(by Ameli Berksman)

About $45 billion was spent on gift cards by the U.S. consumers in 2003, research data showed.

Still, only 10% of the sum was spent on fee-bearing general-purpose (bank-issued) gift cards, specialists say. Banks and retailers claim fees to be absolutely necessary to fund a gift card programme. Consumers, on the contrary, contend against charges.

Fees can be different. For instance, according to the place of purchase, Amex charges its initial load fee between $3.95 and $5.95 per card. Card maintenance fees are of $3 to $4 monthly and are charged in case the card wasn’t in use for 6-12 months. If the card has already expired you are to pay from $5.95 to $10.