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Card Holder Guide
Tips to remember
Not Permitted
- Purchases outside of the United States
- Money transfers for Visa or Mastercard (Venmo, Zelle, CashApp, PayPal, etc.)
- ATM access
- Buying gift cards (except Amazon – online only)
- Subscriptions & bill pay
- Purchases exceeding your card balance
- Pre-authorization charges may be added when using your card at select merchants
Paying at the Pump
Always pay inside — tell the cashier the exact amount to charge.
Swiping at the pump triggers an automatic $100–$200 hold on your card.
Restaurants, Salons & Delivery
Merchants pre-authorize ~20% above your total to cover a potential tip – even if you specify a fixed amount.
The transaction will be declined if the authorized amount, including the added gratuity hold, exceeds your available card balance.
If no tip is added, the held amount returns within 5–7 business days. Unused holds expire in ~4 days.
Frequently asked questions
How do I activate my Visa or Mastercard gift card online?
To activate your Physical Visa or Mastercard gift card online, you will need to enter the UID, an 8-character code found on the back of your card.
Click on the "Activate" button, and your card will be ready for use immediately.
Activation is not required for Visa or Mastercard Digital eGifts or store-specific merchant cards. These cards are ready to use once you "claim" the gift by clicking the button in the email you received.
How do I activate my Visa or Mastercard gift card on the phone?
To activate your Physical Visa or Mastercard gift card, you will need:
- The 16-digit card number printed on the front of your gift card
- The 3-digit security code (CVV code) printed on the back of your card
How to activate:
- Call the toll-free number 877-448-4438
- Press option #1 from the menu
- Enter in your 16-digit card number when prompted
- Enter in your 3-digit security code (CVV) when prompted
For further assistance, click to speak to our
Why am I unable to activate my card?
There are a few reasons your card may not be recognized when attempting to activate:
- This card was not issued by PerfectGift. Check the back of your card to be sure it's from card. You should see the card logo in the bottom right-hand corner. If you do not see that logo, please look for a website address or phone number and contact the appropriate company.
- You are attempting to activate a digital Visa or Mastercard. Digital cards can be activated by clicking the "claim my gift" button" in the email you received. If your card number, CVV code, and expiration date are accessible, the card is active and ready for use.
- Your card has already been activated.
For further assistance, click to speak to our
Do my funds ever expire?
Your card is valid for use until the funds have been exhausted or until your card has expired.
The expiration date (month and year) is printed on the front of your card.
If you still have available funds on your card after the card has expired, you may request a new card with your remaining balance.
What is a pre-authorization charge?
When using a prepaid card at a certain type of merchant, an additional charge is often automatically added to your total to ensure sufficient funds are available on your card.
This additional charge will be returned to the card's balance typically within 4 business days if the purchase is successful. The purchase will be declined when the merchant requests an authorization in an amount greater than the available card balance. When using your card for hotels or travel, funds may be held for up to 30 business days.
Pre-authorization charges most often apply when using your card for:
- Restaurants, salons, food delivery services, or other tipping establishments.
- Gas Stations
- Travel Industry (Hotels, car rentals, cruises, etc..)
For further assistance, click to speak to our
