What is the American Express Gift Card and where can I use it? The Gift Card is a prepaid payment device that, when purchased, comes with a set dollar value that is printed on the front of the Gift Card. It is not a credit card, charge card or debit card. The Gift Card can be used at over a million businesses in the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands where American Express Cards are accepted. Use it for meals and entertainment or to purchase goods from catalogs, online vendors or at your favorite store.The Gift Card is for use within the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands only and cannot be used at Cruise Lines, Casinos, ATMs or for recurring billing purchases (cellular phone service, subscriptions, etc.).Usage restrictions also apply for international airlines. Additional usage restrictions apply. See Terms and Conditions for further details on Gift Card usage.
[Back to Top] Do I need to do anything before using my Gift Card? Before using your Gift Card, you must sign your signature on the back, where indicated.
Write down the Gift Card number and the Customer Service number on a separate piece of paper in case the Gift Card is lost or stolen. If you are required to activate the Gift Card, instructions will be provided on the face of the Card. For your protection, during an activation or any Customer Service call, we may request that you provide the card security code printed on the front of your Gift Card, as well as additional identification information such as your home phone number, date of birth, and zip code. For more information on this data collection, see the section entitled "Before Using the Gift Card" in the Terms and Conditions. We will hold your information in confidence in accordance with the
Data Protection and Privacy section of the American Express Gift Card Cardholder Agreement.
[Back to Top] Are there any fees associated with the Gift Card? A purchase charge ranging from $3.95 to $6.95 for in-person purchases (depending on the type of Gift Card) will apply. But there will be no service fees after purchase.
American Express has eliminated all fees after purchase on its Gift Cards. Starting on September 30, 2009, Gift Cards issued by American Express will no longer incur monthly service fees. This includes Gift Cards now in stores, those headed to market, and those already purchased.
American Express Gift Cards are the only gift cards that can be used virtually anywhere on the market for which after-purchase service fees have been eliminated.
[Back to Top] Does my Gift Card have an expiration date? No. While there is a "valid thru" date indicated on the front of the Gift Card, the Available Funds on the Gift Card do not expire. The "valid thru" date is simply required to ensure that the Gift Card can be used at Merchants that request and/or require customers to provide a plastic expiration date during the transaction process. You may not use the Gift Card after the "valid thru" date, but can request a replacement to use any Available Funds that remain on the Gift Card. Contact us at the Customer Service Number to obtain a replacement Gift Card or for instructions on how to redeem the Available Funds. We will issue you a replacement Gift Card free of charge if your "valid-thru" date expires. If you ask us to issue you a check for the amount of any Available Funds remaining on the Gift Card after the "valid thru" date, we may hold the Available Funds for ten (10) business days after you request a check to ensure that all transactions have posted to our system. We reserve the right to decline to issue a replacement Gift Card.
[Back to Top] What should I do if my Gift Card is lost or stolen? If your Gift Card is lost, stolen or used improperly, contact us immediately at the Customer Service Number - 1-877-297-4438. You must provide the Gift Card number and other identifying details. If our records show that there are still Available Funds remaining on the Gift Card, we will cancel the Gift Card and send you a replacement card in the amount of Available Funds on your lost/stolen Gift Card at the time you notified us that it was lost/stolen. NO REFUNDS WILL BE PROVIDED FOR AMOUNTS DEBITED FROM YOUR LOST/STOLEN GIFT CARD BEFORE YOU NOTIFY US.
[Back to Top] Can value be added to the American Express Gift Card? No. Once the value of the Gift Card has been depleted, the Gift Card is no longer valid and should be cut in half and discarded. However, we recommend that you retain your Gift Card at least until you are sure that you do not intend to return any merchandise purchased with it.
[Back to Top] What are the different options for buying Gift Cards? - Gift Cards are printed with the name "Gift Card Recipient" on the front of the Card and can be purchased online or at an in-person seller.
- Personalized Gift Cards are printed with the recipient's name in raised letters on the front of the Card and can only be purchased online. The Gift Card carrier features your name, the gift amount, and a personal message from you.
[Back to Top] Where can I purchase an American Express Gift Card? - Gift Cards can be purchased online or in-person at participating banks, retailers and malls.
- Personalized Gift Cards can only be purchased online.
[Back to Top] How much does it cost to buy an American Express Gift Card? Web:
- Gift Cards: For web orders, there is a per Gift Card purchase fee that varies by denomination. This purchase fee is displayed on the order form and covers order processing and packaging. Orders of less than $200 can be shipped first class mail via USPS for $5.95 per order. All orders can be shipped via UPS, with signature confirmation required on delivery, for either $15.95 per order for Next Day delivery, $12.95 per order for 2nd day delivery or $7.95 per order for Ground.
