MasterCard Holiday Gift Card

     Pros and Cons of Giving Gift Cards and Prepaid Cards

                                    

Who doesn’t like money? The near-universal appeal of cash makes it a popular gift for special occasions. 

But greenbacks aren't without drawbacks. For one, if cash is lost, it’s gone forever. For another, it’s a gift that tends to be forgotten almost as soon as it’s put into a wallet with other bills.

Consumers who want to give cash for the holidays should also consider gift cards and general-purpose reloadable prepaid cards, some of which are almost as widely accepted as cash and can come with some benefits.

Here’s what to consider when deciding between these options.