First Usa Introduces the Gift Card; Pre-Paid Visa Card Works Better Than a Gift Certificate

Business Wire, Nov 12, 1998

WILMINGTON, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 12, 1998--Don't know what to get this holiday season for Uncle Harry who lives 1,500 miles across the country and never lets you know what he needs? Puzzled about the perfect gift for your college kids who hate everything you buy them? Want to avoid the agony of returning the gift you bought your mother-in-law? First USA is making holiday gift giving easier this year with its new Gift Card: a pre-paid Visa(R) card created expressly for gift giving.

The First USA Gift Card is the first-ever Visa card designed to serve as a universal gift certificate. The Gift Card can be used anywhere Visa is accepted. It's easy to send and easy to use. Call First USA and give the recipient's name and the dollar amount you want loaded onto the card. First USA will take care of the rest.

With 11 card designs -- including four created specifically for the holidays -- the First USA Gift Card carries the gift giver's personal touch, from the choice of dollar amount to the card's design to the addition of a personal greeting on the front of the card.

Gift Cards -- available in amounts from $50 to the gift-giving Cardmember's available credit -- can be purchased using any First USA credit card. Every time the recipient uses the Gift Card, the purchase amount is deducted from the gift total. Gift Cards can be sent directly to the recipient or to the purchaser, within 10 days of the order. Expedited delivery within four business days is also available for an additional fee.

First USA Gift Cards can be ordered by calling 888/378-GIFT (888/378-4438). There is a $5 service fee for amounts up to $200. For Gift Cards loaded with $200 or more, there is no fee. Gift Cards expire six months from the date of issue.

"The First USA Gift Card is a great way to give the perfect present every time," said Ben Brake, senior vice president, marketing, First USA. "In consumer tests, we found people really liked this concept. Each time the Gift Card is used, the recipient remembers the giver. It's a distinctive and personalized way to give friends and family exactly what they want. We are offering this unique card just in time for the holidays, but Gift Cards can be used throughout the year to honor birthdays, anniversaries and other occasions."

The four holiday Gift Card designs are: Holiday Gingerbread; Holiday Poinsettia; Holiday Snowflake; and Winter Collage. Gift Cards for other occasions include: Congratulations; Floral; Baby; Festive Presents; Happy Birthday; and Rings (weddings/anniversaries).

Apart from the Gift Card, First USA is making the holidays easier by offering FREE SHIPPING for items purchased from premier catalogs like JC Penney(R) "Best Gifts" Catalog, Omaha Steaks(R), Orvis(R) and The Company Store(R). For more information about our FREE SHIPPING offer, consumers can call 800/451-2491.

First USA (www.firstusa.com), a subsidiary of BANK ONE CORPORATION, is the largest Visa and MasterCard lender in the nation. First USA offers credit cards for consumers and businesses under the First USA, First Card and Bank One names and more than 1,300 marketing partners.

EDITOR'S NOTE: High-resolution images of the Gift Card are available by linking to the Media Resources page of First USA's web site: http://firstusa.com/publicrelations/med_res.htm

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                   FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT
                       THE FIRST USA GIFT CARD

How is the Gift Card used?
It's used the same way as any Visa card, up to its pre-paid value.

Where can the Gift Card be used?
Everywhere and anywhere Visa is accepted-at more than 14 million
establishments around the world.

Does the Gift Card expire?
The Gift Card expires six months after issue. Any remaining balance at
expiration will be refunded to the Gift Card recipient.

Can the Gift Card continue to be used after the gift amount has been
spent?
No, once the total amount on the Gift Card is used, the card has no
value and cannot be used.

What is the current balance on the Gift Card?
To find out the current balance, recipients can call 888/315-0237.

How is a Gift Card ordered?
Call 888/378-GIFT. Purchasers will need their First USA credit card
account number, the name, address and phone number of the Gift Card
recipient, as well as the dollar amount they would like to give. The
Gift Card can be sent directly to the purchaser or the recipient.

What is the Gift Card amount?
The Gift Card can be issued with a pre-paid value of as little as $50
or as much as the Cardmember's available credit.

What happens if a Gift Card is lost or misplaced?
Recipients should call 888/315-0237 as soon as possible to report a
lost or stolen Gift Card. The lost Gift Card will be cancelled and a
new one will be issued in the dollar amount available at the time of
the last authorized transaction.

Does any other card issuer have a product like Gift Card?
No. First USA created the Gift Card and has applied for a patent.