6 gift card mistakes to avoid
Gift cards can replace cash, and many businesses offer gift cards to customers as a way to shop for goods and services. Corporate gift cards, holiday cards, and even cash-back cards are offered for redemption online or at the store. But redeeming them may not always be easy, and if done incorrectly, one can miss out on significant savings and incentives. Here are five shopping blunders to avoid when using gift cards: Not treating gift cards like cash It is advisable to treat gift cards like cash and keep them where they are easily accessible and visible, like in the wallet. Additionally, holding off using them is a common gift card mistake, as one can easily forget or misplace the card So, treat it like cash to ensure that it is put to the best use whenever necessary. Forgetting to cash out Many retailers allow people to cash out a small balance left on the gift card after making a purchase. Retailers in some states are even required by law to pay the remaining amount. In certain states, the threshold for the payout is as low as $1. This option of immediate cashback is usually valid at physical stores. Here, one can even combine gift card balances and ask for store credit.