Gift Card Hacks

Gift cards are a fantastic way to treat a loved one, say thank you to a colleague, or even treat yourself. They’re also flexible, allowing you to load different amounts on them, letting you choose how big or small your gift is.

But did you know that you can get even more out of your gift cards?

From promotions to practical advice, our gift card hacks can help you save money while you shop. Read on to find out our top tips and tricks for choosing the perfect card.

Look out for gift card promotions

Many gift cards offer additional discounts and bonus rewards. It’s always worth seeing whether there any gift card promotions are available before you decide to choose a specific card.

You can find gift cards that have additional benefits, such as money off your groceries or extra fuel points on your Shopper’s Card.

We’ve made it easy for you to keep up to date with the latest deals and biggest offers. Simply check out our promotions to see what extra savings you could make on your next gift card purchase.

Buy from a trustworthy source

When you buy a gift card for yourself or someone else, it’s important you buy it from a trustworthy source.

Try to avoid online auction sites. While the gift cards may be cheaper, there’s also a higher risk that they are counterfeit or fraudulent and cannot be used online or in-store.

Always look for official gift card retailers, as you can get in contact with them if you have a problem. Plus, you can be sure you’re getting an authentic card that you can gift to your loved ones.

Remember to use your gift card

This might seem like a simple gift card hack, but its actually very easy to forget about a gift card – especially if you get a lot of them as gifts during the Christmas holidays.

Make things easier by storing the gift card next to the matching loyalty card in your purse or wallet. So, your Target gift card goes with your Target REDcard, and your Ulta one goes with your Ultamate Rewards card.

If you don’t have a loyalty card, just put the gift card with your most used debit or credit card, then it’ll be harder to forget about.

Go digital with an eGift card

eGift cards work in the same way as standard gift cards and enjoy a range of additional benefits, making them a great alternative to the physical version.

• They can be delivered within minutes, which makes them perfect for last minute gifts to give to that person who’s hard to buy for.
• You can easily send them to long distance friends and loved ones, without having to pay extra postage costs.
• You don’t run the risk of losing an eGift card, as you receive the card via email, directly to your inbox.

Add a phone reminder for when your gift cards expire

Knowing when your gift cards expire can help you or your recipient avoid any unwelcome surprises at the checkout. Some eGift cards don’t have an expiration date, while others may become inactive after a few years.

To find out when your gift card expires, check the terms and conditions of the card, or contact the number on the back of the card. Then, to help yourself remember to spend it, add a reminder of the expiration date to your phone and set it to a couple of weeks before that day.

Keep track of your gift card balance

It’s easy to lose track of how much of your gift card balance you’ve used, especially if you’ve loaded it with a lot of money at the start.

A clever trick is to keep the receipts each time you use it or make a note in your phone. That way you’ll never be surprised if a gift card doesn’t cover the cost of your purchase.

With most retailers’ gift cards, including Kroger, you can also check your balance online at any time for added convenience.

Make the most of Visa® and Mastercard® gift cards

Visa® and Mastercard® gift cards can be used for various brands, stores, and services, making them the perfect gift and a handy alternative to carrying cash. There are a few hacks to make sure you use them correctly:

• Make sure you use the card within 12 months of its date of purchase, to avoid paying fees.
• When buying online, check that you have enough money on the card to cover the transaction, as stores process this type of gift card differently.
• At checkout, the card details go in the credit card field, so make sure the purchase matches, or is less than the value on the card, as others cannot be added.

Use small balances to purchase more gift cards

Small remaining balances can be harder to use up on some gift cards. To avoid that situation , find out how much is on the card before you use it and try to purchase something for the exact same value.

If you’re in a situation where you have a small amount of money remaining on your Visa or Mastercard gift card, for instance, a great trick is to use this remaining balance to purchase an online gift card which accepts small amounts. For example, a Target eGift card which has a minimum $1 value.

Recycle your used gift cards

Not sure what to do with old gift cards you have lying around your home? First things first, find out if they have any balance remaining or if they’ve expired. You can do this:

• When visiting in store
• While shopping online
• Contacting the phone number on the back of the card

If the gift card balance is empty or the card has expired, you can easily reuse them for some DIY crafts. Turn them into reusable gift tags or let the kids use them as tools for painting their own works of art. You can even make guitar picks or keyrings of your favorite brands.

Now you’re all clued up on the best gift card hacks, check out our full gift card range to find the perfect gift for family, friends and yourself.