While holiday shopping, be a card shark

Being a savvy holiday shopper isn’t just about getting a good deal. It’s also about making the rest of the retail world — gift cards, credit cards and warranty cards — work for you. Here are three ways to do that.

1. Think before you give gift cards

Gift card spending in the United States is expected to reach a record $100 billion in 2011. Roughly $2 billion of that will go unspent because the cards are unwanted or balances on the cards never get used, according to Corporate Executive Board’s TowerGroup, a research firm. That’s down markedly from $6 billion in 2009, the year Congress passed the Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act (CARD), which eliminated gift card inactivity fees and expiration dates shorter than five years.

E-gifting, increasingly done through retailer applications on Facebook or other social networking websites, is expected to add dramatically to the amount of virtual gifts given this year, by an estimated $1 billion, according a 2011 TowerGroup report.

No matter how you give store funds, choose retailers your giftee spends money with often to minimize waste.

And remember: If a merchant files for bankruptcy, as Sharper Image did in 2008, your recipient might have to jump through some serious hoops to get a refund.

2. Use your credit card benefits

If you’re planning a big-ticket purchase this holiday season, now would be a good time to read up on your credit card benefits. Many American Express, MasterCard and Visa credit cards offer extended warranty coverage that can double the original manufacturer or store warranty on whatever you buy, as long as you use your card for the entire purchase. Some credit cards offer price protection, too.

That means if you find a lower price for a new item within 60 or 90 days from the date of purchase, you might be reimbursed for the difference.

3. Don’t fill out warranty cards

Most product registration and warranty and cards are used to collect marketing data under the guise of product protection, according to Bankrate.com and Consumer Reports.

Companies shouldn’t need to know your age, marital status, salary, education, housing status or cars you own for warranty or recall-notification purposes. If you can’t get the warranty or recall notice without the card and you really want it, include only what is required, usually just your name, address and the serial number of the product. If you share your mailing address, you’re likely to get more junk mail.