Gift cards get decked out for the holidays
By Lucy
Lazarony • Bankrate.com
Prepaid gift cards are pouring on the star power
and getting all dressed up for the holidays. That's because many
people are finding them to be the perfect gift.
After all, you don't have to worry about size
or color.
But there are disadvantages to the cards, too.
Here's a roundup of the cards and their often-overlooked downsides:
The card: Bloomingdale's Gift Card
The look: Harry Connick Jr. holding
an armful of holiday gifts
The downside: Cannot be redeemed
for cash
The card: Hilary Duff Prepaid Visa
The look: The teen star, wearing
lots of pink, floating on a raft in a swimming pool
The downside: A $2 monthly account
maintenance fee kicks in after six months
The card: Bank of America Visa Gift
Card
The look: Christmas and Hanukkah
designs
The downside: Service fees ranging
from $5.95 to $11.95
The card: National City Prepaid
Visa Gift Card
The look: Snowflakes
The downside: $4.95 to $8.95 shipping
and handling fee, plus a $2.50 fee if you don't use a National City
debit or credit card to purchase the gift card
The card: CharterOne MasterCard
Gift Card
The look: Special card designs for
Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa
The downside: You pay a $2 fee for
each ATM withdrawal you make with the card
The card: Target Gift Card
The look: A puppy in a stocking,
red snowflake in a swirl, colored bows and holidays from around
the world
The downside: $1.95 shipping charge
for cards ordered online
The card: Borders Gift Card
The look: Harry Potter, SpongeBob
Squarepants, or more traditional design of a gift box with stripes
The downside: Not returnable or redeemable
for cash
The card: Barnes and Noble Gift
Card
The look: The
Cat in the Hat
The downside:
Will not be replaced if lost or stolen
The card: Blockbuster
Gift Card
The look: Finding
Nemo, SpongeBob Squarepants, Hello Kitty, Lord of the Rings
The downside:
Will not be replaced if lost or stolen
| 
