Whether you can get a refund on a gift card depends on who issued it and why you want the refund

Retail gift cards — the ones you buy at Target, Best Buy, or a grocery store — almost never come with refunds. Once purchased, they are treated as stored value, not a product you can return. The store keeps the money whether you use the card or not. Some states have laws requiring stores to honor the card's value for a set period (usually five to seven years), but that is not the same as a refund to your bank account.

Visa, Mastercard, or American Express gift cards — the network-branded ones — may allow refunds under certain conditions. If the card was never activated or used, the issuer (usually a bank or payment processor) may refund the purchase price to the original payment method. If the card has been used, a refund is unlikely unless there was fraud or an error in the transaction that created the card.

The person who gave you the gift card has better options than you do. If they bought it with a credit card and never gave it to you, they can often return it to the retailer for a refund within the store's return window — typically 30 to 90 days. Once they hand it to you, that window usually closes.

Key Takeaways

  • Retail gift cards sold by stores are not returnable once purchased, even if unused, because they are treated as cash equivalents rather than merchandise.
  • Network-branded gift cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) may be refundable if never activated, but only to the original payment method, not to a different account.
  • The person who bought the card can often return it within 30 to 90 days if they have the receipt and the card is still in its original packaging.
  • Once a gift card is activated or used, refunds are extremely rare and usually only happen if there was fraud or a processing error.
  • Some states require retailers to honor unused gift card balances for five to seven years, but this extends the card's life rather than refunding it.

Retail gift cards and store return policies

Most major retailers — Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Amazon, Starbucks — do not refund gift cards under any circumstance. Their return policies explicitly exclude gift cards because the card itself is the product. Once you own it, the store has no obligation to convert it back to cash or credit your original payment method.

Some smaller retailers or local businesses may have different policies, so it is worth calling the store directly and asking. Explain that the card was a gift and you did not purchase it yourself. A manager might make an exception, especially if the card has never been used and you still have the original packaging or receipt. But this is a courtesy, not a right, and you should not count on it.

If the card was purchased with a credit card and the original buyer still has the receipt, they can often return it to the store within the return window. This is different from you asking for a refund after receiving it as a gift. The original purchaser has consumer protection; you do not, because you did not buy it.

Visa, Mastercard, and Amex gift cards

Network-branded prepaid cards work differently from retail gift cards because they are issued by banks or payment processors, not by individual stores. If you received one that was never activated, you may be able to get a refund, but only if the original buyer contacts the issuer with proof of purchase.

The refund goes back to the original payment method — the credit card or bank account used to buy the gift card. You cannot ask for the money to be sent to your own account. If the card has already been activated or partially used, a refund is almost impossible to obtain unless there was fraud or a clear error by the issuer.

To explore this option, you need the original receipt or order confirmation. The person who bought the card should contact the card issuer's customer service number, usually printed on the back of the card or available on the issuer's website. They will need to provide the card number, purchase date, and proof of purchase. Processing times vary but typically take one to two weeks.

What to do if the card was purchased fraudulently

If someone bought a gift card using a stolen credit card or without authorization, the original cardholder can dispute the charge with their bank. This is a chargeback, and it may result in the gift card being deactivated. If you are holding the card when this happens, the balance becomes worthless.

If you suspect the card you received was purchased with stolen payment information, do not use it. Report it to the card issuer or the retailer. Using a card you know or suspect was purchased fraudulently could expose you to legal liability, even though you did not commit the fraud yourself.

Selling or trading a gift card instead of refunding it

If you cannot get a refund, you have other options. Websites like Raise, CardCash, and Gameflip let you sell gift cards for cash or trade them for different cards. You typically receive 70 to 95 percent of the card's face value, depending on the retailer and current demand.

The process is straightforward: you list the card, a buyer purchases it, and you transfer the card details to them. Payment usually arrives within a few business days. The trade-off is that you lose some value, but you convert the card into money or a card you actually want to use.

Be cautious with these platforms. Only use established, well-reviewed sites. Never send the card details before payment is confirmed. Some sites verify the card balance before releasing payment to you, which protects both parties.

State laws protecting unused gift card balances

Many states have laws requiring retailers to honor gift card balances for a minimum period, typically five to seven years from the date of purchase or last use. California, New York, Illinois, and others have these protections. However, these laws do not force retailers to refund the card; they simply prevent the retailer from expiring the card or charging dormancy fees.

If your gift card has been sitting unused for years, check your state's attorney general website to see if there is a gift card law. If there is, the card should still be valid. You can contact the retailer's customer service to confirm the balance and use it whenever you choose.

These laws vary significantly by state, so what applies in one state may not apply in another. Some states have no gift card protections at all. If you live in a state with protections and the retailer tries to deny the balance or charge a fee, you can file a complaint with your state's attorney general.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I return a gift card to the store where it was bought if I have the receipt?

Only if the original buyer has the receipt and the card is still in its original packaging, unopened and unactivated. Most stores allow returns within 30 to 90 days of purchase. Once the card has been given as a gift or activated, the original buyer usually cannot return it either. Call the store's customer service to confirm their specific policy.

What if the gift card has a balance but I do not want to use it?

You can sell it on a gift card resale site like Raise or CardCash for 70 to 95 percent of its value. Alternatively, you can give it to someone else or donate it to a charity or school. A refund to your bank account is not an option unless the card was never activated and the original buyer contacts the issuer.

Do gift cards expire?

Most states require gift cards to remain valid for at least five to seven years. Some retailers voluntarily honor them indefinitely. Check your state's laws and the card's terms. Even if a card is old, the balance should still be accessible as long as the retailer is still in business.

Can I get a refund if the gift card was a duplicate or mistake?

If someone accidentally bought two identical gift cards and gave you one by mistake, the original buyer may be able to return the other card if they have the receipt and it is within the return window. You cannot return the one you received. Ask the person who gave it to you to contact the store about returning their copy.

What happens if I lose the gift card?

Most retailers do not replace lost gift cards or refund the balance. Some may issue a replacement if you can provide proof of purchase and the original card number, but this is not may provide. Keep gift cards in a safe place, and consider taking a photo of the card number and PIN for your records.