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Top 10 most useful gift cards

10 Top Tips for Using Gift Cards

...And Not Losing Your Marbles

Ah, the humble gift card. That mysterious bit of plastic (or email) that says, "I thought about getting you a present, but then I thought Tesco might do it better."

Gift cards are brilliant. Until you forget about them. Or lose them. Or find them at the back of a drawer next to a congealed hairband and a receipt for a meal deal from 2018. But fear not! Here are 10 top tips to help you actually use your gift cards — and maybe even feel a bit smug about it.

  1. Use the TickIt Cards App

    First things first: get organised. TickIt Cards is the UK’s easiest way to keep track of your gift cards — store them, check balances, and get reminders before they expire. It’s like a personal assistant for your Argos vouchers.

  2. Spend Sooner Rather Than Later

    Some gift cards expire. Some shops go bust. And some of us have the attention span of a goldfish on Red Bull. Use them quickly before any of that happens.

  3. Register High-Value Cards

    If your card lets you register it online, do it. If you lose it, you might be able to get a replacement. If not, well... congratulations on your new £50 bookmark.

  4. Combine for Power Shopping

    Got three £10 gift cards for John Lewis? That’s £30 worth of kitchenware you didn’t need but now desperately want. Stack them and conquer.

  5. Use Gift Cards for Essentials

    Groceries, petrol, toothpaste — things you’ll buy anyway. Use gift cards for them and feel like a frugal wizard.

  6. Don’t Use a £50 Card to Buy a £4 Mug

    Unless you’re committed to the mug life, aim to spend the full amount. Leftover balances are how gift card companies win. Don’t let them.

  7. Keep Digital Cards in One Place

    Email inboxes are black holes. Use TickIt Cards to keep all your digital cards in one spot, rather than searching “eGiftCard-WHSmith-FinalFINAL-revised-v4”.

  8. Re-Gift Like a Pro

    If you really won’t use that Caffè Nero card, wrap it up and pass it on. It’s not lazy — it’s efficient recycling with a bow on top.

  9. Use in the Sales

    Black Friday. Boxing Day. Random Tuesday markdowns. Use your gift cards when prices drop and feel the adrenaline rush of financial brilliance.

  10. Check the Expiry Dates

    Seriously. Some cards give you a year. Others, three months. Use TickIt Cards to set reminders, so your gift card doesn’t quietly become a rectangular regret.

So there you have it — your official crash course in gift card mastery. With TickIt Cards in your pocket, you're no longer a forgetful mortal. You are the Gift Card Whisperer. The Balance-Checking Baron. The Queen (or King) of Carddom.

Download TickIt Cards and make every gift card count. Even the one your nan gave you for WHSmith that time.

TickIt Cards: Because forgetting £20 is basically a crime against yourself.