Got a stack of gift cards sitting in a drawer that you’ll never actually use? I’ve been there — and you’re definitely not alone.
Most of us have received free gift cards to stores we never shop at or restaurants we never eat at. In fact, over $1 billion in gift cards go unused every year, with restaurant cards making up the biggest chunk of that waste.
The good news? You don’t have to let that money go to waste. Whether you want to sell gift cards online, find someone who buys gift cards near you, or just squeeze the most cash out of the ones you already have, I’ve tested and researched the best options so you don’t have to.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the top platforms and apps for selling gift cards, local options worth checking out, and the tips that actually make a difference in how much you get back. I’ll even cover how you can trade your Amazon gift cards for cash.
SEO rationale: Leads with a relatable scenario (matches search intent for “sell gift cards”), keeps sentences short and scannable, front-loads the primary keyword “sell gift cards” plus secondary keywords (“sell gift cards online,” “buys gift cards near you”). First-person framing (“I’ve tested and researched”) builds E-E-A-T signals.
Where to Sell Your Gift Cards Online
Looking to sell your gift cards quickly and conveniently? Selling online is the perfect solution. Below, you’ll find top-rated websites and apps where you can easily sell those unused gift cards you got for Christmas (or any other occasion).
FreeCash
The average user earned $28 yesterday, and most get their first payout in under 17 minutes. Over $50M paid out.
Earn Haus
Over 5,588 surveys available with same-day payouts via PayPal, Venmo, or eCheck.
Swagbucks
Earn rewards for surveys, shopping, and watching videos — earnings up to $210/mo.
HealthyWage
HealthyWage has paid thousands to real winners like Brittney M. ($1,057) and Mariana A. ($10,899) for hitting their fitness targets.
1. Gift Card Granny
Best for: Flexibility — cash, custom pricing, or a trade
If you want options, Gift Card Granny is worth a look. This platform lets you sell your gift cards for cash, or trade one you don’t want for one you do.
Here’s how it works: search for your card’s brand on the site, enter its remaining balance, and you’ll see your offers right away. From there, you can choose between three selling methods:
- Sell it now, where you accept the top offer and get paid within a matter of days — up to 92% cash back is possible with this route.
- Name your price, where you set your own listing price. It takes more patience since it relies on a buyer coming along, but it can pay off with a higher return. You get paid once the sale goes through and the card is delivered.
- Trade in, where you swap your card for one from a retailer you actually shop at. There are dozens of well-known brands available, and this option tends to come with the best payout of the three.
2. Raise
Best for: Higher payouts if you’re willing to wait
Raise is a popular gift card platform that’s been featured by major news outlets, including NBC News, ABC News, Today, USA Today, and Time Magazine.
Unlike most other platforms on this list, Raise doesn’t work by giving you an instant offer to accept. Instead, you list your card for sale and wait for a buyer to purchase it at your price.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Listing is free — it costs nothing to post your card on Raise.
- Selling takes a commission — once your card sells, Raise takes a 12% cut.
- Payouts can be higher — since you set your own price, this route often pays more than an instant-offer platform, though it takes longer to sell.
- Payment methods — you can get paid via direct deposit, PayPal, or check.
3. CardCookie
Best for: Selling multiple card types quickly
If you’re looking for a straightforward way to cash out, CardCookie is worth considering — you can earn up to 92% cash back on your unwanted gift cards.
The process is simple: enter your card’s brand, number, and PIN, and you’ll get a cash offer right away. From there, you’ll need to verify your account by providing your credit card and ACH bank details. Once CardCookie confirms it can accept your card, it issues payment via ACH — expect that to land in your account within 3 to 5 days.
4. CardCash
Best for: Selling partially used gift cards
If you’re looking for an easy way to sell your gift card, CardCash is worth checking out. Just visit the site, enter a few details about your card, and you’ll be presented with offers.
A few things that make CardCash stand out:
- Partial balances accepted — unlike many other platforms, CardCash lets you sell gift cards that aren’t fully loaded, so a partially used card isn’t a dealbreaker.
- Sell or trade — you can either sell your card for cash or exchange it for a different card you’ll actually use.
- Fast payout — once your order is approved, you get paid via check, PayPal, or direct deposit within one to two business days.
5. GiftCards.com (formerly GiftCardSwapping)
Best for: N/A — currently unclear if this option is active
Update: GiftCardSwapping has rebranded as GiftCards.com. Along with the name change, the site itself has changed too, and there’s no longer a dedicated section for selling gift cards.
