GiftCardRescue Blog

google89169917d8599cfd.html

Best Buy is offering a free gift card worth $50 when you buy a Grand Theft Auto IV game together with an Xbox 360 console. Click here for details.

The following is an updated list of companies offering an additional free 10% gift card if you turn your entire stimulus check into a gift card. This means if you turn in a $300 stimulus check, you will get back a gift card worth $330.

Kroger
Sears (valid from May 14 to July 19)
Kmart (valid from May 14 to July 19)
Lands’ End (valid from May 14 to July 19)
Fry’s (valid from May 2 to July 31)
Pick ‘n Save
Copps
Rainbow
All SuperValu Stores (Cub Foods, Acme, Albertsons, Bigg’s , Fresh Farm, Hornbacher’s, Jewel-Osco, Lucky, Shaw’s/Star Market, Shop ‘N Save, and Shoppers Food & Pharmacy. Offer valid from May 2 through July 31. Stimulus checks or tax refunds can be use to buy gift cards in $300 increments and the store will add an extra $30, for a $330 total).

I have seen a fair number of people run into problems trying to use their iTunes gift card to either set up an iTunes account or buy music on the iTunes store. I therefore decided to do some research about this problem.

Yes, you can use an iTunes gift card to set up an iTunes account or buy music on the iTunes store (if you do not have a credit card or do not want to use a credit card). Below is a step-by-step instruction from apple.com on how to do that. Read the rest of this entry »

As a follow-up to the previous post on where to buy a visa gift card in-person, the following institutions sell visa gift cards online. Please note that some of the banks listed only sell visa gift cards to their customers or members. (Updated 12/16/2008)

Where to Buy Visa Gift Cards Online

SunTrust
Phone: (800) 318-0210

DeluxeCard

iCARD
Phone: (636) 536-6897

IDT Gift2go
Phone: (800) 995-3065

GiftCards.com
Phone: (877) 944-3822

Gift Card Lab Read the rest of this entry »

According to this story, Linens ‘n Things may be going under soon. There is speculation that the company may file for bankruptcy if it does not find a buyer soon. If you currently have a Linens ‘n Things gift card, now is the time to use it or lose it. Actually, if you have a gift card you’ve been holding on to for a while, you might want to use it soon.

Considering that we are already in a recession (i don’t know why the government won’t just come out and admit what majority of consumers already know and feel) and don’t know how long it will last, many struggling retailers may have no option but to file for bankruptcy protection.

When a company files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, federal law allows the company to stop honoring gift cards. However, the company may petition the bankruptcy court to continue the redemption of gift cards. My advise is that when buying a gift card, keep your eyes and ears open regarding the company you are buying from. Avoid buying gift cards from companies that are struggling as you may loose your gift card should the company go under.

To show you how serious things can get, AOL recently asked its users to predict which national retailer may be next to go under. While this is just user opinion, it is not hard to spot trouble with a retailer. When you visit the store and you are always the only one shopping, you know something is wrong. Below are the companies that made the list from the AOL survey: Read the rest of this entry »

Stopping at the ATM to get cash? Why not pick up a gift card to your favorite store while you are at it? If you think gift cards have become ubiquitous, it about to get even better (or worse depending on who you ask).

According to this story, Better ATM Services, a Mesa, Arizona-based company, has developed technology that would enable ATMs to dispense prepaid gift cards like currency. So, instead of getting cash, you can choose to buy a gift card and the ATM will dispense the gift card via the ATM’s cash tray.

The new technology was showcased last week at the KioskCom Las Vegas Expo and is generating a buzz. The largest of ATMs would be able to hold about 1,000 credit-card sized gift cards. According Better ATM Services, banks, shopping malls, grocery stores and restaurants can now offer prepaid gift cards through ATMs without a need to reconfigure the ATM’s hardware. This means ATM owners can offer this at zero additional cost.

If you needed any more proof that gift cards are here to stay, there you have it. It won’t be long before an ATM will ask you “Would you like Cash or a Gift Card?” Click here to see a video from the company about this new ATM capability.

Readers, what are your thoughts about this new technology? Post your comments in the comments box below.

Since announcing this free gift card deal from Kroger regarding the stimulus checks from the IRS, more supermarkets and retailers have jumped on the bag wagon with their own plans offering an additional free 10% gift card if you turn your entire stimulus check into a gift card.

As you are probably aware, Uncle Sam will begin mailing checks of $600 and $1,200 respectively for individuals and couples with another $300 per child beginning next month. This means you get an extra $60 if you turn your $600 check into that retailer or supermarket’s gift card or $120 if you turn your $1200 into a gift card. Below is the current list of companies that have this promotion. I expect this list to grow as the IRS begins to mail the checks. An updated list will be posted here so check back for more. You may find a deal that interest you.

Current List of Retailers Offering Stimulus Checks for Gift Card Promotion

Kroger
Sears (valid from May 14 to July 19)
Kmart (valid from May 14 to July 19)
Lands’ End (valid from May 14 to July 19)
Fry’s (valid from May 2 to July 31)

Readers, would you trade in your stimulus check for a gift card to your favorite store if they offered you an additional 10%? Post your comments in the comments section below.

A couple of weeks ago, I posted a piece on the Top 10 most popular gift cards. On top of that list was the Visa Gift Card, which claimed the price as the most popular gift card. In case you are wondering about where one can buy a Visa gift card, look no further. Below are drug stores and supermarkets (grocery stores) that carry the Visa gift card. (Updated 12/16/2008)

Drug Stores

Eckerd’s
Duane Reade
Longs Drugs
Rite Aid
Walgreens
CVS
Bartells

Grocery Stores/Supermarkets Read the rest of this entry »

According to this story, supermarket chain Kroger is offering a free gift card up to 10% of the value of your tax rebate check if you turn the full value of your rebate check into a Kroger gift card. As you are probably aware, Uncle Sam will begin mailing checks of $600 and $1,200 respectively for individuals and couples with another $300 per child beginning next month.

If you are a Kroger shopper, this may not be a bad deal since what this does is give you an extra $60 if you turn your $600 into a Kroger gift card or $120 if you turn your $1200 into a Kroger gift card. That could be your entire grocery shopping for six months to a year covered, assuming you do not already have plans for your check.