Online Gift Cards

There are different occasions when you need to buy a gift for your family, friends and acquaintances. To choose a gift can sometimes become a difficult task. Certain things always crop up in the mind of the buyer, whether the recipient will like it or not or it may be the case that the person has everything. To save you from this problem online gifts cards have come which will provide the complete satisfaction gifting something of his/ her choice. They make the perfect choice for gifting as the recipient can buy anything that their heart wishes. The online gift cards work like gift vouchers. Internet companies with storefronts and retailers that do business usually offer gift cards. Online gift cards are available in different denominations. You simply have to choose one and the company will take the pains of sending the Virtual card directly to the recipient along with an encrypted e-mail having ID number to ensure safety of the gift card. The online gift cards work like gift vouchers, you have to type in the virtual number given when you check out after choosing the gift. After receiving the gift people go to the particular website, place the order of the items they want after that they enter the ID number at checkout. The amount of the item is deducted from the account and the left over amount can be used later.

It has been found that many people who have gifted the online gift cards and those who have used it both feel satisfied and contented. People prefer to go for it simply because it does not require lengthy procedure, you don’t have to tax your brain or search shops for the ideal gift for your near and dear ones. Even the recipient does not have to compromise with what he/she gets. While choosing a card make it a point to search online the stores which offer wide range of products. These cards have no expiry date which makes it the best choice. The one who possess the card can redeem it even after 3years. Some people prefer giving cash instead of gifts but that usually ends in spending the money on other thing except buying a gift.

One such gift card is E bay gift card from E bay- the world’s online market place. For choosing this card you need not to be the registered user of E Bay once you shop here you will find there is something for one and all. But to buy E Bay certificate it should be purchased using Pay pal (an E Bay company). One should check the conditions laid out for redeeming the certificate before buying the card. In all the online gift cards are a wonderful way to present someone so that the person can really go in for a product of his or her choice. So next time, you want to gift someone, just don’t forget about the online gift cards.

This article offers five gift card ideas that make great wedding gifts. When it comes to picking a wedding gift, the choices can be overwhelming. As a result, a lot of people play it safe by getting something off the couple’s registry list. Until recently, giving gift cards as a wedding present was considered impersonal, but with the increasing acceptance of gift cards, together with the growing selection of gift card packaging ideas available, people are beginning to take a second look at gift cards as a way of giving a wedding gift that is different.

Airline and Hotel gift cards make great wedding presents because they offer the newly weds an opportunity to take memorable trips together even after the honeymoon is over (and they will forever remember you for it). When choosing an airline gift card, buy a card from an airline that flies to many domestic and international destinations. This will ensure that your recipients have a wide selection on where to go. Similarly, choose a hotel chain with a large network of domestic and international hotels. In addition, beware of gift card fees and expiration, as they limit your recipient’s ability to choose when they want to travel.

Below are five airline and hotel wedding gift card ideas that will make you stand out long after the toasters and blenders offered by others have been tossed.

American Airlines: American Airlines gift cards can be purchased at the company’s website or by calling 1-800-677-9555. They are also available at many supermarkets and drug stores. American Airlines gift cards can be redeemed for flights on American Airlines to over 250 cities in 40 countries.

US Airways: US Airways gift cards can be purchased at the company’s website or by calling 800-428-4322. They are also available at many supermarkets and drug stores. US Airways gift cards can be redeemed for travel to over 230 domestic and international destinations.

Marriott Hotels: Marriott gift cards can be purchased online or at many supermarkets and drug stores. They can also be purchased over the phone by calling 1-800-813-4438. Marriott gift cards can be redeemed at more than 2,900 hotels in the United States and 67 countries, including leading brands like Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Renaissance Hotels, and The Ritz-Carlton.

Bed and Breakfast: Bedandbreakfast.com gift cards can be purchased online and are redeemable at nearly 4,000 bed and breakfasts. In addition, unlike other hotel gift cards, you can use the gift card to make reservations online at BedandBreakfast.com.

Best Western: Best Western gift cards can be purchased online, at popular supermarkets and drug stores, or by calling 1-877-227-3288. They can be purchased in various currencies or units and can be redeemed at participating Best Western Hotels worldwide.

