Editorial Policy

BestGiftCards.org exists to help you choose the right gift card for the right person, at the right time using clear rankings, honest tradeoffs, and up-to-date program details. Editorial independence is non-negotiable: our editors control what we publish and how we rank it; we don’t accept payment for favorable reviews; sponsored placements are labeled; and affiliate relationships never prevent us from listing drawbacks or recommending a better alternative.

BestGiftCards.org is owned and operated by Earn and Trade LLC, a California limited liability company.

What we publish (and what we optimize for)

• Real-life fit: We prioritize common gifting scenarios (teachers, coworkers, family, last-minute gifts), not “theoretical bests.”
• No surprises: We surface the stuff that causes regret fees, redemption restrictions, delivery limitations, and policy fine print.
• Clarity over hype: If we can’t verify a claim, we either remove it or label it as “varies by issuer/retailer” and explain what changes.

How we research gift cards

• Primary sources first: Issuer/brand terms & conditions, FAQs, official help pages, and support docs.
• Purchase & delivery checks: We review real purchase flows when possible (digital vs physical, scheduling, personalization, common failure points).
• Restrictions & gotchas: We track what people actually run into exclusions, limited acceptance, and redemption edge cases.
• Availability reality: We confirm whether readers can reasonably buy and use the card via official channels and reputable retailers.

Experience & testing (what we do vs what we don’t)

• Hands-on when feasible: When we complete hands-on checks (checkout flow, delivery, redemption steps, screenshots), we say exactly what we tested.
• No implied testing: If a recommendation is research-based, we don’t imply we personally used it.
• Document friction: We note errors, delays, confusing steps, and policy conflicts that affect real users.

How we score & rank gift cards (the “why” behind the list)

We use a repeatable scoring framework so rankings aren’t arbitrary. Some guides adjust weights depending on the scenario (ex: “best for teachers” vs “best no-fee”), but our default scoring baseline looks like this:

• Utility / Practicality (40%): How reliably the card gets used up in real purchases (smooth redemption, broad acceptance, fewer exclusions).
• Flexibility / Options (25%): Breadth of what you can buy and how you can redeem (online/in-store, app load, pickup, categories).
• Recipient fit (20%): How well the card matches common gifting needs (wide appeal, easy to understand, good “default” option when you’re unsure).
• Trust & policy clarity (15%): Transparency on fees/terms, support accessibility, and consistency of the redemption experience.

Writing & review standards

• Two-step accountability: Writer to editor review (and subject-matter review when needed).
• Explain the ranking: Every “best” list must explain why an item ranks where it ranks.
• Source-backed policy claims: When referencing fees, restrictions, expirations, or rules, we link to relevant primary sources when possible.
• Disclosures included: Affiliate and sponsorship disclosures appear clearly; sponsored placements are labeled.

Updates, corrections, and “Last Updated”

• Recurring refreshes: We revisit key pages on a schedule and when we detect material changes (fees, availability, terms, new/removed brands).
• Corrections: If we make a mistake, we correct it promptly. Material meaning changes are noted when practical.

Update policy: “Last Updated” reflects the most recent editorial review. If you spot an issue, email support@bestgiftcards.org and we’ll investigate.

How we make money (without changing the rankings)

• Affiliate commissions: We may earn a commission if you purchase through certain links.
• Sponsored placements: Sponsored content/placements are clearly labeled.
• Direct sales / checkout: Some pages may include integrated checkout where available.

Monetization does not prevent us from listing cons, ranking non-partner options, or recommending a competitor when it’s better for the reader.

Conflicts of interest, trademarks, and contact

• Conflicts of interest: Writers/editors disclose potential conflicts internally, and we don’t let financial relationships determine outcomes.
• Brand names & logos: Used for identification/comparison; ownership remains with respective owners and does not imply endorsement or affiliation with BestGiftCards.org please visit each company’s website for additional terms and conditions.
• Contact: Questions, feedback, or correction requests: support@bestgiftcards.org