When you receive a gift card you don’t want, don’t let it sit there and go to waste. You can cash it out for cold, hard cash.
For example, if you get a Home Depot gift card but don’t have any upcoming home projects, a friend might be willing to buy it off of 문화상품권현금화 you. You can also sell your cards online or at a gift card exchange kiosk.
1. Sell it to a friend
A quick way to get cash is to trade it with a friend. You may not get the exact amount of money you want, but if you can barter for something else you both need, it could be worth it.
There are also online sites and apps that will buy your gift card for cash. These typically take a cut of the value, but they can be easy and convenient.
Some options include GiftCash and Raise. These websites allow you to enter your gift card and its balance, and then they offer you an instant offer. They pay up to 93% of the card’s value, and they buy cards from a wide range of merchants. The most popular stores, like Target and Walmart, usually offer the highest payouts.
2. Sell it to a store
If you have a gift card to a store you really don’t like or have any intention of using, you can sell it to the store for cash. Just type the brand name of your card into the box on this website, and it will let you know what stores are willing to buy them.
Generally, you won’t get the full value of your gift card back in cash, but you can still get a decent amount of money for them. You may need to wait a few days for the payment to arrive, depending on the reseller you choose and how they send the funds.
Another option is to try a local kiosk that will take your gift cards in exchange for cash. Just search “gift card kiosk” on Google Maps to find one near you.
3. Donate it to a charity
While regifting unwanted gift cards is always an option, sometimes it’s more satisfying to give the card directly to a charity. For example, nonprofit CharityChoice allows you to turn your gift card balance into a donation to more than 1,000 charities. While these third-party groups typically take a small portion of the donation for their services, they can help you donate your card balance to a specific organization that supports causes you care about.
A quick Google search can find a wide range of charities that accept gift cards, including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which is looking for both fully and partially unused cards. You can even pool your gift cards with friends and family to make a larger donation. This is an excellent way to spread the cheer during the holidays and throughout the year.
4. Use it to pay down credit card debt
Gift cards are popular gifts but they can also be a great way to manage money. Using them to pay down credit card debt can help you budget and maintain control of your finances.
One popular site, CardCash, allows you to trade in your gift cards for other cards from specific retailers. For example, an Amazon gift card could get you up to 11% more value than if you cashed it out for cash.
If you use a gift card to pay down your credit card, be sure to track the remaining balance regularly. Also consider setting up account notifications to stay on top of any changes or suspicious activity. Lastly, a smart option is to transfer your gift card balance into an investment account, which can grow over time.
5. Sell it online
If you’re holding onto unused gift cards, there are some online sites that will give you cold, hard cash for them. Some of the best options include Gift Deals, PrePaid2Cash, and CardSell.
Just enter the brand of your card and how much it has on it, and you’ll receive an offer — which can vary widely depending on supply and demand. You can also choose to sell it for a store credit or to someone else on the site.
Some websites require you to mail in physical cards to get paid, which can tack on days or weeks to the process. For faster turnarounds, consider choosing a site that offers PayPal or other digital payments. CardSell, for example, will send you a payment within 48 hours of a successful sale.