Gift Cards/Certificates FAQ

If you are an innkeeper, please click here for FAQs.

Questions about Purchase and Delivery of Gift Cards
Questions about Redeeming Gift Cards/Certificates
Questions about Gift Cards and Gift Certificates

Questions about Purchase and Delivery:
How much should I spend?
Your friends, colleagues, family, and loved ones will appreciate any gift that enables them to stay at a B&B. Room rates vary tremendously by location, season, amenities, and room selected. These suggestions may help:

• $50-$100: Adds a massage or romance package to the room, or reduces the room cost by 25%-50%
• $100-$250: Generally provides a free room for one night
• $250-$500: Generally provides a free room for two nights

Each inn offers a different experience, at different price levels, at different times of the year.

The BedandBreakfast.com gift cards/certificates are welcome at all participating properties. Depending on the innkeeper's policies, the card may be used for items from the inn's gift shop, dinner (if available), and so on, in addition to paying for a room night.

How are BedandBreakfast.com gift cards delivered?
Select the delivery method that suits you best, including email, FedEx Ground, and overnight delivery. You can even print gift cards instantly using your computer and present them to the special people in your life. It's the ideal last-minute gift!

How long will it take for my mailed gift card to reach its destination?
Please allow one week for standard U.S. mail (two weeks near mail-heavy holidays such as Christmas, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, etc.).
FedEx Ground takes one to five business days for delivery.
FedEx Express Saver takes three business days.
FedEx Next Day is delivered by 3 p.m. the next business day.

We mail gift cards on the same day they are ordered, if we receive the order by 3 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday; orders placed late in the day are sent on the next business day. We have no control over the delivery after your order is given to the U.S. Post Office or FedEx. If shipped FedEx, you will have a tracking number to look up your shipment. Gift cards are mailed with a copy of our 64-page directory.

We cannot mail to international addresses; please use our email option for overseas delivery.

How do I receive my receipt?
Enter your email address during your purchase, and the receipt will be emailed to you immediately upon submitting your purchase. You can also print out your gift card purchase confirmation page; it has the order number and card/certificate number.

What is the difference between a gift card that you prepare and mail, and an email card that I print myself?
Both mail and email cards offer you the choice of one of our designs, in addition to your personal message, printed on the presentation page. The difference is in how they get printed and delivered:

• Mailed gift cards are printed by BedandBreakfast.com on plastic, attached to the customized presentation page, and enclosed in an elegant foil-lined envelope with a 64-page directory of participating inns. We ship all orders received by 3 p.m. Central Time the same business day. Shipping is always free, and there are no extra fees, ever.
• Email cards are fast and flexible, allowing you to print whenever and wherever you wish. They can be sent to you or the gift card recipient instantly, or on the date you specify. It's never too late for this perfect last-minute gift! The gift card is printed directly on the presentation page. You can print your own list of participating properties directly from our website.

You can choose to send electronic or mailed cards either to yourself or to the gift card recipient(s). If you select the email version, we will email you (or the recipient, depending on your preference) the information needed to print cards yourself. This option allows you to obtain personalized gift cards seven days a week, 24 hours a day, making them the ideal last-minute gift.

Can I include a personal message with The Getaway Gift Card™ from BedandBreakfast.com?
Please do! When you order a gift card, we'll ask you to include a special message with your order. We'll include your message with either mail or electronic gift cards. You may also leave the message section blank and handwrite a message when you receive the card.

What if the gift recipients stay at an inn that costs more than the amount that is on their gift card?
They can use the gift card/certificate to pay for a portion of their stay, and pay for the rest with a credit card, check, or cash, depending on the innkeeper's policies.

What if they don't spend the full amount of The Getaway Gift Card™ from BedandBreakfast.com?
No problem! They can enjoy the remaining value at any participating B&B in the United States or Canada. When they check out of the B&B, the innkeeper will give them a receipt showing their remaining balance. Alternatively, they can click here to check their balance and print out a new card. The order number and gift card/certificate numbers are necessary to check the remaining balance.

When will my BedandBreakfast.com gift card/certificate expire?
Never! BedandBreakfast.com gift cards/certificates issued after August 31, 2005, do not expire. (But why wait? You're just a click away from your getaway!) Please click here for complete terms and conditions regarding BedandBreakfast.com gift card.

I'm really late! Can you deliver a gift card for me NOW?
If you choose email delivery with a "print-your-own" card, your gift card will be sent instantly! All we need is a valid email address and credit card. If you can wait a day or two, we can print your card on plastic, attach it to the customized presentation page, and enclose it in an elegant foil-lined envelope with a 64-page directory of participating inns. Overnight FedEx delivery is FREE on orders of $250 or more.

This sounds great! How can I pay for my order?
BedandBreakfast.com welcomes Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover and PayPal for all orders. Sorry, no checks for individual orders. Checks are accepted for corporate orders (minimum $2,000); please call 1-800-GO-B-AND-B (1-800-462-2632) for information.

Is my credit card transaction secure?
BedandBreakfast.com utilizes secure SSL encryption on all credit card transactions. This industry standard technology assures you that your personal information is 100% safe. Look for the HACKER SAFE^TM icon during checkout. HACKER SAFE sites help protect you from identity theft and credit card fraud. BedandBreakfast.com is tested and certified daily to pass the FBI/SANS Internet Security Test. The live HACKER SAFE mark appears only when a website's security meets the highest security scanning standards of the U.S. government, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover and JCB.

