If the card is issued by a financial instituation, then it can expire, or they can deduct a "service charge" off it per month. My wife and I learned this the hard way.
We were given a $100 gift card (as a wedding gift) to any Cadillac Fairview mall in Canada (Chinook or Market Mall, in Calgary). We didn't go to use the card until this year. We've been married for 3 1/2 years now. When we went to the store they told us the balance was $52.50! WHAT!?!
Long story short: The card is issed by Bank of America for Cadillac Fairview. Because it's issued by a financial institution, they are exempt from the rules here in Alberta. Thus, they can add a charge, service fee or whatever, if you don't use the card in a certain time.
So make sure you check those gift cards you get this Christmas. If it has a financial institutions (Bank) name on it, use it right away. Or find out when they start deducting $$ off it.
Needless to say we don't shop at those malls anymore.
In the end we did get a $50 gift card in the mail from Cadillac Fairview, after complaining and talking to 4 differrent manager. What a pain...
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