Most gift cards cannot be transferred directly to a bank account, but you have other ways to convert them to cash

A gift card is a prepaid card issued by a specific store or company. Your bank account is a separate financial product held at a bank or credit union. The two systems do not connect directly, so you cannot straightforward move money from a gift card into your checking or savings account the way you might transfer money between two bank accounts.

However, you have real options to turn a gift card into cash or bank account money. Some work better than others depending on what kind of gift card you have and how much you need the money.

Key Takeaways

  • Gift cards issued by Visa, Mastercard, or American Express can often be linked to a digital wallet or payment app, which can then transfer money to your bank account.
  • Store gift cards (like Target or Walmart) cannot be transferred to your bank account directly, but you can spend them in-store or online, then use your bank card for other purchases.
  • Third-party resale websites buy gift cards at a discount, deposit cash to your bank account, but typically pay 70 to 90 percent of the card's face value.
  • Some banks and payment apps let you add a Visa or Mastercard gift card as a payment method, which effectively converts it to spendable funds.

How bank-branded gift cards work differently from store cards

A bank-branded gift card — one issued by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover — functions like a debit card. It has its own card number and can be used anywhere that brand is accepted. These cards often come with a PIN and can sometimes be added to digital payment systems like Apple Pay, Google Pay, or PayPal.

A store gift card — issued directly by Target, Walmart, Amazon, or another retailer — only works at that store or its affiliated locations. It cannot be added to a digital wallet or linked to your bank account because it is not a payment network card. It is a credit balance held by that store.

This distinction matters because it determines which conversion methods are available to you.

Converting a Visa, Mastercard, or American Express gift card

If your gift card has a Visa, Mastercard, or American Express logo, you have the most options. The simplest route is to add it to a digital payment app you already use.

Open Apple Pay, Google Pay, or your bank's mobile app and look for an option to add a card. Enter the gift card number, expiration date, and CVV (the three-digit security code on the back). Once added, you can use that app to pay for purchases at any store that accepts that payment method. This does not move money to your bank account, but it lets you spend the gift card balance without carrying the physical card.

If you want actual cash in your bank account, you can link the gift card to PayPal or a similar money transfer service. Add the card to your PayPal wallet, then transfer the balance to your linked bank account. PayPal typically processes this within one to three business days. Some other payment apps like Square Cash or Venmo offer similar features, though policies vary.

Another option is to use the gift card to purchase something you would normally buy, then return it for a refund to your bank account. This only works if the retailer accepts returns and refunds to a different payment method than the original purchase — policies vary widely.

What to do with store-specific gift cards

A Target, Walmart, or Amazon gift card cannot be moved to your bank account because it is not a payment network card. However, you can spend it and redirect your own money.

If you have a $50 Walmart gift card and need cash, you could use the gift card to buy groceries or household items you would buy anyway, then use your bank debit card for other purchases that month. This frees up $50 of your own money to use elsewhere. It is not the same as converting the card to cash, but it achieves the same practical result.

Some Walmart and Target locations allow you to use a gift card to purchase a Visa or Mastercard gift card at the register. You would then follow the steps above to move that Visa card to your bank account. However, this usually costs a fee (typically $2 to $5), so you lose money in the process.

Using third-party gift card resale websites

Websites like CardCash, Raise, and Decluttr buy gift cards from people and resell them. You list your gift card, they verify it has the balance you claim, and they deposit cash to your bank account or send you a check.

The catch is that these sites pay less than face value. A $100 gift card might sell for $70 to $90, depending on the card type and current demand. Store gift cards typically sell for less than bank-branded cards. The site takes a commission, and the buyer is paying less because they are purchasing secondhand.

The process usually takes one to two weeks from the time you ship the card to the time money reaches your account. You will need to provide your bank account details or mailing address. Read the site's terms carefully — some require you to provide proof that you own the card, and scams exist on both sides of these marketplaces.

Why you might not want to convert a gift card to cash

Converting a gift card to cash almost always costs you money or time. Third-party resale sites pay 70 to 90 cents on the dollar. Fees for purchasing a Visa card with a store gift card can run $2 to $5. Even using PayPal or a digital wallet involves waiting for transfers to process.

If you do not need the money when ready, spending the gift card on something you would buy anyway is usually the simplest choice. If you do need cash and the card is from a store you do not shop at, a resale site may be worth the discount.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a gift card to pay my bank account bill or credit card?

No. A gift card cannot be used to make payments on a bank account or credit card. You would need to convert it to cash or spend it on something else first. Some payment apps let you link a gift card and use it to pay bills, but the gift card itself is not a payment method your bank recognizes.

What happens if I add a gift card to PayPal but it has less than $1 left?

PayPal will accept the transfer of any amount, including amounts under $1. However, some banks charge a fee for deposits under $1, so you may end up with less than you started with. Check your bank's policy on small deposits before transferring.

Is it safe to sell a gift card on a resale website?

Established sites like CardCash and Raise have buyer and seller protections, but scams do occur. Never send a physical card before the site confirms payment. Use sites with clear refund policies and read recent reviews. If a site asks for unusual information or seems suspicious, skip it.

Can I transfer a gift card balance to someone else's bank account?

Not directly. You cannot move a gift card balance to another person's bank account. You could spend the gift card and give them cash, or in some cases add the card to a shared digital wallet if the card issuer allows it. Check the card's terms or contact the issuer to ask.