- Personalized Gift Cards: For web orders, there is a per Gift Card purchase fee that varies by denomination. This purchase fee is displayed on the order form and covers order processing, packaging and Gift Card personalization. All orders can be shipped First Class Mail via the U.S. Postal Service for $2.00 per Card and expedited mail via UPS for $9.95 per Card.
Participating In-Person Locations: Product fees vary by seller, and are determined by the policies and procedures of each seller. Please check with the seller before initiating a transaction.
[Back to Top] What denominations of American Express Gift Cards are available? Web:
- The Gift Card: for web orders, the following prepaid amounts are available: $25, $50, $100, $200, $500, $700, $1000, $2000 and $3000
- The Personalized Gift Card: For web orders, the following prepaid amounts are available: $25, $35, $50, $75, $100, $150, $200, $250, and $500.
Participating In-Person Locations: Denominations vary by seller, and are determined by the policies and procedures of each seller. Please check with the seller before initiating a transaction.
[Back to Top] Is there a limit to how many American Express Gift Cards can be ordered? Web Orders: There is an order size limit of $75,000. This limit includes orders placed for all Gift Card products. Visit the
Gifts Cards for Business website for more information on bulk Gift Card orders.
Participating In-Person Locations: The Card and order size limits vary by seller, and are determined by the policies and procedures of each seller. Please check with the seller before initiating a transaction.
[Back to Top] Can I cancel an order? No. Once an order is placed, it cannot be cancelled or refunded.
[Back to Top] Can I emboss the recipient's name on the front of the American Express Gift Card? Yes, on a Personalized Gift Card, the recipient's name will be printed on the front of the Card, as detailed in your order. The Personalized Gift Card is only available online.
If you’d like to have your business logo printed on your Gift Cards, please
download the overview of our logo service. When you are ready to order, please call 1-800-316-4420.
[Back to Top] How will the American Express Gift Card be packaged? Web:
- The Gift Card will arrive in an envelope. Inside will be an American Express Gift Card printed with the name "Gift Card Recipient" and with the set dollar value on the front of the Card. Each package contains detailed instructions on how to use the Gift Card.
- The Personalized Gift Card will arrive in an envelope. Inside will be an American Express Gift Card, along with the recipient's name in raised letters and printed with the set dollar value of the Card. The Gift Card carrier features your name, the gift amount, and a personal message from you. Included in the envelope are detailed instructions on how to use the Gift Card.
Participating In-Person Locations: The American Express Gift Card package varies by seller. However, inside each package will be an American Express Gift Card printed with the set dollar value printed on the front of the Card. Each package contains detailed instructions on how to use the Gift Card.
[Back to Top] Can I send a personalized message with the American Express Gift Card? Yes. Simply order a Personalized Gift Card, which is only available online. Just follow the instructions online to include a personal message printed directly on the Card package to your recipient.
If you’d like to have your business logo printed on your Gift Cards, please
download the overview of our logo service. When you are ready to order, please call 1-800-316-4420.
[Back to Top] Why can't I order an American Express Gift Card with two names (i.e. John and Mary Smith)? Since the American Express Gift Card is processed like a credit card, we follow normal industry standards, which prohibit more than one name being embossed on the Card. Your personal message that is printed on the Card carrier may, however, include both names.
[Back to Top] How does the online e-greeting work? With our e-greeting capability, you can let your recipient(s) know their gift(s) are on the way. After you complete your online order, you will receive a confirmation email that will provide you with a link to our e-greeting center. Simply follow the link to the e-greeting center, select an e-greeting card, add a personalized message, and send to your recipient(s). Purchases made at in-person locations will not have this option.
[Back to Top] How can my company order American Express Gift Cards? Visit the
Corporate Alliance website for more information on bulk Gift Cards orders.
For American Express Gift Card orders over $75,000, please call 1-800-316-4420. To have your business logo printed on your Gift Cards, please
download and review the overview of our logo service. Please note there is a $30,000 minimum for logo orders. When you are ready to order, please call 1-877-297-8242.
[Back to Top] Can I send the American Express Gift Card to anyone in the United States? Personalized Gift Cards can be delivered to either the purchaser or the Gift Card recipients. Gift Cards that are not personalized can only be delivered to the purchaser. We cannot send American Express Gift Cards to post office boxes, APO or FPO addresses, U.S. territories or international addresses.
