What is the point of giving a Visa, or American Express gift card? It's like the same as giving cash.?

Question

The only advantage to this over giving cash I can see is that you could use this online. But come on, it is almost the same as giving cash.

Answer 1

Its safer to send through the mail. The user has to verify the card. Then they can use as a regular credit card at stores, just not on-line. Kinda like a pre-paid credit card.

Answer 2

Well, some people feel that giving cash as a gift is tacky, and that a gift card is better. And, like you say, you can use this online, which can be a big advantage over cash, especially if the recipient doesn't have a credit card.

Answer 3

It gives big business to banks and lenders.
Cash should be better, because it is easier to lose one piece of plastic, than it is a wad of cash.
with cash your change is given to you, with a gift card how do you get your last 83 cents? you don't It becomes forfeit .
If you have cash money from 20 years ago it is still valid, but if you lose your gift card for a year or maby a little more your out (X amount) of money, you don't get it back.
gift cards are like training wheels, until one day you realize that you were using real credit and you are now enslaved to give back monthly payments until the day you die.
Credit is bad.

Answer 4

Another advantage is these gift cards need to be signed, similar to credit cards. Presumably this makes it tougher for a thief to spend it. Also it prevents the recipient from laundering money if they are in the mob (cards are harder to miss in back pockets than cash). It also makes pre-teens feel adult by using plastic instead of cash. And Credit Card Companies like it because you're loaning your money for free... oh wait, that's not an advantage.

Answer 5

Using it online is the only advantage I can think of.

Answer 6

Plus most banks charge a fee to sell you one of these. It is usually about $5.

Answer 7

Yeah who said it wasn't. Most people don't use cash anymore.

Answer 8

it is easier