Gift cards, while often thoughtful, aren’t always the perfect present. If you’re holding onto a gift card you know you won’t use, don’t let it gather dust. Instead, you can easily Sell Gift Cards Online and convert that plastic into spendable cash. Several online marketplaces specialize in buying unwanted gift cards, offering a convenient way to recoup some value from gifts that miss the mark.
Top Platforms to Sell Your Gift Cards Online
The internet offers a variety of platforms designed to help you sell gift cards online. These sites act as intermediaries, connecting sellers like you with buyers looking for discounted gift cards. While the process is generally straightforward, different platforms have varying fee structures, payout rates, and levels of convenience. Here we explore two popular options: GCX (Raise) and CardCash.
GCX (Raise): A Marketplace Approach
GCX, a subsidiary of Raise, operates as a gift card marketplace. This means you, as the seller, list your gift card and set your own discounted price. Think of it like eBay, but specifically for gift cards. You have control over the discount you offer, allowing you to potentially attract buyers by offering a more competitive price. You can browse existing listings for similar gift cards to gauge the market and price yours accordingly. However, with GCX, you are responsible for the selling process and only receive payment once your gift card is purchased.
While GCX provides a platform and handles the transaction, they do charge a 15% fee for using their service to sell gift cards online. This fee is deducted from your sale price, meaning the maximum you can expect to receive is 85% of the gift card’s face value. While this fee is on the higher end compared to some competitors, GCX boasts a strong reputation and established user base, which can be appealing for first-time sellers who prioritize security and platform reliability when they sell gift cards online. GCX offers payout via ACH direct deposit and PayPal, providing flexible options for receiving your funds.
CardCash: Quick and Direct Selling
For those seeking a faster and more hands-off approach to sell gift cards online, CardCash presents a compelling alternative. Unlike GCX, CardCash buys gift cards directly from you. You simply enter the gift card details on their website, and they provide an immediate offer. If you accept, CardCash verifies the card and processes your payment. This eliminates the waiting period associated with marketplace selling, making it a quicker way to turn your gift cards into cash.
CardCash generally offers higher returns than GCX, advertising payouts of up to 92% of the gift card value. However, the actual percentage you receive varies significantly depending on the retailer. For example, a $100 Walmart gift card might fetch $85.50, while an Apple Store card might only get you $77.50, and a Microsoft card even less. These rates fluctuate based on CardCash’s current inventory and demand for specific brands.
A notable advantage of CardCash is their broad acceptance of gift cards. They generally accept gift cards from a wide range of merchants, exceeding the list of many competitors. While they adhere to standard industry practices, such as rejecting expired or promotional cards with specific usage restrictions, CardCash is more likely to accept gift cards from less common retailers. Even if these less popular cards yield a lower return, CardCash offers a convenient avenue to get some value back when you sell gift cards online that might not be accepted elsewhere.
Beyond cash payouts, CardCash also offers the option to trade your gift cards for other gift cards. Choosing this trade-in option can boost your value by up to 11% compared to a cash payout. Popular trade-in choices often include retailers like Amazon, Airbnb, and Chewy. Trading for an Amazon gift card, in particular, can be a practically cash-equivalent option due to Amazon’s vast product selection, providing a strategic way to still utilize unwanted gift card value.
Tips for Maximizing Your Gift Card Value When Selling Online
To ensure you get the best possible return when you sell gift cards online, consider these helpful tips:
Compare Offers Across Platforms
Don’t settle for the first offer you see. Just as CardCash and GCX offer different payout structures, rates can vary across all platforms. Take the time to check multiple websites to compare offers for your specific gift card. This simple step can significantly impact the amount of cash you receive. Shopping around is crucial to maximizing your return when you sell gift cards online.
Consider Trading for Different Gift Cards
If you are open to using a gift card from a different retailer, explore the trade-in options offered by platforms like CardCash. Trading for a gift card you will actually use can often yield a higher value than a cash payout. This is particularly beneficial if you frequently shop at popular retailers like Amazon, as these gift cards are practically as versatile as cash.
Factor in Fees and Payout Methods
Be mindful of the fees charged by different platforms. GCX’s 15% fee is a significant factor to consider. CardCash’s rates are variable but can be more competitive. Also, consider the payout methods offered. ACH direct deposit and PayPal are common and convenient, but ensure they align with your preferences when you sell gift cards online.
