Race for Cash Bonus

$1 Extra for 10 Surveys

March 19-26

Sign Up

Race for Cash!
$1 bonus for 10 surveys.

Sign Up
New Zealand
New Zealand
PayPal
$7.01
New
Spain
Spain
Bitcoin
$5.42
France
France
VISA
$6.55
Spain
Spain
PayPal
$7.63
Austria
Austria
PayPal
$6.00
France
France
Bitcoin
$5.90
Austria
Austria
PayPal
$6.31
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
VISA
$6.76
Germany
Germany
PayPal
$7.78
Canada
Canada
Bitcoin
$7.93
Italy
Italy
VISA
$5.78
Norway
Norway
PayPal
$5.76
Germany
Germany
Bitcoin
$8.04
Italy
Italy
Bitcoin
$8.01
Germany
Germany
Bitcoin
$7.71
Recent Payouts

Amex gift cards are prepaid payment cards issued by American Express. They differ from most retailer gift cards by virtue of working more like a regular debit card as it’s accepted by a significantly wider range of companies.

Additionally, they also have a PIN, card number, and many other associated details, meaning they can be used for online purchases just like a debit card. You cannot, however, use an Amex gift card to withdraw money from an ATM and it’s also not linked to a checking account.

Setting Up Your Amex Gift Card

Most websites will accept your American Express gift card during the checkout or account registration process. Whenever you have to input your payment method, that’s where you can use your American Express gift card.

The steps to follow are as with any debit card. Here’s how card information works:

  • First name and last name. Sometimes the field may also be called “Cardholder name”. Your personal be visible on the front of your American Express gift card. 
  • Card number. A 16-digit unique number assigned to your American Express gift card, which is found on the front.
  • CVV (or security) code. A 4-digit PIN, usually found on the back of your card.
  • Expiration date. Usually shown in a MM/YY format on the front of your American Express gift card.

These details are necessary to make any online purchase with an American Express gift card. You may have also received a few more important bits of information such as issuer (if it wasn’t purchased through a third party) and activation instructions.

Amex gift card activation is done either through their website or by calling a special number (1-888-846-4308). In both cases you’ll need all of the above details to activate your Amex gift card.

Remember to have a second payment method ready. If your purchase exceeds the Amex gift card balance, you’ll need something else to cover for the difference, regardless of whether you’re purchasing online or offline.

Amex Gift Card Fees, Reloads, and Expiration

An unfortunate aspect of American Express gift cards is that they have a purchase fee. If you acquire an American Express gift card through their website, the default purchase fee is $3.95. Physical retailers may have different ones, depending on their own decision.

Luckily, there’s no maintenance or service fees, so if you received a gift card as a present, no fees will apply to you. If you receive a gift card for free as part of some activities like filling out surveys, the payment will also be likely covered.

There’s also a technical expiration date, however, it’s rather meaningless for consumers. All Amex gift cards are valid until a specific date and are deactivated after it passes. Yet, you can get a replacement gift card with the same balance upon request, so the only real drawback is having to replace them every few years.

Finally, you cannot reload American Express gift cards, so once the balance is used up, it becomes worthless. 

Online Shopping—Keeping Your American Express Gift Card Safe

An American Express gift card is quite a treasure for all sorts of scammers and other ill-intentioned individuals. They can be used in many stores and online, so you should always take precautionary measures to avoid someone else gaining access to your funds.

As such, never share any of the important details, especially the CVV code with third parties. These details are necessary to make payments, so if anyone gets access to all of the details, they can make online purchases with your gift card.

Additionally, if you intend to check your American Express gift card balance, make sure to only use the official website. There are numerous third party websites that supposedly offer the same service, but many (if not all) of them may be scams that intend to steal your information.

If you notice fraudulent activity or unknown charges in your American Express gift card transaction, be sure to report it as soon as possible. The company may be able to reverse some charges or block the card and issue a new one to you.

Maximize Online Shopping Benefits with Amex Gift Cards

Since you cannot reload American Express gift cards, it’s best to use them strategically to maximize the value of each dollar. There are many ways you can optimize your online purchases.

First, you should always search for websites that provide cashback rewards for purchasing through them. You’ll be able to redeem points or receive a small amount of additional money for each purchase, making each dollar you spend a little more valuable.

Additionally, you should take advantage of price comparison websites, which will let you quickly compare prices from numerous online retailers. Since most retailers accept American Express gift cards, you won’t have to look for highly specific websites.

Another option is to look for American Express promotions. You can sometimes find special deals or discounts for gift card users (or any American Express customers) that can be redeemed with specific retailers.

Finally, using various extensions or websites that scan the internet for coupon codes is another popular option. These tools usually work only with major and medium-sized retailers, but you can save quite a lot of money by applying those discounts.

Combining these options into one package is the best possible option as it’ll let you get a lot more mileage out of your American Express gift card. While it may not always be possible to get everything in one go, even one option will bring you great benefits.

Mark Orina
Mark Orina

Copywriter, Pawns.app

Mark is an exceptional writer with a talent for crafting easy-to-understand content that resonates with our readers worldwide. An avid fan of movies, video games, and all things tech, Mark brings curiosity and a fresh perspective to every topic he covers. When not at the keyboard, he finds inspiration cycling in nature, living by Einstein's wisdom: 'Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.'

Related articles

  • Micro Tasks: Earn Money Online Easily with Simple Tasks

    Micro Tasks: Earn Money Online Easily with Simple Tasks

    If you’re looking to earn money online during your free time, it’s possible to achieve that by doing simple tasks from home. There are many people out there like you who turn quick jobs from the comfort of their home to a steady side hustle income. The opportunities are presented by big companies that need… Read more

  • How to Get Netflix for Free: Easy Tips That Actually Work

    How to Get Netflix for Free: Easy Tips That Actually Work

    Netflix remains atop the streaming services around the globe, with an astounding 300 million subscribers worldwide. While offering a vast library of movies, TV shows, and original content, the platform makes fortunes from subscription costs that continue to rise. On the other hand, subscribers are lost between various streaming services since their favorite content is… Read more

  • How GasBuddy Works: A Complete Guide to Saving Money

    How GasBuddy Works: A Complete Guide to Saving Money

    Key Takeaways Everyone is impacted by gas price fluctuations in one way or another. While we can’t avoid how gas demand impacts supply chains for the food on our table, we can adapt our own transportation habits for additional savings. Switching to a bicycle or buying a more economical vehicle are some ways to save… Read more

  • Get Paid to Charge Your Phone: Top Ways to Earn

    Get Paid to Charge Your Phone: Top Ways to Earn

    Have you ever thought that charging your phone could put money in your pocket? It might sound too good to be true, but it’s entirely possible! With the rise of passive income apps, earning extra cash for simple, everyday activities like sharing your internet connection or plugging in your device has never been easier. Whether… Read more

Earn up to $100

Earn Now