You’re considering purchasing an American Express gift card as a present.  These pre-paid cards are incredibly popular and the decision will almost certainly bring a smile to the face of its recipient.  However, before you snap up one of these highly regarded gift cards, you should consider a few things.  There’s a right way to give these out.

An Amex gift card is a great idea for a present, but you can really impress and excite the person receiving it by following these tips for purchasing American Express gift cards.  Here are four considerations you should keep in the forefront of your mind as you move to purchase a card as a present.

First, spend a little more than you might otherwise spend on a present.  While the recipient is sure to get more value from a prepaid Amex card than they probably would from a present you’d pick out at the same price point, there is still a lingering belief that the best gifts are slightly more personal.  You can overcome that presumption some people have against gift cards simply by loading the card with a little extra value.  We’re not talking about doubling its value, merely upgrading it by a little bit more than you’d spend otherwise can make a huge difference in perception.

Second, be certain that you provide the recipient with all necessary information regarding the activation, use and reloading of the card.  This will make it easier for him or her to use the card and to realize real value from your gift.  You’ll also want to be sure that the person receiving the card understands all fees and chargers that may be associated with its use.  You don’t want to create a disappointing experience for the recipient, after all.  As is so often the case, knowledge is power.  Give the person receiving the present as much of that powerful knowledge as you possibly can.

Third, place the card in a nice card before giving it away.  Part of the thrill associated with receiving gifts is the unwrapping process.  While it doesn’t make a great deal of sense to stick pre-paid American Express gift cards in a box with wrapping paper and a bow, you can capture some of that traditional appeal by placing the card in an attractive, meaningful greeting card.  If you care about someone enough to supply them with a gift card, you undoubtedly care enough to spend a few extra dollars on a nice card for its presentation.

Fourth, if you know that the recipient is likely to shop at a particular store, do a bit of research to confirm that they do accept American Express.  These days, well over a million retail establishments in the U.S. Alone are happy to take Amex.  There are a few holdouts, however, and you don’t want to supply your friend, family member, service provider or employee with something that they are unlikely to be able to use to get what they most likely want.  If the shops in question don’t accept Amex, you may want to consider purchasing a prepaid Visa or MasterCard instead.

American Express gift cards can be a fantastic present.  To truly maximize their value and appeal to the receiver, however, you should consider the four factors listed above.  This will almost guarantee that you’ll be handing out something that will be special, meaningful and very appreciated.