17+ Sample Gift Card

What is a Gift Card?

An alternative to cash for purchasing goods or services that is issued by retailers is a gift card. Gift cards are prepaid stored-value cards that are usually used when having online purchases. It contains a specific amount of money that has been loaded by the purchaser. Retailers with the best marketing plans have gift cards. This contributes a lot to making the sales and marketing plan of a business. Gift cards are used within a network of participating merchants. They can be given as presents or tokens of appreciation. For example, you can include a gift card when you are giving a birthday card or you can plainly distribute them to your friends or family.

Some examples of gift cards are an Amazon gift card, a Visa gift card, a Walmart gift card, a Starbucks gift card, an Apple gift card, an eBay gift card, a PayPal gift card, an Amex gift card, a Best Buy gift card, a Nike gift card, and a Costco gift card. It can be fun to use gift cards because it can give you convenience when you are shopping. Whether you want to buy a cake for your birthday or you want to buy a daily journal, you can use gift cards to buy and you do not have to go personally to the store. It can also give you the freedom to choose what you want to buy as long as you have enough balance. As long as the gift card is not expired and has a balance, you can use it anywhere you go.

Tips on Gift Card

When you have a gift card, you must ensure that you can use it well. Remember, it has expiration dates and you cannot use it in all stores. Gift cards are gifts that you have to enjoy so you may need some tips on it. Consider the following tips:

Choose the Right Brand: When you are giving gift cards as gifts, you must ensure that the recipient likes the brand of the gift card. Make sure that they enjoy buying from these stores. For example, it can be better if you will take a look at the purchase receipts or expense receipts of your family to know their favorite brands. Only through this that you can ensure that they will enjoy the gift cards that you are going to give them. If you are going to give a Starbucks gift card to someone that does not truly like coffee, then they will not appreciate your gift that much. Choose the right brands when you are giving gift cards to your friends and family.Check the Terms and Conditions: Before you should use a gift card, it is essential to check its terms and conditions. Know the terms and conditions of the gift card. Look for its expiration date. Check if there are any fees or restrictions. You should know everything so that you will not experience any hassle when you are using your gift card. Know its proper use and whether it can be used both for online or physical stores.Verify the Card’s Value: Another thing that you should do before using your gift card is to verify the card’s value. Know the balance of the gift card. Most retailers provide an online platform or a phone system that can enable you to check the remaining balance of the gift card. When you know the balance on the gift card, you can be helped in deciding what to buy with the gift card and how to use it. You will not order things that have bigger amounts than the remaining balance. This way, you will not be humiliated when buying from stores because you will not make a mistake.Use the Gift Card Promptly: When you received a gift card from your friends or family, be sure that you can use it immediately. Gift cards have expiration dates. If you will tarry in using it, you may forget about it and it can get expired. You can waste the opportunity of buying something that you can enjoy from the stores. After getting a gift card, it can be good to use the gift card within the month to ensure that you can consume it. If it has a lot of balance, you can wait for a few months to totally consume it as long as you are aware of its expiration date so that you can use its full value before this date. Do not wait for monthly calendars before using the gift card. If you want, you can place the gift card in your weekly planner so that you can be reminded to use it. Never waste your gift card by forgetting it but use it fully to enjoy it.Use the Gift Card Wisely: Never take for granted the wise use of your gift card. Remember that it is like money that you have to spend well. So, be sure that you truly want or like something that you should purchase with a gift card. Make thoughtful purchases and do not buy things that you may regret later. Give importance to the amount of your balance on your gift card. As long as it is not going to expire the next day, do not rush in buying things. By using gift cards wisely, you can purchase good products that can give you good benefits. With this, you can say that gift cards are truly useful.Sell or Trade Unwanted Gift Cards: When a gift card is not that useful to you because you do not like its products, you can opt to sell it or trade it. This way, you can have money in return or a gift card that you can enjoy. There are online platforms where you can do this. They can enable you to sell or trade your gift card.Be Cautious of Scams: It will be best if you will know the potential scams when it comes to gift cards. Do not purchase gift cards from unknown sources. Make sure that the seller is reputable and authorized. Avoid scams at all costs because you are just going to waste your money if you can purchase fake gift cards.Share the Joy: To use your gift card to the fullest, you can share the joy with your friends and family. For example, when you are going to use your gift card, you can invite them to eat at the restaurant or shop with them. Give them little things that you can buy with your gift card. This is the best way to spend your gift card. You can find memories that you can treasure as you use your gift card. The gift of giving can be done by sharing the benefits of the gift card with your family. With this, you can also ensure that you have used the gift card wisely.Track the Remaining Balance: Always keep track of the remaining balance of your gift card. By doing this online or by phone, you will be aware of how much can you spend the next time. Because of this, you can better plan the things that you can buy with the gift card. It can enable you to buy good things that you can use well. Keep track of the remaining balance and you can surely use the gift card well.Personalize the Gift: When you are giving gift cards to your friends and family, you can personalize them. When you give it, make a personalized note that can touch the heart of the recipient. Give a handwritten note that can make the gift card special. Or if you like, you can give the gift card together with an item like a budget planner or daily planner. Personalize the gift so that you can make it more memorable.Consider Versatility: Give the best gift card to your friends and family. The ones that you should give are the ones that can be used in multiple locations. Make sure also that they can be used online. When you do this, your friends and family can better enjoy the gift card. It can give them the best convenience when using them. They do not have to go out to a physical store just to use the gift card. They can use the gift card to most stores that they can go to. Consider the best gift card to give to your friends and family.

How to Use a Gift Card

For someone who received a gift card as a gift for the first time, you may want to know how you can use it. You must be properly instructed on how you can do this. Be helped with the following steps:

1. Read Instructions

It is very important that you should read the guidelines that accompany the card. Know the terms and conditions of the gift card. Be aware of the steps on how you can redeem it. Be informed of the restrictions and expiration date of the gift card.

2. Check the Balance

The next important thing is to check the balance. You should know this so that you can plan the things that you are going to buy. Check the balance online or by phone. You need to do this before making a purchase.

3. Visit the Retailer or Website

To use the gift card, know if it should be used in-store or online. You must go to the retailer or stores that accept the gift card. If it is for a particular retailer, visit the physical store. If it is for an online retailer, visit the website.

4. Select Items

Browse the store or the website to choose the product that you want. Add them to your shopping cart if you are shopping online. If you are in a physical store, go to the checkout counter.

5. Present the Card

Inform the cashier that you are going to use the gift card payment option. Then present the gift card. Provide the physical card if you are purchasing from a physical store. Enter the card number or scan the barcode if you are purchasing from an online store. Confirm the transaction and keep the receipt.

FAQs

How long are gift cards valid?

Typically, gift cards have expiration dates. This can vary depending on the brand. Some may not have expiration dates but usually, they expire within a few months to a few years.

Can I add funds to a gift card?

Yes, some gift cards allow reloading or adding funds to it. Other gift cards are for one-time only. Check the terms and conditions of your gift card to know if you can add funds.

It can be fun to receive a gift card. You can use it to purchase goods and services where you do not have to use cash. This can give you the convenience that you need and make you confident that you can buy from your favorite stores. Use gift cards because you can get a lot of benefits.