Master Card Gift Cards? Past users help?

Question

I was at shopper's Drug Mart the other day and noticed something called the master card gift card they come in 50 and 100 $, well I am not the owner of a credit card so could you guys tell me if I could use it at places like aeropostale or Hollister online and stuff. But my concern is that they are not re-loadable so once you enter that number then you can't really use it again? What have you guys done?

Answer 1

First you need to check with those stores you mentioned to see if the except Mastercard/Visa Logo Gift Cards.  They should.  Some Gift cards are re-loadable, some aren't, once you have use all of the amount on the gift card then that number/card will not be re-used.  But as I said, you use all of the amount up.  Now if you want to continue to add money to a card, it would be better to get one that is re-loadable, so that you can use the same number and card over and over again, especially if your use is frequent.  I would also suggest you go to your bank and get a Debit Visa/Mastercard, secured by your money that is in your checking or savings account, you can use this the same way you use the gift cards, same thing without the bank account attached.  But, the best suggestion would be for you to get a Secured Visa/Mastercar (secured by your money), but this card is not a debit card, but a charge card with the Visa/Mastercard logo, it's used in the same way, but it is use as a charge card up to the amount you have secured.  You will have to make payments on this account, and your timely payment history will be reported to the credit bureau on a monthly basis, thereby establishing good credit.  Remember, gift cards are good, debit cards are great, but they will not help you establsh credit, they will not help you buy a house, or get a bank loan, or anything else that you will need credit for.  You need to establish and build that.

Good luck !!!!!!!!