Gift-giving occasions often bring smiles, but sometimes, you might receive a gift card that doesn’t quite hit the mark. Instead of letting that plastic gather dust, you can easily turn those unwanted gift cards into cash. Numerous platforms are available to help you Sell My Gift Cards, each with its own process and advantages. The best choice for you will hinge on your priorities, such as convenience and the gift card’s retailer.
Top Online Marketplaces to Sell Your Gift Cards
Several reputable third-party websites specialize in buying gift cards for cash. They act as intermediaries, connecting sellers like you with buyers looking for discounted gift cards. Here’s a look at some of the leading platforms:
GCX (Raise)
GCX, a subsidiary of Raise, operates as a marketplace where you are in control of selling your gift card. This platform allows you to set your own discount, giving you flexibility. You can also see what discounts others are offering for similar gift cards, which can help you price yours competitively. However, with GCX, you only get paid once your gift card sells.
A representative image showcasing the Raise platform, a marketplace where users can sell and buy gift cards.
It’s important to note that GCX charges a 15% fee for using their service. This means the maximum return you can expect is 85% of the gift card’s face value. While the fee is on the higher side compared to some competitors, GCX is known for its solid reputation, which can be a significant factor, especially if you’re selling gift cards online for the first time. GCX offers payouts via ACH direct deposit and PayPal.
CardCash
For a more streamlined selling experience, CardCash takes away the burden of directly selling your gift card. Once they verify your gift card’s details, CardCash will pay you directly and then handle reselling the card themselves. This offers a quicker turnaround and less effort on your part.
CardCash typically offers up to 92% of the gift card’s value in cash, which is potentially more lucrative than GCX, although the actual percentage varies depending on the retailer. For example, at the time of writing, a $100 Walmart gift card might fetch around $85.50, while an Apple Store card could get you $77.50, and a Microsoft card even less.
A key advantage of CardCash is its broad acceptance of gift cards from a wide range of merchants. They generally accept most gift cards, except those with expiration dates or promotional cards with specific usage restrictions. Compared to platforms with more limited lists, CardCash is likely to accept a wider variety of gift cards, even those from less common stores. Even if your obscure gift cards don’t command a high resale value, you’re still likely to get some cash for them.
CardCash also provides an option to trade your gift cards for gift cards to other retailers. In these trades, you can receive up to 11% more value than opting for cash. Popular trade-in choices often include major retailers like Amazon, Airbnb, and Chewy. Trading for an Amazon gift card, which is practically as versatile as cash, can be a smart way to still utilize the value of a gift card you wouldn’t otherwise use.
An image representing CardCash, highlighting its feature of buying gift cards and offering up to 92% cash value.
Tips for Maximizing Your Return When You Sell Gift Cards
To get the most out of selling your gift cards, consider these strategies:
- Compare offers: Don’t settle for the first offer you see. Check multiple platforms like GCX and CardCash to compare their rates for your specific gift card. Values can differ significantly between sites.
- Act quickly: Gift card values can fluctuate. Selling sooner rather than later is generally better to secure a higher percentage of the card’s face value.
- Consider trade-ins: If you frequently shop at a particular retailer offered for trade-ins (like Amazon), trading your gift card might give you more value than a cash payout.
- Understand fees: Be aware of the fees charged by each platform. Factor these fees into your calculations to determine your net return.
- Check payment methods and speed: Consider how you’ll receive payment (ACH, PayPal, check) and how quickly you need the cash. CardCash, for instance, typically pays out within one to two business days after approval.
Buying Discounted Gift Cards: A Smart Way to Save
The same platforms where you sell my gift cards also offer the opportunity to buy gift cards at a discount. If you regularly shop at certain stores, purchasing discounted gift cards can lead to significant savings.
When buying discounted gift cards, it’s wise to use a credit card that maximizes your rewards on everyday purchases. While gift card marketplace purchases may not fall into specific bonus categories, using a general cash-back credit card is a smart move. Cards like the Citi Double Cash® Card, Chase Freedom Unlimited®, and Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card offer solid flat-rate rewards on all purchases.
[
Citi Double Cash® Card](https://oc.brcclx.com/t?lid=26664494)CNBC Select Rating
5.0
On Citi’s site
CNBC Select Rating
5.0
On Citi’s site
Spotlight
Receive a 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers.
Credit score
Fair to Excellent580–850
Regular APR
18.24% – 28.24% variable
Annual fee
$0
Welcome bonus
Earn $200 cash back
See rates and fees, terms apply.
Read our Citi Double Cash® Card review.
Our expert take
The Citi Double Cash® Card is one of the best no-annual-fee cash-back cards thanks to its straightforward rewards structure.
More details
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select’s editorial staff.
- Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, a special travel offer, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25.
- Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.24% – 28.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Balance transfer fee
There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. A balance transfer fee of 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies if completed after 4 months of account opening.
Foreign transaction fee
3%
[
Chase Freedom Unlimited®](https://oc.brcclx.com/t?lid=26664483)CNBC Select Rating
5
On Chase’s site
CNBC Select Rating
5
On Chase’s site
Spotlight
New cardholders receive a 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers.
Credit score
Good to Excellent670–850
Regular APR
19.49% – 28.24% variable
Annual fee
$0
Welcome bonus
Intro Offer: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back
Member FDIC. Terms apply.
Read our Chase Freedom Unlimited® review.
Our expert take
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a no-annual-fee card that earns generous cash-back on everyday purchases and a lucrative welcome bonus.
More details
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select’s editorial staff.
- Intro Offer: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) – worth up to $300 cash back!
- Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
- After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.49% – 28.24%.
- No annual fee – You won’t have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
- Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Intro fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, in the first 60 days. After that, either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Foreign transaction fee
3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
On Wells Fargo’s site
-
Rewards
Unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
-
Welcome bonus
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
-
Annual fee
$0
-
Intro APR
0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers.
-
Regular APR
19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR
-
Balance transfer fee
Intro balance transfer fee of 3% for 120 days from account opening, then up to 5%, min: $5
-
Foreign transaction fee
3%
-
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
See rates and fees, terms apply.
Exploring Other Gift Card Options
While online marketplaces are popular, here are a few other points to consider regarding gift cards:
What about Coinstar?
Coinstar machines, known for coin counting, previously offered gift card exchange services through Coinstar Exchange. However, this service has been discontinued, so Coinstar machines no longer buy gift cards for cash.
Prepaid2Cash: Prepaid Cards Accepted
Prepaid2Cash is another service to be aware of, though it primarily focuses on prepaid cards rather than traditional retail gift cards. Prepaid2Cash generally accepts prepaid cards branded with MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover, as well as gift cards (both physical and electronic) from many well-known retailers like Starbucks, Walmart, and Best Buy. According to their website, gift cards must have a balance between $25 and $1,000 and cannot have any restrictions. They typically do not accept registered cards, non-transferable cards, promotional cards, paper gift certificates, cards with dormancy fees, or merchandise credits with expiration dates.
Cash App: Not for Gift Cards
It’s worth noting that Cash App does not currently offer a service to buy gift cards for cash.
Conclusion: Turning Unwanted Gift Cards into Opportunity
If you find yourself with gift cards you won’t use, selling them is a practical way to recover value. Platforms like GCX and CardCash offer convenient solutions to sell my gift cards for cash. By comparing offers, understanding fees, and considering trade-in options, you can maximize your return. Furthermore, exploring discounted gift card purchases can be a smart strategy for ongoing savings. Don’t let unwanted gift cards be a disappointment – turn them into cash or savings opportunities instead.
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Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.
