That plastic card in your wallet is more than just store credit; it’s money you can actually use. If you’ve ever gotten a gift card for a store you don’t shop at, you’ve probably wondered: can you turn it into real money? The answer is absolutely yes. Converting a gift card to cash is not only possible but also simple once you know your choices.
The main ways to do this are using websites made for this purpose, going to machines in stores for instant payment, or selling directly to other people. Each way offers different benefits in terms of speed, ease, and how much money you get back. This guide is based on our real experience trying these methods, and we will show you every step. We’ll help you pick the right way for your situation, get the most money possible, and most importantly, keep your money safe during the whole process.
Your Main Ways to Get Cash
Before we get into the details, it’s helpful to understand the big picture. You are not the only one holding onto a gift card you don’t want. These cards represent a huge amount of unspent money.
The Unspent Billions
Gift cards are a huge business, but a surprising amount of their value is never used. Recent financial reports show that billions of dollars in gift card value sit unused in wallets, drawers, and digital accounts across the United States alone. This “waste” is a missed chance for consumers. That unused value, whether it’s $10 or $200, is your money. Our goal is to help you turn it into cash you can spend.
Three Main Ways
When you decide to convert a gift card to cash, you will usually follow one of three paths. Each has clear advantages and disadvantages that we will explain in detail.
- Online Gift Card Exchanges: These are websites that act as a go-between. You sell them your card, and they pay you a percentage of its value. This is the most popular method to sell gift cards for cash because it balances convenience and fair payouts.
- In-Person Machines: Found in grocery stores and malls, these automated machines offer to buy your gift card right away. The process is fast, and you get cash almost instantly.
- Direct Person-to-Person Sales: This means selling your card directly to another person, either online through a marketplace like eBay or in person to someone you know. This way can give you the highest return but also has the most risk.
Method 1: Online Exchanges
For most people, online exchange platforms are the best solution. These digital marketplaces have made the process to exchange gift cards for cash secure and efficient. They have built a business around buying unwanted cards and reselling them to shoppers looking for a discount.
How These Platforms Work
The business model is simple: the platform buys your gift card at a discount to its face value and then resells it for a slightly higher price, making a profit on the difference. For you, the seller, the process is designed to be as smooth as possible.
You start by visiting the website and entering the details of your gift card, including the store and the balance. The platform will immediately give you an offer, which is a percentage of the card’s face value. This percentage depends on how popular the card is and current inventory levels. If you accept the offer, you provide the card’s numbers and PIN. After the platform checks the balance, they send your payment through your chosen method, such as a direct bank transfer (ACH), PayPal, or a physical check.
From our experience, the payout percentage can vary a lot. When we entered a $100 Target gift card, the offer was around $88, a strong return. However, a $100 gift card for a smaller, local restaurant chain only got an offer of $65. This shows how brand popularity is the biggest factor in determining your cash-back rate.
Top Trusted Platforms
Finding a trustworthy platform on the web can be overwhelming. We’ve tested and analyzed several services to identify reliable options. Here is a comparison of some of the top players in the market.
| Platform Name | Typical Payout Range (% of face value) | Payment Methods | Average Payout Speed | Best For… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CardCash | 75% – 92% | ACH, PayPal, Check | 1-2 business days | High-demand cards and getting a quick, competitive offer. |
| Raise | N/A (Seller sets price) | ACH, PayPal, Check | 1-2 days after sale | Patient sellers who want to set their own price on a large marketplace. |
| ClipKard | 70% – 90% | Check by mail | 5-10 business days | Sellers who prefer a simple process and are not in a rush for payment. |
Pros and Cons
Using an online exchange is a trade-off. It’s important to weigh the benefits against the drawbacks.
Pros:
* Convenience: You can sell your card from home in just a few minutes.
* Competitive Rates: For popular brands, the payout rates are often the highest you can get safely, sometimes up to 92%.
* Security: A reliable platform acts as a secure go-between, removing the risk of dealing directly with an unknown buyer.
Cons:
* Partial Payout: You will never receive 100% of the card’s face value.
* Payment Delay: It can take one to several business days to receive your money after the card is checked.
* Limited Acceptance: Some platforms do not accept cards from smaller stores or those with very low balances.
Method 2: Gift Card Machines
If you need cash immediately, a gift card exchange machine is your fastest option. These distinctive, often yellow, machines are commonly found in major grocery store chains and department stores, offering an in-person way to get cash for gift cards.
