You cannot add a gift card directly to a bank account, but you can move the money from a gift card into your account in a few ways
A gift card and a bank account are separate financial products. Your bank account is a deposit account held at a financial institution; a gift card is a prepaid card issued by a retailer or payment network. They do not connect to each other the way a debit card connects to a checking account.
What you can do is transfer the balance from a gift card into your bank account. The method depends on what kind of gift card you have — a retailer gift card (like Target or Amazon), a network gift card (like Visa or Mastercard), or a digital wallet gift card. Each has a different path to move that money into your bank.
The transfer itself is not instantaneous. Depending on the method, the money may take one to five business days to appear in your account. Some methods charge a small fee; others do not.
Key Takeaways
- Retailer gift cards can be converted to bank deposits through the retailer's website or app, or by selling the card balance to a reseller service.
- Network gift cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) can be added to a digital wallet and then transferred to your bank, or you can use them to pay bills online and redirect that money to savings.
- Some gift card reseller platforms will deposit cash into your bank account in exchange for your gift card balance, though they typically take a percentage.
- The fastest method is usually a digital wallet transfer, which can complete within one business day.
- Retailer-specific methods are often free, while third-party resellers typically charge 5 to 15 percent of the card balance.
Transferring a retailer gift card balance to your bank
If you have a gift card from a specific retailer — Target, Best Buy, Walmart, Amazon — the retailer's own system is usually the simplest route. Log into your account on the retailer's website or app, find the gift card section, and look for an option to "check balance" or "manage gift card." Some retailers let you transfer the remaining balance directly to a linked bank account or to store credit that you can then withdraw.
Amazon is one of the clearest examples. You can add a physical Amazon gift card to your account by entering the card number, and the balance becomes Amazon account credit. From there, you can use it to buy items and have them shipped to you, but you cannot pull the credit back out as cash into a bank account. However, if you have an Amazon Business account, you can request a refund to your original payment method in some cases.
For other retailers, the process varies. Target allows you to check your gift card balance online but does not offer a direct cash-out option. Walmart's process is similar — you can use the card in-store or online, but the balance stays on the card. If you want to convert the balance to cash, you would need to use a third-party reseller service.
Using a gift card reseller platform
Gift card reseller platforms like Raise, CardCash, and Decluttr buy unused or partially used gift cards from you and deposit cash into your bank account. The process is straightforward: you enter the card number and PIN, the platform verifies the balance, and they make you an offer based on the card type and remaining balance.
The offer is typically 70 to 95 percent of the card's face value, depending on demand for that particular card. Popular cards like Amazon or Target usually fetch higher percentages; niche retailer cards may be worth less. Once you accept the offer, the platform deposits the money into your bank account within one to three business days.
These services charge you nothing upfront — the discount is built into the offer they make. However, you are trading face value for speed and cash. If a $100 Target gift card is offered at 85 percent, you receive $85 in your bank account instead of $100 in store credit.
Converting a network gift card through a digital wallet
A network gift card — Visa, Mastercard, or American Express issued as a gift card rather than tied to a bank account — can be added to a digital wallet like Apple Pay, Google Pay, or your bank's own app. Once it is in your wallet, you can use it to make purchases anywhere that card network is accepted.
To move the balance into your bank account, you have two practical options. The first is to use the gift card to pay bills you were already planning to pay — utilities, insurance, credit card payments — and redirect the money you would have spent from your bank account into savings instead. This does not move the gift card balance directly into your account, but it frees up cash.
The second option is to use a service like PayPal or Square Cash. You can link your network gift card to these platforms and then transfer the balance to your linked bank account. The transfer usually takes one to three business days, and some services charge a small fee (typically 1 to 3 percent) for the transfer.
What happens if your gift card has a small balance left
If your gift card has only a few dollars remaining, most reseller platforms will still accept it, but the offer may be very low or they may decline altogether. A $3 balance on a $50 card is worth less effort to resell, so some platforms set a minimum balance threshold — often $5 or $10 — before they will make an offer.
In this case, your best option is usually to spend the remaining balance at the retailer itself, either in-store or online. Many retailers let you combine a gift card with another payment method, so you can use the last few dollars on the card and pay the rest with your bank account or debit card.
Fees and timing across different methods
| Method | Typical Fee | Time to Bank Account | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retailer direct transfer | None | when ready to 1 business day | Retailer-specific cards with direct cash-out option |
| Gift card reseller (Raise, CardCash) | Built into offer (15–30% discount) | 1–3 business days | Any gift card you want to convert to cash quickly |
| Digital wallet + PayPal/Square | 1–3% per transfer | 1–3 business days | Network gift cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) |
| In-store or online spend | None | N/A (balance stays on card) | When you plan to shop at that retailer anyway |
The fastest method is usually a retailer's own app or website if they offer direct transfer. Digital wallet transfers are also quick, typically completing within one business day. Reseller platforms take slightly longer — one to three business days — because they need to verify the card balance and process the deposit.
Why you cannot straightforward link a gift card as a bank account
Banks do not allow you to link a gift card as if it were a checking or savings account because gift cards are not bank accounts. A bank account is a contract between you and a financial institution that holds your money and allows you to withdraw it on demand. A gift card is a prepaid product — you have already paid for the balance, and the issuer (the retailer or payment network) holds that money until you spend it.
Additionally, gift cards and bank accounts are regulated differently. Bank accounts are covered by deposit insurance (FDIC insurance in the United States, up to $250,000 per account). Gift cards are not. This separation exists to protect both the consumer and the financial system.
Some banks do offer their own branded gift cards, and those work differently — they are essentially prepaid debit cards linked to a bank or payment processor. Those can sometimes be managed through your bank's app, but they still function as prepaid cards, not as deposit accounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a gift card to fund a bank account directly?
No. Gift cards and bank accounts are separate systems. You cannot deposit a gift card into a bank account the way you would deposit a check. You must first convert the gift card balance to cash or store credit, then move that money into your bank account through one of the methods described above.
Do I lose money when I convert a gift card to cash?
It depends on the method. If you use the retailer's own system or spend the balance at the retailer, you lose nothing. If you use a reseller platform, you typically receive 70 to 95 percent of the card's face value. Digital wallet transfers may charge a small fee of 1 to 3 percent.
How long does it take for the money to show up in my bank account?
Most methods take one to three business days. Retailer direct transfers may be when ready or next-day. Reseller platforms usually take one to three business days because they verify the balance and process the deposit. Weekends and holidays can add time.
What if my gift card is from a small retailer that no reseller platform accepts?
Spend the balance at that retailer. Reseller platforms focus on popular, high-demand cards. For niche retailers, your only option to convert the balance is to use it for purchases at that store.
Can I add a gift card to someone else's bank account?
No. Gift cards are typically non-transferable and tied to the person who received them. To give money to someone else, you would need to spend the gift card balance and transfer cash from your own bank account, or give them the physical card if the retailer allows transfers (most do not).