Gift cards are restricted monetary equivalents issued by banks or retailers as an alternative to non-monetary gift. In fact,It rank as the second most popular item given as presents by the consumers in the US. It is every woman’s most wanted gift.
It resemble a credit card, displaying a specific theme on its plastic card surface. It is indentified via a specific code or number. They are backed-up by an online electronic system to authorize and further secure the card.
Other types of cards are reloadable and can be used numerous times. A good example is the American Express Gift Card. Remember that this should not be swiped but should be manually encoded by the cashier if you plan to use it in a gas station.
The cards feature a magnetic strip or barcode which can be read by any electronic credit card machine. There are cards that do not have any specific value until they are already sold. This way, the cashier can input the amount specified by the customer. This is not actually stored on the card itself but onto the database cross-linked to the ID card.
This means, gift cards are not similar to the stored value cards used in various public transport systems that showcases cards with stored value as indicated by a simplified system that has no network.
Amazon Gift Cards
It can be used to purchase any item sold at Amazon.com and Endless.com, their affiliate website. Their cards range from $5 to $5,000. Once you receive one, you need to enter the claim code on your order or you can put it under Your Account at Amazon.com. This is then stored until you use it.
You can order pre-denominated cards by just clicking the “Add to Shopping Cart” button at the Amazon.com page. You can also order customized cards by first visiting the gift cards page. Afterwards, click the Buy Now button to select the type of gift card you want to buy.
Choose a design if this option is available, and then enter the desired card amount. Enter next our personalized message and your delivery information.
Click the Continue button once you are through creating your card. Sign in to your account using your Amazon.com e-mail address and password. Provide payment information on your purchase and clicking the Continue button. Review your order and click the Place Your Order button to complete the purchase. After this, you will be sent a confirmation e-mail about the order you placed.
Arrival of Amazon Gift Cards
E-mail gift cards arrive in your inbox promptly within 15 minutes from order. The Print at Home Gift Cards can be instantly printed once you receive the confirmation e-mail. Another option is to get it from the “order summary” in Your Account.
Paper Gift Cards are sent via regular post. It arrives in the mail approximately 5 to 7 business days after you have placed your order.
Pre-denominated Gift Cards are delivered via your preferred shipping method during checkout. It is free of charge if only within the USA.
Stores that Sell Gift Cards
In selected convenience and grocery stores in the US, Amazon cards are available at $25 and $50 increments. You can purchase them at CVS Pharmacy, Rite-Aid Drugstores, HEB Grocery and Longs Drugs, Raley’s as well as Schnuck’s, Sheetz, Scolari’s and Spartan Stores. However, Amazon cards are not sold in Arkansas, Alabama and Florida, Louisiana as well as Illinois, New Jersey, Minnesota and Utah.