How would you like to get rid of your unused gift cards taking up space in your dresser drawer?
What if you could find a useful way to dispose of those unwanted gift cards.
Say, turn them into cash?
Today, I’m going to show you how to finally get rid of gift cards that have been piling up for years. You know, the piles of unused gift cards from years of birthdays and Christmases.
Most gift card issuers will require a receipt to return a gift card. Luckily, returning gift cards to the issuing merchant isn’t your only option.
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Returning gift cards to the issuing store
The most favorable option is to return your gift card to the issuing store. But will stores like Target or Walmart actually take back a gift where you don’t have the receipt?
In most scenarios, you might expect the following:
- Merchant refuses to return the gift card without a receipt. You could ask the gifter for the receipt, but who wants to deal with that situation? Your best bet would be to find an alternative way to dispose of the unused gift card.
- Merchant gives cash back, but not the gift cards full amount. Unfortunate that money is wasted on gift cards, but provides you with quick and easy cash.
- Merchant decides to give you in store credit. Super helpful right?
Your best option is to check the retailer’s gift card return policy.
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Click to Tweet. Please Share!Click To TweetGift Card Return Policies
So what are the gift card return policies of your favorite (or least favorite) stores? Here’s a table of gift card return policies that you might find helpful.
| Retailer | Gift Card Return Policy | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Academy | Customers cannot redeem Academy gift cards for cash or credit unless required by state law. | Return Policy |
| Aldo | Aldo gift card does not expire and is not redeemable or refundable for cash, except in Quebec, where a balance of $5 or less may be refunded on request. | Return Policy |
| Amazon | Amazon gift cards cannot be redeemed for cash or returned for a cash refund (except to the extent required by law). | Return Policy |
| AMC | AMC gift cards are not redeemable for cash unless required by law. Card does not function after 5 years. | Return Policy |
| Amex | No mention for returning gift cards. | Cardholder Agreement |
| Apple | Apple gift cards are not eligible for return. | Return Policy |
| Applebee’s | No mention for returning gift cards. | FAQs |
| Argos | Argos gift cards cannot be returned or redeemed for cash. | Return Policy |
| Best Buy | Best Buy gift cards are nonreturnable. | Return Policy |
| Costco | No mention for returning gift cards. | Return Policy |
| CVS | CVS gift cards cannot be returned or exchanged, except where required by law. | Return Policy |
| Dollar General | No mention for returning gift cards. | Return Policy |
| EB Games | EB Games gift cards may not be returned or redeemed for cash | Return Policy |
| Ebay | Ebay gift cards are not refundable or redeemable for cash or credit, unless required by law. | Return Policy |
| GAP | No mention for returning gift cards. | Return Policy |
| Giant Eagle | Other retailer Gift Cards cannot be exchanged, returned or refunded. | Return Policy |
| Home Depot | Home Depot gift cards are not returnable and cannot be redeemed or exchanged for cash (unless required by law). | Return Policy |
| Ikea | No refunds are permitted with respect to Gift Cards. | Return Policy |
| Kroger | Kroger gift cards are not redeemable for cash, except as required by law. | FAQs |
| Gamestop | Gamestop gift cards cannot be refunded or redeemed for cash (as stated on the back of the card) except where required by law. | FAQs |
| Google Play | Google Play gift cards are not refundable unless required by law. | Support |
| Guitar Center | No mention for returning gift cards. | Return Policy |
| H&M | H&M gift cards are not redeemable for cash except as required by law | Return Policy |
| Hand and Stone | Hand and Stone gift cards are not redeemable for cash or credit, except to the extent required by law | Terms & Conditions |
| Harris Teeter | Harris Teeter gift cards can not be returned for cash or exchanged. | FAQs |
| HEB | Refunds and exchanges are not permitted for Gift Cards. | Return Policy |
| Hollister | All sales of Gift Cards are final and will not be refunded. | Details |
| iTunes | iTunes gift cards are ineligible for return. | Returns & Refunds |
| JC Penney | JC Penney gift cards cannot be redeemed for cash, except where required by law. | FAQs |
| Justice | Justice gift cards are not eligible for free returns. | Return Policy |
| Olive Garden | Olive Garden gift cards are not redeemable for cash. | Legal Notice |
| Target | Target Mobile GiftCards and Target eGiftCards purchased on Target.com cannot be returned or redeemed for cash or credit except where required by law. Physical Target GiftCards can be returned in store with a receipt if unused. | Return Policy |
| Ulta | Ulta gift cards cannot be redeemed or exchanged for cash. | Terms & Conditions |
| Urban Outfitters | Urban Outfitters gift cards are not returnable or refundable and last for two years from purchase. | FAQs |
| Walgreens | Walgreen gift cards are not redeemable for cash and no change will be given except as and where required by law. | Gift Cards |
| Walmart | Walmart plastic Gift Cards and Walmart eGift Cards are not returnable or refundable for cash except in states where required by law. | Return Policy |
Make sure you check the retailers website for the full gift card return policy. Return policies may change after this article has been posted.