Can I purchase more than one electronic gift card in the same order?
Absolutely! Just specify the number of cards you wish to send, and enter your personal message for each one. Each will bear the same photograph. If you want each card to have a different photo, you'll need to order them individually. If you would like BedandBreakfast.com to print and mail multiple cards on your behalf, they will be sent to the same mailing address. In other words, if you need different styles or recipient mailing addresses, please submit your orders individually. Don't worry, though. The ordering process only takes a minute!

Can I specify the date I would like my electronic gift card to be sent?
Yes! Just mark the date you would like your electronic gift card to be delivered. It will be delivered within a 24-hour time frame of the date you select.

Can I send an electronic gift card to someone outside of the United States?
Yes, you can send an electronic gift card to anyone, anywhere, who has an email address. Please remember that all gift cards are issued in U.S. dollars, and can be redeemed at participating U.S. and Canadian properties. We regret that we cannot mail gift cards internationally.

What happens if the email with the electronic gift card is returned as undeliverable?
Gift cards are sent from TravelServices@BedandBreakfast.com to the recipient you've named. We recommend that you alert recipients directly so that they don't block or delete the notification email by mistake. BedandBreakfast.com is not responsible for incorrect or undeliverable addresses.
 
How will I know that my electronic gift card has been sent?
We will send you an email confirming your purchase and notifying you that the electronic gift card has been sent.

How long will it take for my email with the electronic gift card to be sent?
Cards are usually sent immediately if email addresses and credit card information is accurate. If there is a problem, we will notify you within 24 hours on weekdays, and within 48 to 72 hours on weekends and holidays.

Why haven't I received my electronic gift card?
Please check the Junk Mail folder in your email inbox. Gift cards are sent from this email address: TravelServices@BedandBreakfast.com. If this address is not on your "Safe List," your spam blocker may send it to junk mail. Please add TravelServices@BedandBreakfast.com to your safe senders list.

Be sure to enter the correct email address when ordering your gift card. Email addresses should follow this format: name@hostname.com.

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Questions about Redeeming Gift Cards/Certificates:
Where can I redeem them?
BedandBreakfast.com Gift Cards/Certificates may be redeemed at any participating U.S. or Canadian B&B or inn.

Please note that not every B&B/inn that is listed on BedandBreakfast.com accepts gift cards/certificates; look for the package icon:

or this badge:


When you call the innkeeper to make a reservation, please tell the innkeeper that you will be paying with a BedandBreakfast.com gift card/certificate.

How can I redeem them?
After selecting the participating U.S. or Canadian property where you'd like to stay, contact the inn for details on rates, availability, etc. Have your gift card/certificate number handy so you can give it to the innkeeper. For security reasons, most versions of The Getaway Gift Card from BedandBreakfast.com and The Bed and Breakfast Card have the order number protected by a scratch-off coating. After removing the coating, you'll see the number to give the innkeeper. To prevent fraudulent use, the check-in date must be at least seven (7) days after the purchase date.

What if the cost of my stay is less than the amount of my gift?
If you do not spend the full value, the remaining funds are available to enjoy at any participating B&B. Click here to check the amount or print a receipt displaying the remaining value. You will need the order number and gift card/certificate number to check your balance.

What if the cost of my stay is greater than the value of my gift?
You will need to pay for the difference to the innkeeper via cash, check or credit card.

Does the gift certificate include the cost of breakfast?
Absolutely! All of the inns on our website provide breakfast, included in the cost of the room. Most properties serve a full meal. In some places where local health department regulations restrict the serving of hot food, an extensive continental breakfast is usually provided. Be sure to call ahead and ask the innkeeper for details and to inform them of any dietary restrictions.

Can I use them to pay for BedandBreakfast.com Online Reservations?
Yes! Just book the room you want, and click BedandBreakfast.com gift card/certificates when asked for your payment option. To prevent fraudulent use, the check-in date must be at least seven (7) days after the purchase date of the certificate.

Are they transferable?
Yes, they are. Regardless of who is checking in, you will be asked to present proof of identity upon check-in.

Will I be asked for a credit card upon check-in?
Yes, you will be asked to present a credit card upon check-in, to pay for incidentals not covered by your certificate.

Can I use them to pay for weddings and other group functions?
No, We are sorry but gift certificates are designed for individual getaways.

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Questions about Gift Cards and Gift Certificates
What's the difference between BedandBreakfast.com gift cards and Gift Certificates?
The only difference is their appearance. BedandBreakfast.com Gift Certificates have been sold since 1999. In 2006, we introduced them in a card format, called The Getaway Gift Card and The Bed and Breakfast Card. Whether you have a card or a certificate, if it was purchased after August 31, 2005, it never expires, and is welcome at nearly 4,000 B&Bs in the U.S. and Canada with no fees and no blackout dates.

Where can I buy The Getaway Gift Card from BedandBreakfast.com

Gift cards are now available directly from BedandBreakfast.com, from over 500 innkeepers in the U.S. and Canada, and from over 20,000 retail locations, including Costco, Wal-Mart, CVS/pharmacy, and Rite Aid stores. New locations are added frequently, so contact us for complete information at 800-GO-B-AND-B or Support@BedandBreakfast.com.

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