They are not called gift cards for nothing. These cards are known to be the perfect gift. You can skip the seemingly endless hours trying to come up with the right gift for an anniversary or a birthday. With a gift card, the celebrant can call the shots as to what he or she will get. If you do not like the idea of wrapping gifts, then that’s another pro for gift cards. Also, you need not pay ridiculous amount for shipping. If your son is begging for a new laptop, you have to make an allowance for the delivery fee especially if he is currently residing in the university’s dorm in a different state. With these alone, you can see yourself surfing the Internet for a gift card the next time you are invited to a wedding or a baby shower.

Hold your horses still. There are downsides in getting a gift card. What if they got lost in the mail or, worse, stolen? Before you click the check out button, read first the terms and conditions so that you would have a clearer idea on how a gift card works.

Most gift cards are non-reloadable. Basically, it’s one-time use only. Once the money in the card is depleted, it’s not of any use unless for keepsake. It does not necessarily mean that the recipient have to use it in a single purchase. If the card is worth $2,500, chances are there will still be some leftover money after the initial purchase. Gift cards, generally, do not have expiration dates. If they have, they usually last a year. It is advisable, though, to double check and relate the information to the recipient of the card. Once a gift card is used, remind the cardholder to keep the card for a certain period of time. In cases of product returns, store personnels normally ask for the receipt and original mode of payment specifically if the purchase is not made through cash.

If there is a gift which you can include the receipt without being unethical, this is it. When you give your aunt a gift card in her baby shower, be sure to give her the receipt as well as the identification number of the card. These pieces of information are vital if there is something that went wrong with the manufacturing of the gift card. A case in point is when you call your niece to ask what did she buy from the $50 gift card you gave her for her birthday and it turned out that she only got a $25 gift card. With the receipt and the identification number, your niece can go the management and exchange the card. Even though some stores are adamant in replacing gift cards, there are others who are willing to compensate their customers for the inconvenience by giving a replacement. There are other scenarios when the receipt and the identification number of the card are needed. For example, the management can work out a solution for lost and stolen cards if you have these details.

You have thousands of options when it comes to gift cards. Nearly all stores are now offering this kind of service. You don’t want to make the mistake of giving somebody a gift card exclusive for a particular store. What if the person does not like shopping there? You have to take this into consideration. Conduct some fishing expeditions. There are a number of gift cards that are accepted in various stores like the Visa Gift Card. They will cost the same as other gift cards anyway so why not get one that works for a good number of stores?

Even if there are hassles in giving gift cards, you don’t have to forego the idea altogether. You simply have to get your act together and follow some of these tips and then your gift will surely be a hit.

I have not yet come across a sound reason why there should be fees or expiration on gift cards. First, by buying gift cards, consumers are essentially giving the card issuers an unsecured loan, on which they earn no interest, even if the card is not redeemed for a year or more. Second, if the company goes bankrupt, there is very little chance the money will be returned (except in a few cases, like recently with Linens and Things).

So, if consumers are taking on these risks by buying gift cards, why should they then be subjected to fees and expiration? They might as well change the gift card fee disclosures to read like this:

Dear Gift Card Buyer,

We really appreciate the unsecured loan you gave us. Together, you all gave us $97 billion in loans in 2007, up from $83 billion in 2006. You know we could use the extra cash, given all the talk of a recession. We thank you for not charging us any interest or fees on the loan. We will put your money to work immediately and generate great returns on it. You may even hear about all the kudos we will get from Wall Street due to our outstanding earnings (which will be helped by the money we get when your gift card expires). Heck, our CEO may even buy his third McMansion in the Hamptons after we reward him for making good use of your loan. A few house cleaning items:

1. If you purchased the gift card from our website, we may charge you a processing fee, separate from the shipping charge, in order to get you the card that shows that we owe you money. Feel free to buy stuff in our store up to the amount of the loan (gift card value). But if you don’t hurry, we will punish you every month by charging you ridiculous fees. These fees can start as soon as six months into the loan. We may even start your fees as early as a month into the loan if we so desire. And remember, the fees will continue until the balance on your gift card reaches ZERO. Why? Because we can. Yes, your state legislatures are all complaining about this because it is an election year. Do you really think they will do something about this?

2. Also, we have noticed from experience that some of you like to wait a long time, and we mean a long, long time to redeem your gift card. It takes a while for us to get your $100 gift card to ZERO if all we are charging is $2.50 each month. So, we now have a better idea. We will charge you the $2.50 for sometime and if you still don’t redeem your gift card by a certain date, say within two years, your card will expire. Once your card expires, we will get all the money left on the card. You are probably wondering if this is legal. Well, no one has told us it isn’t.

