You can sell unwanted gift cards through online marketplaces, mobile apps, or direct-to-buyer sales, typically receiving 70% to 92% of the card’s face value depending on the brand and selling method. The more popular the retailer, the higher the payout you can expect. Here’s how each option works and what to watch for.
Online Gift Card Marketplaces
Several websites specialize in buying and reselling gift cards. You list your card, set a price or accept an offer, and receive payment once the transaction completes. The major platforms in this space include Raise, CardCash, and CardPool. Each works slightly differently.
On a marketplace like Raise, you set your own selling price and wait for a buyer, similar to listing an item on eBay. You’ll typically price the card at a discount (say, a $100 card for $85 to $92) to attract buyers. The platform takes a commission, usually around 15%, from the sale price. This method can get you a higher return, but it may take days or weeks to find a buyer for less popular brands.
Buyback sites like CardCash work differently. You enter your card details, the site makes you an instant offer, and you either accept or decline. Payouts are lower since the company needs its own margin, but the process is faster. You’ll typically receive payment via direct deposit, PayPal, or a check. Some sites also let you trade your unwanted card for a card to a different retailer at a better exchange rate than the cash option.
Selling Through Mobile Apps
Apps like Raise, Gameflip, and OfferUp let you list gift cards directly from your phone. The process usually involves entering the card brand, balance, and card number, then uploading a photo. Most apps verify the balance before listing your card.
For electronic gift cards (the kind delivered by email), selling through an app is straightforward since you can transfer the code digitally. Physical cards require you to either mail the card to the buyer or share the card number and PIN. Some apps hold your payment in escrow until the buyer confirms the card works, which protects both sides but adds a day or two to the timeline.
What Brands Sell Best
Gift cards from major retailers with broad appeal sell fastest and command the highest percentage of face value. Cards for Amazon, Target, Walmart, Starbucks, and major restaurant chains are in high demand. You can generally expect 85% to 92% of face value for these popular brands.
Cards from niche retailers, regional stores, or brands with a smaller customer base sell for less, sometimes as low as 60% to 70% of face value. Some platforms won’t accept cards from very small retailers at all. Before choosing where to sell, check offers from two or three platforms to compare rates for your specific brand.
Selling Directly to Other People
You can skip the middleman entirely by selling your gift card to someone you know or through general marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. This approach lets you keep 100% of the sale price with no platform commission. A $50 card sold to a coworker for $40 is a clean transaction for both of you.
The downside is finding a buyer who actually wants that specific card. You also lose the fraud protection that dedicated gift card platforms provide. If you sell to a stranger online, use a payment method that’s hard to reverse (cash for in-person sales, or a platform with built-in buyer/seller protections). Never mail a physical card before receiving payment.
In-Person Kiosk Options Are Limited
If you’re hoping to walk into a store and exchange your card for cash on the spot, your options are slim. Coinstar Exchange, which used to let you feed gift cards into machines at grocery stores, was discontinued in 2019. A few smaller kiosk companies still operate in some regions, but they’re far less common than they once were.
Some pawn shops and check-cashing stores will buy gift cards, though their offers tend to be significantly lower than what you’d get online. Expect 50% to 70% of face value at best through these channels. The convenience of instant cash comes at a steep discount.
How to Protect Yourself When Selling
Gift card fraud is common enough that the FTC specifically warns consumers about it. When you’re the seller, here are the key risks to manage.
Never share your card number and PIN with anyone before a sale is confirmed through a trusted platform. The card number and PIN are all someone needs to drain the balance, even if you still hold the physical card. Once those numbers are out, the money can vanish in seconds.
Watch for overpayment scams. A “buyer” sends you a check for more than the card’s value and asks you to refund the difference. The check bounces days later, and you’ve lost both the gift card and the refund money. No legitimate buyer will overpay and ask for change.
Before selling, take a photo of the front and back of your card and save any receipts. This gives you documentation if a dispute arises. If you’re selling on a dedicated marketplace, check that the platform offers some form of seller protection or payment guarantee before listing.
Steps to Sell Your Gift Card
- Check your balance. Call the number on the back of the card or visit the retailer’s website. You need the exact balance before listing.
- Compare offers. Enter your card details on two or three platforms to see who offers the best rate for your specific brand.
- Choose your method. Decide whether speed or payout matters more. Buyback sites pay less but faster. Marketplaces pay more but require waiting for a buyer.
- List or accept an offer. Follow the platform’s process to submit your card details, upload photos if required, and confirm the sale.
- Get paid. Most platforms pay within one to seven business days via direct deposit, PayPal, or mailed check. Some offer instant payment for a slightly lower rate.
If your card has a small remaining balance (under $10 or so), it may not be worth selling through a platform after fees. In that case, combining it with another payment method at the retailer, or giving it to someone who shops there regularly, is often the most practical move.