Get Cash for Gift Cards
Many people wonder how they can get cash for gift cards. This usually comes up when they receive a gift card as a present. The gift card is to a place they donโt shop or have no interest in shopping.
Or, people may be wondering โwho buys used gift cardsโ or about how to get cash for gift cards. This usually happens when theyโre looking to put more money back in their budget. When money is tight, exchanging unwanted or unused gift cards for money makes a lot of sense.

In this blog post Iโm going to address three solutions related to the notion of cash for gift cards. First, Iโll remind you how to make the most of gift cards you already own. Next, Iโll review places that give you cash for gift cards, when youโre looking to sell them. Finally, Iโll offer suggestions on what you can do with those unwanted gift cards when selling them for cash is not an option.
Get the most from gift cards you already own
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I understand that you likely landed on this blog post because you wanted to find places to exchange gift cards for money. And Iโll get to that. But first let me share three tips on how you can make the most from the gift cards you already own. One of these tips includes how to direct deposit that gift card as cash in your bank account. Yes, thatโs possible.
Register your card for extra perks.
When you get a Starbucks gift card, it makes sense to register it right away so you can participate in the My Starbucks Rewards program. When you register the card, youโll get a freebie. You can also upload the gift card to the Starbucks app and reload it that way, too.
Because you have to include your birth date during registration, Starbucks will send you another freebie on that special day. (Here is my list of birthday freebies.) And then every time you pay with that card, youโll earn rewards points, which will add up to free food and free drink down the road.
Remind yourself how much is on each gift card
If you were to look in my wallet right now, you would see a gift card in there. Written on the back in Sharpie is this: $12.80. Thatโs because the last time I went to that store and used my gift card, I wasnโt buying enough stuff to use up the whole amount. The receipt told me I had $12.80 left on the gift card so I wrote it on the back. This simple gift card hack helps you remember how much is left on a gift card so you can use it up smartly.
While some retailers can handle the notion of โpartial purchasesโ with gift cards, others cannot. And if you canโt make a purchase for that โ$12.80,โ then using up the remaining balance could become a problem. Which is why using the entire amount on your gift card the first time youโre using it can often be the best way to get the most from a gift card.
Deposit the gift card amount in the bank
Believe it or not there are certain gift cards, often in the form of a debit card that you receive as a reward for a purchase, that you can deposit directly into your bank account. I usually get these after buying my dogโs flea and/or heartworm medicine at the vet.
I learned this the hard way. For the longest time, I would try to use these gift cards (usually a VISA-branded debit gift card) to buy gas or groceries. But each time I would swipe it and even after the instructions for use at retailers, the card would be reject. Finally, one day I read the fine print on the back and discovered the bank deposit option, which is what I did.
Get cash for gift cards from these places
By some estimates Americans end up leaving $1 billion (with a B) worth of store credit, via gift cards, unused because of gift cards they donโt want or canโt use. Thatโs just ridiculous. Imagine how much you could have boughtโor cash you could have receivedโfrom these unused gift cards. Thatโs why Iโm offering these options for where you can go to get cashโor a gift card you actually do wantโfor your unwanted gift cards.
Giftcards.comย
Giftcards.com is an online marketplace for buying gift cards at a discount. As far as selling gift cards and getting cash for gift cards you no longer want, Giftcards.com can do that, too.
When you canโt get cash for gift cards
If you find it is impossible to get cash for gift cards youโre looking to sell, donโt lose hope. I have some additional tips of how you can make the most of those unwanted gift cards. In some instances you might still be able to make a little money from them but not in a way you might have expected. Here are three additional tips on what to do with unwanted gift cards.
Regift unwanted gift cards
I know some people frown on the notion of regifting all together. I have no problem with the practice. Because if you received something that you think someone else will love even more, why not give it to them as a gift?ย
So if you have a gift card or gift cards that are sitting unused, why not regift them to someone who might enjoy them? It will save you money in having to buy this person a gift. Of course, the one caveat with regifting gift cards is this: make sure the gift cards has 100% of its value on it.
Also, make sure the gift card was actually activated. Both of my daughter have been on the receiving end of gift cards that were never activated. They took them to Targetโthey were Target gift cards, obviouslyโwent to use them to pay for something, and were told that the cards had never been activated. So, in essence, they received a worthless gift that they just had to toss in the trash.ย
Here are gift card deals to take advantage of this year.
Buy items you can resell for cash
Iโd mentioned earlier how I like to resell items on sites like Poshmark. Well, if I had a gift card to a retailer whose wares are popular on Poshmark, I could use that gift card to make some cash for myself. Hereโs what Iโd do.
First, Iโd research which kinds of clothing or accessories from that retailer people liked to buy on Poshmark. Then, Iโd use that gift card to buy items I plan to resell. Finally, once they arrived, I would photograph them and put them up for sale, as new with tags, on Poshmark.ย
So, itโs a roundabout way of getting cash for that gift card. But in the end, if the items sell, it would have worked.ย
Finally, if youโre interested in signing up for Poshmark, use my link and be sure to enter the code SUDDENLYFRUGAL. That will get you $10 off your firstย purchase on the site.ย
Donate the gift card to a charitable silent auction
Have you ever gone to a fundraising event where there are gift cards up for bidding? Chances are someone donated those gift cards to help the charity raise money.ย
Like regifting, I would only recommend this strategy if you know that the gift card you are donating has 100% of its value on the card. Also, check with your accountant if you can receive a tax deduction for this donation. While that doesnโt put cash directly in your pocket, it could lower your tax liability for that year.ย
Here are some ways to put cash back in your budget, including with gift cards.