American Express is no longer shipping Gift Cards, which are ordered from this website, to the states of HI & VT. Restrictive legislation in these states makes it cost prohibitive for American Express to sell our Gift Cards to the residents of those states. We regret any inconvenience this may cause you. We are working to support legislation in these states that will permit us to resume direct sales and allow consumers a greater choice of Gift Card products that meet their needs.
[Back to Top] Once I have ordered an American Express Gift Card, how long does it take to arrive? - The Gift Card: Orders that are shipped First Class Mail or UPS Ground should arrive within 10 business days. Orders can also be shipped expedited mail via UPS with signature confirmation required on delivery. Expedited mail should arrive within 1 or 2 business days.
- Orders that are shipped First Class Mail should arrive within 10 business days. Orders that are shipped express should arrive within 6 business days.
[Back to Top] Can I have more than one Gift Card sent to the same location? - The Gift Card: Yes, all Gift Cards from one order will be shipped to the purchaser in one package.
- The Personalized Gift Card: Yes, however for security reasons, each Personalized Gift Card will be shipped separately.
[Back to Top] Can I have the American Express Gift Card delivered to me instead of the recipient? - The Gift Card: Yes, all orders will be shipped to the purchaser.
- The Personalized Gift Card: Yes. Just be sure to type in your address in the shipping information section of the online ordering form.
[Back to Top] What should I do if the recipient does not receive the American Express Gift Card in the mail? If the American Express Gift Card has not arrived at the recipient's address within 10 business days, please:
- Call us toll-free at 1-877-AXP-GIFT to verify your order. Please have ready your order reference number and American Express Card, or other major credit card that was used to place the order.
- Confirm that the address and recipient information you provided is correct.
If the address and recipient information is incorrect, we can cancel the original American Express Gift Card and send you a new Card.
[Back to Top] Where can I not use my Gift Card? The Gift Card is for use within the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and cannot be used at Cruise Lines, Casinos, ATMs or for recurring billing purchases (cellular phone service, subscriptions, etc.). Usage restrictions also apply for international airlines. See Terms and Conditions for further details on Gift Card usage.
[Back to Top] What if I don't have enough on the American Express Gift Card to buy what I want - How do I combine other forms of payment? If you wish to use your Gift Card to purchase an item for more than the Available Funds, depending on the Merchant's policy, you may be able to use your Gift Card toward a portion of the final purchase price, and then use another form of payment to pay the balance of the final purchase price. This is called a "split tender" transaction because you would be splitting the final transaction amount between your Gift Card and another form of payment. Before you request a "split tender" transaction, please call Customer Service to check the balance of the Available Funds on your Gift Card. Then, you MUST ask the Merchant if two forms of payment will be accepted for the purchase you wish to make. If the Merchant agrees, first request that the Merchant place a specific dollar amount on the other form of payment (e.g., the final transaction amount less the balance of funds available on your Gift Card), and then use your Gift Card to pay the remaining balance. Some retailers, particularly department stores, will only allow a "split tender" transaction if the second form of payment is cash or check. Internet and most mail order merchants do not permit "split tender" transactions. We do not guarantee that the Merchant will accept two forms of payment, such as two gift cards.
[Back to Top] What are usage guidelines at restaurants and other "tip" oriented merchants? When a restaurant or other "tip" oriented Merchant (e.g., spas, hair salons, etc.) requests approval from us to complete your transaction, the Merchant will often add a fixed percentage (approximately 20%) to the amount reflected on the bill presented to you prior to payment. This additional amount is meant to cover the tip that they expect you will add to the bill. As a result of this increased authorization request, if you have insufficient Available Funds on your Gift Card to cover the amount that the Merchant requested us to approve, your Gift Card may be declined. If you have more than sufficient Available Funds on your Gift Card to cover the amount that the Merchant requested us to approve, it may result in a "hold" on your Available Funds for the additional amount if you do not add the amount they expect. Once the Merchant sends us the final transaction amount you designate, we will remove the "hold" on your Available Funds for any additional amount exceeding the final transaction amount. This may take 3 to 7 days and during this period you will not be able to use any Available Funds in a "hold" position. As an illustration, if your meal, not including a tip, totaled $50 but the restaurant seeks approval from us for $60 (e.g., includes a $10 tip in the authorization request) and you choose to pay only the $50 for the meal with your Gift Card, leaving the tip in cash, then the additional $10 would be placed on "hold" until we receive a submission from the restaurant reflecting a final transaction amount of $50 on your Gift Card. TO AVOID A DECLINE OF, OR A HOLD ON, YOUR GIFT CARD, YOU CAN ASK THE MERCHANT TO AUTHORIZE A SPECIFIC DOLLAR AMOUNT. WE DO NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE MERCHANT WILL FULFILL THIS REQUEST.