3. And don’t even think about losing your card. We reserve the right not to replace lost or stolen gift cards. Yes, we know that if you lose your Savings Account Statement or CD Certificate, the bank will replace it, but we are not a bank, so we can do whatever we want. If we feel generous, we may replace your gift card, but we will charge you a fee, up to $15 to teach you a lesson.

4. Lastly, if you bought a bank issued gift card (like Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover), then you better read the fine print and become familiar with fees like Transaction or Statement Copy Fee, Foreign Currency Conversion Fee, Check issuance Fee, and Transaction Fee / Balance inquiry Fee. And one last thing; Don’t call the FTC because they may be willing to push for laws to limit fees on retail gift cards but they have not been willing to touch us, the bank issued gift cards. Why? Because our lobbyists are doing an excellent job.

We hope you enjoy your gift card.

It is my belief that gift card issuers will be better off and make more money if they remove fees and expiration from gift cards since the negative publicity around gift cards from both state lawmakers and the news media has led some consumers to stay away from gift cards. This is particularly true during the holiday season when every local news station and newspaper seem to run a story about the dangers of gift card fees and expiration.

Sen. Charles Schumer of New York plans to introduce in 2009 a federal legislation that will set some standards on gift cards. The legislation, to be called the “Fair Gift Card Act”, will require a five year minimum life span on gift cards and also eliminate some fees. Schumer plans to have the bill passed in time for the 2009 holiday shopping season. Sen. Schumer should be commended for standing up for consumers and I hope there is broad support in Congress for this legislation.

However, I do not think the proposed legislation goes far enough. First, the federal government is late to the party when it comes to limiting gift card fees and expiration. A majority of states now have laws restricting fees, expiration dates and disclosure policies on gift cards. While a federal standard will help in these areas, the two most important gift card issues that the federal government can help alleviate are merchant bankruptcies and their impact on gift cards, and regulating fees and expiration on bank issued gift cards (which are not regulated by the states but through the federal Office of the Comptroller of the Currency).

The recent surge in retailer bankruptcies and the negative impact they have had on consumers requires federal legislation to protect consumers. For example, customers of The Sharper Image and Bombay Company, both of which went bankrupt within the last year, were left with gift cards they could not redeem, with customers of the Sharper Image on the hook for over 20 million dollars in unredeemable gift cards. Customers of Bombay Company were only able to get 25 cents on the dollar in bankruptcy proceedings for their gift cards. The situation is even worse with small and local retailers, who continue to sell gift cards up until they declare bankruptcy, leaving their gift card holders with little to no option to redeem their gift cards. State law has not been effective here. What is required is federal law that forces merchants to set aside money to redeem gift cards during bankruptcy.

Another area federal legislation will help is with bank issued gift cards, otherwise called “open-loop” cards. These are gift cards that carry Visa, American Express, Discover, or MasterCard logo and can be used anywhere the card issuer is accepted. These cards are notorious for charging exorbitant fees for the convenience and flexibility they provide. Some of the fees include Initial Handling or Issuing Fee, Dormancy Fee, Renewal or Replacement Fee, Transaction or Statement Copy fee (charged for requesting a copy of gift card transactions or a copy of your gift card statement, typically $5), Foreign Currency Conversion Fee (charged for using your gift card to make purchases outside the United States, typically 3% of the purchase value in U.S. Dollars), Check issuance fee (charged when you ask the bank to send you a check for the rest of the gift card balance, typically $15), and Transaction fee / Balance inquiry fee (charged for point of sale (POS) balance inquiry).

This clearly is gift card fees run amok and should be reined in. While bank issued gift cards provide more flexibility than retailer cards (closed-loop cards), the convenience they provide does not justify the outrageous fees they charge, some of which are not apparent to buyers. Some have argued that retailers can afford not to charge fees on their gift cards since consumers typically spend more than the gift card value, thereby boasting sales, which compensates for the fees. Banks on the other hand only have two opportunities to make money on gift cards – through the card processing fees and upfront fees charged for buying the card. If that is the case, then why the need to charge all these additional fees, like Dormancy Fee, Renewal or Replacement Fee, and Check issuance fee? Congress should step in and protect the consumer from these over the top charges. If the federal Office of the Comptroller of the Currency is not up to the job, then Congress has a duty to act.

