Gift Card Reports

Gift cards are an increasingly popular gift.  And why not?  They have many advantages for both the gift giver and recipient.  The giver needs only to pick the store and the amount, not the gift.  The recipient can pick a gift that he or she really wants.  Both avoid the hassles of returns and the credit card size make them easy to ship and to carry in a wallet.  Technology advances have resulted in purchases being automatically deducted from the cards and allow the cards to be “reloaded” with more value.  Balances can be checked by phone or online, and it may even be possible to get a new card issued, with the current balance, if the old one is lost or stolen. However, consumers need to carefully chose a gift card since some include fees or have expiration dates. Local consumers should note that Maryland law prohibits imposing fees or expiration dates on retail cards sold in the state after June 30, 2006, until the cards are four years old.  These reports will help you buy the best cards and avoid the worst.

2007--“Gift Cards 2007: Best and Worst Retail Cards; A Deeper View of Bank Cards Doesn’t Improve Their Look.”

2006-- "Gift Cards 2006: Retail Cards Continue to Improve (with Prodding); Bank Cards Still Have Problems."

2005 "Gift Cards 2005:Many Good Retail Cards. Any Good Bank Cards?"

2004 "Gift Cards 2004: Retail Cards Improve But Beware of the Bank Cards"

2003 "Gift Cards 2003: A Comparison of the Gift Cards of Thirty Major Retailers and Food Service Chains. What's in the Fine Print (When You Can Find It)"