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- Can you return a gift card?
- Can you exchange gift card money for cash?
If you bought a gift card intending to give it to someone, only to change your mind later, you might be wondering, "Can you return gift cards?" After all, returns are usually no big deal on regular merchandise, and you'd probably rather have that cash back in your bank account instead of it sitting on an unwanted card.
Unfortunately, there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer as to whether you can return a gift card, as different stores all have their own return policies. But, even if you're not able to return the gift card, you might be able to exchange it online for a gift credit you can use. Here's what to know.
Can you return a gift card?
The ability to return a gift card depends on the store you bought it from.
A lot of retailers (like Amazon, Target, Lowe's, and Sephora) state in their terms and conditions that their gift cards, both physical and digital, are nonrefundable. And that applies even if you kept the receipt from the purchase. For the most part, companies tend not to allow the return or exchange of gift cards unless required by state law — more on that further below.
There are exceptions with certain stores, though. For example, Gap allows customers to return unused physical gift cards and cancel scheduled e-gift cards for a refund.
Can you exchange gift card money for cash?
If you can't return your gift card from the store you bought it from, you might be able to exchange it elsewhere.
Online services like Raise or CardCash let you trade in gift card money for cash or a gift credit to another store. Keep in mind that both these sites will take a percentage of your unwanted gift card amount, so you won't get back the full balance that's on your card. Here's a quick breakdown of the two services:
- Raise lets you sell your own gift card at a discount and will pay you through PayPal or direct deposit if someone buys your card.
- CardCash sells your card for you, and you can choose whether you want your refund in the form of a mailed check, PayPal Express payment, ACH payment, a prepaid Mastercard, or a gift card to a different retailer.
Another option for exchanging a gift card is to visit CVS's CardCash page. The process is nearly the same as using the standard CardCash site. You can select from over 200 eligible retailers to see what your gift card is worth in CVS e-credit, then trade it in to use at your local store.
Finally, in certain states, you can exchange your gift card balance for cash, but the payouts are very low. For example, in Colorado, there must be less than $5 on the card to cash it out. In Vermont, there must be less than $1 on it.
Need a Quick Gift? Shop These E-Gift Cards
Melanie Yates is the Senior Digital Editor at House Beautiful, where she oversees design, gardening, and home renovation content. Since joining the team in 2024, Melanie ideates, assigns, and edits digital stories from in-house and freelance writers and helps execute big-picture projects for the brand. Prior to this role, Melanie was a senior editor at Best Products for over eight years, where she launched the site’s home vertical, conducted numerous bedding product tests, wrote The Present Perfect newsletter column, and produced video tutorials on how to wrap a gift. A lifelong enthusiast of the written word, Melanie holds a BA in broadcast journalism from Hofstra University and a certificate in copyediting from UC San Diego Extension. She’s always on the lookout for the next vintage find to furnish her Queens apartment.
FAQs
The ability to return a gift card depends on the store you bought it from. A lot of retailers (like Amazon, Target, Lowe's, and Sephora) state in their terms and conditions that their gift cards, both physical and digital, are nonrefundable. And that applies even if you kept the receipt from the purchase.
Can you get a refund to a gift card? ›
Gift cards do not expire. If lost, stolen, or damaged, the card can be replaced for any remaining value if satisfactory proof of purchase is provided. However, most states have mandatory cash-back requirements that can allow you to be refunded for the remaining balance on a partially used gift card.
Can a gift receipt be refunded? ›
Gifts. Someone who receives a product as a gift has the same rights to a refund or return as a person who has bought the product directly.
Can you return an unwanted gift card? ›
Return the Gift Card to the Issuing Retailer
This is usually the preferred way to deal with unwanted gift cards. But the complication is that not all issuers make it easy to do.
Can you refund gift cards at stores? ›
Unless a Gift Card is faulty, Gift Cards and eGift Cards are non-refundable following the loading of funds onto the card. Gift Cards and eGift Cards cannot be exchanged for cash.
Can gift cards be taken back? ›
Unlike credit cards, there typically isn't any recourse for consumers when a gift card is stolen or used without authorization, so it is very hard to reverse the purchases or get a refund in these situations.
Can you return gift cards to Walmart with a receipt? ›
Nonreturnable; not for resale.
Notwithstanding anything contained in these Terms and Conditions, Walmart plastic Gift Cards and eGift Cards ("Walmart Gift Cards") are not returnable or refundable for cash except in states where required by law. Resale of Walmart Gift Cards is strictly prohibited.
Can you return a gift card with receipt? ›
The ability to return a gift card depends on the store you bought it from. A lot of retailers (like Amazon, Target, Lowe's, and Sephora) state in their terms and conditions that their gift cards, both physical and digital, are nonrefundable. And that applies even if you kept the receipt from the purchase.
Can I get a refund from a gift receipt? ›
Keep in mind even with a gift receipt that person is not going to get a cash refund, or a credit card refund," he warns. "They are going to get merchandise credit, equal to the amount the gift giver paid or they are going to get an even exchange.
Can I return a gift card and get cash back? ›
Some companies do permit returning an item for its cash value. If the card is unused, however, many companies will not allow this. Check with the store before you attempt to return the gift card for cash. You will save yourself the hassle if they do not allow it.
Specialty gift cards, pre-paid gift cards and Target GiftCards cannot be returned or redeemed for cash or credit except where required by law. This includes Target GiftCards, Visa®, Mastercard®, or American Express® Gift Card, restaurant, entertainment, lottery cards.
Can I return an unwanted gift? ›
Most shops have a returns policy, typically allowing for the return of unwanted items within 30 days, commonly on the proviso that the gifts were unused and use of the same payment method is provided to process a refund of the item (i.e., the same credit or debit card is used to process the refund) with retained ...
What to do with a gift card you don't want? ›
Here are three ideas on what to do with unwanted gift cards so they don't go unused this year.
- Sell Them Online for Cash. A unique way to get rid of unwanted gift cards is to tell them online for cash. ...
- Sell Them to a Friend. ...
- Donate or Regift Them.
Gift cards do not expire. If lost, stolen, or damaged, the card can be replaced for any remaining value if satisfactory proof of purchase is provided. However, most states have mandatory cash back requirements that can allow you to be refunded for the remaining balance on a partially used gift card.
What states are gift cards refundable? ›
In California, any balance less than $10 can be redeemed. Colorado, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, Oregon, and Washington allow cash redemption for balances less than $5.
Can you get your money back if you get gift card scammed? ›
When in contact with the gift card company, ask for your money to be returned. This is often on an individual basis, but if the money was frozen or not yet accessed by the scammer they might be able to give you your money back.
Can I get cash back on a gift card? ›
No. Cash cannot be withdrawn from a gift card, and you cannot get cash back in connection with a purchase transaction.
Can non-reloadable gift cards receive refunds? ›
Nonreloadable only means you can't got to the store and reload it with more money. Refunds will still work as normal though.