That said, their FAQ page states that GiftCards.com “buys unwanted gift cards and offers up to 92% cash back.” However, when I checked their actual “Sell” page, it was completely blank. It’s not clear whether they’re mid-update or have discontinued the feature altogether. I’ll update this section once that becomes clearer.
6. Reddit Gift Card Exchange
Best for: Avoiding fees if you don’t mind a bit more legwork
It’s not the first place most people think of, but Reddit actually has a solid community built around buying and selling gift cards: the Reddit Gift Card Exchange subreddit.
The process is casual — you create a post describing your card and the price you want, then wait for other users to reach out. Most deals get settled in cash via PayPal, though some traders prefer swapping for other gift cards instead. All you need is a free Reddit account to get started.
Just keep in mind this is a peer-to-peer setup, so there’s no formal buyer protection like you’d get from a dedicated platform — check a user’s trade history before sending anything.
7. Cash4GiftCardsAmerica
Best for: Fastest payout speed
Cash4GiftCardsAmerica makes selling your gift cards online simple and fast. It accepts all major gift vouchers, including from brands like Amazon, Apple, and eBay, through its gift card exchange program.
Here’s how the process works:
- Get an offer — search for your card’s brand, enter the balance, and you’ll receive an offer.
- Verify your ID — you’ll need to provide a valid driver’s license or other state-issued ID to sell your card.
- Get paid fast — once your ID and gift card are verified, payment is sent to your account in less than an hour, via options like PayPal or Cash App.
8. BuyBackWorld
Best for: Free shipping and multiple payment options
If you want a legitimate place to sell your gift cards, BuyBackWorld is worth trying.
Here’s how the process works:
- Get an instant quote — select your card’s brand from the dropdown, enter its balance, and you’ll receive a cash buyback quote right away.
- Ship for free — if you accept the quote, BuyBackWorld sends you a free shipping label to mail in your physical card.
- Get paid — once your card is received and verified, payment is issued within two business days.
Payment options include:
- PayPal
- Direct deposit
- Prepaid debit card
- Check
- Gift card
9. Gameflip
Best for: Gaming and digital gift cards
If you have a gaming gift card you don’t want, Gameflip is worth checking out. You can get cash for cards from places like Xbox Live, Amazon, PSN, and Google Play.
Like Raise, Gameflip works on a listing model — you set your card up for sale rather than accepting an instant offer from the site itself. That means how much you earn depends entirely on the price you list it for. Gameflip recommends pricing your card 2% to 15% below its original value for the best chance of a quick sale.
On Gameflip, you can sell:
- Unused cards
- Prepaid cards
- Non-reloadable gift cards
Once your card sells, you can withdraw your earnings via:
- PayPal
- Your bank account
- Bitcoin
10. eBay
Best for: Full control over your listing price
If you’d rather set your own price instead of accepting a quoted offer, eBay is a solid option. You list your gift card just like any other item and decide exactly what you want to charge for it.
A few things to keep in mind:
- You set the price — unlike instant-offer sites, there’s no cap on what you can list your card for.
- Fees apply — eBay takes a cut of your sale, so factor that into your listing price.
- More competition — since it’s a general marketplace rather than a gift-card-specific platform, you may need to price competitively to attract buyers.
11. Check Into Cash
Best for: In-person, same-day cash for common retail brands
Check Into Cash is primarily known as a payday loan company, and while we don’t recommend payday loans, the company’s gift card buyback service is worth knowing about separately.
You can sell your gift card to Check Into Cash in person and walk away with cash the same day. It accepts cards from a range of well-known retailers and restaurants, including:
- Walmart
- Target
- Starbucks
- Texas Roadhouse
- Macy’s
- Lowe’s
Both new and partially used cards are accepted. Here’s how it works:
- Find a store — use the store locator and enter your zip code to find the nearest location.
- Bring your ID — a driver’s license is required so the store can verify your identity.
- Get a quote and get paid — bring your card in, receive a quote on the spot, and get paid immediately.
12. ClipKard
Best for: Choice between free shipping or faster payout
ClipKard allows you to sell your unwanted gift cards through a simple process. Choose your card’s brand from the dropdown menu, enter the balance, and select the quantity of cards you want to sell. ClipKard will then give you an offer.
If you accept, here’s how the process works:
- Choose a shipping method — pick between USPS First Class Mail or USPS Priority Mail.
- Shipping costs — First Class shipping is free (ClipKard covers it), while Priority Mail costs get deducted from your final payment.
- Get paid — once ClipKard receives and verifies your cards, payment is issued via PayPal or check.
