Hot Topic:
Gift Cards and Fees
Dr. Dan Horne, associate professor of marketing
The holiday season is upon us. According to a recent Bankrate.com’s annual Gift Card Survey, store-branded gift charges have fewer purchase fees than those issued by banks and credit card companies.
Of the 55 store-branded gift cards surveyed–including Bloomingdale’s, Whole Foods, Target, and Rite Aid–only 9 percent charged a purchase fee, and only 2 percent charge a maintenance fee. Conversely, all of the eight gift cards offered by banks and credit card companies (Discover, American Express, MasterCard, and Visa through various banks), charged a fee ranging anywhere from $2.95 to $6.95.
Federal law requires that gift cards stay good for at least five years, and 95 percent of the cards surveyed by Bankrate do not have an expiration date.
Dr. Dan Horne, associate professor of marketing, is a leading expert on consumer purchase and the use of gift cards. To speak with him directly, please contact Chrissy Centazzo at (401)-865-2413, or ccentazz@providence.edu.
Meet our expert:
Dr. Dan Horne, associate professor of marketing;
At PC since 1994
Expertise:
Consumer Payments (including credit, debit, and gift cards; mobile payments; other prepaid products)
Gift Selection and Purchase
Consumer Privacy, Employee Motivation and Incentives
Selected Courses Taught:
Consumer Behavior
Sports Marketing