Gift Card Exchange Options For One You No Longer Want

Even the best gift givers can miss the mark. If you've got a gift card you don't want — or one with a leftover balance — don't let it go to waste. You have options, from exchanging it online, making a friendly trade or donating to charity.

Exchange gift cards online

Gift card exchange sites are websites where consumers can list their unwanted or partially used gift card for sale or shop for a discounted card from someone else. The downside? You might not get face value, especially if the gift card is from a less popular store or brand.

At CardCash, gift cards can be purchased at a discount, sold or traded. Other gift card exchange sites include Raise and Gift Card Outlets.

Get cash for your unused gift card balance

Check for state “cash out” laws that let you get cash for remaining gift card balances. For instance, in California, “any gift certificate with a cash value of less than ten dollars ($10) is redeemable in cash for its cash value,” according to the California Legislative Information website.

Check to see if your state has a similar law. If it does, you should be able to ask a retailer to trade the remaining gift card balance for cash if it’s under the threshold.

A note about gift card exchange kiosks

In your search to find options to get money for your unused gift cards, you might come across the term “gift card exchange kiosks.”

These kiosks, from brands like Coinstar and CardCash, allowed you to redeem gift cards for store credit or cash. They were typically found in malls, grocery stores, pharmacies and major retailers. However, most of these options are now defunct, likely due to the rise in more convenient online options.

Although stores like Walmart and Target used to offer gift card exchanges, those policies no longer exist.

Make a trade or get creative with gift cards

Sometimes a simple trade with a friend, family member or coworker can be the easiest way to get a gift card for a store or service you like.

You might also consider selling your gift card at a small discount to interested parties on Facebook marketplace or neighborhood groups. Just be sure to schedule the exchange at a safe location.

If an exchange or trade isn’t possible, think of creative ways to make the money on the gift card count. You could use it to buy gifts for others — upcoming birthdays, holidays or teacher gifts are some options — or buy an item that you can resell for cash.

If the unwanted gift card is for a larger retailer, you could use it to stock up on essentials.

Donate your gift card to charity

Won’t use the gift card and don’t need the cash? You can regift the card or donate it to a good cause.

CharityChoice, an organization operated by a nonprofit, allows you to donate the balance of an unwanted retail gift card to your choice of more than 2,500 charities through its gift donation portal. You also can try contacting charities directly to see if they accept gift card donations.

Watch out for gift card exchange scams

Selling, exchanging or purchasing a card is convenient, but you should always read up on a site before transacting. Some ads from private sellers on sites like Craigslist promise fully loaded cards and deliver empty or mostly used ones instead.

Look for a post-purchase guarantee to ensure cards are legitimate.

The FDIC offers tips to avoid gift card scams, such as:

• Buy gift cards from reputable sites.

• Check that the codes and PIN are intact before purchasing a gift card from a retailer.

• Read the fine print on your gift card and activate it when you receive it, if possible. This may help if your card is lost or stolen.

Want to give a gift card? Here are a few tips

Avoid placing your friends and family in a position where they need to map out a gift card exchange by selecting your gifts carefully.

Aside from opting for a store you know they like, the Federal Trade Commission suggests taking the financial situation of the retailer into account. If a business files for bankruptcy, the gift recipient may be left in limbo.

It’s also important to keep the receipt and give it — along with the gift card — so the receiver has the verification of purchase.

Sometimes gift cards aren’t properly loaded at the register and when you go to use them, they appear empty. Having this verification of purchase allows the receiver to get the amount you designated.

» Gift card vs. prepaid credit card? Use this article to help you decide

Remember, gift cards can expire

For those wondering whether gift cards expire, the answer varies depending on the vendor. However, legally, a gift card must stretch at least five years from the date it was activated. To be on the safe side, it’s advisable you check for the expiration date and any inactivity fees as soon as you get the gift card.