Reviews and more!! : Best Ways to Spend Your Gift Cards (And What to Watch Out For)

Best Ways to Spend Your Gift Cards (And What to Watch Out For)

It’s no secret that gift cards are among the most popular gifts during the holiday season. Now that the holidays are nearly behind us, it’s time to take a look at how to get the most out of your stack of gift cards.

According to the National Retail Federation, more than 61 percent of people surveyed said they’d like to get gift cards or certificates this season, with clothing and clothing accessories next on the list at 55 percent. There’s a good chance you’ve either given someone a gift card this year or you’ve received one.

However, although popular gift ideas, getting the most value out of your gift cards requires more than just filling up your shopping cart.

Where Can I Spend My Gift Card? (And What to Watch Out For)

What’s the Most Effective Way to Spend Gift Cards?
Gift Card Balance
Watch Out for Potential Catches and Pitfalls
Where Can You Use Your Store Gift Card?
Take Your Cards with You Everywhere You Go
What to Do with Gift Cards You Don’t Want

What’s the Most Effective Way to Spend Gift Cards?

While it might be tempting to hold on to your stash of gift cards until you’ve saved up enough to use them later, you might get more for your money if you take advantage of post-Christmas clearance sales. Now is a great time to purchase things like exercise equipment, linens, and other items on our What to Buy in January list, that are drastically marked down. Make sure you check out the clearance and sale departments before you stuff your gift cards away in a dresser for later.

Gift Card Balance

Be sure to check the balance of your gift cards, especially if you’ve had it sitting around for a while. Some stores, fewer now than in the past, will charge fees on unused cards (more on that below). But you also want to be prepared when you’re at checkout to have cash or a credit card on hand if your gift card doesn’t cover everything in your cart. Most websites have a section to check your gift card balance. Here’s where you can find the gift card balance checker for Amazon and Target.

Watch Out for Potential Catches and Pitfalls

It’s crucial with gift cards that you read through the fine print and make sure there aren’t expiration dates or other details that could end up costing you. For instance, some gift cards can add inactivity fees, maintenance, or monthly fees that can eat up your balance and even cost you later. Also, check to see if you need to use the gift card within a specific amount of time. Don’t lose the funds on your gift card simply because you waited too long to use it. In most cases, it’s best to use the card within 12 months. Other pitfalls to watch out for:

It’s difficult if not impossible to replace if lost or stolen
If the card issuer goes out of business, you likely won’t get any value out of the card
Most people leave a small amount on the card and toss it but those dollars add up – keep track of your balance and make sure you spend the full amount

Where Can You Use Your Store Gift Card?

If you have a store gift card, you should find out if you can use the gift card for online purchases, or if it’s only valid for in-store purchases. Also, keep in mind that there are stores with partners or are owned by the same company. Stores like Gap, Old Navy, and Banana Republic might allow you to use the gift card at one of their partner stores as well.

Take Your Cards with You Everywhere You Go

If you have restaurant cards or cards you can only use in-store, it’s important to make sure you actually have them with you. There’s nothing worse than checking out and realizing your $50 gift card is at home on your kitchen table. Also, consider using mobile wallets like GoWallet, Apple Passbook, or Google Wallet, so you can use your smartphone to pay. Sometimes, it’s a lot easier than stuffing your wallet with plastic gift cards.

What to Do with Gift Cards You Don’t Want

As with any gift, it’s possible you’ve received a card or certificate for a retailer you aren’t particularly fond of. Fortunately, those unwanted gift cards aren’t a total waste.

Sell Gift Cards

You can sell your unwanted gift cards to third-party sites and get cash or gift cards for other retailers as payment. Note that these sites do sometimes have issues with incorrect card balances, but before you melt down, just get in touch with them and let them know the situation. They’ll make it right and get it resolved for you.

Gift Card Exchange

There is also an option to swap your cards online with various services for a card you will actually use, or sometimes for cash you can spend however you choose. The same sites listed in the link above are a good place to start.

Donate Gift Cards

You can also donate your unwanted gift cards to your favorite charity. Make sure you call and ask if they accept gift cards. If not, you can check out sites like CharityGiftCertificates.org to choose a different charity or nonprofit to make sure you’re donating to a charity that accepts this type of donation.

Did you get gift cards this year? What do you plan to do with them? Let us know in the comments below!