Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on The Penny Hoarder.
Selling gift cards is generally safest and most convenient through online marketplaces, while local buyers sometimes offer more money but require extra legwork. Gift cards often resell for about 60% to 90% of their face value, depending on the brand and where you list them.
We bet that somewhere in your junk drawer or buried in your email you have gift cards you’re never going to use. No matter the reason it goes unused, gift cards have real cash value, and you can usually recover a good portion of it.
Here’s how to figure out which route makes sense for your card.
The Fastest Way to Sell Gift Cards for Cash
If speed is the priority, online gift card exchange sites are your best bet. Many offer instant quotes and can put money in your PayPal account within a day or two. Most accept both physical and digital cards, and they’ll usually walk you through the selling process.
When comparing platforms, look for:
A quote tool that shows your estimated payout
Payment that arrives within a day or two, not weeks
A clear timeline so you’ll know when payment will arrive
Support for your gift card type (digital vs. physical)
If you genuinely need cash today, a local sale might get you there faster. But it comes with more friction and risk. For most people, online is the sweet spot.
How Much Can You Sell a Gift Card For?
Most gift cards resell for 60% to 90% of their face value. The range is wide because payout depends heavily on two factors: brand popularity and how you’re selling.
An Amazon card is easy to move at a good price because almost everyone shops there. A specialty boutique card, on the other hand, is harder to place and usually sells for less.
Typical Gift Card Resale Payouts by Method
Selling Method
Typical Payout
Speed
Risk Level
Best For
Instant-offer sites
65%–85%
Same day to two days
Low–Medium
Fast payout
Peer marketplace
75%–90%
Several days
Medium
Higher payout
Local buyers
70%–95%
Same day
Medium–High
Cash in hand
Example: Selling a $100 Gift Card
Brand matters when it comes to selling gift cards for cash. To put it in real numbers: a $100 card from a major retailer like Walmart could net you $85 or more, while the same amount on a niche brand might only fetch $60 or $70. Locals will occasionally pay more, but finding the right buyer takes time you likely don’t have.
Compare at least two platforms before you decide.
Best Websites to Sell Gift Cards Online
Most online gift card resale sites accept both physical and digital cards, and many can have money in your account within a day or two. It’s ideal for those who’d rather skip the in-person awkwardness and get paid from their couch. Just make sure to verify the current offer before you submit, because rates can change frequently.
Here are some of the best gift card resale sites to try out.
CardCash (Best for Popular Brands)
CardCash is a solid pick if you’re selling major retail cards. You can get a quote in minutes, and it works whether your card is digital or physical.
Typical payout: Around 70%–90%
Payment methods: PayPal, ACH deposit, check or an eGift card to a different vendor
Speed: 1–3 business days after approval
Pros
Instant quote tool removes guesswork
Accepts physical and digital cards
Cons
Niche brands get lower offers
Identity verification may be required
Best for: Anyone with a mainstream retail card who wants a fast, no-hassle offer.
Gift Card Exchange (Best for Setting Your Own Price)
The Gift Card Exhange (formerly Raise) is a good option if you don’t need cash right away. You list your card at your own price rather than accepting the price a platform offers, which can bring a noticeably better return.
Typical payout: 75%–90% (before fees)
Payment methods: Direct deposit, PayPal or check
Speed: After buyer purchase
Pros
You control the listing price
Higher earning potential than instant-offer sites
Cons
No guarantee of a quick sale
There’s a long list of brands not accepted
Seller fees reduce net payout
Best for: Sellers who want to maximize their return and aren’t on a tight timeline.
GiftCash (Best for Reliable Offers)
GiftCash keeps things simple: get a quote, submit your card and get paid. It’s a good option when you want cash quickly with minimal back-and-forth.
Typical payout: 65%–85%
Payment methods: Direct deposit, cryptocurrency (additional fees)
Speed: Typically within 5-10 business days
Pros
Simple, streamlined process
Reliable rates that you can see immediately
Cons
Payout time trails behind peer marketplaces
Best for: Anyone who’d rather have cash in hand than hold out for a better offer.
Gameflip (Best for Gaming Gift Cards)
If your card is for Steam, Xbox, Nintendo or another gaming platform, Gameflip is worth a look. The buyer base is built specifically for digital and gaming-related cards.
