A gift card balance is the remaining amount of money available to spend on a gift card. It’s essentially the current value stored on the card, similar to the balance in your checking account but for prepaid purchases. In this article, you will learn how to check your gift card balance online.
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What Is A Gift Card Balance?
A gift card balance refers to the remaining amount of money available to spend on a gift card. It’s essentially the current value stored on the card.
Think of it like a prepaid debit card loaded with a specific sum. As you make purchases with the gift card, the balance decreases by the amount you spend.
What Is A Gift Card?
A gift card is like a prepaid debit card that holds a specific amount of money. You can use it to make purchases instead of cash, but there are two main types:
- Store gift cards (closed-loop): These can only be used at a specific retailer or group of stores. For example, a gift card for a clothing store can only be used at that store, not at other stores.
- General-use gift cards (open-loop): These are more like cash and can be used at any merchant that accepts that brand of gift card, similar to a credit card. Examples include Visa or Mastercard gift cards.
Gift cards are popular gifts because they allow the recipient to choose what they want. They’re also convenient because you don’t need to know the recipient’s exact taste or size.
How To Check Gift Card Balance
There are a few ways to check your gift card balance in South Africa, depending on the type of gift card:
1. Check the gift card issuer’s website or app:
- Many gift cards, particularly general-purpose cards like Visa or Mastercard gift cards, allow you to check the balance online or through a mobile app. Look for the issuer’s logo or brand name on the gift card and search for their website or app. There will usually be a section for checking gift card balances.
2. Use a universal gift card balance checker:
- Websites like [What’s on My Card] allow you to check the balance of certain gift cards issued by Paymentology, a popular South African gift card processor. You can enter your gift card number and PIN on their website to see the remaining balance.
3. Contact the gift card issuer directly:
- If the above methods don’t work, you can contact the issuer of the gift card directly. The issuer’s contact information, including a phone number or email address, is usually printed on the back of the gift card.
4. Check at the store where the gift card was purchased:
- Some stores, particularly for store-specific gift cards, allow you to check the balance at the customer service desk.
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