- Payment timing — PayPal deposits typically arrive within one business day of verification, while checks usually take five to seven days to arrive by mail.
13. GiftCash
Best for: High cash-back percentage with crypto payout option
Want a quick and convenient way to sell your gift cards? GiftCash is worth a look — it offers payouts of up to 93% of your card’s value, one of the higher rates on this list.
Here’s how it works:
- Get an offer — enter your card’s brand and balance, then click “Get Offer.”
- Accept and get paid — if you like the offer, accept it and you’re done.
- Payment options — choose between bank transfer or cryptocurrency.
Here are rewrite variants for the GiftCardPlace entry.
Variant 1 — Structured/Scannable
14. GiftCardPlace
Best for: Comparing rates across multiple vendors at once
If you’re looking to earn money for your unwanted gift cards, GiftCardPlace is worth a try. Rather than being a buyer itself, it works as a comparison tool, showing you exchange rates offered by a variety of different vendors for your card.
Here’s how it works:
- Select your card — choose the merchant name of your gift card from the list.
- Compare offers — you’ll see a range of exchange rates, including both fixed-rate offers and percentage-based offers from vendors like Raise.
- Complete the sale — click “Sell Your Card” under the offer you want, which takes you to that vendor’s site to finish the transaction and receive
Where to Sell Gift Cards Near you
Selling online isn’t for everyone — sometimes you just want to walk in somewhere, hand over your card, and walk out with cash. If that sounds like you, here are some reliable ways to find a store or local buyer near you.

15. Google Maps
Best for: Finding local kiosks you didn’t know existed
Yes, you read that correctly — Google Maps. It’s an often-overlooked way to find places that buy gift cards near you.
Here’s how to use it:
- Open Google Maps on your phone or computer.
- Search a relevant phrase — try “sell my gift card,” “who buys gift cards near me,” “sell gift cards instant payment Cash App,” or a similar variation.
- Browse the results — Google Maps will show you a list of nearby kiosks where you can exchange your gift cards for instant cash.
16. Target
Best for: Frequent Target shoppers looking to trade, not cash out
You’ve probably heard of (or even used) the Target Tech Trade-In program, where you can trade in select used electronics for a Target eGiftCard. But you may not know that Target also buys gift cards.
That’s right — Target allows you to trade in gift cards from over 600 brands in exchange for a Target gift card. A few things to keep in mind:
- It’s a trade, not cash — you won’t walk away with money, just store credit.
- Wide brand coverage — over 600 brands are eligible, so there’s a good chance your unwanted card qualifies.
- Best if you already shop at Target — since the payout is in Target gift cards, this option makes the most sense if you’re a regular Target shopper.
17. Yard Sale
Best for: Avoiding listing and commission fees
Want to get some money fast for your gift card? One option that’s often overlooked is the yard sale.
With a yard sale, you can sell your unwanted gift card to people near you. Selling online can be convenient, but it comes with hassles like listing fees and commissions. Selling at a yard sale removes those hassles, letting you keep 100% of the profit from your sale.
There is a downside, though: because people often go to yard sales looking for bargains, you may not always get the best price for your gift cards.
Still, yard sales are a great option, especially if you have other items you want to sell too. You could host a sale where you offload your gift cards alongside anything else you want to get rid of, decluttering your home while making some money in the process.
18. Buy Stuff and Flip It for a Profit
Best for: Turning your gift card into more money than its face value
This option takes more effort than most others on this list, but it can also be the most profitable. The strategy, known as retail arbitrage, involves using your gift card to buy discounted items and then reselling them for more than you paid.
Here’s how it works:
- Find a deal — use your gift card to purchase items that are on sale or discounted.
- Wait for delivery — once your products arrive, you’re ready to resell them.
- Flip for profit — list the items on sites like eBay or Facebook Marketplace at a higher price than what you paid.
For example, you could use an Amazon gift card to buy discounted products, then resell them at a markup once they arrive. Done right, this method doesn’t just get you the value of your gift card back — it can turn a profit on top of it.
19. Craigslist
Best for: Keeping 100% of your profit, no fees at all
One of the best places to sell your gift card is actually Craigslist. The main reason it’s such a strong option is that it doesn’t charge any listing fees or commissions on items you sell.
A few key points:
- Free to list — posting your gift card for sale costs nothing.
- Keep 100% of the sale — since there are no fees taken out, whatever you sell your card for is yours to keep.
