Western Union Starts Online Visa Gift Cards

Western Union Co. is offering an online system that enables consumers to send Visa-branded gift cards by mail.

Consumers can personalize the Western Union Gift and Greeting Card, announced Monday, with messages of up to 160 characters, and can choose from 50 different card designs.

The cards are available in values ranging from $5 to $100, and senders must pay $5 to purchase them. Western Union charges a $2.50 monthly fee after 12 consecutive months of nonuse.