What are Visa Gift Cards?
A Visa Gift Card is a prepaid gift card that looks like a Visa credit card
or a Visa check card. It is not a credit card. Any establishment that accepts
a Visa debit card, will accept a Visa Gift Card.
Visa Gift Cards can be used at any one of the millions of places that accept the Visa debit or check cards, thus making it extremely convenient!
How to use Visa Gift Cards
You use Visa Gift Cards much like you'd use regular credit or debit cards. Make sure your know the balance on the card before using it; although some merchants will be able to check the balance others might not.
Even though it is really a debit card, when you swipe the card through a keypad, select credit, not debit.Generally most Visa Gift Cards do not come with a PIN number. If you press the debit key, you'll be asked for a PIN number, which you don't have!
The balance on the card diminishes each time you make a purchase.
Can I use a Visa Gift Card outside of the United States?
The front of the card may have a statement like "Valid only in the United States"e. which indicates that it is a Domestic Only Card. Visa Gift Cards that can be used outside of the United States may charge various fees; e.g. a 3% conversion fee, $2 transaction fee, etc.
If you know that the purchase price is greater than the balance on your card, tell the cashier in advance so that you can split the payment and make up the difference with cash, check or credit card.
Generally, Visa Gift Cards cannot be used at ATMs.
Once the balance has been depleted a Visa Gift Card cannot be reloaded.
Visa Gift Cards do have expiration dates. For example, your card may expire after one year and you may be charged a $2.50 monthly transaction fee after the first six months.
Checking the Balance on Visa Gift Cards
Some retailers of Visa Gift Cards can check the balance on your card. You can also determine the balance online. Check the back of the card for instructions. Remember, unlike many credit cards, if you go over your limit on a Visa Gift Card the transaction will be declined.
You can get the balance on your card from many merchants, including:
Best Buy
Office Max
Big 5 Sporting Goods
Dillard's
Abercrombie & Fitch
Boscov’s
Ross Stores
Barnes & Noble
Kohls
Toys R Us
TJ Max
Kmart
May
Nordstrom
Target
Returning Merchandise Purchased With A Visa Gift Card
Its a good idea to hold onto a Visa Gift Card even after you have reduced its balance to zero. Upon returning previously purchased products, the merchant may ask for it so that he can apply the credit to the card. You must wait 3 to 7 days before you can use this credit.
Visa Gift Cards Enjoy Zero Liability
The Zero Liability policy of Visa also applies to Visa Gift Cards; i.e. if your card is stolen or lost and then used fraudulently, you will not be liable.
Note: Zero Liability coverage is only applicable to cards issued in the United States.
The issuer of the card has a toll free number which should be on the back of the card as well as on the card materials (that came when you received the card). After you receive your Visa Gift card, you should write down this toll-free number as well as the Gift Card number, and preferably keep these separate from your card. If your card is ever lost or stolen you'll need to contact the card issuer and provide them with the card number so that they can cancel it and issue a replacement card for you.
Also note that the issuer may charge you a service fee (e.g. $15) for canceling the lost (or stolen) card and reissuing a new card.
Canceling Purchases Made With Visa Gift Cards
Suppose you make a $40 purchase using a Visa Gift Card with a $100 balance and then immediately decide to cancel the transaction. Can you use the same card to make a $100 purchase that same day? The answer is No! During the first transaction an authorization hold (for $40) was placed on the card and then removed (when you canceled the transaction). It takes 3 to 7 days for the authorization hold to be removed, during which you only have access to the remaining $60 on the card.
Using Visa Gift Cards To Buy Gas
Suppose you have a $40 balance on your Visa Gift Card and want to buy $20 of gas. When you swipe your gift card at the pump the transaction is declined. The credit card machine at the pump does not know how much gas you'll be pumping so it attempts to get an authorization for $50 and declines the transaction because your balance is only $40. So if you're not sure whether the balance on your Visa Gift Card is at least $50, don't pay at the pump. Go to the gas station attendant and tell him how much to charge on the card (e.g. $20).
Using Visa Gift Cards At Restaurants
Be aware that some restaurants may add an automatic tip or other charges to your bill, resulting in a bill that exceeds your balance and is therefore declined. Of course you can arrange with the waiter or cashier charge the full balance of the card and pay for the remainder by cash, check or credit card.
Making Online Purchases With Visa Gift Cards
You received a $300 Visa Gift Card from our Rewards Program. Shopping online, you add $100 worth of merchandise to your shopping cart and proceed to check out using you gift card as payment. You are then surprised when the transaction is declined- What happened?
When purchasing the card, we had misspelled parts of your full name and/or address.
To verify or alter the name or address corresponding to a Visa Gift Card, go to the issuer's website or contact them at the toll-free number on the back of the card (or in the card materials).
Is a Visa Gift Card's Unused Balance Lost After Expiration?
A Visa Gift Card which expired 2 days ago and had an outstanding balance of $200. Is the $200 lost? Not necessarily! For a fee (e.g. $15), some issuers will provide you with a new card loaded with your unused balance.
Why Visa Gift Cards?
Suncrest buys Visa Gift Cards for our Rewards Program because we appreciate them for the convenience, flexibility and security that they provide.
