What "flavors" of VGC are available locally?

A guide to what Visa Gift Cards you'll find in local stores
All VGC are not created equal. Here's what you can expect to see in stores in South Louisiana:

One Vanilla Variable Visa Gift Card (OVVGC)
Cost : $4.95

Denominations : $25 to $500

Issuing Bank : Bancorp

PIN for Debit Use : Any 4-digit pin of your choice during first use

Pros : Very easy to find/purchase, look more "official" than some other gift cards

Cons : Limited to $49.99 per swipe at Walmart when used as debit (so not useful for Serve/Money Orders). Usually not able to buy at places that have category bonuses (so usually only 1x earning)

Where to Buy : CVS, Walgreens, Dollar General, Rite Aid

How to check balance : https://www.onevanilla.com/onevanilla/ or 1-877-770-6408

Vanilla Visa Gift Cards - Variable Denomination (VVGC)
Cost : $3.95 to $4.95

Denominations : Fixed ($50, $100, $200)

Issuing Bank : Bancorp

PIN for Debit Use : Any 4-digit pin of your choice during first use

Pros : Very easy to find/purchase

Cons : Limited to $49.99 per swipe at Walmart when used as debit (so not useful for Serve/Money Orders). Usually not able to buy at places that have category bonuses (so usually only 1x earning)

Where to Buy : CVS, Walgreens, Dollar General, Rite Aid

How to check balance : https://www.vanillavisa.com or 1-800-571-1376

Walmart Visa Gift Cards
Cost : $4.94

Denominations : Fixed and Variable up to $500

Issuing Bank : Green Dot Bank

PIN for Debit Use : Last 4 digits of card number

Pros : One penny cheaper than other VGC

Cons : No category bonus, can only purchase $500 at a time as each VGC has to be a separate transaction at Walmart

Where to Buy : Walmart

How to check balance : http://walmartgift.com or 1-866-633-9096

Metabank Visa Gift Cards
Cost : $6.95 for $200 card, less for $100/$50 varieties

Denominations : Fixed $25 up to $200 [you should only use the $200 for MS]

Issuing Bank : Metabank / GiftCardMall

PIN for Debit Use : Last 4 digits of card

Pros : Really only category bonus - sold at all office supply stores. Can be loaded to Serve/used at Walmart.

Cons : More expensive for lower denomination than other VGC, not worth it unless you're getting a good category bonus (>3.5x). More swipes at the register needed for liquidating to Money Order/Serve.

Where to Buy : Office Depot, Office Max

How to check balance : http://www.giftcardmall.com/mygift OR 1-888-524-1283

Dining Everywhere Visa Gift Cards
Cost : $4.95

Denominations : Variable from $20 up to $200

Issuing Bank : GiftCardMall

PIN for Debit Use : Last 4 of card number

Pros : The cheapest option for VGC at Office Supply stores.

Cons : Some report issues liquidating these cards at places that don't sell food - but per our reports locally can liquidate at Walmart as well as Winn-Dixie without issue. May not work at USPS.

Where to Buy : Office Depot, Office Max, Winn Dixie

How to check balance : https://mygift.giftcardmall.com OR 1-877-341-5484

Vanilla Visa Gift Cards (Fixed Denomination)
Cost : $3.95 to $4.95

Denominations : Fixed ($50, $100, $200)

Issuing Bank : Bancorp

PIN for Debit Use : Any 4-digit pin of your choice during first use

Pros : Very easy to find/purchase

Cons : Limited to $49.99 per swipe at Walmart when used as debit (so not useful for Serve/Money Orders). Fees way too high to be useful.

Where to Buy : CVS, Walgreens, Dollar General, Rite Aid

How to check balance : https://www.vanillavisa.com or 1-800-571-1376

Five Back Visa Gift Cards [UPDATE 2017: GREATLY CRIPPLED]
Cost : $6.95

Denominations : Variable from $20 up to $200

Issuing Bank : Metabank

PIN for Debit Use : Last 4 of card number

Pros : Read the write-up here, can be lucrative but can also be a pain in the ass. Sold at Office Supply stores and Grocery so can take advantage of category bonus

Cons : More expensive than other VGC for the similar denomination. Now essentially dead with removal of CVS/K-Mart from Five Back program. Don't bother.

Where to Buy : Office Depot, Office Max, Winn Dixie

How to check balance : https://www.fivebackgift.com/ OR 1-844-201-8796

Style Everywhere / Fuel Everywhere Visa Gift Cards
Cost : $4.95

Denominations : Variable from $20 up to $100 (Fuel) and $200 (Style)

Issuing Bank : GiftCardMall

PIN for Debit Use : Last 4 of card number

Pros : Can be purchased at Office Supply stores and Grocery for category bonus

Cons : CANNOT BE USED EVERYWHERE! They are limited to their particular "category" - you can only use the Fashion Cards at stores that sell clothing/accessories, Fuel cards at gas stations. Awful value for gas stations as you can find fee-free fuel GC everywhere.

Where to Buy : Office Depot, Office Max, Winn Dixie

How to check balance: https://mygift.giftcardmall.com/Card/Login?returnURL=Transactions OR 1-877-341-5484

Would you rather read about where to buy VGC online? Where to buy MCGC locally?

Back to VGC Home or Manufactured Spending Home