American express gift card front and back

What if I don't have enough on my Gift Card to make a purchase? Can I combine other forms of payment?

Depending on where you make a purchase, you may be able to use your Gift Card toward a portion of the final purchase price, and use another form of payment to pay the balance.

If the business agrees to a split payment for the transaction, ask them to charge a dollar amount up to the remaining balance on your Gift Card. You can then pay the rest with another form of payment, such as a credit card or cash.

Some retailers, particularly department stores, will only allow a transaction to be split if the second form of payment is cash or check. Most online and mail order businesses don’t permit two forms of payment.

We recommend that you check the balance on your Gift Card to confirm available funds.

American Express® Gift Cards and Business Gift Cards can be used virtually anywhere American Express is accepted in the US.

Your Gift Card may be declined if there aren’t enough available funds to cover the amount of your purchase or a pre-authorization request. 

Some types of businesses request a pre-authorization for a dollar amount that may be higher than your actual purchase. For example:

• Gas stations may pre-program the pump to pre-authorize a fixed dollar amount, so we recommend that you pay inside the station.
• Tip oriented businesses such as restaurants, spas or hair salons may add a fixed percentage (i.e. 20%) to the bill meant to cover a tip. To avoid this, you may request the business to authorize a specific dollar amount.

If a business pre-authorizes for an amount greater than the actual purchase, the available balance of your Gift Card will be temporarily decreased by this amount until the actual transaction posts, typically until the eighth day after your purchase. Only the final amount of the purchase will ultimately be deducted from your Gift Card.

We recommend that you keep track of your available balance to avoid declines.

PRESENTING

The American Express® Gift Card

The gift that lets them choose what they want.

Give one today!

Notice: Effective August 25, 2021 replacement gift cards will no longer be offered for lost or stolen gift cards or for cards with an expired “Valid Thru” date. Please call Customer Service (1-800-505-6849) to obtain a refund equal to the current unused available balance. You will not be charged any fees for the refund.

The  information on this website pertains to American Express Gift Cards issued by Amex Bank of Canada, which are no longer offered. Please check the back of your card for issuer information. If your card is issued by Peoples Trust Company, you have an American Express Prepaid Card. For prepaid card balance, customer service and Cardholder Agreements, please visit amexprepaidcard.com

Purchase charge applies. Use of the Gift Card is subject to the Gift Card Cardholder Agreement, which includes usage restrictions, terms and conditions. Not valid until purchased and activated. This Gift Card is not reloadable.

Read Gift Card Cardholder Agreement for terms and conditions that apply.

For use only at merchants in Canada and the U.S. that accept American Express Cards except cruise lines, casinos, recurring billing and any other merchants or transactions that American Express may determine from time to time. Not for use at ATMs or redeemable for cash. In some cases Gift Card acceptance may be restricted to certain merchant locations (e.g. mall), which will be indicated with the Gift Card if applicable. You may also call Customer Service for more information at 1-800-505-6849.
© 2018 Amex Bank of Canada.

Most Gift Cards come ready to use. If activating your Gift Card is required for use, then it will come with instructions for how to do this. We also recommend that you sign your name on the back of the Gift Card, and that you record the following information in case it's ever lost or stolen:

• Gift Card number
• Four digit Card Identification Code (CID) on the front of the Card
• Three digit Card Security Code (CSC) on the back of the Card
• Customer service phone number

You can also call us at the phone number on the back of your Gift Card to register your name and Gift Card details in the event it’s lost or stolen.

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