International Gift Cards - expensive and hard to find

International Gift Cards are ripe with challenges

Be sure to read fine print around fees and penalties

If you need to find a reloadable gift card for use in multiple countries you are going to find you have very limited options. Most likely you are sending a loved one on a trip through multiple countries and you want to have the ability to reload their gift card at any time to give them access to cash. Given the challenges and fees associated it is recommended to simply use a bank card that can has an account that can be easily reloaded.

If the bank account option is not viable there is a card that can be used - it is the cardREX card. This gift card is not owned by visa, american express or amex but there logos can be found on the card which allows for international acceptance. The majority of amex, visa and american express cards can not be used outside of their country of origination.

CardREX gift cards are your international re-loadable option and they have some very good terms and conditions. Including full replacement value if lost, can be used anywhere in the world and no expiration date. The problems begin with the fees:

1) $89 activation fee for card one and $35 for any subsequent card

2) $25 cost per card (decreases to $20 if 11 or more are purchased

3) Reload fees = $3.95 plus 1% of load amount

4) ATM withdrawl = $5 and purchase fee = $3.50

There are more fees associated with the CardREX but you get the point. They get you coming and going and in between with this card. They are offering a rare service but are choosing to cash in on that fact. International and reloadable cards are tough to find and not ideal. Maybe the old-school travelers cheque is the best choice!