Typical payout: Up to 90% before fees
Payment methods: Direct deposit, Bitcoin, Skrill or Payoneer
Speed: After buyer confirmation
Pros
Strong demand for gaming and digital cards
No shipping required for digital codes
Cons
Seller fees cut into your payout
Requires active list management
Best for: Anyone sitting on a gaming or digital card who wants close to full value.
Best Places to Sell Gift Cards Near You
Prefer cash in hand? Local options can work, but they require extra caution. Here’s what to know before you start meeting strangers to sell your gift cards.
Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace gives you access to local buyers who may be willing to pay close to face value, especially for popular brands. Typical payout is 80%–95%, and you’ll get a fairly quick turnaround, provided you’re able to find a buyer. That said, gift card scams run rampant on this platform, so don’t share any card numbers or PINs until payment is fully confirmed.A few options if you go this route:
Choose a busy, public location for the handoff
Cash is the safest bet — digital payments can be reversed after the fact
Keep the card number and PIN to yourself until the deal is complete
Local Classifieds
Craigslist and local classified advertising opportunities can connect you with nearby cash buyers. The typical payout is between 70% and 90%, but payout can be a little slower, depending on the number of eager buyers in your area. The golden rule of classified ads is to never agree to wire transfers, mailed checks or anything that requires you to hand over the card first. Always meet in person and require payment in cash before releasing the card.
Pawn Shops
Pawn shops are an option, but not a great one. The typical payout is only 50% to 70%, but you can expect an instant payout. Call ahead to make sure they buy gift cards and ask what identification they’ll require.
Friends and Family
If someone in your circle shops at that store, they may be your best local option. Offer the card at a small discount — say 10% off — and you both win. The payout amount depends on the people involved, but you can get between 90% and 100% by going this route. This works especially well for popular retailers like Target and Amazon.
Can You Sell Visa, Mastercard or American Express Gift Cards?
You can sell Visa, Mastercard and American Express gift cards, but there are some caveats.
Prepaid cards from Visa, Mastercard and American Express are harder to move than retail gift cards because they carry more fraud risk. That means lower payouts, stricter identification requirements and some platforms that simply won’t touch them.
It’s worth doing a quick check of a site’s terms before you list.
Should You Sell or Trade Your Gift Card?
Selling your gift card comes at a cost — typically 10% to 40% of the card’s face value. If that stings, trading it might be worth exploring first. You won’t get money in your bank account, but you could walk away with a card you’ll actually use.
Some ways to make a trade work include:
Offer it to a friend at a small discount
Exchange for a different retailer card on a gift card exchange platform
Trade for another gift card on a local marketplace
If cash is what you need, sell. If you just want to shop somewhere else, trading is almost always the better deal.
How to Avoid Gift Card Scams
Gift card scams are unfortunately common, and the pattern is almost always the same. Someone wants the card number before you’ve confirmed payment.
Other red flags include:
Someone pressuring you to decide before you’ve had time to think it over
A buyer who “accidentally” overpays and asks you to send money back
Payment methods that offer no recourse if something goes wrong, including crypto and wire transfers
Anyone who acts suspicious when you ask straightforward questions about payment
Platforms that hold funds in escrow until verification is complete are safer than straight peer-to-peer sales. When in doubt, stick to established sites.
Why Gift Card Resale Prices Change
How much you can sell your gift cards for depends on a few factors. The amount may go up or down because of:
Supply spikes right after the holidays, so you may not get as much for them because there’s more to go around
Brands themselves can go in and out of demand
Someone may be willing to pay more for a digital gift card vs. a physical one and vice versa
They may be harder to sell when there’s an uptick in gift card scams and fraud
Step-by-Step: How to Sell a Gift Card Online
Selling a gift card is almost always quick and painless. Listing the card usually takes less than 10 minutes, with payment arriving within one to three business days.
Keep an eye on the payment window and don’t hesitate to reach out to the platform if you have concerns.
Start by checking your card’s remaining balance. You’ll need that number to get an accurate quote.
Shop around before committing. A quick check across two or three platforms can make a difference in your final payout.
Pick the payment method that works best for you. PayPal is usually the quickest way to get your money.
Enter your card information and be ready to verify your identity if the platform asks.