[Back to Top] What are usage guidelines at gasoline merchants? If you use your Gift Card to purchase gasoline, we recommend that you pay inside, not at the pump. If you pay at the pump, the terminal may be pre-programmed to confirm that you have sufficient Available Funds on your Gift Card to pay for an average purchase of gas. Before you are permitted to pump gas, many pumps seek a pre-authorization for $75 and this amount could increase from time to time ("Pre-Authorization Request"). If you have insufficient Available Funds on your Gift Card to cover the Pre-Authorization Request, your attempt to use your Gift Card at the pump will be declined. If you have sufficient Available Funds on your Gift Card to cover the Pre-Authorization Request, you will be permitted to continue your transaction at the pump. However, if the dollar amount of your actual gasoline purchase is less than the amount of the Pre-Authorization Request that we approved, a "hold" on your Available Funds will result equal to the difference between the two amounts. Once the Merchant sends us the final amount of your actual gasoline purchase, we will remove the "hold" on your Available Funds for any additional amount exceeding this final amount. This may take 3 to 7 days and during this period you will not be able to use any Available Funds in a "hold" position. TO AVOID A DECLINE OF, OR A HOLD ON, YOUR GIFT CARD, WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU PREPAY FOR YOUR GASOLINE INSIDE THE STATION.
[Back to Top] What about returns, exchanges or problems with the merchandise purchased? PLEASE BE AWARE OF THE MERCHANT'S RETURN/EXCHANGE POLICIES PRIOR TO COMPLETING THE TRANSACTION. If you wish to return or exchange any merchandise purchased with the Gift Card, you will be subject to the Merchant's return/exchange policies. If the Merchant agrees to issue a credit to the Gift Card for merchandise returned, such funds may not be available for 3 to 7 days.
You acknowledge that purchases made with prepaid cards, such as the Gift Card, are similar to those made with cash or travelers cheques. You cannot "stop payment" or lodge a "billing dispute" on such transactions. Any problems or disputes you may have regarding a purchase should be addressed directly with the Merchant.
[Back to Top] What if my Gift Card is declined? The Gift Card can be declined if there are not enough available funds on the Gift Card to cover the amount of your purchase. It is important to keep track of your available balance to ensure that you do not exceed your limit. To check the amount of funds available on your Gift Card, simply visit www.americanexpress.com/giftcard or call us toll free within the United States at 1-877-AXP-GIFT, which is the telephone number printed on the back of your Gift Card. Please note: Your Available Fund balance will reflect all authorization requests that have been submitted by Merchants.
[Back to Top] How do I track my transactions and the funds available on my Gift Card? To check the amount of funds available on your Gift Card
, simply visit www.americanexpress.com/giftcard or call us toll free within the United States at 1-877-AXP-GIFT, which is the telephone number printed on the back of your Gift Card. Please note: Your Available Fund balance will reflect all authorization requests that have been submitted by Merchants. If you have a question about a transaction that has been posted to your Gift Card (e.g., the same transaction has been posted twice or for the incorrect amount), please notify us immediately, but no later than sixty (60) days from the date of the transaction, by calling the Customer Service Number.
[Back to Top] How can I find out what kinds of Special Offers come with my Gift Card? Go to
www.americanexpress.com/specialoffers to view offers in Travel, Dining, Shopping, and Entertainment.
[Back to Top] How do I redeem Special Offers? Offers may be redeemed in-store/restaurant, online or via phone. Redemption instructions vary by Special Offer and merchant participant. Go to
www.americanexpress.com/specialoffers to view offers. For redemption instructions, click on an offer that interests you and follow redemption instructions.
[Back to Top] What if the merchant refuses to honor my Special Offer? If you have followed the redemption instructions printed on the coupon, please contact the merchant’s Customer Service Number to report the incident. Merchant contact information can typically be found on the Special Offer coupon.
[Back to Top] How long will each offer be available? Offer expiration dates are printed on the Special Offer coupon. Specific offers and merchants are subject to change without notice.
[Back to Top] What should I do if I have more questions about my American Express Gift Card? If you still have questions, please call our FAQ Automated Response Help Center at 866-812-GIFT (4438). Or, please call our toll-free Customer Service line at 1-877-AXP-GIFT to speak to a representative.
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