Buying Discounted Gift Cards: A Smart Shopper’s Secret
The same platforms that facilitate selling gift cards also offer the opportunity to buy discounted gift cards. Savvy shoppers can leverage these marketplaces to purchase gift cards for their favorite stores at below face value. If you regularly shop at a particular retailer, buying discounted gift cards is an excellent strategy to save money.
When purchasing discounted gift cards, consider using a credit card that maximizes your rewards. While gift card marketplace purchases may not fall into bonus categories, using a credit card with a solid flat-rate cash back on all purchases, like the Citi Double Cash® Card, Chase Freedom Unlimited®, or Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, ensures you earn rewards on every dollar spent.
[
Citi Double Cash® Card](https://oc.brcclx.com/t?lid=26664494)CNBC Select Rating
5.0
On Citi’s site
CNBC Select Rating
5.0
On Citi’s site
Spotlight
Receive a 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers.
Credit score
Fair to Excellent580–850
Regular APR
18.24% – 28.24% variable
Annual fee
$0
Welcome bonus
Earn $200 cash back
See rates and fees, terms apply.
Read our Citi Double Cash® Card review.
Our expert take
The Citi Double Cash® Card is one of the best no-annual-fee cash-back cards thanks to its straightforward rewards structure.
More details
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select’s editorial staff.
- Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, a special travel offer, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25.
- Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.24% – 28.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Balance transfer fee
There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. A balance transfer fee of 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies if completed after 4 months of account opening.
Foreign transaction fee
3%
[
Chase Freedom Unlimited®](https://oc.brcclx.com/t?lid=26664483)CNBC Select Rating
5
On Chase’s site
CNBC Select Rating
5
On Chase’s site
Spotlight
New cardholders receive a 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers.
Credit score
Good to Excellent670–850
Regular APR
19.49% – 28.24% variable
Annual fee
$0
Welcome bonus
Intro Offer: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back
Member FDIC. Terms apply.
Read our Chase Freedom Unlimited® review.
Our expert take
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a no-annual-fee card that earns generous cash-back on everyday purchases and a lucrative welcome bonus.
More details
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select’s editorial staff.
- Intro Offer: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) – worth up to $300 cash back!
- Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
- After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.49% – 28.24%.
- No annual fee – You won’t have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
- Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Intro fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, in the first 60 days. After that, either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Foreign transaction fee
3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
On Wells Fargo’s site
-
Rewards
Unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
-
Welcome bonus
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
-
Annual fee
$0
-
Intro APR
0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers.
-
Regular APR
19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR
-
Balance transfer fee
Intro balance transfer fee of 3% for 120 days from account opening, then up to 5%, min: $5
-
Foreign transaction fee
3%
-
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
See rates and fees, terms apply.
Frequently Asked Questions About Selling Gift Cards
Do Coinstar machines buy gift cards?
No, Coinstar no longer offers gift card exchange services as Coinstar Exchange has been discontinued.
What gift cards does Prepaid2Cash accept?
Prepaid2Cash generally accepts prepaid cards branded with MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover, as well as gift cards (both physical and electronic) from numerous popular retailers, including Starbucks, Walmart, and Best Buy. According to their website, gift card balances must be between $25 and $1,000, and the cards must not have any restrictions. Prepaid2Cash typically does not accept registered cards, non-transferable cards, promotional cards, paper cards, cards with dormancy fees, or merchandise credits that expire.
Does Cash App buy gift cards?
No, Cash App does not currently offer a service to buy gift cards for cash.
How quickly does CardCash pay you?
CardCash typically processes payments within one to two business days after your order is approved, according to their website FAQs.
Subscribe to the CNBC Select Newsletter!
Money matters — so make the most of it. Get expert tips, strategies, news and everything else you need to maximize your money, right to your inbox. Sign up here.
Why Trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our goal is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice to empower informed financial decisions. Our articles are built upon rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of financial products. While CNBC Select may earn commissions from affiliate partnerships on certain offers and links, our editorial content is created independently, without input from our commercial team or external third parties. We uphold strong journalistic standards and ethics in all our content creation.
Explore CNBC Select’s in-depth coverage of credit cards, banking and money, and connect with us on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.
Read More
The best browser extensions that find coupons at checkout so you can save on every purchase
The best credit card for people who love shopping on Amazon
Save on essentials with the best credit cards for maximizing everyday purchases
Tricked by a gift card scam? You may be able to get your money back
Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are solely those of the Select editorial staff and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by any third party.
