Earn Gift Cards now because New Gift Card Rules Benefit Consumers

New rules took effect in August 2010 that restricts gift card expiration dates and fees which only helps consumers. Retail gift cards, which you only can use at a particular merchant or group of merchants, such as a chain of restaurants are becoming more popular online as rewards for members of shopping websites. Network-branded gift cards, such as Visa or MasterCard ones, have also been affected by the new rules which you can use anywhere the brand is accepted.

Gift card issuers are no longer able to change fees or amount of the card unless it has not been used for a consecutive 12 months. After the twelve month time frame, the issuer can charge only one monthly fee. The cards can't expire earlier than five years which allows consumers to spend a little more freely.  Loyalty shopping websites such as Bucks4Me offers their members the ability to earn gift cards and people are flocking to the idea.

When you earn gift cards that have a reloadable balance, it can't expire until five years from the last time you reloaded them. If your card itself expires, but the balance doesn't, the card issuer must give you a replacement card at no charge. You should be able to find out how to get a replacement card on the back of the one you have now. Any expiration date and fee information has to be disclosed on the back of the card or on its packaging.

The new rules apply only to gift cards, not to other types of prepaid cards. For example, a Discover or American Express card intended as a checking-account substitute isn't covered. At loyalty shopping sites that offer different ways to earn gift cards members are able to save money on things they are going to purchase either way.

When you chose to earn Gift Card Rewards on a rewards site it's still important to compare cards before you redeem you credits. Most cards that retailers directly issue don't have any expiration dates or upfront fees but it's always a good idea to make sure.

If you earn gift cards (Gift Card Rewards), use them as soon as possible. Often people forget they have them, and it's still possible for them to expire if you don't use them. If the gift card you have, was from a specific merchant they could also go out of business and you might never recoup your purchase.

We recommend that if you earn gift cards then use them before you lose them.

About Author:-
Bucks4Me is an online rewards site that offers members the ability to earn gift cards.Gift card rewardshave become a popular option for online shoppers. We give you access to rebate coupons and connect you with our partners who offer great online shopping coupons.Exclusive access to thousands of partners offering rewards coupons.To find out more go to www.Bucks4Me.com

Does anyone know if I could use a $50 Mastercard to order from Chapters? It's a gift card?

I want to order some books from Chapters with this $50 Mastercard/Gift Card can I do this?
If so how? ohhhh! And I will be giving 10 Points to the Best

Answer
I'm not familiar with Chapters but if they accept MasterCard debit cards, you should be able to. If this is an online purchase though when using a Visa or MasterCard Gift Card you will most likely need to register the card first to your address or they may decline it.

Nearly all shopping cart utilize a security measure called AVS (Address Verification System). This means that they check to make sure that the card number matches the 'billing address' associated with the card. When a Visa or MasterCard Gift Card are purchased, typically they don't know the address of the gift recipient so they use a general address as the billing address. So you have to review the terms or website associated with your card which should provide instructions on how you can register the card to your address so when its used for online purchases it passes the AVS check.

If its just a purchase in the store, you don't have to worry about registering the card and just tell them to run it as a 'credit' even though technically its a debit card.