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Shop Etc. Gift Card FAQ

About the Shop Etc. Gift Card
» What is a Shop Etc. Gift Card and where can I use it?
» How do I use the Shop Etc. Gift Card?
» Does the Shop Etc. Gift Card have an expiration date?
» What denominations are the Shop Etc. Gift Cards available in?
» Where can I purchase the Shop Etc. Gift Card?
 
Using the Shop Etc. Gift Card
» How do I check my available balance and view the transaction history on my Shop Etc. or GGP Mall Gift Cards?
» What happens once I spend the total amount on the Shop Etc. Gift Card?
» The purchase I want to make exceeds the amount on my Shop Etc. Gift Card. Can I combine other forms of payment?
» Why was my Shop Etc. Gift Card declined?
» Can value be added to the Shop Etc. Gift Card?
» Can I use a Shop Etc. Gift Card to withdraw cash at an ATM?
» What should I do if my Shop Etc. Gift Card is lost or stolen?
» Can I use my Shop Etc. Gift Card to make purchases online?
» Is the Shop Etc. Gift Card a credit card?
» What is the cost of purchasing a Shop Etc. Gift Card? Are there any other fees?
» Are there any shipping costs for online orders?
» What are the usage guidelines at restaurants and other "tip" oriented merchants?
» What if I have a problem with a purchase made with the Shop Etc. Gift Card?
» What should I do if a retailer or restaurant does not want to accept the Shop Etc. Gift Card?
 
Giving the Shop Etc. Gift Card
» How will the recipient of a Shop Etc. Gift Card know the value of the card?
» When I purchase the Shop Etc. Gift Card online for someone else, can I have it mailed directly to the recipient?
 
 
What is a Shop Etc. Gift Card and where can I use it?
The Shop Etc. Gift Card is a prepaid Gift Card issued by American Express with a set dollar amount; it is not a credit card, charge card or debit card. The Shop Etc. Gift Card may be used at retail stores, including department stores, and restaurants that accept American Express Cards both inside and outside of GGP shopping centers. The Shop Etc. Gift Card is not valid for use at cruise lines, for recurring billing charges, at casinos or ATMs. Additional restrictions apply. Please see the Terms and Conditions of the Shop Etc. Gift Card for further details on Card usage. Please see the Terms and Conditions of the Shop Etc. Gift Card for further details on Card usage.
 
How do I use the Shop Etc. Gift Card?
First, sign your name on the back of the Card. Be sure to write down your Card number and the CID code found on the front, top-right corner of your Card, and keep it in a secure place. If your Card is ever lost or stolen, you must have this information to obtain a replacement Card. When purchasing items with your Card, simply present it to the cashier at the time of purchase and notify him/her of card balance. Then, sign the terminal receipt. You will be given a copy of this receipt for your records. The total dollar amount of each purchase will be deducted from the value of the Shop Etc. Gift Card as it is used.
 
Does the Shop Etc. Gift Card have an expiration date?
The Card plastic does expire but not the funds that were placed onto the Card. Each Shop Etc. Gift Card has a "valid thru" date displayed on it. The "valid thru" date is also required to ensure that the Shop Etc. Gift Card can be used at establishments that request and/or require customers to provide a plastic expiration date during the transaction process. The Shop Etc. Gift Card will, however, be declined if used after the "valid thru" date. If your Card has passed its valid thru date please go to any General Growth Property for a replacement card or call the number on the back of your Gift Card.
 
What denominations are the Shop Etc. Gift Cards available in?
The Shop Etc. Gift Card issued by American Express is available for purchase online in variable amounts from $20 to $500.
 
Where can I purchase the Shop Etc. Gift Card?
Shop Etc. Gift Cards are available for purchase at participating GGP shopping centers as well as online. A list of participating centers can be found under the Mall Locations tab within the Gift Card Section of GGP.com.
 
How do I check my available balance and view the transaction history on my Shop Etc. or GGP Mall Gift Cards?
To check the available balance and the transaction history on your Shop Etc. or GGP Mall Gift Card, you may log on to shopetcgiftcard.com and click Check Balance & History. Or call the 24-hour, toll-free Customer Service line at 1-800-330-9964.
 
What happens once I spend the total amount on the Shop Etc. Gift Card?
When the value of the Shop Etc. Gift Card has been depleted, it is no longer valid and will be declined if presented for purchases. Please save your Card in the event you may want to return or exchange merchandise purchased with it.
 
