Avoid gift card pitfalls

They’re convenient and popular, but gift cards are often loaded with fees, expiration dates, and other hassles

They seem like a perfect solution to the problem of what to give this holiday season. Gift cards are offered by banks, shopping malls, retailers, airlines, restaurants, hotels, Web sites, and even state parks. And you don't have to go far to find them—many supermarkets and drugstores display racks of gift cards conveniently near the checkout.

But a card is one gift that can keep on giving … grief. That's especially true for bank-issued cards, which often saddle recipients with fees, expiration dates, and other gotchas. Retail cards generally aren't as troublesome but some of them lose value or expire if you don't use them quickly, depending on laws and regulations in your state.

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