Products | Electronic Banking | Visa Gift Cards

The perfect gift for any occasion.

Visa^® Gift Cards make your birthday, holiday and special-occasion gift-buying more convenient than ever before. They're guaranteed to please — they always fit and never need to be returned. They're also great if you want the convenience of Visa but don't qualify for or just don't want the responsibility of managing a credit card. They're welcome at thousands of retailers, restaurants and entertainment locations — anywhere Visa debit cards are accepted.

There are two ways to purchase Visa gift cards:

1. Visit any of our offices and purchase cards from $25 to $1,000 for $2.50 each. Cards purchased at our offices cannot be embossed with the recipient's name.

2. Visit our web site at www.columbusmetro.org to order cards from $25 to $500. Gift cards purchased online are $5.95 each ($7.95 for cards valued at $250 or more) and can be personalized with the recipient's name.

• Frequently Asked Questions
• Order Online

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where can gift cards be used? Back to top

A: The advantage of gift cards is that — unlike merchant-specific cards — they can be used to make purchases anywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. You can use gift cards at thousands of retail, restaurant and entertainment locations throughout the U.S., as well as online.

Q: Are gift cards the same as credit cards? Back to top

A: No. Gift cards are prepaid Visa cards that carry a fixed cash amount determined by the purchaser. Each time you use the card, the purchase amount is deducted from the available balance.

Q: Is there a limit as to how much value the gift card can have? Back to top

A: Yes. Gift cards have a minimum value of $25 and a maximum value of $500 (for cards ordered online) or $1,000 (for cards purchased at our office).

Q: How does the recipient check the balance on a gift card? Back to top

A: Go to www.libertygiftcard.com or call toll-free 866.244.5360.

Q: Can gift cards be reloaded? Back to top

A: Individual gift cards cannot be reloaded, but you always have the option to purchase additional gift cards.

Q: What happens if the card is lost or stolen? Back to top

A: The cardholder should immediately report any problems or a lost or stolen card by calling 866.244.5360. A replacement card will be issued and any available balance (less a $5 lost/stolen fee) will be transferred to the new card (a new card issuance fee may also apply). As long as the lost or stolen card is reported immediately, the cardholder is not responsible for any unauthorized merchant charges.

Q: Can a merchant give cash back on a gift card? Back to top

A: Merchants can deduct purchases from gift card accounts, but they cannot offer cash back as part of the gift card service.

Q: Does the cardholder select debit or credit at the point of sale? Back to top

A: The cardholder should select credit.

Q: What if a purchase is denied? Back to top

A: The card's available balance is probably less than the purchase amount. Call 866.244.5360 for the remaining balance on the card and use another form of payment to pay the difference, if the merchant allows it. Also, please be aware that the use of the gift card at some merchants — for example, restaurants, mail-order companies, and cruise lines — requires the card to have an available balance greater than the purchase amount to ensure funds are available for tips or incidental expenses. Use of the card at automated fuel dispensers requires a minimum balance of $30, though only the actual amount of the purchase will be deducted from the card.

Q: How are returns handled? Back to top

A: Each merchant has its own return policies and will handle the returns in the same manner as any other Visa debit purchase.

Q: Do gift cards have expiration dates? Back to top

A: Yes, gift cards expire when the balance remaining reaches $0 or on the expiration date shown on the front of the card. A small monthly $2.50 service fee is waived for the first six months, and then is deducted from card balances at the first of the month (at the beginning of month seven) until the balance is $0 or the card expires. Once the card expires, a $10 monthly fee will be assessed until the balance is $0 or the cardholder requests a new card.

• Information on Visa Gift Cards from Visa USA
  

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