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Frequently Asked Questions for Gift Card Recipients
Frequently Asked Questions for Gift Card Recipients

Click on any of the links in a category for question details.

  • About Discover Gift Cards
  • What is a Discover Gift Card?
    • A Discover Gift Card is a prepaid stored value card that can be used where Discover Network Cards are accepted in the United States, except ATMs, check-cashing agencies and certain locations where an authorization may be attempted for an amount that exceeds the value of the card (e.g., pay-at-the-pump gas stations).
  • Do Discover Gift Cards expire?
    • Discover Gift Cards expire 24 months from the date of purchase; this date will be embossed on the front of the card. Also, after 12 months of consecutive inactivity on the gift card, Discover Card will begin to assess a $2.50 monthly dormancy fee. Replacement cards can be requested for up to 90 days following expiration, less a $5.00 card replacement fee.
  • Activating Your Discover Gift Card
  • How do I activate my gift card?
    • To activate your Discover Gift Card, visit www.DiscoverGiftCardBalance.com or call us toll free at 1-866-522-7026. Make sure to sign the back of the card before making your first purchase.
  • Why do I have to activate my gift card?
    • After 12 months of consecutive inactivity on the gift card, Discover Card will begin to assess a $2.50 monthly dormancy fee. Allowing you to choose when to activate your gift card ensures you will have more time to use the card before the dormancy fees go into effect.
  • Using Your Discover Gift Card
  • How do I use my card to make a purchase?
    • Discover Gift Cards work like a prepaid credit card. When either you or the cashier swipes the card, be sure to press "Credit" instead of "Debit" or "Gift Card" at the time of purchase. If you are attempting to make a purchase over the amount on your gift card, tell the cashier the exact balance left on your card and to swipe that amount. Then use an alternative form of payment to complete your purchase.
  • Where can I use my Discover Gift Card?
    • You can use Discover Gift Cards at most merchant locations that accept Discover Network Cards in the United States. However, you cannot use Discover Gift Cards at ATMs, check cashing agencies and certain other locations (e.g., pay-at-the-pump gas stations).
  • Can I use my Discover Gift Card online?
    • Yes, you can use your gift card online. However, there are some exceptions. If you receive your gift card but it was not initially sent to your mailing address, some online merchants may decline your sale based on their address verification process. If you would like to update the mailing address associated with your gift card, please call Customer Service toll free at 1-866-522-7026.
  • How do I use my card at a restaurant?
    • Most restaurants will approve a transaction for 15-25% more than the purchase to cover gratuity (for authorization purposes only). So, if the remaining value on your gift card does not cover the meal plus 25% gratuity, the sale will not be approved. To avoid this, please make sure the value remaining on your gift card will cover the meal and expected gratuity even if you are not planning to include gratuity as part of the transaction. Or, you can ask the cashier if you can use a combination of your gift card and another form of payment in order to pay the bill. To do this, you must know the exact balance on your gift card.
  • Can I get cash from my Discover Gift Card?
    • No, your gift card cannot be redeemed for cash.
  • Balance Inquiries for Your Discover Gift Card
  • How can I find out the balance remaining on my Discover Gift Card?
  • Can I add funds to my Discover Gift Card?
    • No, your gift card is not re-loadable. However, returns and credits processed by the merchant, Discover Card or your credit card issuer can be applied.
  • Can Discover Gift Card balances be given to another individual or can the balance be consolidated?
    • Your gift card may be given to anyone you wish, including individuals under the age of 18. However, balances from several gift cards cannot be consolidated on to one card, nor can balances from one gift card be transferred to another.
  • Lost or Stolen Cards
  • What if someone steals my Discover Gift Card or uses it without my permission?
    • Treat your card the same as you would treat cash. Discover Card is not responsible for lost or stolen gift cards. If you notify Discover Card that your gift card has been lost or stolen, you may recover only the balance remaining on the gift card at the time of contact (less the applicable fee of $5.00 stated in the Discover Gift Card Cardholder Agreement).
  • Returns Using Your Discover Gift Card
  • How do I return merchandise bought with my Discover Gift Card?
    • Merchants will credit your returns, subject to their return policy, back to the gift card used to make the purchase. For this reason, it is very important you keep your gift card and receipts. Funds credited by a merchant will be available approximately 3 days after the return is processed.
  • Online Technical Issues
  • Who should I contact if I am having issues with the Web site?
    • Please call Customer Service toll free at 1-866-522-7026.
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