Published on Friday, Dec 07, 2007 If you’re buying a gift card from a bank or credit-card company, do a little research first.

The cards can be used practically anywhere the issuer’s credit card is accepted, but often are off-limits for stuff like recurring bills, car rentals, pay-at-the-pump gas stations and casinos.

More importantly, they expire, and the issuers tend to tack on fees.

American Express gift cards charge a monthly service fee of $2 after a year and $5.95 to replace a lost or stolen card. The card has a ”valid through” date — if it expires and you still have funds remaining, you can ask for a check for the amount, but American Express will deduct $10.

Discover doesn’t charge a shipping fee, but its gift cards deduct a $2.50 dormancy fee after a year of inactivity, and expire after two years.

For Visa and MasterCard gift cards, the individual banks that issue them can provide you with fee information. Be sure to ask specifically about dormancy fees and fees to check your balance.

If you’re buying a gift card from a bank or credit-card company, do a little research first.

The cards can be used practically anywhere the issuer’s credit card is accepted, but often are off-limits for stuff like recurring bills, car rentals, pay-at-the-pump gas stations and casinos.

More importantly, they expire, and the issuers tend to tack on fees.

American Express gift cards charge a monthly service fee of $2 after a year and $5.95 to replace a lost or stolen card. The card has a ”valid through” date — if it expires and you still have funds remaining, you can ask for a check for the amount, but American Express will deduct $10.

Discover doesn’t charge a shipping fee, but its gift cards deduct a $2.50 dormancy fee after a year of inactivity, and expire after two years.

For Visa and MasterCard gift cards, the individual banks that issue them can provide you with fee information. Be sure to ask specifically about dormancy fees and fees to check your balance.