Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues. The current credit card reform bill in the Senate has a provision aimed at curbing some of the worst gift card practices. Get a Visa Vanilla eGift Card in just a few clicks to pay securely on your favorite US-based websites. And even if you’re searching for a quick “no-hassle” credit card in order to make purchases online, many retailers don’t honor them anyway. A Vanilla Visa gift card like the one Stephanie used charges an activation fee of around $5, plus a $2.50 monthly service fee if the card is not used within seven months. But, regardless, these types of “gift” credit card are notoriously fishy. With some help from NBC “investigators”, Stephanie was able to get some of her money back. At CVS, a manager told Stephanie (and apparently many others before her) that by using the card within 24 hours she had rendered her card agreement invalid. When she called the customer service number she was told to go back to CVS. The great thing about Vanilla Reloads is that some of the retail locations at which they are offered will let you purchase them using a points-earning credit card, so you are essentially paying 4 to earn 504 points (or more depending on any category spending bonuses) - a breakdown of just under 0.8 cents per point, which in the case of valuable. When the card was declined, she studied the fine print that came with the card: “Funds may not be available for 24 hours after purchase.” So she waited the 24 hours and tried it again the next day. She went right home and tried to use it to make some purchases online. Bring your prepaid card and money to the register at a location near you and present your card to the cashier to add. Use the Money Network locator to find a participating reload location. Stephanie bought a $100 Vanilla Visa gift card at her local CVS in Richmond, VA. Load your prepaid card or online account using the secure PIN on the back of the Vanilla Reload by calling 1-87 or by visiting. Gift cards visa federal reserve credit card reform the gift that never stops taking u.s.
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