bank that issues the card, there will probably be extra charges.
