Make a copy of the front and back in case the card is lost or stolen. Make sure the the card number, any PIN and the customer service number are legible; if not, write ‘em down in a secure place. If the card goes missing, call customer service ASAP.
Use it fast. Many cards come with monthly fees that quickly erode their worth, and some have expiration dates. If the card is for a retailer you don’t patronize, swap with a friend or put it up for sale on eBay.
Keep track of its worth. One seriously annoying feature of a gift card is that it’s easy to lose track of how much you have left to spend. If you try to use a card with too little value at a retailer, your purchase may be rejected. So you typically have to keep calling the 800 number to monitor its worth. If you’re going to use a card for a purchase that exceeds the card’s worth, you should tell the clerk how much is on the card so you’ll be able to make up the rest in cash, credit or debit.
