Results of Bankrate's gift card survey

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Bankrate's gift card survey

Bankrate researchers called the top 20 retailers and the top four credit card issuers in the country to find out their prices, policies and restrictions for gift cards. The survey was conducted the week of Dec. 6, 2004.

Company	Format	Monetary Units	Delivery	Fees	Expiration Date	Use	Cash-out Privileges	Comments
Wal-Mart www.walmart.com 1-800-411-7942	Plastic	In store, online and by phone, choose any denomination of $10 to $2,500	est. $1.87 shipping fee; allow 7 to 9 days for delivery in U.S.	None	None	Purchases at Walmart.com and in U.S. Wal-Mart stores. For purchases by SAM's club members in SAM's club stores and at Samsclub.com.	Any unused balance remains on the card. Not returnable or refundable for cash except in states where required by law. A balance below $2 will be automatically returned.	Delivery to military bases overseas takes 3 to 6 weeks.
Wal-Mart www.walmart.com 1-800-925-6278	Electronic	Online, choose any denomination of $10 to $2,500	N/A; delivery within hours	None	None	Purchases at Walmart.com. For purchases by SAM's club members at Samsclub.com.	Any unused balance remains on the customer's account. Not returnable or refundable for cash except in states where required by law.
Home Depot www.homedepot.com 1-800-430-3376	Plastic	In store, online or by phone, choose $5 to $5,000 in any denomination	Free via U.S. Postal Service; allow 2 to 10 days for delivery	None	None	Purchase of merchandise at any Home Depot, EXPO Design Center or Home Depot Supply store.	Any unused balance remains on the customer's account. Not returnable or refundable for cash except in states where required by law.	Ship to any valid street address in the U.S. Cannot deliver to post office boxes or addresses outside the U.S.
Kroger www.kroger.com 1-800-883-7135	Plastic	$10 to $250	$2.51 for 1 to 3 cards by U.S. mail; allow 2 weeks for delivery	None	None	Redeemable for any merchandise sold at any of the 3,500+ Kroger supermarkets and multi-department stores, as well as fine jewelry at Fred Meyer, Littman and Barclay jewelers in 34 states.	Any unused balance remains on the card. Not refundable for cash except in states where required by law. Cash balances below $5 will be refunded upon request.	Ship to all 50 states plus military bases overseas. No online purchase availability at this time.
Target www.target.com 1-800-544-3875	Plastic	Online or in the store: $10, $25, $50, $75, $100, $200, $1,000; by phone: any whole dollar amount from $5 to $1,000	Call toll-free number to order and avoid the $1.95 shipping fee; allow 7 to 10 days for delivery	None	None	Redeemable for merchandise at Target stores or Target.com	Any unused balance remains on the card. Not refundable for cash.	Card can be shipped anywhere in the 50 U.S. states, but cannot be shipped to military bases overseas or Puerto Rico
Target www.target.com 1-800-544-3875	Electronic	$5 to $5,000 in any denomination	12 to 24 hours to receive	None	None	Redeemable for merchandise in the Target.com online catalog and sold by Target.com or its affiliates, including the Amazon.com store on Target.com. e-giftcards are not valid at the Target store on Amazon.com. E-giftcards can not be used to buy gift cards.	E-giftcards are not redeemable for cash and cannot be returned for a refund. Any unused balance remains in the recipient's account.	Card can be shipped anywhere in the 50 U.S. states, but cannot be shipped to military bases overseas or Puerto Rico
Costco www.costco.com 1-800-955-2292	Plastic	Online, choose: $25,$50, $100, $200, $300, $400, $500, $600, $700, $800, $900, $1,000	Shipping fee based on shipping address; allow 7 to 10 days for delivery	None	None	Redeemable for merchandise in Costco warehouse stores, gas stations and on costco.com	The store is allowed to give cash out, but it is up to the individual store.	Must be a Costco member to buy a gift card. Nonmember recipients can only use a gift card with a one-day pass at no additional charge.
Costco www.costco.com	Electronic	Online, choose: $25, $50, $100, $150, $200, $250, $300, $350, $400, $500	N/A	None	After 2 years, any unused balance is donated to charity by Costco.	Redeemable at costco.com. Not redeemable at physical warehouses.	Certificates are not refundable or redeemable for cash.	Recipient must reside in the U.S., have e-mail and access to Worldwide Web to receive and redeem the certificate.