Click to Tweet. Please Share!Click To TweetSell gift cards to gift card merchants
Besides returning unused gift card to retailers, selling your gift cards to merchants is another great option.
The idea is simple. You sell your unused gift cards to a merchant for a reduced price who then sell the same card for almost face value. Everyone wins because you get cash, the merchant earns a little money, and the end customer gets a discounted gift card.
The main benefit of selling to a gift card merchant is that it’s quick and easy cash. It’s important to remember that quick and easy doesn’t always mean the best deal.
Yes, you will sell your gift card fast, but you may not get as much for it as selling it on Craigslist.
Related:
What merchants buy unused gift cards?
There are many websites and merchants looking to buy unused gift cards. Which ones are the most popular?
Gift Card Granny
Gift Card Granny is a popular website for buying and selling discounted gift cards.
Prices are generally determined by basic supply and demand. The more people trying to sell a particular gift card, the lower the going price tends to be. However, you can get top dollar if you’re the only one trying to get rid of a Nike gift card.
Selling gift cards is easy with Gift Card Granny. Simply enter the store and the remaining balance.
Select “Get Offers Now” and you’ll be sent to a list of gift card merchants willing to buy your card.
It’s that simple to find someone willing to buy your used gift cards.
Cardpool
Cardpool is an alternative to Gift Card Granny. One of the benefits of Cardpool is they offer to pay up to 92% of the gift cards value.
Unfortunately, Cardpool does not pay out through Paypal. Your only options are to be paid through a physical check or Amazon eGift Card.
Click to Tweet. Please Share!Click To TweetSell gift cards on social media
Selling gift cards on social media takes more work, but you can get more money for your gift cards.
Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and Facebook buy and sell groups are all great places to find buyers. You can also try selling on less popular sites like offerup. You can even sell on Amazon or eBay, but takes more effort and usually isn’t worth it unless you have a lot of inventory to sell.
As you can see from the picture above, my local Facebook Marketplace has numerous gift cards for sale from others.
See a gift card you like on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist? Contact the seller and ask if they would be willing to trade gift cards. You might need a little extra cash to make up the difference between gift cards (e.g. trading a $50 Macy’s gift card for a $75 iTunes).
Purchase necessities
Why not use your unused gift cards to buy items you need?
I used to never shop at Target. What was I supposed to do with Target gift cards? I would spend hours wandering around the store looking for something to buy.
Eventually, I started buying things I needed so I could save my money for other items. Target still sold things I used regularly (socks, toothpaste, alcohol, toilet paper, snacks, prescriptions, etc.).
Click to Tweet. Please Share!Click To TweetBuy items and resell
How would you like to turn your $100 gift card into cash and make money in the process?
I mean, who wouldn’t want to make more money?
Use your gift cards to shop for items on clearance. Let’s say you find a portable cell phone charger on the Target clearance rack for $5, but it normally retails for $15. Buy it!
Next, hit up Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and Facebook Groups to create a new post. Take a few pictures with your phone or grab the online picture and specifications of the product.
You’re buying clearance items for $5, selling them for $10, and stating that the item normally sells for MORE. Your $100 unused gift cards are now being turned into $200 cash.
People love getting deals, which makes this method super effective.
Can you really find a clearance deal that will double your money? Absolutely! Store managers overbuy products all the time, then clearance items to make more room on the shelves.
However, there is a chance that you may get stuck with an item. Keep the stores return policy in mind when purchasing items for resale.
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Regift or Donate the card
Don’t want to do anything with your unused gift card? You can simply regift the unwanted gift card at the next birthday or holiday.
Donating gift cards is tax deductible, so you can give the card away to your favorite charity.
Click to Tweet. Please Share!Click To TweetWhat’s your favorite way of getting rid of your gift cards? Let me know in the comments below.
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TightFist Finance
John is the founder of TightFist Finance and an expert in the field of personal finance. John has studied personal finance for over 10 years and has used his knowledge to pay down debt, grow his investment portfolio, and launch a financial based business. He is committed to sharing content related to personal finance based on his experience in his career, investing, and path towards reaching financial independence.