In recent years, gift cards have become a popular present among gift-givers. The National Retail Federation (NRF) estimates that gift card sales will total $26.3 billion this holiday season. Here are some ideas to keep in mind when using or purchasing gift cards.
 
Read the fine print before you buy
 
Although NRF reports that 92 percent of the nation's top retailers have no expiration date or dormancy fees associated with their gift cards, it is still wise to read the fine print. Gift cards from credit card issuers such as VISA, Mastercard, and American Express are more likely to expire and tack on fees for activation, maintenance, and inactivity. This information may appear on the card itself, on the accompanying sleeve or envelope, or on the issuer's web site.
 
Report your card lost or stolen
 
If your card is lost or stolen, report it to the issuer immediately. Some issuers will not replace the cards, but others will replace them for a fee. According to the National Retail Federation, improved technology has allowed some retailers to reissue lost gift cards if consumers have the original purchase receipt. Some stores also encourage gift card recipients to register their cards online so they can check their balance and receive a new card in the event that their gift card is lost or stolen.
 
Get cash for your gift cards
 
You may receive a store gift card as a present that you know that you will probably not use. In this case, you may consider getting cash for your gift cards at sites such as Plastic Jungle and Swap A Gift. These web sites allow you to redeem some gift cards for a percentage of the card's balance. Visit each site for specific details. You also have the option of trading your gift cards with other web site users.
 
Use your gift card wisely. If you received a gift card as a present, redeem it when you really need something. Don't purchase something in the first week just because you have "free money." For example, if you received a grocery store gift card, save it for when you are short on food money. A gas station gift card may come in handy when you have to travel a lot during a particular week. Discover ways in which your gift card can help you save money on necessary living expenses.
 
Watch out for scams. The National Retail Federation advises consumers to only purchase gift cards through reputable retailers and to be leery of cards sold on online auction sites. Many of those gift cards are counterfeit or obtained through fraudulent means.
 
Giving gift cards may be more costly. You may think it is quick and convenient to buy primarily gift cards to give as presents. However, according to Bankrate.com, going overboard with gift cards could be a budget buster because you must purchase the amount of the card. You may be able to buy a more personalized gift for less money. For example, if a store is having a 20% off sale, you could save money on a $50 sweater instead of buying a $50 gift card.

When buying a birthday present, you have a lot of options. If you are buying a gift for a female recipient, it will more than likely be different than something you would buy for a male recipient. However, if you want a gift idea that is great for a male or female recipient, a gift card is the way to go. Gift cards have become increasingly popular in the last decade and are a fantastic gift because of their usefulness and practicality. Gift cards can be purchased from a variety of different stored, food chains, airlines, hotels, movie theaters and many more establishments. In fact, you can even buy gift cards from some auto retail stores, which make great gifts for any male birthday. Whatever a person is interested in, you will be able to find an appropriate gift card to go with those interests.

Retail store gift cards are perfect for a male or female recipient. For any person who spends a lot of time shopping in the mall, mall gift cards are perfect. Mall gift cards can be found in nearly every establishment in the mall. Mall gift cards are usually very appropriate for a teenager's birthday, as teens love spending time in and around malls. Larger retail store gift cards make wonderful gifts for any age group. Large retail stores will have a variety of items for a person to choose from so they can find something they really like or need. Online retail gift cards have also become very popular recently, as many people love shopping on the internet in the comfort of their own homes. Many online retailers will offer gift cards for you to purchase. There are online music gift cards, online retail gift cards, various online manufacturer's gifts cards and many more.

Restaurant and movie theater gift cards are perfect gifts for many people. People love to eat, therefore, most any restaurant gift card will be well appreciated. Every large food chain has gifts cards that you can purchase and there are some smaller restaurant establishments that will offer gift cards as well. Movie theater gift cards are perfect for the movie enthusiast or the person who likes to go see a movie only occasionally. Most all theaters, whether they are part of a large chain or a small hometown theater, will have gift cards for you to purchase. As you can see, gift cards are the perfect birthday gift idea.

Gift cards have been around for years. You have seen them in all the big stores such as Home Depot, Macy’s and Walmart and large chain restaurants such as TGI Fridays. These are such powerful instruments that 80% of the top 100 retailers in the United States say that gift cards represent the largest single selling item for them. Today, more and more small and medium size retailers and jumping on the gift card train.