Sears www.sears.com 1-800-349-4358	Plastic	In store or online, choose: $5, $10, $15, $20, $25, $30, $35, $40, $50, $75, $100, $150, $200, $250, $300, $400, $500	No shipping cost; allow 7 to 10 days for delivery	None	None	Redeemable for merchandise and services purchased in conjunction with merchandise at participating Sears, Roebuck & Co stores in the U.S. Can not be used online.	Cannot be redeemed for online purchases, cash or applied to Sears card balances.	Cannot be mailed to P.O. boxes or APO/FPO (military bases overseas) addresses.
Safeway 1-877-723-3929	Plastic	In store or by mail: Pre-marked cards are available for $5 to $500; Blank cards are also available.	No shipping fee; allow 7 to 10 days for delivery	None	None	Redeemable for merchandise at Safeway stores including gift cards to other retailers such as Home Depot, Bed Bath & Beyond, Barnes & Noble, etc.	Unused balance remains on the card.	Cards are available for purchase in stores or can be purchased by mail. Mailing address is Safeway Inc., 4551 Forbes Blvd, Lanham, MD 20706, attention: Toni Browning. Cards are the same as cash. No replacements are available. Offers selected retailers' pre-paid cards as a convenience to customers.
Albertsons 1-888-746-7252	Plastic	$5 and up in $5 increments	No shipping: order through the gift telephone number and pick up at store	None	After 5 years, the card begins to reduce by a percentage as determined by the issuing store.	Redeemable for merchandise in-store.	The store can, at its discretion, give cash out.	Certificates can also be purchased in any dollar amount up to $100. The certificates can have stipulations, such as no alcohol purchases, whereas the cards cannot.
Walgreens Contact your local Walgreens	Plastic	Cards are available in different denominations, depending on the store.	In-store pickup.	Must use within 12-month period or a monthly fee of $2 is charged to the card.	None	Redeemable for Walgreens in store, Walgreens.com and Walgreen's pharmacy merchandise.	Unused balance remains on the card. No cash out.	Cards can be picked up in any Walgreens store. Other cards can be purchased at Walgreens as a customer convenience.
Lowe's www.lowes.com 1-800-445-6937	Plastic	Online, choose: $5 to $5,000 in any denomination	Free via U.S. Postal Service; 3 to 7 days for delivery	None	None	Redeemable for merchandise at any Lowe's store.	Unused balance remains on the card. Not returnable or refundable.	Continental U.S. delivery addresses only.
Ahold USA (Stop & Shop, Bi-Lo, Giant, Giant Super, Giant Food Stores, Martin's Food Markets and Tops) 1-800-423-3663	Plastic	Online, choose: $10, $20, $25, $50; any denomination by phone	No fee if delivered to the store; mail is by FedEx and standard rates apply.	None	None	Issued by each of the chains, but redeemable at all locations including: Stop & Shop, Bi-Lo, Giant, Giant Super, Giant Food Stores, Martin's Food Stores, Brunos and Tops.	Unused balance remains on the card. Not returnable or refundable.	Shipping by FexEx or pick up in local store
CVS www.cvs.com 1-800-SHOP-CVS	Plastic	In store, choose: Any denomination up to $500	Pick up in the store.	None	None	Redeemable for merchandise in CVS stores.	Unused balance remains on the card. Not returnable or refundable.
Best Buy www.bestbuy.com 1-888-237-8289	Plastic	Online, choose: $15, $20, $25, $30, $50, $100, $200; in-store choose any denomination over $5	Free via U.S. Postal Service; 4 to 8 days.	None	None	Redeemable for in-store purchases in the U.S. only. Cannot be used for online purchases.	Unused balance remains on the card. Not returnable or refundable.
Kmart www.kmart.com 1-866-562-7848	Plastic	Online, choose: $25 or $50; in store, amounts up to $500.	Free; arrives in 7 to 10 business days	None	None	Redeemable at any Kmart store.	Unused balance remains on the card. Not returnable or refundable.	Cards are transferable.
JC Penney www.jcpenney.com 1-800-322-1189	Plastic	Online and in store, choose: $10, $25, $50, $100, $200, $250	No shipping fee; arrives in 4 to 5 days	None	None	Redeemable at JC Penney stores, home delivery orders at JCPenney.com and catalog telephone offers. They cannot be used for orders shipped to the stores.	Unused balance remains on the card. Not returnable or refundable.	Can be ordered in stores or online. Only available to domestic U.S. customers at this time.
JC Penney www.jcpenney.com 1-800-322-1189	Electronic	Online, choose: $10, $25, $50, $100, $200, $250	12 hours	None	None	Can only be ordered online. Redeemable at JC Penney stores, home delivery orders at JCPenney.com and catalog telephone orders. They cannot be used for orders shipped to the stores.	Unused balance remains on the card. Not returnable or refundable.	Only available to domestic U.S. customers at this time.
