PENNSYLVANIA
Definition of Gift Card/Gift Certificate:
Pa. Stat. tit. 72, §1301.1
“General use prepaid cards” shall mean cards issued only by a bank or other similarly regulated financial institutions, or by a licensed money transmitter and shall mean plastic cards or other electronic payment devices which are: (1) usable and honored upon presentation at multiple, unaffiliated merchants or service providers for goods or services or at automated teller machines (ATMs); and issued in a requested prepaid amount which amount may be, at the option of the issuer, increased in value or reloaded if requested by the holder. The term shall not include debit cards linked to a deposit account or prepaid telephone calling cards.
“Gift card” shall mean plastic cards or other electronic payment devices which are: (I) usable and honored upon presentation at a single merchant or an affiliated group or merchants that share the same name, mark or logo, or usable at multiple, unaffiliated merchants or service providers for the future purchase or delivery of any goods or services; and (II) issued in a specified prepaid amount and may or may not be increased in value or reloaded.
“Gift certificate” shall mean a written promise which is: usable and honored upon presentation at a single merchant or an affiliated group of merchants that share the same name, mark or logo, or usable at multiple, unaffiliated merchants or service providers for the future purchase or delivery of any goods or services; and(ii) issued in a specific prepaid amount and may or may not be increased in value or reloaded.
“Qualified gift certificate” shall mean a gift certificate or gift card that does not contain any of the following: (i) An expiration date or a period of time after which it expires. (ii) Any type of postsale charge or fee, including, but not limited to, a service charge, dormancy fee, account maintenance fee, cash out fee, replacement card fee or activation or reactivation fee.
Escheat Provision:
Pa. Stat. tit. 72, §1301 et seq.
The following property held or owing by a business association is presumed abandoned and unclaimed: The consideration paid for a gift certificate or gift card which has remained unredeemed for two years or more after its redemption period has expired or for five years or more from the date of issuance if no redemption period is specified. The provisions of this clause shall not apply to a qualified gift certificate.
SOURCE: National Conference of State Legislatures
PLEASE NOTE: Please note the summaries should be used for general informational purposes and not as a legal reference. DropZone Marketing is unable to answer questions or provide guidance to business owners regarding gift cards and gift certificate laws and practices. If you have questions regarding issuing or redeeming a gift card or gift certificate or a retailer’s practices, please contact the Office of the Attorney General in your state.
