Frequently Asked Questions

Under the federal Credit CARD Act of 2009, gift card funds cannot expire for at least five years from the date of purchase or the date funds were last loaded onto the card. Many states have additional protections that may extend this period or prohibit expiration entirely. Always check the terms printed on your specific card.

Federal law restricts fees on gift cards. Inactivity or service fees can only be charged if the card has not been used for at least 12 months, and all fees must be clearly disclosed on the card or its packaging before purchase. Open-loop gift cards (Visa, Mastercard) typically have a one-time purchase fee, while most retail store gift cards have no fees at all.

Closed-loop gift cards can only be used at a specific retailer or group of retailers. Examples include an Amazon gift card or a Starbucks gift card.

Open-loop gift cards are branded with a payment network like Visa or Mastercard and can be used at any merchant that accepts that network, similar to a debit card. These are sometimes called "prepaid gift cards."

You can check your gift card balance by: (1) visiting the retailer's website and using their balance check tool, (2) calling the customer service number on the back of the card, (3) visiting a physical store location and asking a cashier, or (4) checking the balance printed on your most recent purchase receipt.

If your gift card is lost or stolen, immediately contact the issuer's customer service. If you registered the card online or have the receipt with the card number, the issuer may be able to freeze the remaining balance and issue a replacement. This is why it's important to keep your purchase receipt and register cards when possible. Note that not all issuers offer replacement for lost or stolen cards.

Yes, most gift cards can be used for online purchases. Retail store gift cards work on the issuing retailer's website. Open-loop gift cards (Visa, Mastercard) can be used on most websites, but you may need to register the card with a billing address first. Check the card issuer's instructions for online use.

Yes, gift card scams are a significant concern. Common scams include:

• Payment demands: No legitimate business or government agency will ask you to pay with gift cards. If someone does, it's a scam.
• Tampered cards: Scammers may copy card numbers from store displays and wait for them to be activated.
• Fake sellers: Websites or individuals selling gift cards at deep discounts are often fraudulent.
• Phishing: Emails or texts claiming you've won a gift card and asking for personal information.

If you suspect a gift card scam, report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

Most retailers do not accept returns or exchanges on gift cards once purchased. Some states have laws requiring retailers to cash out gift cards with small remaining balances (typically under $5-$10). Check your state's specific laws and the retailer's return policy.

No. Baqali Gift Card Guide is an educational resource only. We do not sell, distribute, or issue gift cards. We provide information to help consumers understand how gift cards work and how to use them wisely. To purchase gift cards, please visit authorized retailers directly.

The primary federal law protecting gift card consumers is the Credit CARD Act of 2009, which sets rules on expiration dates, fees, and disclosure requirements. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforces these regulations. Additionally, many states have their own gift card laws that may provide stronger protections. Visit the FTC website at ftc.gov for more information about federal gift card regulations.