Publix www.publix.com	Plastic	Online or in store, choose any amount between $5 to $500	No shipping fee; 1 to 5 business days	None	None	Redeemable at Publix stores.	Unused balance remains on the card. Cannot be returned nor redeemed for cash.	Publix gift cards can be purchased online or in Publix stores. As a convenience to customers, Publix stores also allow the consumer to purchase a variety of retailers' gift cards in predetermined amounts including pre-paid cellular phone and long-distance cards.
Rite Aid	Plastic	In store only, choose any denomination from $5 to $500	N/A	None	None	Redeemable in Rite Aid stores only.	Unused balance remains on the card. Cannot be returned or redeemed for cash.	Can be ordered and used in Rite Aid stores only.
Gap www.gap.com 1-800-GAP-STYLE	Plastic	Online choose $10, $25, $50, $75, $100, $125, $150, $175 or $200. For other denominations, call 1-800-GAP-STYLE	Shipped free via U.S. postal mail; allow 7 to 10 days	None	None	Redeemable for merchandise online and at any Gap, GapKids, BabyGap or GapBody store in the U.S.	Unused balance remains on the card.	Gap cards can be purchased in any Gap store or online.
Food Lion, Delhaize America 1-800-811-1748	Plastic	Online or in store, choose any amount between $5 to $499	Shipped free via U.S. postal mail; allow 3 to 5 days	Must be activated within 24 months. Fee of $2.10 per month that the card is not used.	None	Redeemable for merchandise at any Food Lion or Bloom store. Cannot be used for the purchase of money orders, money transfer services, to pay utility bills or for the payment of returned checks.	Unused balance remains on the card. Cannot be redeemed for cash.	Can be ordered online or purchased in the store. Cards are activated by phone. Activation takes 24 hours. Once activated, the card acts like cash and can be used by anyone.
Hannaford, Delhaize America 1-888-646-2577	Plastic	By phone or in store, choose any amount between $5 and $250	No fees. Allow one week to receive by regular mail.	Must be activated within 24 months. Fee of $2 per month that the card is not used.	None	Redeemable for merchandise at any Hannaford and participating independent supermarkets. Cannot be used for the purchase of money orders, money transfer services, to pay utility bills or for the payment of returned checks.	Cannot be redeemed for cash or applied against account balances.	Can be ordered by phone or purchased in the store. Cards are activated by phone. Activation takes 24 hours. Once activated, the card acts like cash and can be used by anyone.
Kash n' Karry, Delhaize America 1-888-646-2577	Plastic	By phone or in store, choose any amount up to $250	No fees. Allow one week to receive by regular mail.	Must be activated within 24 months. Fee of $2.10 per month that the card is not used.	None	Redeemable for merchandise at any Kash n' Karry or Sweetbay store. Cannot be used for the purchase of money orders, money transfer services, to pay utility bills or for the payment of returned checks.	Cannot be redeemed for cash or applied against account balances.	Can be ordered by phone or purchased in the store. Cards are activated by phone. Activation takes 24 hours. Once activated, the card acts like cash and can be used by anyone.
Sweetbay, Delhaize America 1-888-646-2577	Plastic	By phone or in store, choose any amount up to $499.99	No fees. Allow one week to receive by regular mail.	Must be activated within 24 months. Fee of $2.10 per month that the card is not used.	None	Redeemable for merchandise at any Sweetbay store. Cannot be used for purchases of money orders, money transfer services, to pay utility bills or for the payment of returned checks.	Cannot be redeemed for cash or applied against account balances.	Can be ordered by phone or purchased in the store. Cards are activated by phone. Activation takes 24 hours. Once activated, the card acts like cash and can be used by anyone.
Harveys, Delhaize America								No gift cards are offered at this time. Gift certificates can be purchased and redeemed for merchandise in Harvey's stores.
Macy's, Federated Department Stores www.federated-fds.com 1-800-289-6229	Plastic	Online or in store, choose: $25, $50, $75, $100, $150, $200, $250, $300, $350, $400, $450, $500	Unboxed gift cards are shipped free via first class mail; Boxed gift cards are shipped at a flat fee of $3.95; allow 7 to 10 days for delivery	None	2 years from the date of the last value added to the card. Cards sent to CA, CT, MA, NH, RI and WA do not expire.	Redeemable for the purchase of in-store merchandise and in-store services only. The card is accepted at Bon-Macy's, Burdines-Macy's, Goldsmith's-Macy's, Lazarus-Macy's, Macy's, macy's.com, Rich's-Macy's.	Unused balance remains on the card. The unused balance may be redeemed for cash at the individual store's option.	Lost or stolen cards will be replaced for the balance remaining on the company's records. Shipping to P.O. boxes, U.S. Territories, APO and FPO (military bases overseas) is excluded from guaranteed holiday delivery.
