gift card facts
How does a Gift Card work?
It’s a prepaid card that can be purchased at any participating Merchant or Retailer. Cards are not pre-loaded with peso amounts. Merchant Cards can be activated by any peso amount you choose that falls within the minimum to maximum peso load as specified by each Merchant. The card can be used at most Merchant participating sites. Because it’s a prepaid card, spending is limited to the amount of money loaded on the card. When the recipient makes a purchase with the Gift Card, the purchase amount is deducted from the card balance.
How do I activate and register my Gift Card ?
Pick the gift card that you want to purchase. Some sites will have a range of gift cards available to purchase from many different Merchants. This is common at supermarkets and department stores. Alternatively, other stores will only sell gift cards that can be used for that particular retailer. This is typical of clothing stores, food outlets, and smaller, local businesses.
There are often many different designs and patterns available for the same gift card, so look at the full selection before you decide.
Choose the amount you want to load onto the card. A gift card is the equivalent of cash that can be used with a particular merchant. There is usually a minimum and maximum amount that can be loaded onto the card, which typically ranges from 500 pesos to 1,000 pesos and up to 10,000 pesos (Ask your Merchant for Minimum and Maximum load restrictions). Decide the amount that you want to be loaded onto the gift card once you have purchased it.
Take the gift card to the cashier and say the amount that you want to load onto the card. The cashier will load and activate the gift card as you purchase it.
If you have questions about the terms and conditions, or the expiry date of the gift card, look on the back of the card for details.
The cashier will provide you with a receipt confirming that the card has been activated. Keep the receipt as proof of purchase should you damage the card and need a replacement.
Can I check the balance on my Gift Card?
You can quickly check your balance. Bring Merchant card to participating Merchant location and have them do a balance inquiry. This way you will know how much you can spend with the remaining balance.
How to Redeem a Gift Card?
Acquire your merchandise, food or service. Proceed to checkout, sales clerk or have your waiter provide your bill when done. Hand the clerk or waiter your gift card after they ring up your charges. They will swipe your gift card like a credit card and the amount will be deducted from the purchase price.
Is the Gift Card a credit card or loyalty card?
No, it’s a prepaid card. While a prepaid card looks similar to a credit card and loyalty cards, Gift Card recipients don’t have a line of credit nor is it a loyalty card use to accumulate points. You can only spend up to the balance on the card.
What should I do if my Gift Card is lost or stolen?
A gift card is treated like cash in your wallet. Lost or stolen cards can’t be replaced.
If my Gift Card is damaged how can i replace?
Return the card to the merchant with the original purchase receipt as proof of purchase and the card will be replaced with the remaining balance.
What if the purchase costs are more than the value on my Gift Card?
If the purchase amount exceeds the available balance of the Gift Card, the transaction won’t be approved. When you present your Gift Card as payment, simply inform the cashier of the value of your card and that you’ll pay the difference in cash, check, credit or debit card. You may also reload the card with additional pesos to cover the costs.
Can I add additional value to the Gift Card?
Yes, the Gift Card is reloadable. Reloadable amounts are subject to Merchant minimum and maximum loads.
Can I use a Gift Card at an ATM?
No, a Gift Card cannot be used at an ATM.
What should I do if there has been a transaction error on my Gift Card?
If you believe there’s an error, such as a purchase that you don’t recognize notify your participating Merchant for follow up.
Can I stop payment on a purchase I made with the card?
No, it isn’t possible to stop payment on a purchase that is made after the card has been presented for payment.
What happens when the funds are spent?
You may reload the card for future purchases.
What happens when my card is inactive for more than twelve months?
Cards with no balances will be deleted from the card management system and can no longer be used. Cards with a balance will incur a service charge of 50 pesos for each month the card remains inactive beginning with the 13thmonth. Once the card has a zero balance the card is deleted from the system. Once the card is used to redeem or reloaded, the clock is reset and can be used for another 12 months without incurring a service charge.