Finding and Using a Machine
The main provider of these machines is Coinstar Exchange. You can find them using the store locator on their website. The process is automated and designed for speed.
- Find a nearby machine. They are typically near the front of the store, often next to the Coinstar coin-counting machines.
- Follow the on-screen instructions. You will be asked to swipe your physical gift card or manually enter the details for an e-gift card.
- The machine will instantly check the balance with the store and make you a cash offer.
- If you accept the offer, the machine will process the transaction and print a voucher.
- Take the printed voucher to the store’s customer service desk or any cashier. They will scan it and give you your cash.
The entire process, from swiping the card to having cash in hand, can take less than five minutes.
Convenience vs. Payout
This speed comes at a price. The main trade-off with machines is convenience versus payout. Machines consistently offer lower rates than online platforms. The companies that operate them have significant costs, including machine hardware, maintenance, software, and rental agreements with the host stores. These costs are passed on to you in the form of lower offers.
You should expect offers in the range of 60% to 85% of the card’s value. While a high-demand $100 card might get an $85 offer online, a machine may only offer $75 for the same card. For less popular brands, the payout can be much lower. A machine is the right choice only when speed is your absolute top priority and you are willing to accept a lower return for that instant result.
Method 3: Direct Person-to-Person Sales
Selling your gift card directly to another person, known as a peer-to-peer (P2P) transaction, is the path to the highest possible payout. By cutting out the middleman, you can negotiate a price much closer to the card’s face value. However, this method also carries by far the highest risk.
Where to Sell Directly
Several online platforms help direct sales between individuals. Popular options include:
- eBay: The largest online auction site allows you to list gift cards, but it has specific rules and seller protections you must understand.
- Facebook Marketplace: You can list your card for local pickup or digital delivery, dealing directly with buyers in your community or beyond.
- Reddit: Subreddits like r/giftcardexchange are dedicated communities for trading gift cards. These operate on a reputation system but offer little to no formal protection.
In each case, you are responsible for creating the listing, setting the price, communicating with the buyer, and handling the payment. This is the most hands-on way to sell gift cards for cash.
The Higher Payout Appeal
The main reason to consider a direct sale is the potential for a better return. Because you are not paying a fee to an intermediary platform, you can keep more of the money. It’s not uncommon for sellers on these platforms to successfully get 90% to 95% of a card’s value, especially for popular brands like Amazon, Apple, or Walmart. If you have a $100 card, that could mean getting $95 in cash, an amount no exchange platform or machine can match.
The Major Downside: Scams
This high reward comes with a significant downside: a very high risk of being scammed. When you sell directly, you have no intermediary to protect you. Scammers are common on these platforms and use several tactics. A buyer might receive the gift card code from you and then falsely claim it was already empty. They could then file a dispute with their payment provider (like PayPal) to get their money back, leaving you with nothing and a worthless card. Another scam involves a buyer paying you, getting the code, using the balance, and then initiating a chargeback on their credit card. Protecting yourself requires extreme care.
Scam Prevention Checklist
The fear of being scammed is the biggest barrier for many people looking to sell gift cards for cash. Whether you are selling on a P2P platform or just want to be careful, following a strict safety plan is essential. We’ve developed this checklist based on real-world scam attempts to help you protect yourself.
The Golden Rule
First and foremost, remember the golden rule of online transactions: if an offer or situation sounds too good to be true, it almost certainly is. A buyer offering to pay you more than the card’s face value is an immediate and giant red flag. Trust your instincts.
Pre-Sale Safety Checklist
Before you even list your card, and during the sale process, use this checklist to guide your actions.
- [ ] Check Your Own Balance: Before you do anything else, go to the store’s official website or call the number on the back of the card to confirm the exact balance. Take a screenshot or photo of the balance for your records.
- [ ] Research Your Buyer: If you are selling on a platform like eBay or Reddit, look at the buyer’s profile. Do they have a long history of positive feedback? Or is the account brand new with no history? Avoid buyers with new or suspicious profiles.
- [ ] Never Email the PIN First: The card’s code and PIN should be treated like cash. Do not send these details to anyone until you have confirmed receipt of a cleared payment. There are no exceptions to this rule.
- [ ] Use a Secure Payment Method: Understand the difference between payment types. For example, PayPal “Goods & Services” offers some seller protection, while “Friends & Family” offers none. Never accept a payment method you are unfamiliar or uncomfortable with.
- [ ] Document Everything: Save all communications with the buyer. Take screenshots of the listing, the buyer’s profile, the payment confirmation, and the balance on the card both before and immediately after the transaction. This documentation is your only evidence if a dispute arises.