The purchase I want to make exceeds the amount on my Shop Etc. Gift Card. Can I combine other forms of payment?
If your purchase amount is greater than the value on your Shop Etc. Gift Card, you may be able to pay the remaining balance with another form of payment, depending on the individual merchant policy. This is called a "split tender" transaction. Ask the cashier if two forms of payment are acceptable. If the merchant policy allows two forms of payment, pay the difference first with the other form of payment accepted by the retailer or restaurant, and then use your Shop Etc. Gift Card to pay the remaining balance. Certain establishments may only accept cash or check for the second form of payment. It is recommended that you check the available balance on your Gift Card before you make such a transaction.
 
Why was my Shop Etc. Gift Card declined?
The Shop Etc. Gift Card will be declined when the value of the Card has been depleted, or if the desired purchase value exceeds the available balance on the Card and the split tender process was not performed. If you wish to make a purchase valued greater than the available funds on your Shop Etc. Gift Card, please refer to the instructions detailed in the question regarding combining forms of payment.

If you believe a purchase transaction has been declined in error and you need information about a Shop Etc. Gift Card, please call our 24-hour toll-free American Express Customer Support line at 1-800-330-9964.

Unless you intend to return items purchased with the Shop Etc. Gift Card, we recommend that it be cut in half and discarded.

 
Can value be added to the Shop Etc. Gift Card?
No. Value or funds cannot be added to the Shop Etc. Gift Card. Once the total amount of the Shop Etc. Gift Card is depleted, it is no longer valid.
 
Can I use a Shop Etc. Gift Card to withdraw cash at an ATM?
No. Shop Etc. Gift Cards are only valid for shopping at retail establishments and dining at restaurants at where American Express Cards are accepted, not to withdraw cash.
Are there any shipping costs for online orders?
Yes, the shipping costs of Gift Cards purchased online will vary according to the ‘ship to’ location. Please note that 2nd Day, Overnight, Saturday Delivery and all orders over $200.00 require a signature upon delivery. Orders received by 2P MST, Monday – Friday, are processed the same day based on product availability. We do not ship on weekends or holidays that are observed by the U.S. Postal Service. Processing fees will vary depending on order size.

 
What are the usage guidelines at restaurants and other "tip" oriented merchants?
Restaurants often add a fixed percentage (approximately 20%) to the authorization amount when they swipe your Shop Etc. Gift Card to receive approval. This is very common in restaurants to cover the tipping charge that would normally be added to the transaction amount. This may result in a decline or it may result in a "hold" on the available balance of value on your Card for the additional amount. Once the actual transaction is cleared through American Express and the restaurant merchant, the hold on any additional funds will be removed.

For example, if your meal totaled $50.00, the restaurant may authorize the transaction in the amount of $60.00, which includes the 20% fixed percentage. If you pay the $50.00 from your Gift Card and leave the tip in cash, only the amount you authorize will be deducted from your Gift Card. However, the additional $10.00 may be held until the Gift Card vendor receives confirmation that the transaction you authorized was for $50.00 (usually between 3-7 business days). To avoid this, you can generally ask the restaurant to only authorize the amount you have requested.

 
What if I have a problem with a purchase made with the Shop Etc. Gift Card?
Purchases made with prepaid cards are similar to purchases made with cash or travelers checks. You cannot lodge a "billing dispute" or request a "stop payment". If you think an error has occurred with a transaction, you must contact the merchant directly. Exchanges or returns of merchandise purchased in whole or in part with the Shop Etc. Gift Card will be governed by the procedures and policies of each merchant and applicable law. At the time of any exchange or return, the Cardholder should present both the merchandise receipt and the Shop Etc. Gift Card. If you receive a credit, the credit will be applied to the Shop Etc. Gift Card typically in 3 to 7 business days. For further assistance please call American Express Customer Support at 1-800-330-9964.
 
What should I do if a retailer or restaurant does not want to accept the Shop Etc. Gift Card?
All retailers and restaurants that accept American Express Cards should accept Shop Etc. Gift Cards. If a retailer or restaurant refuses to accept your Shop Etc. Gift Card, please call American Express Customer Support at 1-800-330-9964.

How will the recipient of a Shop Etc. Gift Card know the value of the card?
The original value of the Shop Etc. Gift Card may be written inside the card carrier provided to the purchaser and is available by checking your balance online at shopetcgiftcard.com or by calling American Express Customer Support at 1-800-330-9964.
 
When I purchase the Shop Etc. Gift Card online for someone else, can I have it mailed directly to the recipient?
Yes. Simply enter the recipient's name and address when prompted to enter shipping information during the ordering process. Please note: Due to legislation Gift Cards are no longer being shipped to Vermont.