Tips On Card Use (FAQs)

Remember that your Gift Card is issued by the Card Issuer. For information about the Card Issuer, see Card Issuer.

Card Issuer reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time in its discretion for the limited purposes (a) of making modifications, if any, regarding Eligible Purchases, (b) of making modifications in limitations on use; (c) to describe courses of action in the event the Gift Card Program is terminated, (d) to clarify existing terms and conditions, (e) to address changes in information such as links, or (f) to implement other changes made in good faith provided that such other changes do not include (i) the addition of an expiration date, (ii) the application of new fees regarding the use or non-use of the gift cards, (iii) a change to the Arbitration Agreement, or (iv) a change to this Change in Terms clause. These changes will be made at mycardterms.com/hotels. Notice of changes will be provided at the Cardholder Notice tab on this website. The most current version of these Terms will be available on this website reserved for such and will supersede all previous versions of these Terms, except as otherwise specified.

You have the ability to download the terms and conditions that govern your Gift Card. This button is located at the bottom of the Full Gift Card Terms page. When you click on that button you have the ability to save the Terms as a PDF or print them.

Remember that the Gift Cards are available for purchase by consumers in two forms. The first form is a standard physical gift card that has a unique number. The second form is a digital code with the card being a virtual card (also known as an E-card).

Remember that you must safeguard and keep secure your Gift Card and protect others from gaining access to the Gift Card or the numbers on the Gift Card. Card Issuer reserves the right to assert all available remedies in the event of suspected abuse or fraud regarding your Gift Card or in the event of a disputed credit or payment card charge or dishonored check at the time of card purchase. Such remedies shall include, without limitation, the blocking or freezing by the Card Issuer of a Gift Card from use or the refusal by the Card Issuer to issue or honor a Gift Card. Such remedies also shall include the right of Hotels.com to cancel bookings made with a Gift Card without any refund in the event a Gift Card is obtained by theft or fraud (including suspected theft or fraud).

Remember that the Gift Cards are available for purchase at several distribution channels. They may be purchased at hotels.com/lp/b/giftcards.

Remember that the Gift Cards are issued in and purchasable only for United States Dollars (USD$).

Remember that, once a gift card is purchased, it will not be refundable, returnable, or redeemable for cash, except as required by state law. With respect to redemptions required by state law, see the tip below on Cash Redemptions.

Merging cards will merge the entire balance of all cards. Cards may be merged up to the maximum allowable balance of $2000. Cards issued in different countries cannot be merged. Please contact giftcards@hotels.com for additional support merging previously-merged cards or visit Hotels Balance Merge.

Remember that your Gift Card is usable or redeemable only at only at hotels.com (US) for eligible new Pay Now hotel bookings. Your Gift Card is not redeemable at any other merchant. For information on Hotels.com and its locations, visit Hotels.com.

Remember that other establishments (like hotels, gas stations and car renters) also use prepayment “holds” when gift cards are used at their establishments in conjunction with advance preauthorized payments. For example, a hotel may ask that a “hold” be placed on a gift card if the gift card is provided to the hotel in conjunction with prepayment for a hotel stay. A gas station may ask that a “hold” be placed on a gift card used to prepay at the pump for gas. A car rental company may ask that a “hold” be placed on a gift card if the gift card is provided to the company in conjunction with prepayment for a rented car. The amount of the “hold” in these circumstances may be in an amount estimated to cover the goods or service. If the available balance on a gift card is not sufficient to cover the estimated amount for the goods or service, the gift card may be declined. If the available balance is sufficient, a “hold” may be placed for several days on the available balance in the amount of the estimated cost of the goods or services. During that time period, the gift card owner will not be able to use the amount that was placed on “hold” even if the estimated amount exceeds the actual cost of the goods or service.

Remember that your Gift Card is usable to make "card not present" purchases. That means you may use the card to make online purchases.

Remember that the initial available balance on your Gift Card will be an amount set at the time of activation and/or purchase. Thereafter, the available balance will be reduced by each authorized use of the Gift Card or as otherwise provided in the terms and conditions except as prohibited by law. If you place the gift card funds into your Hotels.com Account, the entire amount of the gift card must be fully loaded into your account.

Remember that if you use your Gift Card to make a purchase that exceeds the available balance of the Gift Card, you will be responsible for the balance due, or the transaction may be declined. If you wish to use the Gift Card to make a purchase that exceeds the available balance on the Gift Card, you must combine the use of the Gift Card with another acceptable form of payment, such as a credit or debit card. This process is known as “split tender." Retailer will facilitate these transactions. Please note, another Gift Card is not an acceptable form of payment. Multiple gift cards must be merged onto one card prior to a redemption.

Remember that your Gift Card is not subject to fees that will be charged or assessed against the balance of the Gift Card.

Remember that your Gift Card is not subject to a valid thru date under which you will lose the ability to use your physical card or digital code subject to the right to get a new physical card or digital code.

Remember that if you have not used your Gift Card within a time period set by state law, the unused Gift Card balance may or may not be required to escheat under various state unclaimed property statutes. These time periods set by state law usually are two-year, three-year or five-year periods for Gift Cards. If the remaining balance of your Gift Card becomes unclaimed property subject to a state's unclaimed property law, then the Card Issuer may be required to escheat the Gift Card to the state in an amount and at the time required by the state law. At that time, you may lose the ability to use your Gift Card. If this occurs, you may inquire about the status of your Gift Card by contacting us. See Contact Us. For general information about escheat and unclaimed property, visit unclaimed.org.

Remember that if you have questions about your Gift Card, you can Contact Us.