- You choose the payment method — request payment however works best for you, whether that’s PayPal, cash, or another option
20. Sell or Trade the Gift Cards to Friends and Family
Best for: A fast, trustworthy sale with no fees or shipping
One of the simplest options on this list is selling your gift card to someone you already know — a friend, family member, or coworker. Chances are, someone in your circle shops at the store or eats at the restaurant your card is for.
A few reasons this option works well:
- Better prices are possible — since you already trust each other, you may be able to negotiate a better deal than you’d get from a stranger online or a gift card company.
- No fees, no shipping, no waiting — the transaction happens directly between you, so there’s nothing to slow it down.
- Trading works too — if you’d rather not sell it outright, ask if they have a gift card you’d actually use and consider a straight swap.
21. Regift Your Gift Card
Best for: Saving money on gifts you’d already be buying
If you have a gift card you don’t want, consider regifting it instead of selling it. Cards for popular retailers like Amazon or Sephora make genuinely great gifts, since most people enjoy shopping there.
Here’s how it works:
- Find the right person — think of a friend, family member, or coworker who’d actually appreciate the brand on your card.
- Save it for an occasion — regift it for their birthday, Christmas, or another special event.
- Keep the cash you’d otherwise spend — since you’re giving the card instead of buying something new, you keep the money you would have spent on their gift.
For example, if you were already planning to spend $25 on someone’s gift and you have a $25 gift card, you can hand over the card instead of spending that $25 out of your own pocket.
Bonus: Free Up Cash by Using Gift Cards for Presents
I don’t know about you, but I end up spending hundreds of dollars a year on gifts for birthdays, Christmas, and other special occasions. One simple way to cut down on that cost is to use gift cards to cover those purchases instead of spending cash.
Say you have a $100 gift card and use it to buy a few gifts — you’ve essentially freed up $100 in your bank account that you can now spend on anything you want.
Amazon gift cards work particularly well for this, since Amazon carries such a wide range of products, from clothing to electronics to books. But really, this tip applies to gift cards from almost any retailer or brand.
Here’s a rewrite of the full “Updates” section — I framed each entry in past tense since these are archived/defunct listings, kept the update callouts prominent, and fixed a formatting issue in the Giftcard Zen entry (there was a stray word “Banking” that looked like a leftover heading, and the description was written in present tense as if you could still sell cards there, which contradicts the update note saying you can’t).
Variant 1 — Structured/Scannable
Updates
A few of the platforms originally featured in this post are no longer in business or have merged with other companies. I’ve moved them here for archival purposes, along with notes on what changed.
Purse.io
Update: Purse is still around, but they’ve eliminated their “convert Amazon gift cards to Bitcoin” service.
If you collect Bitcoin and have an unwanted Amazon gift card, Purse used to let you convert Amazon gift cards or gift card balances directly into Bitcoin. You wouldn’t get traditional cash, but for crypto fans, it was a solid niche option — worth checking their site directly if you want to confirm current offerings.
Cardpool
Update: Cardpool shut down in 2021.
Cardpool was once one of the most well-known and trusted gift card exchange platforms, holding an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
Through Cardpool, you could sell gift cards for cash, and the site offered one of the best rates around — up to 92% of a card’s value, arguably making it the best place to sell gift cards at the time.
The process was simple: visit the site, select the card you wanted to sell, and receive offers. If you accepted, you’d send your card to Cardpool, and once received, you’d get paid within one business day via check.
Giftcard Zen
Update: Giftcard Zen is now RetailMeNot. You can no longer sell gift cards through the site, but you can use it to buy heavily discounted gift cards instead.
Giftcard Zen was owned by the same company behind RetailMeNot, the well-known discount and coupon site. Back when it operated as a gift card selling platform, it accepted cards from a wide range of retailers.
One drawback compared to its competitors was slow payouts. While most platforms on this list pay out within days (or instantly, in the case of companies like Coinstar Exchange), Giftcard Zen took 3 to 4 weeks to issue payment after receiving your card. That said, it made up for the wait with strong customer service and competitive percentages, which is why it was worth including at the time.
Card Hub
Update: No longer buying gift cards.
Card Hub used to let you get cash for an unwanted gift card. On the site, you could get cash for any gift card, and it was a quick process. To get started, you’d enter the following details about your card:
- Store/brand name
- The amount on it
- Expiry date
Then you’d click “Sell My Gift Card.” What was great about this company is that you could sell cards worth any amount.
Coinstar Exchange
Update: Coinstar no longer offers cash for gift card exchange services, but you can still use their kiosks to exchange coins for cash for a fee.
