Do you buy/use gift cards?

[disneychick0412]

I was planning to buy Disney gift cards from Sam's here and there between now and my next disney trip. However, I've seen things online about people going to use gift cards and finding out that there is no money on them. Apparently there are ways that scammers know when they are purchased and use the funds pretty quickly. I'm not talking about just Disney gift cards as I heard a story about someone who got a Walmart gift card put it in her purse and forgot about it. When she went to use it months later, the money was gone. Have you heard these stories as well and do you still buy gift cards?

 

[bcla]

I'm not sure how that happens other than just randomly trying different numbers. But then most websites will look at multiple attempts and figure out that someone is trying random number. But they're often 16 digit or larger numbers - often with a PIN on top. That's a little hard to do.

The only issues I've had with them were losing physical gift cards where I forgot to take down the number (which could be used for online purchases).

I've never had an issue with any gift card purchased at a warehouse store or store that activates them at the register. I don't believe they typically accept returns on them now. When I've been to Costco and bought gift cards, they usually came in an envelope at merchandise pickup.

But I'm usually getting virtual gift cards through credit card points or through special offers where there's either a discount or bonus. But that's send directly to me, although I'm not sure if maybe someone could conceivably intercept my email and then get access. However, I've never found one drained of funds. The closest I've gotten is that I think they reconciled the tips for the wrong bill and I had less than I thought I should. I find it kind of weird that one can pay a tip with gift card funds.

 

[tvguy]

I hate gift cards. Especially ones that are to a specific store. My wife got a $250 Disney gift card when she retired and it may be years before we use it. I got Visa gift cards as gifts when I retired and they are a pain to use.

 

[_19disnA]

Yes, have heard of those types of stories. Don't know all of the details or exactly how such type of fraud can exist. I think a bigger concern if you are buying a LOT of Disney gift cards is your money is now tied up and not available for other use. What if your trip gets delayed or cancelled? What if you need that money for other expenses? I know some say they save a few % buying these gift cards, but how much does that really save when the money can't be used for other things you may not have anticipated?

 

[nw6675]

I've had problems with cards not activated and a PIA to get fixed.

Otherwise, I buy them for the discounts and use them.

The budget board has a lot of info on the issues with Disney and other cards. Some interesting issues.

 

[CynBeth]

I always get Disney gift cards from Shop Disney prior to a trip to pay for food. I also get different kinds of gift cards to give as holiday gifts, donations, etc from racks at our local grocery store, Walmart, or Target and or have received them and have never had an issue.

 

[georgina]

Yep, use gift cards. Get them usually when there are credit card offers for 5 or 10% back. (Occasionally 20%!) I use them at Disney, Universal, Marriott hotels, Home Depot, the grocery store, CVS, sometimes SW airlines, etc, etc, etc. The Visa ones work well at Costco, I have been using the Visa ones online to pay for medical bills and online purchases also. Can be added to Amazon account.

There have sometimes been issues with people stealing the pin #'s off gift cards and covering them back up. I do check for signs of tampering before I buy. Many of the gift cards are now more secure in packaging so the pin # is not readily accessible.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I've had gift cards, never a problem. Nor have I heard of problems.

 

[easyas123]

I've been buying, on average, about 175 gift cards a year over the holidays for the past few years. Combo of Walmart & restaurant gift cards. Most purchased at Walmart, some at the actual restaurant(s). I've never had a gift card come up empty.

 

[KristaZ]

I've been buying Disney gift cards through target (sometimes in person, sometimes online) for years to pay for every little thing at Disney. I've never had an issue.

 

[Lumpy1106]

^ Same. I don't hang onto them for long though. In fact, I am just about to pay for my DVC dues with them. I go on the Target website and buy them electronically. I then go on the Disney gift card site to manage the balances on the cards (max $1k per card #). I buy just enough to pay my bill, then keep one, and only one physical card for the remaining balance. That card I keep in a safe. I have bought tickets, DVC dues, and the balance of everything we charge to the MBs while on our trips that way and I have never had a problem, One thing of note; the scammers are well known for using Target and Disney gift cards in their scams. Buying a large $$ of cards does trigger a red flag with Target. Sometimes they will put a hold on the purchase then call me to verify. That takes a little time - sometimes as much as a day. Happy to take the call though as I appreciate them looking out for me.

 

[jdb in AZ]

In December we buy gift cards for restaurants we go to regularly. The gift cards include a "bonus" gift card which amounts to 15% of what we paid for the gift cards. It's basically pre-paying for meals and getting a 15% discount.

We also get gift cards at Kroeger's when they're offering extra fuel points, but we get a better savings through gift cards at Costco.

 

[Micca]

My wife got a $250 Disney gift card when she retired and it may be years before we use it.

A nice lunch and a round of Mickey bars will wipe that out!

 

[_19disnA]

If you buy a lot of gift cards as Christmas gifts, good to remember that if some company happens to go out of business, those gift cards will likely be worth $0.

 

[easyas123]

A nice lunch and a round of Mickey bars will wipe that out!

Absolutely!

 

[bcla]

There is the little thing in my state where businesses are required to cash out any gift cards under $10. But they have to be standard, unrestricted ones. I've gotten gift cards that were actual gifts, from some rewards redemption, or ones that were purchased at a discount or with a bonus. Target never had any problem cashing them out, but I heard they sometimes had limits. I tried at Jamba Juice once (we had $15 gift cards in a multi-pack bought at Costco) and they said that they would have to be mailed in to corporate and they're send a check. Obviously they do that to reduce the number of cash redemptions.

BTW - has anyone ever tried cashing out coupons? You know - where they legally have to have a cash redemption value of something like 1/20 of a cent? I'd think some might just try it to see what happens, but it otherwise wouldn't make much sense.

 

[fla4fun]

I buy a Disney Gift Card prior to a trip, to use for mobile orders instead of a credit card. I haven’t had any issues so far, but the money is only on the card a short time. I don’t buy it months in advance or anything.

 

[Kennywood]

We use Visa gift cards often, especially when buying something online. We're certainly not going to provide our actual credit card number.

 

[RivShore]

I hate gift cards. Especially ones that are to a specific store. My wife got a $250 Disney gift card when she retired and it may be years before we use it. I got Visa gift cards as gifts when I retired and they are a pain to use.

Your on a Disney board and it will take years to use up a $250 Disney gift card...color me confused

 

[BlueStarryHat]

When it's a Disney year and we're planning a trip, my sister and I get Disney Gift cards as presents during the holidays and for birthdays. Never had an issue with them besides the pain in the butt it is to combine them into one card. I give a few gift cards for Christmas when they're asked for-I asked my niece what to get her two tween girls and so I got one a card to Dick's Sporting Goods and one a card for Ulta. They were appreciated and used because they were wanted. I got a Target gift card from someone for Christmas, and while I appreciated the gesture, I don't shop at Target and kind of wish it was a WalMart card instead.