Most stores will refund a gift card, but the rules depend on who issued it and how long ago you received it

A gift card refund is possible in most cases, but you won't get cash back in every situation. Large retailers like Target, Walmart, and Best Buy will refund unused gift cards to the person who bought the card—not the person who received it as a gift. Some stores refund the original purchaser only; others will refund the recipient if they have a receipt or can prove they own the card. A few retailers won't refund at all, or will only refund if the card was purchased within a narrow window (often 30 to 90 days).

The key difference is between refunding the purchaser (the person who bought the card) and refunding the recipient (the person who got it as a gift). If you received a gift card and want your money back, you'll need to contact the store and ask what proof they need. If you bought a gift card for someone else and want to return it, that's usually simpler—bring the original receipt and the unused card to the store.

Key Takeaways

  • The original purchaser can almost always refund an unused gift card within 30 to 90 days if they have the receipt, but timelines vary by store.
  • If you received a gift card as a gift, the store may refund you only if you can show proof of purchase or ownership, and some stores refuse to refund recipients at all.
  • Restaurant and smaller retailer gift cards are harder to refund than big-box store cards, and some have no refund policy at all.
  • Digital gift cards (email or app-based) usually cannot be refunded once the code is delivered, even if unused.
  • State law protects gift card holders in some places, but protections vary widely—some states require refunds after a set period, others do not.

Refunding a gift card you purchased yourself

If you bought a gift card and want to return it for a refund, bring the physical card and your receipt to the store. Most major retailers will refund the full amount to your original payment method (credit card, debit card, or cash, depending on how you paid). The receipt is the proof that you bought it, not the recipient.

Timing matters. Most stores have a 30- to 90-day refund window for unused gift cards purchased in-store or online. After that window closes, the store may refuse the refund. Some retailers, like Costco, will refund gift cards at any time if you have the receipt. Others, like Amazon, do not refund gift cards under any circumstances. Check the store's refund policy before you buy, or call customer service with the card number to ask about their specific timeline.

If you lost the receipt, some stores will still refund you if you can provide the card number and the original payment method (the credit card you used to buy it). Call the store's customer service line and have the gift card number ready. They may be able to look up the purchase in their system.

Refunding a gift card you received as a gift

Refunding a gift card you received is harder than refunding one you bought. The store has no record that you own it—only that someone else purchased it. Most retailers will not refund a gift card to the recipient without proof of purchase or ownership.

Your options depend on the store. Some will refund you if you have the original receipt (ask the person who gave it to you). Others will refund only if you can show a photo ID matching the name on the receipt. A few stores, including some regional chains and smaller retailers, will not refund gift cards to anyone but the original purchaser, no matter what proof you offer.

If the person who gave you the card is willing to help, ask them to bring the receipt and the card to the store and request a refund themselves. That is the fastest path. If they no longer have the receipt, they can try calling the store's customer service with the card number and their original payment method to request a refund.

Digital and email gift cards cannot usually be refunded

Once a digital gift card code is delivered via email or text, most stores will not refund it. The code is treated as spent the moment it reaches you, even if you never use it. This is true for Amazon, iTunes, Google Play, and most restaurant and entertainment gift cards sent electronically.

The exception is if the code was never activated or delivered due to a store error. If you bought a digital gift card and the recipient never received the email, contact the store immediately with your receipt and the recipient's email address. They may be able to cancel the transaction and refund you, but only if the code has not been redeemed.

State laws that protect gift card holders

Some states have laws that require stores to refund gift cards or treat them like stored value. California, for example, requires retailers to refund the cash value of a gift card if the card has been unused for more than three years, or if the card is worth less than $5 and the customer requests a refund. New York requires refunds for unused gift cards purchased within the state, though the timeline is longer.

Other states have no gift card refund law at all, leaving the decision entirely to the store. Check your state's attorney general website or consumer protection office to learn whether your state protects gift card holders. If your state does have a law and the store refuses to follow it, you can file a complaint with your state's consumer protection agency.

Even in states with strong protections, the law usually applies only to physical gift cards purchased in that state, not to digital codes or cards purchased online from out-of-state retailers.

What to do if a store refuses to refund your gift card

If a store refuses to refund a gift card and you believe they are breaking the law, start by asking to speak with a manager. Explain your situation and ask them to review the store's refund policy with you. If the manager refuses, ask for the policy in writing.

Next, check whether your state has a gift card law. If it does and the store is violating it, file a complaint with your state's attorney general or consumer protection office. Include the store name, location, the date you purchased or received the card, the card number (if safe to share), and a copy of any written refusal from the store.

If your state has no gift card law, your options are limited. You can try disputing the charge with your credit card company if you purchased the card with a credit card, but the card issuer may side with the store. You can also post a review online or contact the store's corporate customer service office, though neither guarantees a refund.

Gift cards from restaurants and smaller retailers

Independent restaurants, local boutiques, and smaller chains often have stricter refund policies than big-box stores. Many do not refund gift cards at all, or refund only within a very short window (7 to 14 days). Some will exchange a gift card for store credit or merchandise instead of cash.

Before you buy a gift card from a small retailer, ask about their refund policy. If they won't refund, ask whether they will exchange it for credit toward a future purchase. Get the policy in writing or take a photo of it. If the business closes before you use the card, your money is usually lost—small retailers are not required to hold gift card funds in escrow the way some larger companies do.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I refund a gift card if I don't have the receipt?

It depends on the store. If you purchased the card, call customer service with the card number and the credit card you used to buy it—many stores can look up the purchase without a receipt. If you received the card as a gift, most stores will not refund without the original receipt, though some will accept a photo ID if the name matches the receipt.

What if the gift card has a balance but I haven't used it all?

You can refund the remaining balance. Bring the card and your receipt (if you bought it) to the store, or ask the original purchaser to do so. The store will refund the unused portion to the original payment method.

Can I refund an Amazon gift card?

No. Amazon does not refund gift cards under any circumstances, whether you purchased it or received it as a gift. If the card was purchased by mistake or never delivered, contact Amazon customer service immediately—they may cancel the order before the code is sent, which would refund your payment.

How long do I have to refund a gift card?

Most stores allow 30 to 90 days from the purchase date. Some, like Costco, have no time limit if you have the receipt. Others, like many restaurants, have a 7- to 14-day window. Check the store's website or call customer service to confirm their specific timeline.

What happens to gift card refunds if the store closes?

If a retailer goes out of business, gift card holders are usually unsecured creditors and lose their money. Some states require stores to hold gift card funds in escrow, but most do not. If a store you frequent is struggling, use the gift card before it closes rather than holding it for a refund.