It’s the ultimate lazy gift I know, but does anyone have experience with them? Know the positives and negatives?
I was going to go with a Visa but remember hearing something about merchants like gas stations putting long holds on them?
I also found a few prepaid options from AMEX that act more like credit cards:
“Prepaid Card” : https://www.americanexpress.com/us/content/prepaid/american-express-prepaid-card.html
Bluebird: https://bluebird.com/
^^ Might not be “gift-able” though.
Haven’t looked at Mastercard or others just yet.
I usually get a few amex cards as gifts and don’t have any problems using them. Never had any of the other brands though.
I get these through work a lot. Some don’t work outside the US. I found out the hard way while in St. Lucia and had to transfer money. Other than that, they spend just like a regular card.
Do you find the AMEX cards hard to use because not as many places accept them?
LZ1
December 12, 2012, 6:34pm
5
I have a corp amex for work I have only come across 1-2 places that don’t accept them and usually its some really random restaurant.
Seems like most stores accept AMEX.
Places hate AMEX because AMEX sides with customers 99% of the time.
Joe
December 12, 2012, 9:34pm
6
Just found out Dollar General doesn’t accept AmEx today :lol: EBT is more their target demographic anyway.
08GT500
December 12, 2012, 10:51pm
7
I see what you did there.
RobtC
December 12, 2012, 11:05pm
8
Amex is accepted nearly everywhere now and is probably your best bet. I’ve had nothing but good experiences with Amex for just about ten years now.
Like everyone else said, it’s pretty rare to find a place that won’t take AMEX. I use my credit amex card pretty regularly too with no issues, the rewards are better than my evans bank credit card too.
itsJim
December 13, 2012, 6:31am
10
I’ve had problems where restaurants will take AMEX but not AMEX Gift Cards… Really fucking annoying
system
December 13, 2012, 6:48am
11
Never had an issue with AMEX or Visa cards. I get them from work all the time and they spend just like cash.
theblue
December 13, 2012, 7:03am
13
why not give cash? (unless mailing)
Garick
December 13, 2012, 10:03am
14
A lot of small businesses do not accept amex
JustinH
December 13, 2012, 10:14am
15
Usually a place that doesn’t take amex is a place that I don’t want to do business with (usually)…
I give amex gift cards and everybody likes them.
If you are buying gas, you need to prepay inside with the cashier to avoid holds on the card.
POOPRA
December 13, 2012, 10:19am
16
The universal gift card is cash, it works in every store
