> considering that "cash-like transactions" are counted as cash advances, same as if you were to use your credit card at an ATM

Afaik, gift cards are more like fixed balance debit cards that happen to be runnable over a specific payment network (e.g. VISA, MC, AMEX) as credit cards

But at least a fair number of them will allow you to set a PIN, which then allows their use as normal debit cards