Common Scam Warning Signs
Stay alert and watch for these common signs of a fraudulent buyer:
- The buyer offers to pay more than the face value of the card. This is a classic tactic to make you lower your guard.
- The buyer pressures you to complete the transaction outside of the platform’s official channels (e.g., “Let’s just do this over email, it’s faster”).
- The buyer asks you to provide the numbers on the back of the card before they have paid, often under the excuse of “wanting to check it first.”
- The buyer’s proposed payment method is overly complicated, involves a third party, or is an unusual type like a cashier’s check or wire transfer for a small amount.
Calculating Your Real Payout
Choosing how to get cash for your gift card isn’t just about the advertised payout percentage. A smart decision requires a practical cost-benefit analysis. The “real” payout depends on how you value your time, your tolerance for risk, and how quickly you need the money.
Beyond the Percentage
The highest offer isn’t always the best one. Consider the “total cost” of the transaction. Selling directly on eBay might net you $92 on a $100 card, while an online exchange offers $88. That $4 difference might seem significant, but what if it takes you an hour to list the card, communicate with buyers, and manage the risk of a scam? Is that extra $4 worth an hour of your time and the stress? For many, the answer is no. The real payout is the cash you receive minus the value of your time and the potential cost of risk.
A Comparison Example
To illustrate this, let’s analyze a common scenario: you have a $100 Best Buy gift card and want to convert it to cash. Here’s how the three methods compare when you consider all factors.
| Method | Estimated Payout ($) | Time to Receive Cash | Convenience Level | Risk Level | Best For… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online Exchange | $88 | 1-3 business days | High | Low | Most people seeking a balance of safety and high value. The “set it and forget it” option. |
| Machine | $75 | Instant | Medium | Low | Anyone who needs cash immediately and is willing to sacrifice a significant portion of the value for that speed. |
| Direct P2P Sale | $92 | Varies (minutes to days) | Low | High | Experienced sellers who are comfortable managing risk, documenting everything, and investing time for the highest possible return. |
Which Method is Right?
As the table shows, the best method depends entirely on your personal priorities.
- If you want the best combination of a strong payout and security, and can wait a day or two for the money, use a reliable online exchange.
- If you need cash in your hand within the next 10 minutes for an emergency, a machine is your only realistic choice.
- If you are an experienced online seller and your top priority is getting every last dollar out of the card, a direct P2P sale may be worth the effort and risk.
Tips to Get Maximum Value
Regardless of which method you choose, there are several expert strategies you can use to increase the amount of cash you receive.
Brand Demand is Everything
The single most important factor determining your payout is the brand of the gift card. Cards for large, national stores that sell everyday essentials have the highest demand. Think Walmart, Target, Amazon, and major gas station chains like Shell or Exxon. Grocery store cards also hold their value well. On the other hand, gift cards for specialty stores, local restaurants, or niche online stores have a much smaller pool of potential buyers, which results in lower offers.
Sell Sooner, Not Later
Time is not on your side. We advise you to sell an unwanted gift card as soon as you decide you won’t use it. Some gift cards still have expiration dates. More commonly, many states allow issuers to charge inactivity or dormancy fees on cards that go unused for a year or more. These fees will slowly drain the balance, reducing its value. Selling it quickly ensures you get its full worth.
Don’t Use a Portion
Whenever possible, sell cards that have their full, original balance. A card with an odd balance, like $41.37, is less appealing to a buyer than a clean $50 or $100 card. It’s also more difficult for exchange platforms to process and resell. While you can still sell partially used cards, you will often get a slightly better payout percentage for a card with its full face value intact.
Physical vs. Digital
In today’s market, e-gift cards are often easier and faster to sell on online platforms. The process to exchange gift cards for cash is entirely digital, requiring you to simply copy and paste the code. There’s no need to mail a physical card, which speeds up the verification and payment process. If you are given a choice when receiving a gift, a digital one offers more flexibility for resale.
Ultimately, turning an unwanted gift card to cash is a simple equation that balances payout against speed and security. You have the power to unlock the value sitting in your wallet, and the right method is the one that best fits your immediate needs. For the vast majority of people, the convenience and safety of a reliable online exchange platform provide the ideal middle ground, offering a strong return with minimal risk. By understanding your options and following the safety guidelines we’ve outlined, you can confidently and successfully make the trade. Choose the path that works for you and put that money back where it belongs: in your pocket.
