Discussions

How to use balances? I have some Visa and Mastercard gift cards with varying amounts left on them. Is there a way to use them for online purchases? Example, one card has $30 on it. I want to purchase something on Amazon that is $50, is there a way to use the $30 on the one card and pay the $20 with a different card? Or can it be used in a store? Example I have the $30 on a card and my groceries are $50 - will a store allow me to use the $30 on the card and pay the rest with cash? How does the store know there is really $30 on the card? This has puzzled me on to use up balances.

Go to the store tell them you have $30 on a prepaid card and you'll use cash/debit/?? for the remainder. The store has no idea what you have on the card, if they try to charge more it will just decline.

One thing I found out the hard way, is that some cards charge a monthly 'maintenance fee'. When I went to use the card in question, I only had a small fraction of the balance I thought I had on it.

I only use gift card/prepaid cards.  
 
You can use a remaining balance when the amount owing is equal or less than the card balance. So if your bill is more pay with cash/debit/whatever first.  
 
It's hit & miss for online shopping to split a bill between cards. When it comes to Amazon I always flip my remaining card balances into an Amazon gift code balance on my account. Those 'leftover' dollar & cents add up fast!!

PayPal, Much Better. You can load your account with the remaining balances, I've done it before. It's a pain in the ass tho you need to figure out how much you have for every card before you can do it. I have a virtual credit card with PayPal than I use it, or you can just cashout to your bank account. Much better is very similar but they will e-transfer you the balance.