A gift card program will have undeniable advantages to a small and medium size retailer. They are convenient alternatives for people who do not know what gift to buy for a friend of family member. They will expand a business’ customer base with very little investment. And they provide businesses with immediate cash while the product or service is supplied at a later date.

Retailers are also discovering that gift cards are a powerful marketing tool. A retailer that does not have a gift card program in place may be considered less attractive than a competitor offering the service. However, to be effective, a gift card program must be attractive to customers. Creative packaging plays an important role in gift card giving. Retailers are offering creative and visually appealing packagings to increase the perceived value of the gift and add to the gift card experience.

Gift cards are great tools for retailers as they often increase their overall sales. On average, consumers will spend between 20% and 40% than the amount of the gift card. For some retailers, this can translate into significant new revenue.

Almost as important as the gift card itself is the packaging that is made available. Enhanced packaging are a great way for a retailer to stand out so that a gift card does not get lost in a sea of cards. Customers are now more discerning than ever and are looking for ways to make a gift card look special. The packaging plays a crucial role as it completes the gift. This is particularly true when the packaging is available free of charge. In a recent survey, 84% of respondents said they would buy a gift card if it came with free packaging. 55% of respondents said they would buy a gift card if it came with packaging to be purchased and that number went up to 62% if they had options in terms of packaging.

To enhance the overall gift giving experience, consumers are seeking innovative gift card packaging such as pouches, bags, tins and boxes in which to store the cards. Retailers are answering by getting more creative.
Gift cards are no longer restricted to a personal gift to a friend or family member. Employers are discovering the advantages of giving gift cards as a way to recognize or motivate employees. Employees enjoy these gift cards as they often find them more exciting to receive than cash. They are also more comfortable talking about gift card rewards than monetary gifts.

So if you have not yet established a gift card program for your business, now is a good time to get started. Consumers no longer see gift cards as impersonal and boring presents. All you have to do is make your gift cards and packaging appealing.

Gift cards are no more than just gifts and no longer considered the impersonal and lazy way to celebrate a special occasion or holiday, meaning gift giving has never been easier, it's the new way to reduce the rising cost of living!

Buying gift cards at a discount is almost like buying cash at a discount. Consumers are realizing that it's now more than just about giving - it's about saving. Customers who purchase gift cards from us and then use them as the method of payment at their favorite merchants are significantly reducing their shopping expenses. it's the new trend on how to fight the rising cost of living.

If you've ever had an awkward gift giving moment, or have had to fake your enthusiasm over a gift from a caring, thoughtful person in your life because the chosen item just wasn't anything you had a use for, you'll understand the benefits below of a gift card.

1.Perfect for business incentive programs and employee bonuses.

2.Personalized gift cards can be ordered online.

3.The prepaid Visa Card is accepted anywhere.

4.Available in any amout you want.

5.No fee to view a transaction history online.

Personal Shopping Spree

Gift cards are available from many businesses, specialty stores, as well as gift cards through nationally known credit card companies that can be used anywhere that accepts that credit card. Though it might seem more personal to buy a gift card or gift certificate for a special business, you are limiting the redeemable options.

- No boundaries on purchases. The recipients can buy whatever they want, wherever they want.

- No longer associated with lazy or thoughtless giving, a gift card can be seen as a personal shopping spree given by you. Some of the benefits are

- No duplication of gifts that have to be returned

- The card can be used along with cash for a purchase that the recipient has always wanted but found too extravagant to buy.

- The recipients receive exactly what they've wanted.

- Safely redeemed in stores or online. The gift card is only good for the amount specified, and cannot give access to personal accounts.

How to Personalize Pre-Paid Gift Cards

If you feel your gift card somehow lacks the personal touch, personalize a greeting card and tuck the gift card in the envelope. Some gift ideas:

* A Romantic Dinner for My Favorite Busy Couple

The gift card lets your friends choose the restaurant they like versus a gift certificate from the restaurant you choose. They even have the option of using the gift card for take-out and flowers, if they have an opportunity for a romantic dinner at home.

* For Your Next Wine-Tasting Tour

The personalization shows you've thought out your gift, but the card can be used not only for wine, but gas to get to the vineyard, dinner on the road, or even a special clothing accessory for the excursion.

