credit cards

Retail gift cards

Gift cards have become a staple of the holiday season. There are wide range of choices to suit your interests, including cards from airlines, grocery stores, restaurants and more. If you don't want all that plastic, you'll find a wide selection of digital gift cards, and a growing number of smartphone apps will help you keep track of them all.

Before you get one, make sure to read the fine print. Not all gift cards are the same. They vary widely in expiration dates, the amount of fees they charge, whether they can be replaced if stolen, and whether they're reloadable.

To help you decide, Bankrate.com has surveyed 63 gift cards and compared a variety of features. The survey included general purpose "open-loop" gift cards and store-branded "closed-loop" cards. Bankrate.com gathered data on a variety of topics, from expiration dates and fees to e-gift card availability and free shipping.

To view the other card categories, click on the tabs.

Money loading limits
Expiration date?
Dormancy or maintenance fees?
Card and/or funds replaced after loss/theft?

PIN?*
Reloadable?
E-card available?
Online balance check?

Free shipping/delivery?**
Purchase fees?
Other details

Note: The black dot indicates the answer is yes or the feature is available.

Retail gift cards
7-eleven	$100 maximum		•		•		7-eleven The card can only be purchased in the store.
Amazon.com	$10-$2,000			•	•	•	Amazon.com There is a shipping charge for Hawaii and Alaska.
Banana Republic, Gap, Old Navy	$10-$500	•	•	•	•	•
Barnes & Noble	$10-$350	•	•	•	•
Bed, Bath & Beyond	Online: $25-$200; in stores: any denomination	•			•	•	Bed, Bath & Beyond Standard shipping is free, and expedited service is available for a fee. To use the card online, use the eight-digit PIN located on the back of the card.
Best Buy	$5-$300; e-cards: $5-$500	•	•	•	•	•
Bloomingdale's	$10-$1,000	•		•
Costco	$25-$1,000	•	•		•	•
CVS	$5-$150	•	•	•	•	•
Dillard's	$10-$1,000	•	•			•	Dillard's The card is reloadable only if there is a balance.

Money loading limits
Expiration date?
Dormancy or maintenance fees?
Card and/or funds replaced after loss/theft?

PIN?*
Reloadable?
E-card available
Online balance check?

Free shipping/delivery?**
Purchase fees?
Other details

Note: The black dot indicates the answer is yes or the feature is available.

Retail gift cards
eBay	$25-$100; e-card: $5-$500	•		•	•	•	eBay Lost, stolen or damaged cards will not be replaced except in rare circumstances or where required by law. A processing fee may apply.
Home Depot	$10-$500	•		•	•	•
iTunes	$15, $25, $50, $100; e-card: $10-$50			•	•	•
J.C. Penney	$10-$500	•	•	•	•	•	J.C. Penney This card is reloadable in the store.
Kmart	$10-$500	•	•	•	•	•
Kohl's	$10-$100; e-cards: up to $250	•	•	•	•	•	Kohl's The card is reloadable in the store.
Kroger	$10-$250		•		•		Kroger The card is reloadable in the store. After 90 days with zero balance, it may not be reloaded. Shipping costs go up as the number of cards increases.
Lowe's	$5-$500; e-cards: up to $100	•	•	•	•	•
Macy's	$10-$1,000	•		•		•

Money loading limits
Expiration date?
Dormancy or maintenance fees?
Card and/or funds replaced after loss/theft?

PIN?*
Reloadable?
E-card available
Online balance check?

Free shipping/delivery?**
Purchase fees?
Other details

Note: The black dot indicates the answer is yes or the feature is available.

Retail gift cards
Marshalls, T.J. Maxx	$25, $50, $75, $100, $200			•			•	Marshalls, T.J. Maxx Standard shipping is free.
Meijer	$10-$100		•			•	•
Nordstrom	$25-$1,000		•	•	•	•	•	Nordstrom The card is reloadable in the store.
Office Depot	$10-$200			•		•	•	Office Depot The card is reloadable in the store.
Overstock.com	$10-$1,000				•	•	•	Overstock.com There is a shipping charge for Hawaii and Alaska.
Pilot Travel Centers	$1,000 maximum	•		•		•		Pilot Travel Centers The card can only be purchased in the store.
Publix	$5-$500			•			•	Publix The card is reloadable in the store.
RadioShack	$10-$400			•			•	RadioShack There is a shipping charge for Hawaii and Alaska.
Rite Aid Corp.	$1-$500					•		Rite Aid Corp. The card can only be purchased in the store.
Saks Fifth Avenue	$25-$500		•		•	•		Saks Fifth Avenue Shipping is free if the card is ordered with other merchandise going to the same address. Otherwise, shipping is $4.

Money loading limits
Expiration date?
Dormancy or maintenance fees?
Card and/or funds replaced after loss/theft?

PIN?*
Reloadable?
E-card available
Online balance check?

Free shipping/delivery?**
Purchase fees?
Other details

Note: The black dot indicates the answer is yes or the feature is available.

Retail gift cards
Sears	$10-$500	•	•	•	•	•
SpaFinder	$25-$1,000; e-card: $25-$500			•				SpaFinder To avoid a shipping fee, the user can order the card online and print.
Staples	$25-$100; e-cards: $5-$250	•	•	•	•	•	•	Staples There is a $1.99 secure tracking fee. Delivery is unavailable to Alaska or Hawaii. The card is reloadable in the store.
Target	$5-$1,000	•	•	•	•
Toys R Us	$10-$1,000	•	•	•	•	•	•	Toys R Us The purchase fee is $1.95.
Walgreens	$5-$100	•	•			•		Walgreens Shipping is a charge for Hawaii and Alaska.
Walmart	$10-$1,000	•	•	•	•	•
Whole Foods Market	$20-$500	•	•		•	•		Whole Foods Market After loss or theft, if the card has not been redeemed, it may be reissued under certain circumstances with the gift card number and proof of purchase.

*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 Bankrate.com from late September through early October 2012.