Frequently Asked Questions

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• Aeroplan Miles®* Learn more

• $3.95 + applicable taxes for a $25 Gift Card
• $4.95 + applicable taxes for a $50 Gift Card
• $5.95 + applicable taxes for a $100 Gift Card
• $6.95 + applicable taxes for a $200 Gift Card
• $8.95 + applicable taxes for a $200-$500 Gift Card (choose your load amount)

• Currently, $50, $100, $200 and $500 denominations of the American Express Gift Card are available for purchase.
• $25 Gift Cards and Gift Cards that you can choose your load amount within a $200-$500 range are also available at select retailers.
• Aeroplan®* Miles can be redeemed for a $250 American Express Gift Card. Call 1-800-505-6849 to learn more.

Yes. The American Express Gift Card cannot be used outside of Canada and the U.S. It cannot be used at certain Merchants such as casinos, cruise lines and car rental companies. Also, the American Express Gift Card cannot be used:

• For recurring billing payments such as utilities, subscriptions, or cellular phone service.
• For receiving cash or cash equivalents, such as at ATMs or at a bank.
• At other merchants or merchant industries that American Express may determine.
• For transactions requiring preauthorization for less than the full value of such transactions.
• In some cases Gift Card acceptance may be restricted to certain merchant locations (e.g. mall) which we will indicate with the Gift Card if applicable. You may also call customer service for more information at 1-800-505-6849.

Additional usage restrictions apply. See the American Express Gift Card Cardholder Agreement for more details.

Yes. The American Express Gift Card can be used virtually everywhere American Express Cards are accepted in the U.S. in addition to Canada. Usage restrictions apply. See the American Express Gift Card Cardholder Agreement for more details.

In some cases Gift Card acceptance may be restricted to certain merchant locations (e.g. mall) which we will indicate with the Gift Card if applicable. You may also call customer service for more information at 1-800-505-6849.

Your American Express Gift Card is a prepaid card that comes with a set dollar value printed on the front of the Gift Card. It is not a credit card, charge card or debit card. You can use it virtually everywhere American Express Cards are accepted in Canada.

To avoid card declines and have a smooth experience when using your Gift Card, always know your balance and tell it to the cashier before you pay for a purchase. Some usage restrictions apply. See the American Express Gift Card Cardholder Agreement for more details, including usage restrictions.

Your American Express Gift Card cannot be used outside of Canada and the U.S. It cannot be used at certain Merchants such as casinos, cruise lines and car rental companies. Also, the American Express Gift Card cannot be used:

• For recurring billing payments, such as utilities, subscriptions, or cellular phone service.
• For receiving cash or cash equivalents, such as at ATMs or at a bank.
• At other merchants or merchant industries that American Express may determine.
• For transactions requiring preauthorization for less than the full value of such transactions.
• In some cases Gift Card acceptance may be restricted to certain merchant locations (e.g. mall) which we will indicate with the Gift Card if applicable. You may also call customer service for more information at 1-800-505-6849.

Additional usage restrictions apply. See the American Express Gift Card Cardholder Agreement for more details. Usage restrictions apply. See the American Express Gift Card Cardholder Agreement for more details.

Yes. The American Express Gift Card can be used virtually everywhere American Express Cards are accepted in the U.S. in addition to Canada. Usage restrictions apply. See the American Express Gift Card Cardholder Agreement for more details.

In some cases Gift Card acceptance may be restricted to certain merchant locations (e.g. mall) which we will indicate with the Gift Card if applicable. You may also call customer service for more information at 1-800-505-6849.

• You can check your balance at americanexpress.ca/gift.
• You can also keep track of your balance by using the balance tracking section on the back of your Gift Card. When you pay for a purchase, deduct the amount you have paid from your previous balance and write the new balance in the box on the balance tracking strip on the back of your Gift Card. Keep it up to date, so that you can always know your balance and avoid card declines.

If your Gift Card does not have a sufficient Available Balance to cover your purchase, it may be declined. Depending on the Merchant’s policy, you may be able to make a purchase with your Gift Card and another form of payment. To make a purchase for more than the Available Balance on your Gift Card:

• Tell the cashier the Available Balance on your Gift Card (for your Available Balance click here or call 1-800-505-6849).
• Ask the cashier if another form of payment can be accepted for the balance of your purchase.
• Tell the cashier to only authorize your Gift Card for the Available Balance.
• Provide a second form of payment. We do not guarantee that the Merchant will accept two forms of payment.

Some Merchants (such as restaurants and salons) may obtain a pre-authorization on your Gift Card for an amount up to 20% more than the total bill to cover any gratuity that may be added. Although only the actual amount you authorize will ultimately be deducted from your Gift Card’s Available Balance, the entire pre-authorized amount will remain unavailable until the Merchant posts the final transaction (typically within 3 business days).

To avoid a decline of your Gift Card or having a hold placed on your Gift Card funds, ask the Merchant to authorize only the specific total amount you’d like to pay for your purchase including gratuities.

We do not guarantee that the merchant will fulfill this request.

Gas stations will generally secure a pre-authorization on your Gift Card for the estimated total purchase amount to ensure that your Gift Card’s Available Balance is sufficient to cover the final purchase. Although only the actual amount you authorize will ultimately be deducted from your Gift Card’s Available Balance, the entire pre-authorized amount will remain unavailable until the Merchant posts the final transaction (typically within 3 business days).

To avoid a decline of your Gift Card or having a hold placed on your Gift Card funds, we recommend that you pay for gasoline inside the station.

If you wish to return or exchange any merchandise purchased with your Gift Card, you will be subject to the Merchant’s return/exchange policies. If the Merchant agrees to issue a credit to your Gift Card for merchandise returned, the credited funds may not be available for 3 to 7 days.

Please be aware of the Merchant’s return or exchange policies before making your purchase.

Yes. If you use your Canadian American Express Gift Card for U.S. dollar transactions, the transaction will be converted into Canadian dollars on the date American Express processes the transaction (usually the day that the merchant submits the transaction to us). The processing date may not be the same date that the transaction was authorized. The American Express treasury system will convert the transaction from U.S. dollars to Canadian dollars using a currency conversion rate selected from customary industry sources on the business prior to the processing date.