Tis the season to read minds and figure out what to get everyone on your list. And every guy I know seems to have a gift card some where on the short list of options. Not a bad gift but they are limited to a particular store.

Enter the Visa Gift Card...the salvation of all men looking for gifts for the person that you have NO clue what to get them. You can use it anywhere in any store, what could be better? It's the perfect gift, right? Not quite. There is a catch! Well, actually several...

Can I get them anywhere?
No. To get one in person, you have to go to a bank and not all banks have them! I finally found them at Wachovia and had to have a friend buy them for me since I don't bank there.

Can I use them anywhere?
Kinda. They can be used at places that take Visa. But many places see them as a credit card and will only take one credit card per purchase. In other words, if you have a $50 Visa gift card and buy $150 worth of merchandise, you better have $100 in cash to cover the rest of the purchase. Some places recommend buying one of their gift cards with the Visa gift card and then use the gift card to cover the $50 so you can then use a credit card to cover the rest. Whatever you do, do not let anyone void a transaction with a Visa gift card! The funds on the card will be held for 3-5 days until they are released back to the card.

Can I get cash off the card?
Kinda. You can but you have to register the card first to get a PIN number. You can go online to do this or call the number on the card (if it is valid, the one on the Wachovia cards is not). Then you are ready to use the card at an ATM but only for $100 per day. Oh, and don't forget the transaction fees that all the ATMs are going to charge you (including the bank that issued the card).

Visa Gift Cards are still a gift option just remember that they have their limitations.

Good Luck!