Best gift cards for the holidays

Before you buy a stack of gift cards, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency, wants you to know about the different types of gift cards and tips for buying and using them. New rules for gift cards went into effect on August 22, 2010.

Here are the highlights:

Money on a gift card cannot expire for at least five years from the date the card was purchased, or from the last date any additional money was loaded onto the card. If the expiration date listed on the card is earlier than these dates, the money can be transferred to a replacement card at no cost. Inactivity fees can be charged only after a card hasn't been used for at least one year, and you can be charged only once per month. The expiration date of a card must be clearly disclosed on the card, and fees must be clearly disclosed on the card or its packaging.

When buying a gift card, look for sources you know and trust. Read the fine print. See if any fees will be deducted from the card after you purchase it. Finally, give the recipient your original receipt so they can verify the card's purchase in case it is lost or stolen.

1. Visa Gift Cards
The Visa Gift card is a prepaid card welcome everywhere Visa Debit cards are accepted. The Visa Gift cards are loaded with a set amount of funds on the card and can be used for multiple purchases for as long as value remains on the card. Additional funds cannot be added later if the card is a non-reloadable gift card. Maximum card values vary and are established by the issuers that issue the card. For more information, refer to the list of Visa Gift card providers. You can get a Visa Gift in person using the card locator to find a retail location closest to you. You can also use the online directory to locate online providers.

2. iTunes Gift Cards

iTunes Gift Cards are easy to give and find – you can buy them from Apple and thousands of other retailers in a range of denominations. Every card works in the iTunes Store, App Store, iBooks Store, and Mac App Store — so your recipients can get exactly what they want. You can send iTunes Gifts for any occasion by purchasing them on the iTunes Store from your iOS device or computer in any whole-dollar amount between $10 and $100. You can choose a theme, add a personal message, and have your gifts emailed right away or at a time of your choice.

3. Target Gift Cards

Target Gift Cards are available for purchase at Target stores in the U.S., Target.com or the Target mobile phone app. Target eGift Cards and Target Mobile Gift Cards are available for purchase at Target.com or the Target mobile applications. You can also purchase group Target eGift Cards with your friends using the Give with Friends application on Facebook.

Target Gift Cards can be redeemed for merchandise or services (excluding American Express and Visa gift cards and prepaid cards) at Target stores in the U.S. or Target.com. Target eGift Cards can be redeemed for merchandise at Target.com only. Target Gift Cards, Target Mobile Gift Cards, and Target eGift Cards cannot be redeemed for cash or credit except where required by law. The Gift Card of your choice will be sent directly to the recipient and does not expire. Gift Cards usually ship within 24 hours, using standard delivery; they should arrive within 5-8 business days. Upgraded 1 or 2 day shipping is available. Just select the shipping method you want in checkout.

4. Amazon Gift Cards

Shopping for an Amazon Gift Card is as easy as shopping on Amazon. At the site, of to Gift Cards and choose the type of gift card you want to purchase. For E-Mail, Facebook, and Print at Home gift cards, click Purchase, or click Add another card to continue adding gift cards to your order. For Mail gift cards, click Add to Cart, and then click Proceed to Checkout. You can create up to 400 E-mail and Print at Home gift cards on the same order, but purchases of gift cards from Amazon.com and its affiliated websites are limited to up to $10,000 for any customer in a single day. Amazon.com physical gift cards are delivered with free One-Day shipping when you select One-Day shipping at checkout. For more information, go to FREE One-Day Shipping on Amazon.com Gift Cards.

Amazon.com Gift Cards can't be used to purchase other gift cards or applied to any order containing another gift card. You'll need to provide a credit card, debit card, or other valid payment method to pay for the order if you have gift cards in your Shopping Cart.

5. Gasoline Gift Cards

In the movie "Heathers," Winnona Ryder's character uses her father's gift of a gas card to come up with rent money and salty snacks. These days, most slackers have other means. However, gasoline gift cards are incredibly popular gifts because no one likes paying for gas and nearly everyone can use one. SVM is a great place to shop for gasoline gift cards online. They offer a quick toll-free ordering process, efficient online ordering system and fast and friendly customer service. Along with gasoline gift cards from major gas providers, they offer gift cards from Fortune 500 companies to small privately owned businesses.

6. Walmart Gift Cards
Walmart sells everything, and they have gift cards for everything, too. Some of their specialty gift card categories include Pamper Mom Gifts, Ecards, Crafty Mom Gifts and Gifts For Grandma. Gift cards can be mailed for free, purchased in store, ordered online or sent as eGift Cards that arrive via e-mail. Right now you can save 30% off Skype prepaid gift cards at walmart.com.

7. American Express Gift Cards
American Express calls their gift cards "One gift …Endless possibilities." They offer business and personal gift cards at their site, with features such as customized photos and other personalization tools. American Express does not ship Gift Cards to the states of Hawaii and Vermont. Their gift cards are refundable if lost or stolen. The funds do not expire and there are no inactivity fees or other fees after purchase. The maximum order value for an American Express Gift Card is $5,000.

8. Kindle Gift Cards
You can send a Kindle-branded Amazon.com Gift Card by e-mail, Facebook Wall post, print one at home or order by mail with free one-day shipping. Gift cards are redeemable for an Amazon Kindle, Kindle Books, accessories or the millions of other items at Amazon.

Before you buy a stack of gift cards, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency, wants you to know about the different types of gift cards and tips for buying and using them. New rules for gift cards went into effect on August 22, 2010.

9. Restaurant Gift Cards
Some people think giving a gift card is tacky, tantamount to simply giving cash. (What's wrong with that?) A restaurant gift card, however, shows that you want the recipient to have a nice evening or lunch at a place you know they'll love. These days you can purchase a gift card in person or online at nearly any restaurant with a web site. You can also check out OpenTable.com. They offer gift cards for more than 2,000 restaurants in more than 30 cities including San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, Washington DC and Chicago.

10. eBay Gift Cards
Giving an eBay gift card is like saying: "Buy anything you want." Almost anything listed on eBay can be purchased with an eBay gift card. However, there is one stipulation for these cards that's unlike other gift cards. The listing must include PayPal as an accepted payment method, because you'll need to log into PayPal on checkout to redeem your gift card or certificate.

If you do not have a PayPal account, you must open one to redeem your gift card. You can create a PayPal account at any time, even after you've won an item on eBay. To use an eBay gift card, you are also required to link a bank account or credit card to your PayPal account, or apply and get approved for an eBay MasterCard, a PayPal Plus Credit Card, or PayPal Buyer Credit.

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