The front of the card tells only part of the story
A retailer name describes a brand you recognise. A payment-network logo describes a payment network. The issuing company and the accompanying agreement explain who manages the card and which conditions apply.
- The card or original digital message identifies the product.
- The packaging and agreement describe where and how it may be used.
- The purchase receipt records the sale and may include activation information.
Card type and delivery format are different things
- Store gift card
- A product intended for a retailer or a named group of businesses. Its terms describe eligible locations, websites and any exclusions.
- Network gift card
- A card carrying a payment-network logo and an issuing-company name. Its agreement explains the supported merchants, countries and purchase types.
- Promotional or reward card
- A product supplied as part of an offer, incentive or reward. Its conditions can differ from those of a purchased gift card.
Physical and digital describe delivery. Either format can come with retailer-specific or network-card conditions. A digital message alone does not determine how a card works.
Read the conditions that belong to that product
Useful topics in the accompanying terms include participating merchants, activation, online purchases, dates, fees and returns. Conditions from a different card or an older article may not describe the product in your hand.
- Find the product name and issuer.
Match the agreement to the information supplied with the card.
- Look for the part relevant to your question.
For example, an online-use question may involve supported websites or purchase restrictions.
- Ask the issuer about unclear wording.
The issuer or retailer can explain the conditions that apply to its own product.
For a general overview of purchases and returns, continue with our article about using gift cards.
A few original records can be useful later
Keep the purchase receipt, original gift message and accompanying instructions somewhere private. An order confirmation can also be useful when discussing a return or cancellation with a merchant.
When reading about gift cards online, use topic words in searches. Card numbers, PINs and security codes are private information, and this blog has no fields for them.
Specific card questions go to the card provider
The issuer or retailer identified in the original card materials handles its own product questions, transaction records and customer support. Use the contact information in those materials when you need an answer about an actual card.
Our inbox is for comments about the articles and website. For more general reading, browse the gift card questions and answers.