The most direct route: load the card to a payment app, then transfer out
Most gift cards cannot move money directly into a bank account. Instead, you load the card's balance into a payment app (Venmo, PayPal, Square Cash), then transfer from that app to your bank. The process takes two to five business days total, depending on which app and which bank you use.
Some gift cards work with specific apps only. Visa and Mastercard gift cards load into almost any payment app. Store gift cards (Target, Amazon, Walmart) usually do not load into payment apps at all—you can only spend them at that retailer or convert them through a reseller. American Express gift cards load into PayPal but not all other apps.
The catch: payment apps take a small cut if you transfer money out. PayPal charges 1.75% for standard transfers to a bank account. Venmo charges nothing for transfers to a bank, but the money takes one to three business days. Square Cash charges nothing for standard transfers, which take one to three business days.
Key Takeaways
- Visa and Mastercard gift cards load into PayPal, Venmo, or Square Cash; store gift cards usually do not load into any payment app.
- Payment apps charge between 0% and 1.75% to move money to your bank, and transfers take one to five business days depending on the app.
- If your gift card is from a store, you can sell it to a reseller like Raise or CardCash, though you will receive 70% to 95% of its face value.
- Never give your gift card number to a person or service that promises to move the money for you—this is a common fraud setup.
Loading a Visa or Mastercard gift card into a payment app
Start by opening the payment app on your phone or computer. Add the gift card as a payment method the same way you would add a debit card: enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV (the three-digit code on the back). Most apps ask for a billing zip code as well.
Once the card is added, you can spend the balance through the app. To move the money to your bank account, go to the app's transfer or cash-out section. Select your bank account as the destination, enter the amount you want to transfer, and confirm. The app will show you the fee (if any) and the arrival date before you complete the transfer.
PayPal is the fastest for immediate access: money arrives in one to two hours if you pay for expedited transfer (1.75% fee). Standard transfer takes one to three business days and costs nothing. Venmo and Square Cash both take one to three business days and charge no fee.
Selling a store gift card through a reseller
If your gift card is from a specific store—Target, Walmart, Best Buy, Amazon—you cannot load it into a payment app. Your option is to sell it to a gift card reseller. The two largest are Raise and CardCash. Both buy gift cards at a discount and resell them.
To sell through Raise: take a photo of the front and back of the card (covering part of the number for security), upload it to the Raise app or website, and set your asking price. Raise suggests a price based on recent sales. Once someone buys it, you send them the card details, and Raise deposits the money into your bank account within one to two business days.
CardCash works similarly but offers an instant quote: you enter the card details and amount, and CardCash tells you exactly what it will pay. You then authorize the sale, send the card information, and receive payment within one to two business days. Both platforms typically pay 70% to 95% of the card's face value, depending on the retailer and current demand.
What to do if your gift card has a low balance
Gift cards with small balances—under $10—are often rejected by payment apps or resellers because the processing cost exceeds the profit. If your card has less than $5 left, most resellers will not buy it.
Your options: spend the remaining balance at the retailer, combine it with another payment method online, or give it to someone else. Some retailers let you check your balance online and spend it in small increments over time. If the card is from a restaurant or store you visit regularly, this is usually the simplest path.
Avoiding scams when moving gift card money
Do not use services that ask you to send the gift card itself or give someone your card number over the phone or email. Legitimate resellers like Raise and CardCash use secure websites and apps, and they never ask you to wire money or pay a fee upfront.
Do not respond to ads or social media posts promising to "cash out" your gift card for you. These are almost always theft setups: the scammer takes your card number, empties the balance, and disappears. By the time you realize what happened, the money is gone and the card is worthless.
Stick to established payment apps (PayPal, Venmo, Square Cash) and established resellers (Raise, CardCash). Both have buyer protection and fraud monitoring built in. If something goes wrong—a transfer does not arrive, a reseller does not pay you—you have a company to contact and a dispute process to use.
Timing and fees: a quick comparison
| Method | Card Type | Fee | Time to Bank Account |
|---|---|---|---|
| PayPal (standard) | Visa, Mastercard | None | 1–3 business days |
| PayPal (expedited) | Visa, Mastercard | 1.75% | 1–2 hours |
| Venmo | Visa, Mastercard | None | 1–3 business days |
| Square Cash | Visa, Mastercard | None | 1–3 business days |
| Raise (reseller) | Store cards | 5–30% discount | 1–2 business days |
| CardCash (reseller) | Store cards | 5–30% discount | 1–2 business days |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer money from an Amazon gift card to my bank account?
No, Amazon gift cards do not load into payment apps. You can only spend them at Amazon or resell the card through Raise or CardCash. If you resell, you will receive 70% to 90% of the card's value, depending on current demand.
What happens if I load a gift card into PayPal but do not transfer the money right away?
The balance stays in your PayPal account as a payment method. You can spend it through PayPal, transfer it to your bank, or leave it there indefinitely. PayPal does not charge a fee just for holding the balance.
Do I need to verify my bank account before transferring money from a payment app?
Yes. Most payment apps require you to link a bank account and verify it before you can transfer money out. Verification usually takes one to two business days and involves small deposits (typically under $1) that the app sends to your account. You then confirm the amounts in your bank to prove you own the account.
What if the payment app rejects my gift card?
This usually means the card number did not enter correctly, the card has expired, or the app does not accept that card type. Try re-entering the number carefully, checking the expiration date, and confirming the card is Visa or Mastercard. If it still does not work, try a different payment app—some accept cards others reject.
Can I transfer a gift card balance to someone else's bank account?
Not directly. You would need to move the money to your own bank account first, then send it to someone else using a payment app or bank transfer. This means you will pay any fees twice—once to move the gift card money to your bank, and again to send it to another person.