Macy's, Federated Department Stores www.federated-fds.com 1-800-289-6229	Electronic	Online only, choose any amount up to $500	Overnight delivery	None	None	Redeemable online at Macy's.com. May not be used in stores.	Unused balance remains in the online account.	Lost or stolen virtual cards will be replaced for the balance shown on the company's records with proof of purchase.
Bloomingdale's, Federated Department Stores www.bloomingdales.com 1-866-593-2540	Plastic	Online or in store, choose: $10, $25, $50, $75, $100, $150, $200, $250, $300, $350, $400, $450, $500	$2 flat fee	2 years; after that they can be reactivated for 30 days by calling customer service.	Expires 2 years from the date of the last value added. Cards issued in CA and MA do not expire.	Redeemable for merchandise at Bloomingdale's stores, in-store services, Bloomingdale's By Mail and online at bloomingdales.com only.	Unused balance remains on the card. Returns are credited to the card. The unused balance may be redeemed for cash at the individual store's option.	With proof of purchase, lost or stolen cards will be replaced for the balance remaining on the company's records.
American Express www.americanexpress.com 1-877-AXP-GIFT	Plastic	Online, choose: $25, $35, $50, $75, $100, $200, $250 and $500	Internet purchase: $3.95 fee per card plus $2 shipping and delivery by First Class USPS with delivery in 10 business days; by phone, $7.95 fee per card plus $2 shipping.	If available funds remain on a card after 12 months from the purchase date, a service fee of $2 per month is deducted except where prohibited by law.	Each card expires within 1 year. If there are funds still available on the card after the expiration date, a new card can be issued for $5.95 or a check for the available funds will be mailed for a fee of $10.	Redeemable at retail establishments and restaurants that accept American Express cards in the U.S., including mail order, online and point of sale retail merchants. Not for use at airline, hotel, car rental, gasoline, telecom merchants or ATMs.	Unused balance remains on the card.	Cards can also be purchased at various retailers and financial institutions. Call the telephone number for locations. Fees vary depending on where the cards are purchased. For a lost or stolen card where the card number can be provided, any available balance on the company's records will be refunded.
VISA www.usa.visa.com	Plastic	From financial institutions: $25 to $1,000 depending on where the card is purchased	$2.50 to $3.50, depending on where the card is purchased		Card expiration date, fees and reissue charges vary based on the institution issuing the VISA gift card. Check all the details.	Redeemable at millions of places that accept VISA debit cards. A minimum of $50 balance is required at gas stations.	Unused balance remains on the card. Returns are credited to the card.	Purchase online or in person at financial institutions or Simon Malls.
MasterCard 1-888-GiftCard	Plastic	Online or in financial institutions offering the cards: denominations up to $600 or $2,500 depending on the financial institution	$0 to $6 purchase fee; 7 to 10 days to receive	After the expiration date, a $5 per month fee is charged to the card.	Card expires after 6 months or at the expiration date requested for the card.	Redeemable at any location that accepts MasterCard.	Unused balance remains on the card. No cash out.	The gift-card toll-free number, 1-888-GiftCard, can answer questions on the card and provide numbers of institutions that the cards can be purchased from. The gift card number does not sell the cards. The cards are purchased from individual institutions. Activation by phone. Can have a pin assigned or use signature verification only.
Discover www2.discovercard.com 1-866-238-9490	Plastic	Online or by phone, choose $25 to $500, in increments of $5	$5.95 via priority U.S. mail; Allow 2 to 3 weeks for delivery	A $2.50 monthly fee is charged if the card is not used for 12 consecutive months.	Card expires 24 months after issuance.	Redeemable for in-store merchandise and services at most merchant locations in the U.S. that accept Discover Card. Exceptions may include pay-at-the-pump, ATM machines and check cashing agencies. Online except where address validation is used and the card was sent to an address other than that of the user.	Unused balance remains on the card. Returns are credited to the card. No cash out. A check may be requested for the remaining balance on a card for a $10 service fee.	Must be a Discover card account holder to order Discover gift cards. Can be mailed anywhere in the U.S. except: MA, CT, ME, NH & DC. Once the card is activated, it is the same as cash. Lost or stolen cards will be replaced at the face balance remaining on the card as of the notification that the card is stolen. Cards are transferable, but card balances from several cards cannot be combined onto one.

Bankrate research by Karen Christie, Judy Dunn and Renee Westacott.

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