How To Sell Gift Cards Online – Step-by-Step Guide

Looking for information on how to sell gift cards online? You’ve come to the right place.

While it’s really the thought that counts, sometimes, a gift card just doesn’t hit the mark. If you find yourself loaded down with dozens of gift cards you know you’ll never use – something that’s all too common after the gifting frenzy of the holidays! – then it might be time to offload some of those unwanted gifts.

Whether the gift cards are for a restaurant you never dine at or a store that’s not in your area, there’s no reason to hang on to a gift card you know you won’t use.

In this guide, we’ll go over some tips for how to sell gift cards – and even a few alternatives to consider if you decide that selling isn’t right for you. So, let’s get started!

How to Sell Gift Cards Safely

Did you know that approximately 6% of all gift cards that are sold are never actually used? If you don’t use the gift card within a few months of receiving it, then the chances are pretty high that you never will. 

Because of this, it’s a good idea to sell the card rather than to shove it into a drawer where it will never be seen again. Most of the time, you won’t get full value for the gift card, but it’s better than not using it and letting it go to waste. 

There are a few online shops where you can sell gift cards to others who are looking for a deal. However, it’s important to keep safety in mind as you get started with this endeavor.

Ask – How Will I Get Paid?

The first question to ask if you are interested in a gift card exchange program or you want to sell gift cards online is how you will get paid. 

Most online gift card companies pay out via PayPal, a check in the mail, or even direct deposit. Some even allow you to “trade-in” your gift card for another gift card that might be useful. 

Look for a website that offers the best payment method for your needs. 

Where to Sell Unwanted Gift Cards

Hoping to offload some of those unwanted gift cards you received for your birthday or the holidays? There are quite a few options out there for exchanging or selling gift cards. We’ve found some of the top options for you to consider.

1. CardSell

CardSell offers e-gift and physical gift cards from more than 250 different retailers, including restaurants, movie theaters, and stores. 

It’s also a great place to unload some of those unwanted gift cards cluttering up your wallet. You will just need to enter the card code, balance, and brand of your gift card. After your information has been verified, CardSell will make you an offer. 

There’s even an app you can use!

2. Raise

Raise is another place where you can get rid of unwanted gift cards – and this company serves as a larger marketplace for buying and selling gift cards for free. Raise allows you to set the price. 

However, you do have to wait for the card to sell, so you’re taking on some risk. You’ll get a 15% fee deducted from the sale and then you’ll be paid via check, PayPal, or direct deposit. 

3. Gift Card Granny

This adorably named website offers users a great way to get rid of their unwanted gift cards. All you have to do is enter the brand and balance of your gift card on the website. You will get payment as soon as your card arrives at the headquarters. 

4. CardCash

CardCash will purchase gift cards from a vast array of retailers, allowing you to receive up to 92% of your card’s ultimate value – in cash! You can also trade your gift card in for a different gift card if you want to retain more value from the card. 

5. GameFlip

GameFlip prides itself on being the “safest way to sell gift cards for cash” and while the other alternatives we’ve told you about are also quite safe, it’s important to note that this website goes to great lengths to make sure your information stays safe and that you are protected from fraud.

You’ll receive payout within just a few days and there’s even an app you can use to list gift cards, too.

Watch Out For Fraud and Scams

Be mindful of the potential for fraud and scams when selling gift cards online. Using one of the retailers recommended above is a good idea, as is receiving a pay out via PayPal instead of directly into your bank account.

Another tip? When you’re selling gift cards online, you may want to avoid eBay. eBay has a reputation for being one of the best places to buy and sell things online but the exception is gift cards. You’ll have to price things relatively high in order to make up for the website’s insertion fees, performance fees, and final value fees – plus you’ll pay a fee to cash out via PayPal. 

Instead, use an online exchange site to get more out of your gift card. 

Other Options for Getting Rid of Gift Cards

Selling gift cards online for cash isn’t your only option if you have a gift card for a store you don’t shop at. Consider these alternatives to get some value out of your gift cards – even if that doesn’t mean money, exactly.

Regifting

Regifting is one of the most common alternatives to selling unwanted gift cards. By giving an unwanted gift card as a gift to another person (ideally, a person who might like the brand or store better than you do) you can get some value out of the card. Plus, you won’t have to buy another gift for them! 

However, when you regift a gift card, it’s important that you only do so if you remember not to give it to the same person who already gifted it to you. It’s even better if you avoid giving the gift card to somebody who is in the same social circle as the original gifter (so if you received the gift card from a coworker, consider giving it to a family member or vice versa).

That way, you won’t have to worry about committing any social faux paus – or any awkwardness! 

Returning

Some retailers will allow you to return unused gift cards, though this is rare. It’s worth checking to see if this is something that they offer, though.

Some stores accept unused gift cards as long as they are completely unused and you have the original purchase receipt (this can be awkward to ask for from the recipient!). Target is an example of a store that has this kind of return policy. 

Donate

Of course, you can always donate some of your old gift cards, too. Cardcash will allow you to donate unused gift cards as will places like Charity Choice and GiftCards4Change.

You can also donate with nonprofits like CharityGiftCertificates.org and GiftCardBank.org. Sometimes, schools, shelters,s or local churches will even accept unwanted gift cards. 

Sell What You Buy

A final option for using up unwanted gift cards – though albeit one that’s significantly more labor-intensive – is to use the gift cards to buy things you don’t want and then sell those products. You can use sites like eBay or Amazon, or many others. This can take some time but if you really want to offload all those gift cards, it’s worth the effort.

Sell Gift Cards to Regain Some Space in Your Wallet

Let’s face it – although a gift card is a great alternative to giving money as a gift, sometimes, the gift giver just doesn’t put enough thought into whether the gift card is for a brand, service, or company that you might actually get some use out of. 

In that case, you need to find a way to get some value from your gift without the gift giver knowing – and risking you coming off as rude. 

Choose one of the options we’ve told you about above if you’ve decided you are interested in selling gift cards online and you can’t go wrong. 

FAQ: Selling Gift Cards

How can I get cash for gift cards immediately?

The easiest way to get cash for gift cards is to find a gift card exchange kiosk. These used to be owned by Coinstar but are now independently operated – and will instantly give you an offer for your gift card in the form of cash. You won’t get the full value of hte card but you’ll be able to get rid of it immediately (a serious plus). 

How can I sell gift cards online?

The easiest way to sell gift cards online is to do so via one of the websites we told you about above. Consider options like CardCash, CardSell, and Gift Card Granny to sell your gift cards back and get some money for what you don’t want to use.

Is it illegal to sell gift cards?

It is completely legal to sell gift cards. It’s just like selling any other kind of property, like a book or article of clothing. You can’t make copies of the gift card to sell – that would be considered a form of counterfeiting and definitely be illegal – but selling gift cards you don’t want is totally fine. 

How do I sell a gift card to PayPal?

You can exchange a gift card for a PayPal balance by visiting CardCash. This will allow you to get rid of unwanted gift cards and get money for PayPal in return.