You can move gift card money to your bank account, but the method depends on what kind of gift card you have
A gift card is a prepaid card loaded with money at a specific store or company. Your bank account is a separate place where a bank holds your money. The two don't connect automatically — you have to move the money yourself, and how you do that depends on whether the gift card is from a specific store (like Target or Starbucks) or a general payment network (like Visa or Mastercard).
If you have a network gift card — one that says Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover on it — you can often treat it like a debit card and transfer the balance to your bank account through your bank's app or website. If you have a store gift card — one that only works at one retailer — you'll need to spend it at that store first, then deposit the cash or use a different method to move the money.
Key Takeaways
- Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover gift cards can often be linked to your bank account through your bank's app or transferred using the card issuer's website.
- Store-specific gift cards (Target, Walmart, Starbucks) cannot be directly transferred to a bank account — you must spend them at that store first.
- Some gift card resale websites will buy your unused store gift cards for cash, though you'll receive less than the card's face value.
- If you link a network gift card to your bank account, treat it like any other debit card and monitor it for fraud.
How to transfer a network gift card to your bank account
Network gift cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover) work like regular debit cards. Most banks let you add any debit card to your account through their mobile app or website. Open your bank's app, look for an option to "add a card" or "link a card," and enter the gift card number, expiration date, and security code on the back — the same information you'd use to make an online purchase.
Once linked, you can transfer money from the gift card to your checking or savings account. The exact steps vary by bank, but most let you do this under a "transfer" or "move money" section. You'll select the gift card as the source and your bank account as the destination. The transfer usually takes one to three business days, depending on your bank.
Some gift card issuers also let you transfer the balance directly through their own website or app. For example, if you have a Visa gift card issued by a specific bank, you might be able to log into that bank's portal and request a transfer without involving your own bank at all. Check the back of your gift card or the receipt for instructions.
What to do with store-specific gift cards
A Target gift card, Starbucks card, or Amazon gift card cannot be transferred directly to a bank account — these cards only work at that one company. Your only options are to spend the card at that store or to sell it.
If you want to convert the card to cash, you can sell it on a gift card resale marketplace. Websites like CardCash, Raise, and Decluttr buy unused gift cards, though they pay less than the card's face value — typically 70 to 95 percent depending on the store and current demand. You'll receive payment by check, PayPal, or bank transfer within a few days to a week. The process is straightforward: you enter the card details, they verify the balance, and they send you an offer.
Another option is to spend the gift card at the store and then deposit any cash change into your bank account. If you buy something for $15 with a $25 gift card, you'll receive $10 in cash that you can deposit at an ATM or bank branch.
Why your bank might decline a gift card transfer
Some banks don't allow transfers from prepaid cards, including gift cards, because they treat them as higher-risk transactions. If your bank declines the transfer, you'll usually see an error message explaining why. Call your bank's customer service line to ask whether they support transfers from gift cards and what the reason is if they don't.
Older or regional gift cards sometimes lack the security features that modern banks expect, which can also trigger a decline. If this happens, your best option is to spend the card at the retailer or sell it through a resale site.
Protecting yourself from gift card fraud
Once you link a gift card to your bank account, monitor it the same way you would any other debit card. Check your bank statements regularly to make sure no unauthorized transfers occurred. If you notice a transfer you didn't make, contact your bank when ready — most banks have fraud protection policies that cover unauthorized transfers, though the speed of reimbursement varies.
Never share your gift card number, expiration date, or security code with anyone except your bank or the card issuer. If you're selling a gift card online, use a reputable marketplace that holds the payment until the buyer confirms the card works.
When a gift card transfer doesn't work
If your bank won't accept the transfer and the gift card issuer doesn't offer a direct transfer option, you have a few paths forward. You can spend the card at the retailer and deposit any cash change. You can sell the card through a resale marketplace, accepting a lower payout. Or you can give the card to someone else to use.
Some people also use gift cards to pay bills online if the biller accepts card payments — this doesn't put money in your bank account, but it frees up cash you would have spent anyway. Check whether your utility company, insurance provider, or other regular payees accept prepaid cards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer a gift card balance to someone else's bank account?
No. Gift cards are tied to the card itself, not to a person. You can give the physical card to someone else to use, or you can sell it to a resale marketplace, but you cannot move the balance to another person's bank account directly.
What if my gift card has a small balance left on it?
Small balances are often not worth selling through a resale site because the payout will be very low. Your best option is to spend the remaining balance at the store, combine it with cash or another payment method, or give the card to someone who shops there regularly.
Do I need to pay taxes on gift card money I transfer to my bank account?
No. A gift card is your own money that someone gave you — transferring it to your bank account is not taxable income. You only owe taxes on interest or rewards you earn after the money is in your account.
Can I use a gift card to open a bank account?
No. Banks require an initial deposit from a real bank account, debit card, or cash. You cannot open an account using a gift card as your first deposit, but you can use a gift card to fund an account after it's already open.
What happens if I lose a gift card I linked to my bank account?
Contact your bank when ready and ask them to remove the card from your account. Most banks can deactivate linked cards quickly. If someone used the card before you reported it, contact your bank's fraud department — you may be reimbursed depending on your bank's policy and how quickly you reported the loss.