Most gift cards cannot transfer directly to a bank account
A gift card and a bank account are two separate systems, and most gift card issuers do not let you move the balance directly into a checking or savings account. The money on a gift card is held by the retailer or card company, not by a bank, so there is no direct pipeline between them.
However, you have real options to get that money into your account. The method depends on what kind of gift card you have — a store card, a Visa or Mastercard branded card, or a prepaid card — because each one works differently.
Key Takeaways
- Store gift cards (Target, Amazon, Walmart) cannot transfer to a bank account, but you can use them to buy items and return them for a refund to your bank card.
- Visa or Mastercard branded gift cards can sometimes be added to digital wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay, then used to pay bills or transfer money through apps like Venmo or PayPal.
- Some prepaid cards issued by banks allow you to link them directly to your checking account and move money between them.
- A third-party service can convert a gift card to cash, but you will lose a percentage of the balance as a fee.
- The fastest route for most people is to use the gift card to buy something, then return it for a refund to your original payment method.
Store gift cards: using returns to move money to your account
If you have a gift card from a specific store — Target, Walmart, Amazon, Best Buy — that card only works at that store. You cannot transfer the balance to a bank account directly. But you can convert it to cash or a bank deposit by buying something and returning it.
Here is how it works: buy an item at the store using your gift card, then return it within the store's return window. When you return it, ask for the refund to go back to your original payment method. If you paid with a debit card or credit card, the refund goes back to that card. If you do not have the original card, some stores will issue a store credit or a physical check instead.
The catch is that you need to buy something returnable. Most stores accept returns on clothing, electronics, and household items within 30 to 90 days. Groceries, gift cards themselves, and clearance items are usually not returnable. So pick something you can genuinely return — or something you actually want to keep.
Visa and Mastercard gift cards: adding them to digital wallets
If your gift card has a Visa or Mastercard logo on it, it works like a debit card and can sometimes be added to a digital wallet. Digital wallets are apps on your phone — Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay — that let you pay for things without showing a physical card.
Once the gift card is in your digital wallet, you can use it to pay for things online or in stores. Some people then use apps like Venmo, PayPal, or Square Cash to send money from that wallet to a friend's bank account, then ask the friend to send it back to their own account. This is clunky and not reliable — the apps are designed to move money between people, not to convert gift cards — but it is one workaround.
A more straightforward option: use the Visa or Mastercard gift card to pay a bill online, like your phone bill or electric bill. The payment goes through like a normal card payment, and the balance on the gift card goes down. This does not put money in your bank account, but it frees up money in your account that you would have spent on that bill anyway.
Prepaid cards linked to a bank account
Some gift cards are actually prepaid cards issued by a bank or financial company. These cards sometimes let you link them to a checking account and move money between them. The card itself will say "prepaid card" or "reloadable card" on it, and it will have a customer service number on the back.
Call the number on the back of the card and ask whether you can link it to a bank account and transfer the balance. If the card supports this, you will need to provide your bank account number and routing number. The transfer usually takes one to three business days. Not all prepaid cards offer this feature, so the answer may be no — but it is worth asking.
Third-party gift card conversion services
Websites and apps like Raise, CardCash, and Gameflip buy gift cards from people and pay them cash or a bank transfer. You list your gift card on the site, a buyer purchases it, and the site sends you money to your bank account.
The trade-off is that you will receive less than the full value of the card. If your gift card has a $100 balance, you might receive $85 to $95, depending on the card type and current demand. The site takes a cut, and so does the buyer if they are buying at a discount. The process usually takes a few days to a week.
These services are legitimate, but read the terms carefully. Some require you to verify the card balance before listing it, and some hold your payment for a few days after the buyer receives the card code. Never send the card code until you have received payment.
What does not work: direct transfers and scams to avoid
You cannot transfer a gift card balance directly to a bank account through any official channel. If a website or app promises to do this when ready or without a fee, it is a scam. Legitimate services always take a cut, and legitimate transfers always take time.
Do not give your gift card number to anyone who promises to "unlock" money or transfer it for you. Do not pay an upfront fee to convert a gift card. Do not use a gift card to buy cryptocurrency or gift cards for other stores — these are common scams that leave you with nothing.
Comparing your options
| Method | Card Type | Time to Complete | Cost to You | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buy and return | Store gift cards | 1–2 weeks | None | Any store gift card; you keep the full value |
| Digital wallet + bill pay | Visa/Mastercard | when ready | None | Paying bills you already owe |
| Link to bank account | Prepaid cards only | 1–3 business days | None | Prepaid cards that support transfers |
| Third-party service | Any card | 3–7 days | 10–20% of balance | When you need cash quickly and do not want to shop |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a gift card to load money into a prepaid card or PayPal account?
Some prepaid cards and PayPal accounts let you add a gift card as a payment method, but this does not transfer the balance — it just lets you spend the gift card through that service. You would still need to use the gift card to buy something or convert it through another method to get money into your bank account.
What if my gift card has a very small balance left?
Small balances are harder to convert because third-party services have minimum amounts (often $5 or $10), and the fee eats up a larger percentage. Your best option is to use it to pay for something small, like a coffee or a snack, then use the buy-and-return method if there is still a balance left.
Do I lose money if I use a third-party service?
Yes. Services like Raise and CardCash take a percentage of the balance, usually 10 to 20 percent depending on the card type and how much demand there is for that card. A $100 gift card might net you $80 to $90. The buy-and-return method costs nothing if you return something you do not want to keep.
Can I transfer a gift card to someone else's bank account?
Not directly. You would need to convert the gift card to cash or a bank transfer first using one of the methods above, then send that money to the other person. Third-party services and the buy-and-return method both work for this.
Is it safe to sell my gift card online?
Established platforms like Raise, CardCash, and Gameflip have buyer protection and hold your payment until the buyer confirms the card works. Avoid peer-to-peer sales on classified sites, where you have no protection if the buyer claims the card did not work after you send the code.