Bankrate surveyed the "big four" credit card issuers (American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa), the top retailers nationwide and the largest shopping mall operators about their gift card programs. Click on a tab to see details for each. The Bankrate research was conducted by Heather Kuhn.

To see the details for each gift card, click on the name of the issuer.

2007 Gift Card Study comparison chart Big Four Retailers Malls Issuer Type Free shipping? Fees? Can expire? General Growth Properties Plastic No Yes Yes The Macerich Co. Plastic No Yes Yes Prime Retail Inc. Plastic N/A N/A N/A Simon Malls Plastic No Yes Yes Tanger Factory Outlet Centers Inc. Plastic Yes Yes Yes Taubman Centers Inc. Plastic No Yes No