: For business needs, such as employee rewards, platforms like Uber for Business allow you to send cards in bulk using email lists [2].
: Review the Terms and Conditions for expiration dates or potential fees. In some states, like Ohio , law prohibits certain fees within two years of issuance [3, 10]. How Gift Cards Work how do you buy gift cards
: Ensure all protective stickers are intact and the PIN has not been exposed [3, 9]. : For business needs, such as employee rewards,
To ensure the card is valid and your money is safe, follow these expert recommendations from the FTC and other financial sources: How Gift Cards Work : Ensure all protective
: It is best to use a gift card as soon as possible after receiving or purchasing it to reduce the risk of it being compromised by scammers [9].
: The IRS generally considers gift cards as "cash equivalent" income. If you are a business giving them to employees, the value is typically reportable as taxable income regardless of the dollar amount [4].
: You can buy cards in-person at physical stores or through their official websites. For example, Lululemon offers both physical cards in-store and eGift cards online via their partner, CashStar [13].