If you wanted to get cash for gift cards instantly, Coinstar Exchange used to be a great option to check out. It was a company with kiosks in grocery stores across the United States — easy to find, since they were bright yellow.
Through a Coinstar Exchange kiosk, you could sell gift cards for cash on the spot. All you needed to do was place your card into the machine, and you’d receive a cash offer. If you accepted, the machine printed out a voucher that you could redeem for cash instantly.
Monster Gift Card
Update: Monster Gift Card is no longer in business.
Selling a gift card through Monster Gift Card used to be simple. You’d visit the site, find your card’s retailer, and get a quote. If you accepted the offer, you’d mail your card to the company and receive payment via check.
Generally, Monster Gift Card only accepted cards worth $10 to $200. That said, the site noted that if your card was worth more than $200, they might still buy it — you’d just need to contact them directly for pre-approval.
GiftCardBin
Update: GiftCardBin is no longer in business.
GiftCardBin used to be another good option for unloading unwanted gift cards. What made it stand out was that you could sell your cards either online or in person.
To sell online, you’d fill out a request form on their website with a few basic details about your card — the retailer, expiration date, and balance. That would generate a quote. If you accepted the offer and sent in your card, GiftCardBin would verify it and issue payment via PayPal or check.
QuickCashMi
Update: It looks like QuickCashMi either sold the site or rebranded as ZealCards. I couldn’t find much information on ZealCards, so I can’t recommend it or advise against it. If you’ve had experience with it, feel free to share a short review in the comments below.
QuickCashMi used to let you get money for unwanted gift cards from a huge range of brands, including:
- Ace Hardware
- Amazon
- Bed, Bath & Beyond
- Gap
- Macy’s
- Old Navy
- Rite Aid
There were three ways to sell to the company:
- In-Person — Visit one of the company’s locations and sell your card instantly. This method got you cash fastest, but it offered the lowest payout of the three.
- Via Mail — Send your card in by mail and receive payment via check. This method offered the highest payout, but it was also the slowest, taking at least 10 business days.
- Redeem Online — Submit your gift card code online for a payout that landed in between the other two methods — more than selling in person, less than mailing it in. This was quicker than mailing, taking at least 5 business days.
According to the company, sellers could get up to 90% cash back at select merchants.
CardKangaroo
Update: It looks like the website has been sold. It’s now a gaming-related site that has nothing to do with buying or selling gift cards.
CardKangaroo used to let you get cash for your gift cards, accepting a wide range of retailers and brands, including:
- Amazon
- Banana Republic
- JC Penney
- Urban Outfitters
- Pottery Barn
The process was simple: get an offer online, then mail your card to the company. This was free to do, since CardKangaroo provided a free shipping label. If your brand wasn’t on their list, you could request a custom offer instead.
Once the company received your card, you’d get paid within 48 hours, with payouts of up to 92% cash back — a pretty strong rate. One limitation to note: CardKangaroo didn’t accept e-gift cards.
Gift Me
Update: GiftMe.com has shut down!
You used to be able to get cash for your gift card with Gift Me. Selling with this company was simple, as it featured a clean, easy-to-navigate user interface.
With Gift Me, you could track your inventory, sales, and funds easily. Once your gift card sold, you’d get paid via direct deposit or check. With this company, you were guaranteed to get paid in seven days or less.
Save Ya
Update: While updating this post, I noticed their website now returns a “Service Temporarily Unavailable (503)” error. I haven’t seen anything confirming they’ve shut down, but since the site can’t be accessed, I’m treating it as out of business for now. I’ll update this if that changes.
Save Ya used to offer two different ways to get cash for your gift cards:
List It for Sale — With this option, you set your own price, meaning you controlled what you earned. Once your card sold, you’d get paid via whichever payment method you chose.
Sell It Immediately — If you didn’t want to wait for a buyer, you could sell your card to the site instantly instead. Both new and partially used cards were accepted, and payment came right away via:
- ACH deposit
- PayPal
- Check
This method got you cash faster, but you didn’t get to set your own price.
Save Ya covered a huge selection of brands, from Barnes & Noble to Best Buy.
Cash In on Your Gift Cards!
With so many options at your fingertips, selling your gift cards has never been easier. Whether you’d rather sell online through one of the popular platforms above or find a local place to sell gift cards near you, there’s an option here that fits your needs.
I hope this guide has given you the tips and information you need to turn your unused gift cards into cash quickly and efficiently. Try a few of these options today, and make the most of your unwanted gift cards — don’t let them go to waste. Sell your gift cards for cash today!
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