Gift Cards » Compare Gift Cards

To help consumers compare gift cards this holiday season, CreditCards.com, a Bankrate-owned website, surveyed gift cards from 63 major restaurants, retailers, airlines and other businesses. The study included eight "open-loop," or general-purpose, gift cards and 55 "closed-loop," or store, gift cards. CreditCards.com gathered data on nine different aspects that can affect the consumer, ranging from expiration dates and fees to e-gift card availability and free shipping.

For easy comparison, Bankrate.com grouped closed-loop gift cards, which can only be used at a particular merchant or group of merchants, into subcategories for retail, restaurant, airline and gas cards. Open-loop gift cards, which are issued by banks and carry a credit card brand such as Visa or American Express, were listed as general-purpose gift cards. These cards can usually be used anywhere that brand is accepted. To view the other card categories, click on the tabs.

• General
• Retail
• Restaurants
• Airlines
• Gas stations

2011 Gift Card Survey

• Expiration date?
• Dormancy or maintenance fees?
• Card and/or funds replaced after loss or theft?

• PIN?*
• Reloadable?
• E-card available

• Online balance check?
• Free shipping/delivery?**
• Purchase fees?

General purpose cards										Other details
American Express										The cards have valid-through dates, but the funds don't expire. Some (Diwali) don't feature a purchase charge, but most do.
Discover										The cards have valid-through dates, but the funds don't expire. A $2.50 fee per month applies if it is unused for 12 months. A $3.95 ($6.95 with greeting card) purchase fee applies per card.
Fifth Third Bank Mastercard										The card requires the last four digits of a phone number to check the balance online. Gift cards only sold in stores.
Harris Bank MasterCard										Check cut for remaining funds if reported lost or stolen.
General purpose cards										Other details
KeyBank MasterCard										If reported lost or stolen, funds are returned, but the card is canceled. Cards sold only in stores.
Chase Visa										A registration of the card is required for lost or stolen replacement.
U.S. Bank Visa										A fee applies for lost or stolen replacement.
Wells Fargo Visa										The funds never expire, but the physical card may need to be replaced. A fee applies for lost or stolen replacement. A $3.95 purchase fee applies per card, plus $1.50 for shipping and handling if purchased online.
* PIN defined as a cardholder-created security code needed to conduct a transaction involving a card, whether it's checking a balance, making a purchase or something else. It does not include PINs that are found on the back of a card. ** Free shipping/delivery is only for physical cards. Being able to send an e-card for free doesn't qualify. Source: Survey conducted by CreditCards.com from late September through early October 2011.