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Why make the switch from a Gift CERTIFICATE program to a Gift CARD program?
We have been asked repeatedly by merchants and customers for a simpler program that didn't involve merchant codes or giving cash back. Also, many of our customers have told us that they would prefer a card program. Therefore, we switched to a Gift Card program to make spending your dollars locally even easier. The new program is sponsored by:
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What are the Fees associated with the Community Gift Card?
The gift cards are available for only $3.00 each. Beginning the 7th month following activation, the card will have a $2.95 monthly fee. A registered lost or stolen card can be replaced for $5.00.
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Where can I redeem my Community Gift CARD?
The gift card can be used at ANY Johnson County business that accepts MasterCard.
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Do I have to call or go online to activate my Community Gift Card?
No, the gift card is activated immediately at time of purchase. At most, it may take up to 10 minutes for the card to be useable after purchase.
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Where can I check the balance of my Community Gift Card?
You can check your card balance at www.myprepaidbalance.com. It is your responsibility to know the balance of your Community Gift Card. When you go to redeem your gift card, the merchant will not be able to tell you what is left on your card. Your transaction will be much faster and easier if you know your current balance.
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How do I register my Community Gift Card?
You may register your card online at www.myprepaidbalance.com or by calling MetaPayments at 1-866-496-6183, both of which are listed on the back of your card.
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Why should I register my Community Gift Card?
In the event that your Community Gift Card is lost or stolen, your Community Gift Card must be registered in order to receive a replacement gift card. There is a $5 charge to replace your card which will be subtracted from the balance of your gift card.
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What do I do if my Community Gift Card is lost or stolen?
If you have registered your Community Gift Card, call MetaPayments at 1-866-496-6183 to report your card lost or stolen. If your card wasn't registered, you will not be eligible for a replacement card. There is a $5 charge to replace your card which will be subtracted from the balance of your gift card.
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How do I use my Community Gift Card as partial payment and pay the remainder of the bill by cash or credit?
This procedure will vary at each merchant. Please notify the merchant before they start processing your sale about how you would like to pay. Knowing the balance of your gift card will make this process faster and easier. Please see "Where can I check the balance of my Community Gift Card?" above.
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What happens if my card is declined at the point-of-sale?
A couple different scenarios may have caused your transaction to be declined.
- The merchant selected 'debit' instead of 'credit' to run the transaction.
- The merchant selected 'gift' instead of 'credit' to run the transaction.
- The merchant attempted to process the purchase for a greater amount than what is available on the card.
If this happens, you should ask the merchant to run a partial payment transaction which will allow you to pay a portion of your purchase with your card and the remaining balance with another form of payment.
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How do I use my Community Gift Card at a hotel or motel?
First, do not give your gift card as form of payment when you check in. A hotel/motel always authorizes over the amount of your stay for incidental charges. That authorization is held against the balance of your card for up to 7-10 days after you check out which can cause your card to be declined at other merchants. Instead, hold your room with a regular credit card and present your gift card at check out as your form of payment. The exact amount of your bill will be charged and there will be no authorization to drop off later.
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Can I use my card at restaurants?
Yes, you may use your Gift Card at a restaurant the same as you do at any other merchant. However, it is common for service-oriented merchants to automatically factor in an additional percentage (often times, up to 20% over the purchase price) to cover any tip you may leave on the card. You should ensure that your gift card has an available balance that is 20% greater than your bill.
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Can I use my card at the 'pay at the pump' gas stations?
Your card can be used at automatic fuel dispensers. However, an authorization of $75 for Visa and MasterCard and $100 for Discover may be posted to your account. This authorization may not be removed from your account for several days. To prevent a potential over-authorization, we suggest that you pay for your gas in the service station.
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Where can I purchase a Community Gift Card?
Community Gift Cards are available for purchase at:
Iowa City/Coralville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
900 1st Avenue/Hayden Fry Way (Coralville)(ALL phone and large orders done here)
Guest Welcome Center at the Coral Ridge Mall (near the Carousel)
MidWestOne Bank
(No phone or large orders at these locations)
102 S. Clinton St. (Iowa City)
Keokuk St. & Hwy 6 East (Iowa City)
2233 Rochester Ave. (Iowa City)
110 1st Ave./Hayden Fry Way (Coralville)
465 Hwy 965 South, Suite A (North Liberty)
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Can I purchase Community Gift Cards by phone or online?
phone or online by credit card only. There will be an additional fee for shipping and handling. This fee is in addition to any gift card purchase fees.
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Iowa City/Coralville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
(319)337-6592 OR (800)283-6592
Monday-Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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Orders can be sent via the email link on this website to the Iowa City/Coralville Area CVB, who will follow up with you by phone to obtain your payment information.
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How do I arrange to purchase a large order of Community Gift Cards?
Large orders are defined as 25 or more cards. Please call the Iowa City/Coralville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) at 1-800-283-6592 or 319-337-6592 to arrange for a large order. You will need to allow at least 5 business days to receive your order. Please note that this is the ONLY sales location that can accommodate large orders.
Large orders are not able to be purchased in person nor are they able to be picked up from our office. Large orders will be mailed to you from MetaPayments via UPS and shipped to you within 3-5 business days at no additional charge. The purchase fee of $3.00/card will still apply. The customer will need to activate all cards upon receipt. Cards are activated as one order, not individually, and you will receive activation instructions with your order.
Large orders are able to be personalized at no additional charge. Please let the CVB know if you are interested in this service when you place your order.
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What types of payment do you accept for purchasing a Community Gift Card?
MasterCard, Visa, Discover, American Express and cash. Businesses purchasing gift cards may use a corporate check. Purchase orders are not accepted. Personal checks are not accepted.
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What denominations can the Community Gift Card be bought in?
Gift cards can be purchased for a minimum denomination of $10.00, a maximum denomination of $500.00, and any whole dollar amount in between.
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Is there a purchase or transaction fee for buying a Community Gift Card?
Yes, there is a $3.00 PER CARD fee added to each purchase. This fee is required by MasterCard and we are unable to waive the fee.
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Why is there a purchase fee to buy a Community Gift Card?
The $3.00/card fee is required by MasterCard. We were able to negotiate the fee down, so it is the lowest transaction fee of any Gift Card program in the area.
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Do the Community Gift Cards have an expiration date?
Yes, the gift card does expire. The expiration date is stamped on the bottom of the card. The expiration date is at most 3 years and at minimum 1 year.
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Does my Community Gift Card lose value after a certain amount of time?
Each gift card will be charged a $2.95 monthly fee beginning the 7th month after your gift card was purchased. If you use your gift card within 6 months, your card will not lose any value.
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Can a Community Gift Card be returned or redeemed for cash at one of the points of purchase?
No, the Community Gift Card cannot returned or redeemed for cash.
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Can I reload my Community Gift Card?
No, the Community Gift Cards are disposable and unable to be reloaded.
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Can I purchase a personalized card with a name on it?
No, personalized cards are only available as part of a large order of 25 cards or more. Please see "How do I place a large order of Community Gift Cards?" (link) above.
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When using the Community Gift Card to purchase something, do I select debit or credit?
A customer must always select "credit" when redeeming a Community Gift Card.
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What is my Customer Service Number or CSC code?
Your Customer Service Number is the last 3 digits located on the back of your Community Gift Card.
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Is there a minimum age required to purchase a Community Gift Card?
There is no minimum age required to purchase a Community Gift Card.
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Who do I call if I have problems with my Community Gift Card?
Depending on the problem, you will need to call either the Iowa City/Coralville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at 319-337-6592 or 1-800-283-6592 or MetaPayments at 1-866-496-6183.
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