The Best Ways to Sell Gift Cards for Cash

Are you sitting on a pile of unused gift cards you don't need? Selling them online can be an easy way to declutter your wallet while adding some extra cash to your bank account.

Gift cards are a popular gift-giving option, but they may go to waste if you don't spend them. Instead of letting unwanted gift cards expire, you could give them away to someone else or, even better, sell them for cash.

Where can you sell gift cards for cash? There are several ways to unload unused gift cards online.

Ways to convert gift cards to cash

Selling gift cards for cash online is convenient, as you don't have to meet in person to hand over the cards. Depending on where you're listing gift cards for sale, you can get cash deposited to your PayPal account or bank account when someone purchases them.

Here are some of the best options.

Use an app to sell them

If you've got a mobile device, you could try selling gift cards for cash via an app. CardSell, for example, is a gift card exchange marketplace app that's available in the App Store. To sell your gift cards for cash, you just need to enter the card details, including the:

• Store or brand name.
• Gift card amount.
• Card number.
• Security code.

CardSell then matches you with a buyer. Once your gift card sells, you'll get the cash deposited in your PayPal account within 48 hours. You can then leave the money in your PayPal accountt or transfer it to a linked bank account.

Sell them on gift card exchange websites

In addition to apps, you might consider a gift card exchange website. CardCash, for instance, allows you to sell your unwanted gift cards for cash or trade them for gift cards issued by other brands.

Here's how it works. You enter the store name for which you have a gift card and the amount. You'll then be shown how much cash or exchange value you can get.

A $500 Walmart gift card, for example, was worth $432.50 in cash as of February 2024. However, if you were to trade it for a Hotels.com gift card, you'd get $480.08 instead.

This is a plus if you'd like to consider all the options when selling gift cards or simply want to get the most value from unwanted cards. Indeed, try comparing the card’s value on different websites to see which one pays the most.

Other websites for selling gift cards include:

• Raise.
• ClipKard.
• GiftCash.

Aside from the amount of value you can get, take a look at how you'll deliver gift cards once they sell and what your options are for getting paid. For example, will you need to mail in a physical gift card to receive payment? Do you have the option to get paid via direct deposit or cryptocurrency, in addition to PayPal ? Taking a closer look at the details can help you decide which gift card marketplace is right for you.

List them for sale on other websites

You can also sell gift cards for cash on websites that allow selling or trading. The r/giftcardexchange thread on Reddit, for example, is a place where buyers and sellers connect to trade gift cards. You can create a post detailing the gift card you have to sell and get offers from other Redditors. You'll need moderator approval to sell gift cards at higher values.

Craigslist is another option for listing gift cards for sale when you need cash. You can arrange to sell gift cards to buyers online (here are some examples) and accept payment via PayPal , Venmo, or Cash App, or you can meet in person to complete the sale.

Selling on sites such as Reddit and Craigslist may be convenient, but they're often a target for scammers, so it's important to keep in mind that you're taking a risk on these platforms. It can also be risky to meet up with someone you don't know in person.

What about listing gift cards for sale on Facebook Marketplace or eBay? For the most part, it's not a good idea.

Facebook's terms and conditions restrict the selling of gift cards, banning the sale of physical and electronically delivered cards. However, people can and do list gift cards for sale on Facebook at the risk of being banned from the site. While they may not list them in the Marketplace, they sometimes offer them for sale in public or private groups or through their personal pages.

EBay also has strict rules regarding gift cards that make it difficult for most people to sell them without violating the platform's policies. And just like Reddit or Craigslist, Facebook and eBay attract plenty of scammers, who may try to trick you into handing over your gift cards without actually paying for them.

Alternative methods for converting gift cards into cash

If you're not able to find a buyer for your gift cards online, there are a few other possibilities you might try. Here are some additional tips for trading gift cards for cash.

Sell them to a pawnshop

Pawnshops buy all kinds of things for cash, including gift cards. If you've got a local pawnshop near you, it may be worth a visit to see if it would be willing to buy your unwanted gift cards.

How much money you can get for them will depend largely on:

• The type of cards you have.
• The face value of those cards.
• The pawnshop's policies.

New gift cards from major brands are likely to fetch more cash than a partially used card from a less popular retailer. Still, if you need cash fast, selling gift cards to a pawnshop can put money in your hands the same day.

Sell them to people you know

You could also try asking around to see if any of your friends, family members, or coworkers might be interested in buying your unused gift cards for cash. The key, of course, is to remember who gave you the card in the first place, so they're not on your "to ask" list. Otherwise, things could get awkward when you try to sell them their gift back.

Transfer the card to your bank account

If you have prepaid gift cards that bear a Visa or Mastercard logo, you may be able to transfer the amount on the card to your bank account. Whether you can do so will depend on the card issuer's terms and conditions. Keep in mind that if a card-to-bank-account transfer is allowed, there may be restrictions on how much face value you can transfer. Fees may also apply.

If you only have retailer-branded cards, a transfer may not be an option. In this case you'll need to consider one of the other ways to trade gift cards for cash mentioned above.

How to use your cards wisely when cash is not viable

What if you've explored all the options and can't find a good way to convert gift cards to cash? In this case you can try some other methods to make use of them.

Pay bills

If you've got prepaid gift cards with a Visa or Mastercard logo, you can use them anywhere that accepts the credit cards. This means you could use the money to pay utility bills or cellphone bills, for example.

You could also use them for other monthly expenses, such as buying groceries or putting gas in the car. The cards don't go to waste, and you can spend a little less money from your budget.

Regift them

Regifting has a bad reputation, but it's another solution to consider if you have gift cards you know you won't use.

Just make sure that you're regifting new gift cards only and matching them up to people who will appreciate them. If your sister-in-law doesn't drink coffee, an $8 Starbucks card probably won't be well received.

Give them away

If you don't know anyone to whom you could give your gift cards, you could always give them away. Try checking out local charities. There may be organizations in your area that could benefit from having gift cards to major brands or local stores to help fund their needs.

TIME Stamp: Need to sell unwanted gift cards? You've got options

Comparing gift card exchange apps and websites is a good place to start when deciding where to sell unwanted cards for the most value. You can then look at other ways to sell gift cards offline for quick cash.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Can you return gift cards?

Generally, no, unless retailers are required to accept returns by state law. This applies whether you purchased the gift cards or someone else bought them and gave them to you. If you live in one of the 10 states with this requirement, you could be in luck—except that $9.99, required by California, is the largest amount they are required to pay out in cash on a card’s value.

How do I convert a gift card to PayPal?

You can't add funds from a gift card to your PayPal account . You can, however, sell gift cards through a gift card exchange marketplace and receive the funds as a deposit to PayPal. Alternatively, you might sell gift cards to buyers directly and request that they pay you via PayPal.

Can Walmart turn a gift card into cash?

Walmart at one time had a gift card exchange program offered in partnership with CardCash. However, the website that was used to facilitate the exchanges appears to have ceased operation. You cannot return Walmart gift cards for cash at Walmart locations unless required by state law.