Gift Card Balance & Fee Calculator

Open-loop gift cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) work on payment networks that charge the issuer interchange fees and network fees. To cover these costs, issuers charge purchase fees ($3-$7) and monthly maintenance fees ($2-$3). Closed-loop store gift cards only work within a single retailer's payment system, which has minimal processing costs, so there are typically no fees. The trade-off is that open-loop cards offer the flexibility to spend anywhere.

It depends on the card type and initial value. A $100 open-loop Visa with a $4.95 purchase fee starts at $95.05. After the 6-month inactivity grace period, monthly fees of $2.50 kick in. The card would reach zero in about 44 months (3.7 years). A $100 store gift card with no fees would never lose value. Larger values last longer, but the same fee structure applies proportionally.

Yes. The best way to avoid monthly maintenance fees is to use the card within the inactivity grace period (usually 6-12 months) and avoid holding onto the card for long periods. Once you receive an open-loop gift card, spend it within the first few months. Alternatively, choose closed-loop store gift cards which typically have no monthly fees at all. Remember that the CARD Act requires 12 months of inactivity before monthly fees can start on most consumer gift cards.

Closed-loop (store-specific) gift cards have the lowest fees - typically zero. Amazon, Target, Starbucks, Walmart, and most major retailer gift cards have no purchase fees, no monthly fees, and no expiration dates. Bank-issued gift cards from major banks (like Chase, Bank of America) may have moderate fees. Prepaid cards marketed as "reloadable" have different fee structures and may not qualify for the same consumer protections as one-time gift cards.

The federal CARD Act of 2009 prohibits certain gift card fees. Dormancy fees (monthly fees after inactivity) are only allowed if there has been at least 12 months of inactivity. Fees on the card purchase itself are generally allowed but must be clearly disclosed. Several states have stronger protections that go beyond federal law. For example, California, Colorado, and Connecticut prohibit monthly maintenance fees entirely. New York and Texas require clear disclosure of all fees on the card packaging.

Absolutely. This calculator runs 100% in your browser. Your gift card amounts, card types, and fee data are processed locally on your device and are never sent to any server, stored, or tracked. No signup or account is needed.

Yes - this calculator is 100% free with no signup, no account, and no usage limits. Run as many calculations as you need with different card values, types, and time periods, completely free forever.