Digital music gift cards are great if you want to give digital music as a gift - the recipient can choose and download music using the prepaid card. When you buy a digital music gift card, you select a prepaid amount of credit - this is especially useful as a gift for children ensuring that they can't go over the limit. If you buy a digital music player as a gift for someone, then you could always include a gift card to get them started in the world of digital music.
1. iTunes Gift Cards & Gift Certificates
Gift cards: An excellent gift for someone you know who has an iPod, or who will be getting one. The recipient of an iTunes gift card can download music, videos, games, audiobooks, and TV shows from the iTunes Store. iTunes Gift Cards are available from the Apple Online Store, Apple Retail Store, or one of the many participating retailers . There are 3 levels of pre-paid card which are, $15, $25, and $50.
Gift Certificates: Are available from the Apple Online Store or iTunes and are a fast alternative to physically purchasing gift cards. You can send iTunes gift certificates via e-mail or even print them out on your printer to give personally.
iTunes Allowance: If you've got kids then you can setup a monthly download allowance!
2. Rhapsody Music Gifts
RealNetwork's Rhapsody music service offers its version of gift cards in the form of 'music download cards'. These are:
- Rhapsody MP3 gift certificates ($10-$100)
- 3-month membership to Rhapsody To Go ($34.99)
- 6-month membership to Rhapsody To Go ($69.99)
- 3-month membership to Rhapsody Unlimited ($29.99)
- 6-month membership to Rhapsody Unlimited ($59.99)
If you're considering purchasing a Rhapsody music gift, then please keep in mind that owners of iPods can't use Rhapsody's subscription services (2 - 5 above) - only the MP3 download service. For more information, read the Rhapsody full review.
3. eMusic Gift Subscriptions
eMusic offer 3 gift subscription plans that entitles the holder to download 30 tracks per month. The 3 plans are:
- 3-month subscription (90 tracks total for $29.97)
- 6-month subscription (180 tracks total for $59.94)
- 12-month subscription (360 tracks total for $96.00)
eMusic provides indie music to download, but don't let that put you off. Even though there isn't any mainstream music in their catalog, all the music you download is DRM-free and will play on any device that is compatible with the MP3 standard. Read the eMusic full review for more information.
4. Wal-Mart Gift Cards
Wal-Mart offer a range of different types of gift card to suit any occasion. The online gift card option is particularly useful for immediate delivery via email. Once received, the recipient can start shopping online straight away.
The gift card solutions that Wal-Mart offer are:
- Gift cards
- Speciality cards (iTunes)
- Online gift cards
Wal-Mart gift cards can be purchased from $10-2500.
