You can turn an unwanted gift card into cash by selling it through an online resale platform, a peer-to-peer marketplace, or a mobile app. Expect to receive roughly 60% to 85% of the card’s face value depending on the brand and where you sell it. Popular retailers and restaurants tend to fetch higher resale prices than niche stores, but no method will get you the full dollar amount on the card.
Online Gift Card Marketplaces
Dedicated resale sites are the most common way to convert a gift card to cash. These platforms connect you with buyers and handle the transaction, taking a cut in the process. Several reputable options exist.
GCX (formerly Raise) lets you list your gift card and set a price. If it sells, you can receive your money through direct deposit into a bank account, by check, or via PayPal. You control the listing price, but cards priced too close to face value tend to sit unsold.
CardSwap takes a slightly different approach. You enter your card details and receive an instant offer in cash or in the form of another gift card. If you accept the cash offer, the process is faster than waiting for a buyer, though the payout is typically lower than what you might get on a marketplace where you set your own price.
eBay is another option if you’re comfortable creating a listing. You can set it up as a fixed-price listing or an auction, add photos and a description, and decide whether to accept offers. eBay charges seller fees, and you’ll need to factor in shipping time if you’re mailing a physical card. The upside is access to a massive buyer pool.
Whichever platform you choose, the process generally follows the same steps: enter the card brand and balance, receive or set a price, complete the sale, and wait for your payout. Turnaround time ranges from a few hours for instant-offer sites to several days for marketplace-style listings.
What Your Card Is Actually Worth
Gift cards don’t sell at face value. The resale market works on a discount system where buyers expect to pay less than the card is worth, and the platform takes a fee on top of that. For a $100 gift card, you might receive anywhere from $60 to $85 in cash depending on the brand.
Cards from major retailers with broad appeal, like Amazon or Target, tend to hold their value better. Cards from specialty stores or restaurants typically sell at steeper discounts. A $100 Disney gift card, for example, has historically resold for around $79, while a $100 Kohl’s card might net closer to $75. The exact percentages shift over time based on demand, but the pattern holds: the more universally useful the card, the more cash you’ll get for it.
If you’re comparing offers across platforms, factor in any fees the site charges on top of the discount. Some platforms roll their fee into the offer price, while others deduct it separately at payout.
In-Person Options Are Limited
Physical kiosks were once a convenient option. Coinstar Exchange, which let you feed gift cards into a machine at grocery stores and receive a cash voucher, was discontinued in 2019. No widely available kiosk replacement has filled that gap.
Your remaining in-person options are informal. You can sell a gift card directly to someone you know, post it on a local buy/sell group, or check whether the original retailer offers any kind of buyback (most don’t). Some pawn shops will buy gift cards, but expect an even steeper discount than online platforms offer.
Mobile Apps for Quick Payouts
A handful of apps promise to deposit gift card funds directly into your bank account or onto a debit card. Prepaid2Cash, for instance, has advertised payouts in as little as 15 minutes. However, the app’s gift card payout feature has experienced service interruptions, so check whether the specific feature you need is currently active before relying on it.
When evaluating any app, look for clear information about fees, supported card brands, and payout methods before entering your card details. Read recent user reviews to confirm the service is functioning. An app that worked six months ago may have changed its terms or paused certain features.
How to Protect Yourself From Scams
The gift card resale space attracts scammers, and the FTC has documented several common tactics worth knowing about. One frequent scheme involves a buyer who “accidentally” overpays you with a check, then asks you to return the difference on a gift card. The check bounces days later, and you’re out the money.
On peer-to-peer platforms, a buyer might claim the card had no balance after you’ve already handed over the number and PIN. Once someone has those details, they can drain the card instantly, even if you still hold the physical card. Stick to platforms that offer some form of seller protection or escrow rather than exchanging card numbers directly with strangers.
Before selling anywhere unfamiliar, verify the platform’s reputation through independent reviews. Avoid sites that ask for excessive personal information beyond what’s needed for payment. Keep screenshots of your card balance, the card number, and your store receipt throughout the transaction. If something goes wrong, that documentation is essential for filing a dispute with the gift card company or the platform.
Steps to Maximize Your Payout
- Check your balance first. Partially used cards are harder to sell and get lower offers. Verify the exact remaining balance on the retailer’s website or by calling the number on the back of the card.
- Compare multiple platforms. Offers vary by site and by card brand. Spending five minutes getting quotes from two or three platforms can mean an extra $5 to $10 on a $100 card.
- Sell sooner rather than later. Gift card values on resale markets can fluctuate with seasonal demand. Cards for retailers that are struggling financially also carry more risk for buyers, which drives down the price.
- Choose your payout method carefully. PayPal and direct deposit are generally faster than checks. Some platforms charge different fees depending on how you want to be paid.
- Keep the physical card until the transaction is complete. Don’t scratch off the PIN or share the card number until the platform instructs you to, and only through their secure process.