You can turn an unwanted gift card into cash by accepting a direct-buy offer or listing the card on a resale marketplace. Before sharing its number or PIN, check that the specific card is eligible and compare the amount you will actually receive, fees, payout method and timing.
Choose between a direct offer and a marketplace listing
A direct-buy service gives you an offer for your card; a marketplace lets you set or accept a selling price and charges fees when the card sells. Neither model guarantees a particular payout for every card. Compare the net amount and terms for your card, rather than relying on an advertised maximum.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Amazon eGift Card - Amazon Logo | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Amazon eGift Card - Happy Birthday | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Amazon eGift Card - Birthday Wishes | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Amazon Physical Gift Card in a Gift Box - Better than Gold - Black | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Amazon Physical Gift Card in a Mini Envelope - Candlelight Celebration | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
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| Option | How payment is determined | Fees or payout details stated by provider | Stated timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| CardCash direct sale | Provider quotes a price for the card. CardCash advertises payment of up to 92% of card value, but says the actual offer depends on the card. | Lists check, ACH, PayPal, or another available gift card. | Typically sent within 1–2 days after order approval, according to CardCash. |
| GiftCash direct sale | Provider makes an offer after you enter the retailer, card number, PIN and remaining balance. GiftCash advertises up to 93% of face value; that is not a guaranteed offer. | Describes payment by direct deposit in US dollars. | Typically 1–5 business days, according to GiftCash. |
| GCX marketplace listing | Your net depends on the selling price and whether the card sells; a listing price is not cash in hand. | GCX says listing is free and charges a 15% commission from the selling price after a sale. It lists ACH direct deposit and PayPal with no payout fee. | No sale-time guarantee is stated in the fee information. |
These figures and payment details are provider statements, not independently verified quotes. Check the current terms and offer before submitting card details. CardCash selling page, CardCash FAQ, GiftCash selling page, GCX fee help page.
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For a direct offer, compare the quoted cash amount with the card’s remaining balance. For a listing, subtract the commission and any other applicable charges from the price you expect the card to sell for. A higher asking price may not help if the card does not sell, and the sources do not provide a universal sale-time estimate.
#1 Best Overall
- Amazon.com Gift Cards never expire and carry no fees.
- Multiple gift card designs and denominations to choose from.
- Redeemable towards millions of items store-wide at Amazon.com or certain affiliated websites.
- Available for immediate delivery. Gift cards sent by email can be scheduled up to a year in advance.
- No returns and no refunds on Gift Cards.
- Net proceeds: Use the specific live offer or calculate the expected net after fees, not the provider’s maximum advertised percentage.
- Eligibility: Confirm the retailer, balance, card type and whether the service accepts your physical or electronic card.
- Payout: Check which methods are available and whether you can receive the money through them.
- Timing: Note what starts the provider’s estimate. CardCash’s stated typical window begins after order approval; GiftCash’s is a typical direct-deposit estimate.
- Terms: Read what happens if the balance or card information is disputed, and what information you must submit.
How to sell a card through a direct-buy service
- Check eligibility. Search for the card’s retailer on the provider’s site and confirm that your card format and balance qualify.
- Get an offer for your card. Enter the requested card details and balance only on the service’s verified website. Compare the resulting offer with another provider or a marketplace estimate.
- Review payout and terms. Confirm the payment method, amount, timing estimate and any conditions before accepting.
- Submit the card as instructed. Follow the provider’s process for an electronic or physical card. Do not send the number or PIN to an unsolicited contact.
- Keep the confirmation. Save the order details and follow up through the provider’s official support channel if the stated processing window passes.
CardCash describes a quote-and-submit process and lists check, ACH, PayPal or another available gift card as payout choices. It says payment is typically sent within 1–2 days after order approval. GiftCash describes entering a retailer, number, PIN and remaining balance, reviewing an offer, and accepting it for direct deposit in US dollars; it says payment typically takes 1–5 business days. Both timing windows are provider estimates, not guarantees. CardCash selling page, CardCash FAQ, GiftCash selling page.
How to sell through a marketplace
- Check that the marketplace accepts your particular card and review its selling and payout rules.
- Choose a listing price, keeping the commission and other applicable charges in mind.
- Submit the listing and wait for a buyer. Do not count the listed price as proceeds until the transaction is complete.
- After the card sells, check the payout amount and status in your account.
GCX says listing is free and charges a 15% commission from the selling price once the card sells. It lists ACH direct deposit and PayPal without payout fees. Its fee information does not establish how long a sale will take. GCX fee help page.
Rank #2
- Amazon.com Gift Cards never expire and carry no fees.
- Multiple gift card designs and denominations to choose from.
- Redeemable towards millions of items store-wide at Amazon.com or certain affiliated websites.
- Available for immediate delivery. Gift cards sent by email can be scheduled up to a year in advance.
- No returns and no refunds on Gift Cards.
Protect your card details and avoid payment scams
A legitimate resale transaction is different from a stranger demanding a gift card as payment. The Federal Trade Commission warns: “Only scammers will tell you to buy a gift card, like a Google Play or Apple Card, and give them the numbers off the back of the card.” A person claiming to represent a government agency, employer, relative or support team should not require gift-card codes to receive payment or resolve a problem. FTC consumer advice.
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →- Do not share a card number or PIN in response to an unsolicited call, message or email.
- Verify the provider’s website and terms before submitting sensitive card details.
- If you have already given the codes to a suspected scammer, contact the gift card company promptly and report the incident to the FTC.
Check what kind of gift card you have
Retailer gift cards are redeemable at the issuing retailer. Bank gift cards with a Visa, American Express or another payment-network logo can generally be used wherever that network is accepted, subject to the card’s terms. That distinction does not establish that a resale service accepts every network-branded card; verify eligibility directly with the provider before proceeding. FTC gift card information.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Gift Card is redeemable towards millions of items storewide at Amazon.com
- Gift Card has no fees and no expiration date
- Gift Card is affixed inside a mini envelope
- Free One-Day Shipping (where available)
- Scan and redeem any Gift Card with a mobile or tablet device via the Amazon App
Rank #4
- Gift Card is redeemable towards millions of items storewide at Amazon.com
- Gift Card has no fees and no expiration date
- Gift Card is nested inside a specialty gift box
- Free One-Day Shipping (where available)
- Scan and redeem any Gift Card with a mobile or tablet device via the Amazon App
Rank #3
- Amazon.com Gift Cards never expire and carry no fees.
- Multiple gift card designs and denominations to choose from.
- Redeemable towards millions of items store-wide at Amazon.com or certain affiliated websites.
- Available for immediate delivery. Gift cards sent by email can be scheduled up to a year in advance.
- No returns and no refunds on Gift Cards.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
