Most gift cards cannot be transferred directly to a bank account, but you have several workarounds depending on the card type and issuer
A standard gift card issued by a retailer—Target, Amazon, Starbucks—exists only within that company's system. The money on it is a store credit, not actual cash, so there is no direct pathway to move it into your checking account. However, you can convert that credit into spendable money through a few concrete routes: selling the card to a reseller, using it to buy something you can resell, or loading it onto a payment app that connects to your bank.
The method that works depends on the card's balance, how quickly you need the money, and how much friction you are willing to accept. A $5 card is not worth the effort; a $200 card is worth exploring multiple options.
Key Takeaways
- Retailer gift cards are store credit, not cash, so you cannot transfer the balance directly to a bank account through any official channel.
- Resale sites like CardCash and Raise buy gift cards at a discount (typically 70–92% of face value) and deposit the payment to your bank account or PayPal within a few business days.
- Some payment apps like PayPal and Square Cash let you add a gift card as a payment method, then transfer the remaining balance to your bank, though this works only if the card is Visa or Mastercard branded.
- Selling the card yourself on Facebook Marketplace or OfferUp usually nets you more money than a resale site but requires finding a buyer and handling the transaction yourself.
- Using the gift card to buy items you can resell (books, electronics, gift sets) is slower but works for any retailer and avoids the discount you pay resale sites.
Gift card resale sites: the fastest route to cash
Resale platforms like CardCash, Raise, and Decluttr buy unused gift cards from you and pay out to your bank account or PayPal. You photograph the back of the card (or provide the code), they verify the balance, and you receive an offer. The offer is always less than face value—typically 70% to 92% depending on the retailer and current demand.
The process takes about five to ten minutes per card. Once you accept the offer, the site deposits the money into your chosen account within one to three business days. Popular retailers like Amazon, Target, and Walmart move quickly; niche retailers or restaurant chains may take longer to sell or may not be accepted at all.
Check the current payout rate before you commit. CardCash and Raise publish rates for hundreds of retailers, and they fluctuate based on supply and demand. A Starbucks card might pay 85% one week and 78% the next. If you are not in a hurry, waiting for rates to improve can add real money back.
Branded Visa and Mastercard gift cards: load them onto payment apps
If your gift card is a Visa or Mastercard branded card—not a store-specific card, but a general-purpose card issued by Visa or Mastercard—you can add it to PayPal, Square Cash, Venmo, or similar apps as a payment method. Once linked, you can transfer any remaining balance to your connected bank account.
The steps are straightforward: open the app, go to wallet or payment methods, select "add card," enter the gift card number and expiration date, and confirm. Then navigate to the transfer or cash-out section and move the balance to your bank. The transfer usually clears within one to three business days, depending on your bank.
This method works because Visa and Mastercard are payment networks, not retailers. The card itself is just a vehicle for accessing funds that exist in a general account, not locked to a specific store. Store-branded cards (Target Visa, Amazon Visa issued by the store itself) sometimes work this way too, but not always—test with a small transfer first if you are unsure.
Selling the card yourself on peer-to-peer platforms
Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, and Craigslist let you list a gift card and sell it directly to a buyer. You typically receive 90% to 100% of face value, depending on demand and how quickly you want to move it. The trade-off is that you handle the transaction yourself: you negotiate, agree on a price, and arrange payment.
For safety, use the platform's built-in payment system rather than cash or wire transfer. Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp both hold the buyer's payment until you confirm delivery of the card code. Once confirmed, the money lands in your account. This protects you from scams where a buyer claims they never received the code.
List the card at 95% of face value to move it quickly, or ask for 100% if it is a popular retailer and you are willing to wait. Include the retailer name, the exact balance, and the expiration date. Avoid posting the card code itself—only share it after payment clears.
Buy and resell items from the gift card
If resale sites offer poor rates or do not accept the retailer, you can use the gift card to purchase items you can resell elsewhere. Buy popular, high-demand goods—electronics, brand-name cosmetics, books, gift sets—then list them on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or Amazon. You keep the difference between what you paid (using the gift card) and what you sell it for.
This method takes longer and requires more work, but you avoid the 8–30% discount that resale sites take. The catch is that you need to price items competitively and handle shipping or local pickup. A $100 gift card spent on items you sell for $110–120 nets you $10–20 in profit, which is better than the $70–85 a resale site would offer, but only if the items actually sell.
Start with items that have consistent demand and clear pricing: brand-name beauty products, popular books, sealed electronics. Avoid clothing, which has high return rates and is harder to price accurately without trying on.
What does not work: official transfer options that do not exist
You cannot transfer a gift card balance to a bank account through the retailer itself. Target, Amazon, Walmart, and other major retailers do not offer a "cash out" or "transfer to bank" feature. Some retailers let you return items bought with a gift card for a refund to your original payment method, but that only works if you have a receipt and the item is within the return window—and you have to buy something first.
Avoid services that claim to transfer gift card balances directly to your bank account for a fee. These are almost always scams. Legitimate payment processors cannot move store credit into a bank account because store credit is not a bank asset; it belongs to the retailer.
Comparing your options: speed, payout, and effort
| Method | Payout Rate | Time to Cash | Effort Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resale site (CardCash, Raise) | 70–92% of face value | 1–3 business days | Low (5–10 minutes) |
| Branded Visa/Mastercard to payment app | 100% of balance | 1–3 business days | Low (10 minutes) |
| Peer-to-peer sale (Facebook, OfferUp) | 90–100% of face value | 1–7 days (depends on buyer) | Medium (listing, negotiation) |
| Buy and resell items | 110–120% of card value (if items sell) | 1–4 weeks | High (sourcing, listing, shipping) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a gift card to pay a credit card bill and then withdraw the money?
No. Most credit card companies do not accept gift cards as a payment method. Even if one did, paying a credit card bill with a gift card does not create cash—it just moves the balance around. You would still owe the credit card company, and the gift card credit would be gone.
What if the gift card has a very small balance, like $2?
Resale sites usually have a minimum balance requirement, often $5 or $10. For small balances, spend the card on something at the retailer, or combine it with another card if the site allows it. The effort to convert $2 to cash is not worth the payout.
Do I have to pay taxes on the money I get from selling a gift card?
Selling a gift card at face value or less is not taxable income—you are converting an asset you already own into cash. If you buy items with the card and resell them for profit, the profit portion may be taxable depending on the amount and your local tax rules. Keep records of what you paid and what you sold it for.
Is it safe to sell a gift card on Facebook Marketplace?
It is safer than meeting a stranger with cash, because Facebook Marketplace holds the buyer's payment until you confirm the code was received. Use the platform's payment system, not wire transfer or cash. Share the code only after payment clears, and take a screenshot of the confirmation for your records.
What if the resale site says the card balance does not match what I think it is?
Check the card balance directly through the retailer's website or app before listing it. Some cards have been partially used or have fees that reduce the balance. If the resale site's balance does not match, contact the retailer to verify. Do not sell the card if there is a discrepancy—the resale site will reject it during verification and you will waste time.