Gift cards are an excellent way to spoil someone if you’re not sure what would delight them most. A thank-you gift is always a considerate touch when you want to show appreciation to a team member, a teacher, a business associate, or a stranger who helped you in a crisis, but you might not know much about their lives or their personal tastes. Even friends and family can be difficult to buy for – should you opt for something quirky and fun, or would they appreciate something else that they really need more?

A gift card takes the stress out of the process – and it also means that when the recipient uses the card a little while later, they get to choose from the latest stock, or a gift that wasn’t available when you were shopping for them. However, both you and the recipient need to understand how gift cards work, so you don’t end up forfeiting any of the money spent on the card.

Do gift cards expire?

Yes – like food and drinks, gift cards can also reach expiry dates. However, according to rules introduced by the Consumer Protection Act, gift cards sold in South Africa must remain valid for at least 3 years after you buy them. Check the expiry date whenever you get a gift card and ensure that you spend the full value before it expires.

You can check expiry dates, T&Cs, and the balance left on most gift cards online. Visit the website of the specific retailer and find the page that gives gift card information.

Do gift cards have fees?

Since gift cards must remain valid for 3 years, you might want to save them until the store has something in stock that you really want or need. Or you may get a lot of gift cards at once – say, for your birthday – and decide to use them to spoil yourself throughout the year instead of going on a once-off shopping spree. Before you make that choice, check the T&Cs on each card to make sure there are no extra costs involved.

Some retailers charge ‘activation’ and ‘inactive’ fees. An inactive fee is charged if you don’t use the card for a specified time, while an activation fee means a portion of the value on the gift card goes to the retailer when you use it for the first time. Other retailers understand the loyalty value of giving the customer everything they pay for, and charge no fees at all – you can spend the full card value on yourself.

If you receive a variety of gift cards at the same time, check the T&Cs on all of them. Maybe use any with activation or inactivity fees first, so you don’t have to worry about losing any more of their value. You can then save the more user-friendly gift cards until you see something you really want.

Stay alert and avoid gift card scams

Digital scammers try to sell fake gift cards online, often on social media, and fraudsters also try to steal legitimate gift cards and vouchers from your digital device. They may even use fake gift card scams to trick you into downloading malware so they can get access to your device. This malware could compromise the security of all your software (including banking apps) on that device and any other devices linked to it.

Pay close attention to emails, phone numbers and text messages. Never share a gift card or voucher code with anyone – it could be a cybercriminal trying to steal from you. Watch out for common warning signs of a scam and never click on random links without first scrolling over them to verify the address. A long string of numbers and letters that have nothing to do with the business supposedly offering the deal is a red flag.

If you’re offered a promotional deal claiming to partner with a well-known retailer, double-check it first. You should be able to find the same deal on the retailer’s official website.

Avo vouchers never expire

Avo SuperShop vouchers are a smarter, more flexible way to buy gifts that give the receiver more choices.

• No expiry dates: Avo vouchers never expire, so you can use them whenever you choose to.
• Seamless shopping: Avo makes it easy to redeem vouchers for a wide range of categories, from gadgets and electronics to fashion and home appliances, all in 1 place. Shop online, and get it delivered to your door.
• Simpler management: Nedbank’s digital tools let you keep track of your vouchers, deliveries, and available Avo promotions, to ensure you never miss a chance to get maximum value for money.