Agreed, but it also works both ways. If you think your card has 50 dollars but it only has three, you go and buy 55 dollar item and have to give 'em a ton of money without first realising.

This is explicitly the logic behind gift cards. Like this is explicitly why the exist and what they're designed to do. Companies make vast, vast amounts of money on gift cards that are purchased and not redeemed or not completely redeemed. If anything, I'd say the conspiracy part is the idea that it's somehow rude or gauche to send cash. Fuck that, 1.) No I do not want to be locked in to getting a stomach illness at Chili's, and 2 please do send me cash I love cash cash is great.