* For Whatever Santa (the tooth fairy, Easter Bunny, etc.) Forgot to Bring

Perfect for a grandchild, niece, nephew or the neighbors child who you will not be able to spend the occasion with. The first gift is the gift card, the second gift is being able to choose and buy their own present.

* For my Favorite Shopper, A Post Holiday Sale Shopping Spree

Your gift dollars will go farther when the recipient is able to scour the after holiday bargain tables.

Gift Card Hazards

Gift cards, depending on point of purchase, can have expiration dates, non-use penalties, lost or stolen card replacement fees or other administration fees.

Before you buy, check on the state laws that pertain to your purchase. Gift cards and Gift certificates Legislation by state can be found at the National Conference of State Legislatures Website.

With the economic downturn, some of the recipients of gift cards will find they need to use them for everyday purchases. Isn't it wonderful to think that you have made their life easier with your gift, without bringing attention to their personal circumstances?

Give the gift of motivation. With a special personized gift card, you can provide your employees, parents or teachers with all the incentive and reward of cash, backed by the security and acceptance of the Visa name.

Useful Tips for Buying a Gift Card

Buying a store gift card is pretty easy. You simply pick the retailer and buy the card in the store or over the phone. Or you can buy an e-gift card online that’s e-mailed to you or your little nephew and can be used online or in stores. But there are a few issues you should consider before committing to a store card, which we’ll describe below.

Buying a bank-issued gift card requires a little more research. Terms and conditions vary widely, and information about these gift cards isn’t always easy to find. Be sure to confirm anything you’re told over the phone with information at the bank’s website. While you’re at the bank’s site, read over the frequently asked questions/FAQ section.

With the tough economy weighing on all our minds, this holiday season could be make-or-break for a lot of eTailers. So, like Bryan Eisenberg mentioned in his recent blog, and relying on the status-quo isnâ??t wise.

The 2008 holiday season came with worldwide economic woes and in light of the difficult financial times, holiday gift recipients are now being encouraged to spend those gift cards as soon as possible to avoid a situation where gift cards are no longer honored when a retail store files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection.

"When a company files for Chapter 11, federal law does permit retailers to stop honoring gift cards. So that's something we may see if Christmas shoppers purchase gift cards at stores that have already filed Chapter 11 - the gift cards may not be honored after the holiday shopping season. I also expect we'll see a few retailers file Chapter 11 after the holiday season, to avoid a decrease in gift card sales, but this leaves the consumers in a bad position with a gift card that may be worthless," explained economist Michael Bloom in a November 2008 sit-down interview with Suite101.

Some retailers may also put a hold on gift card redemption, which is permissible under federal law.
Bloom offered a few tips for holiday shoppers who purchase a gift card and for gift card recipients, who may be wondering about the best way to redeem a gift card.

Search Internet Before

Before setting off on a holiday shopping trip, do a quick internet search to learn if a particular retailer has filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection. Some major national retailers that have recently filed for Chapter 11 include Circuit City, Linens N' Things and The Sharper Image.

Spend Your Gift Cards ASAP.

It's best to spend a gift card as soon as possible during times of economic instability to avoid ending up with a worthless gift card that cannot be redeemed because a store has gone out of business.

Consider a American Express Gift Card or Mall Gift Card

Rather than purchasing a gift card for a specific retailer, instead give the gift of an American Express Gift Card, which is good at virtually any store worldwide. Many malls, like Simon Malls (throughout the U.S.) offer gift cards that are good at all mall stores. These types of companies are generally more stable than retailers.

Read The Fine Print on Gift Card

Many gift cards have dormancy fees that are deducted from the gift card balance after the card has been inactive for a certain period of time. Some gift cards even have expiration dates, so read the fine print on the gift card to avoid losing value. This varies from state to state, as some states do not allow for gift card expiration dates.

Notably, when a company files for Chapter 11, this does not necessarily mean that a company will be going out of business. Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection allows a retailer to restructure in a way that will allow them to remain in business as they pay off creditors and debts.

Some companies do ultimately go out of business, making gift cards worthless. While other companies recover and remain in business for many years after filing for Chapter.

In recent years, the popularity of gift cards has skyrocketed, but while the gift of a gift card gives the recipient the ability to select their own gift, there's also potential downside to this popular holiday gift idea.

PS: Gift cards can be redeemed at REI.com and REI-OUTLET.com, at an RET Store, or by phone at 1-800-426-4840.