Far too few Americans are familiar with the very unique advantages that the Visa, Master Card, and American Express gift cards have to offer. These advantages include being able to shop on-line without using a credit card, PayPal account, or a checking account. Although reputable on-line merchants protect their customers' sensitive information by means of high level encryption, there are times when a consumer may simply want to avoid exposing any of their financial information.
The billing address is any address given by the holder of the gift card. This is especially convenient when one is traveling or in any situation where his residence is unstable. The hassle of changing a billing address, as well as the consequences of forgetting to update this important piece of information is completely eliminated by using any of the three gift cards.
Another valuable benefit enjoyed when making on-line purchases is the freedom to sign up for services offered by companies that require a credit or debit card. Such a requirement tends to be to the advantage of the company that wishes to have periodic and automatic payments withdrawn from the customer's banking or credit account. Unfortunately, many people have had the daunting experience of their request for the cancellation of services or subscriptions ignored. Consequently, due to poor customer service or unscrupulous business practices, automatic withdrawals were made from their accounts for products and services no longer desired.
How could such a misfortune have been averted? Had the Visa, Master Card, or American Express gift card been employed as a means of on-line payment, the unethical and/or incompetent merchants would not have been able to withdraw funds from the account of a customer who had attempted to take such authorization away. The gift cards are available at a variety of drug stores such as CVS and Walgreen. They may be purchased for three different amounts: $25, $50, and $100. Cash is the only form of payment accepted and a small activation fee is charged at the register where it's also activated with the amount of funds displayed on the front of the card. The activation fee is generally around $3.95. Some of the cards also require on-line activation before they may be used. This is strictly for the purpose of being able to report a lost or stolen card.
Consumers may easily keep track of their purchases and check their balance 24 hours a day by calling the toll free number or visiting the website appearing on the back of the card. Holders of these gift cards are given a liberal 12 months during which to use the funds before being charged a small fee of $2.50 per month.
Can the Visa, Master Card, and American Express gift cards be used in all of the same ways as a regular credit card? Most of these gift cards can be handled in exactly all of the same ways as a "real" credit card may be used. However, there are three differences regarding their employment that should be kept in mind. First, some of these cards may be used only in the United States, but this restriction is clearly indicated in the simple instructions that come with every card. Second, gasoline may not be purchased at the pump with these cards due to a pre-authorization process that takes place before a customer may actually start fueling. Finally, additional funds cannot be added to the cards nor can funds be restored. Once full charging power has been used, the card is no longer valid.
Credit cards and PayPal accounts have enabled millions to make secure and convenient on-line purchases. Nevertheless, such convenience has not come without a price. Fortunately, that price can be greatly reduced with the wise use of the Visa, Master Card, or American Express gift card.