Where can I buy a Visa Gift Card?

[Zandy595]

I need to get one, but I have no idea where. Do I have to go to a bank?

 

[belleandthebeast]

Try AAA.

 

[Independent]

My local grocery store has a huge display of different gift cards: I-tunes, starbucks, sears, Bed Bath&Beyond, pottery barn, home depot, nordstroms etc. And 2 types of visa and Amex cards.

The first Visa and Amex cards are standard gift cards with increments of - $25, $50 and $100 that you just bring to the counter and have the cashier activate. The activation fees are $3.95 for the $25, $4.95 for the 50 and $5.95 for the 100. They are good anywhere a Visa debit card is accepted. Can you tell we use these a lot for birthday parties?

Or they have "loadable" cards, where you have to call and have them loaded with the amount you want. These can be re-loaded when finished. I have no idea how much the activation fees are on these.

Check your grocery store to see if they have a gift card selection.

Also, our local mall issues visa cards as their gift cards. The Visa card has the name of the mall on it, but it is also good anywhere Visa is accepted. These cards are loaded right there at the guest services desk and can have any amount you want on it. The activation fee is also only $2.00 per card, no matter the amount on the card.

So, another place to check is your local mall. A quick call to the guest desk will let you know.

 

[Zandy595]

I didn't realize I'd have to pay an activation fee. If you're giving a smaller amount it doesn't seem worth it. hmmm

 

[BrinxFam]

I went to pick a couple up for my mom at her bank. She changed her mind when we found out that they charge a fee for them and they are not reloadable. They also cannot be used everywhere. I think the exceptions are hotels, gas stations to pay at the pump and there was something else I'm forgetting.
Doesn't sound as great as it is made to sound around here.

 

[Evil Queen]

I've gotten them at the mall, but didn't know about the activation fee. This was for a gift card, to give to someone who was moving to a different state. We collected money at work, so I didn't have a choice after getting to the mall.

 

[Nancy]

I know they have them at the bank but I never heard of an activation fee. I usually get mine through my rewards points and I get a 5.00 charge when I "buy" through the program. I have used mine everywhere, including the gas pumps. The only problem with them is that when you get down in the balance you have to tell a chasier exactly what is on the card. Example: your bill is for 35.00 and you only have 20.00 on the card. If they put it through as a regular charge it comes up denied. If they type in the amount (20.00) it will be approved.

 

[we3disneygo]

Wal-Greens has a big selection to pick from and they are reloadable and were on "sale" for the loading price of 4.95 instead of 9.95 I think a couple weeks ago. hope this helps, I was going to get these for dd12 but she'd rather have the new disney card for our trip.

 

[Kirby]

I got a Mastercard gift card through my bank for my son to take on a school trip for unexpected expenses. It did have an activation fee and is not reloadable. It does have it's limitations when it comes to buying gas. It also has to be used up withing a year or you begin to be penalized so much a month. Be sure and know what you are getting before you get it. I didn't and wish I did now.