If you have ever considered purchasing a gift credit card, chances are you have a few questions. To help you out, we have noted some of the most common FAQ’s that people have when buying these types of cards.

Where can I buy a gift credit card?

These cards are purchased one of three ways. You can buy them in person at one of the millions of locations that carry them including financial institutions, variety stores and department stores. You can also purchase them at several online retailers like Amazon.com. Or you can purchase them directly from card issuers like Visa, Mastercard and American Express through their online store.

How do I use my gift credit card?

These types of cards are used in the same fashion as a regular debit card. You simply use your card to pay for your purchase by swiping it at the cash terminal. Be sure you know your card balance so you don’t get caught short.

Can I use my card anywhere?

You can use your prepaid card anywhere that major credit cards are accepted. This includes in-person retail stores as well as online shopping and virtual malls.

Does my card expire?

Yes. Each gift card has an expiry date. You can continue to use your card until the funds are depleted or you reach the expiry date on your card. If the card expires and you have not used all of the available funds, contact your card issuer about how to access the remaining balance.

Can I return something that I bought with my prepaid card?

Yes. But be prepared to show the retailer the card you made the purchase with. For this reason, it is a good idea to keep cards that have expired. In most cases, the amount refunded will be put back onto your card.


What if I lose my gift credit card?

Not to worry. Most card issuers have a liability policy in place that will prevent you from being responsible for purchases made on a lost or stolen card.

Prepaid cards are a great alternative to a regular credit card. They are easier to be get, handy to have and are a fantastic gift idea for students.

It is possible to rebuild credit in spite of past credit difficulties. There are basically two ways to approach the task. You can get help from a variety of legal and financial groups that specialize in this type of work, or you can do it yourself.

If you are uncertain that it is something you want to tackle on your own check your local phone directory for Credit Counseling types of agencies. Check for qualifications that you recognize as reliable. Be aware that this type of help will involve fees for their service, so make sure you find out exactly what your costs will be before you commit to anything.

However, it is not impossible to rebuild credit on your own. The first thing you will need to do is get organized and create a plan of action. Here are the basic steps to take to rebuild your credit.

1. Obtain a copy of your credit score. Check it for errors and if you do find something you think is wrong, be sure to get that corrected first. There should be information on the report itself that will explain how to handle disputes.

2. Get up to date on any overdue accounts and make them current so that they don’t get sent to collections. Talk to your creditors and make arrangements for this in order to keep them from affecting your credit score.

3. The next step is to try and bring your maxed out credit cards down so that they are under their limit. Make regular minimum payments to keep them current and below their maximum.

4. Apply for a new credit card. It will likely be hard to obtain a major credit card but you may be able to get a department store card or another smaller credit card. Be sure to apply only once. Only get a small credit limit on this card and stay within it. Pay it regularly and you will begin to rebuild credit.

5. Finally, now that you are on track, draw up a budget that will allow you to stay on top of all your credit card payments and stick with it. It is not easy to rebuild credit, but it can be done!