TheNightKing
J.A.P.A.N.
This. If you get store based cards there’s typically no activation or any other fee. I stay away from Visa/MC gift cards.b/c most shopping is done online these days
and i only pay tax on the visa gift cards iirc.
if i go to the spa, i pay the rate of the package im getting, no tax
if i get one off amazon itself, no tax, but i get it off the carousel in the store, i think that's taxable
if you gave cash and that person isnt going into a brick and mortar, they will have to put it in their account to use their card online anyway...so why not just give them the cash?
But you’re right in that cash is better because there’s no fees and you can use it anywhere. People just do gift cards cause it seems more thoughtful and is more socially acceptable now than giving cash.