Glossary G

G.I.F.: Graphics Interchange Format. The most common type of image file used on the Internet. These files are compressed, taking up a minimum amount of space, and can therefore be downloaded faster than other graphics files. GIFs are often used for backgrounds, banner ads, or buttons. They can be animated or transparent, but are limited to 256 colors. Interlaced versions are designed to allow the image to be gradually revealed as it is downloaded. The file extension ".gif" is used for GIF files.

Gift Card: A plastic card with an assigned dollar value issued to a cardholder for use at accepting businesses. A gift card often replaces a paper gift certificate.

Goods and Services Dispute: If you have a problem with the quality of property or services that you purchase with a charge or credit card, and you have tried cooperatively to correct the problem with the merchant, you may have the right not to pay the remaining amount due on the property or services. There are two limitations on this right: 1) You must have made the purchase in your home state or, if not within your home state, within 100 miles of your current mailing address, and 2) the purchase price must have been more than $50.

G.P.R.S.: General Packet Radio Service. Mobile data service available to users of GSM mobile phones. Recognized for efficient use of limited bandwidth. Particularly suited for sending and receiving small surges of data, such as e-mail and web browsing.

Grace Period: The amount of time, generally 20 to 25 days, from the billing date of your last credit card bill to the due date of your current bill, when you can fully pay without being charged interest. Some cards do not offer a grace period. Others only have a grace period if there was no outstanding balance on the account at the start of the billing cycle. Typically, there is no grace period for cash advances.

G.S.M.: Global System for Mobile Communications. Popular standard for mobile phones. Ubiquity of GSM standard makes international roaming very common between mobile phone operators, allowing subscribers to use their phones in many areas of the world.

Guaranteed Reservation: Use of a payment card account number to reserve accommodations at lodging merchants. For the cardholder, such reservations include a late arrival provision, penalties if cancellation rules are not met, and a provision for unavailable rooms upon arrival.

Guest Folio: A lodging merchant's guest portfolio that contains the cardholder's transaction data, including check-in and departure dates, rate, and anticipated length of stay at check-in time, applicable charges, and taxes. The check-in date and the dated amount and authorization approval code of each authorization must be included on the folio if not on the sales draft.