You cannot deposit a gift card directly into a bank account the way you would a check or cash

A gift card is a prepaid card issued by a specific retailer or payment network. Your bank account is a separate financial system. The two do not connect directly — there is no deposit slot or transfer option that moves gift card balance into your checking or savings account.

What you can do instead depends on what kind of gift card you have and what you want to accomplish. Some gift cards can be converted to cash or transferred to a payment app. Others can only be spent at the issuer. Understanding which option applies to your card takes a few minutes and saves you from wasting time on routes that will not work.

Key Takeaways

  • Gift cards cannot be deposited directly into a bank account because they are issued by retailers or payment networks, not by banks.
  • Visa, Mastercard, and American Express gift cards can sometimes be transferred to a payment app like PayPal or Venmo, which then connects to your bank account.
  • Some retailers allow you to use a gift card to buy a money order or gift card to another service, which can then be converted to cash.
  • Selling a gift card through a resale platform like CardCash or Raise will deposit cash into your bank account, though you typically receive 70 to 90 percent of the card's face value.
  • The fastest route depends on the card issuer and how much friction you are willing to accept.

Network gift cards versus store-specific gift cards

Network gift cards — those issued by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover — work more like debit cards and have more conversion options. You can often link them to a payment app, use them to make online purchases, or sell them on a resale platform.

Store-specific gift cards — issued directly by Target, Amazon, Starbucks, or another retailer — are locked to that retailer's ecosystem. You can spend them only at that store or its affiliated locations. Converting them to bank account money requires an extra step, usually through a resale platform or by using the card to purchase something you can then sell.

Check your card. If it has a Visa, Mastercard, Amex, or Discover logo, you have a network card. If it shows only a retailer's name and logo, it is store-specific.

Linking a network gift card to PayPal or Venmo

If you have a Visa, Mastercard, or American Express gift card, you can add it to PayPal or Venmo as a payment method. This does not move the balance into your bank account, but it lets you spend the card balance online or send it to other people.

To add the card to PayPal: log in, go to Wallet, select Link a Card, and enter the gift card details. PayPal treats it as a regular debit card. You can then use it to pay for purchases or send money to friends. Venmo works the same way — add it under Payment Methods, then use it to send or receive money.

This route does not convert the card to cash in your bank account. It straightforward lets you spend the balance in a different way. If you need actual cash, this is not the answer.

Selling a gift card on a resale platform

Websites like CardCash, Raise, Decluttr, and GameStop Trade-In (for gaming cards) buy gift cards from individuals and resell them. You list your card, a buyer purchases it, and the platform deposits cash into your bank account.

The process is straightforward: create an account, enter the card details and balance, and list it for sale. Most platforms offer an when ready quote — usually 70 to 90 percent of the card's face value, depending on demand and the retailer. Once a buyer purchases your card, the platform sends you the cash via bank transfer, PayPal, or check within a few business days.

The trade-off is the discount. A $100 Amazon gift card might sell for $85 to $90. Popular retailers like Amazon, Target, and Walmart move faster and command higher prices. Niche or regional retailers may sit unsold or sell at a steeper discount. Check current quotes on multiple platforms before listing — prices vary.

Using a gift card to buy a money order

Some retailers allow you to purchase a money order with a gift card. Money orders are paper documents that function like checks and can be deposited into a bank account. This route works best for store-specific gift cards at large retailers.

Visit a retailer that sells money orders — Walmart, CVS, and grocery stores typically do — and ask if you can buy a money order with a gift card. Not all locations allow this, and policies vary by store. If they do, you pay a small fee (usually $0.50 to $1.50) and receive a money order you can deposit at your bank.

The downside is the fee and the extra step. You are also limited by the money order amount the retailer will issue — most cap at $500 to $1,000 per transaction. If your gift card balance is higher, you may need multiple money orders.

Converting a gift card through a payment app

Some payment apps like Square Cash, Google Pay, and Apple Pay allow you to add a gift card as a payment method. From there, you can use the balance to send money to friends or pay for purchases, but this does not move the balance into your bank account directly.

A workaround some people use: add the gift card to a payment app, then send the balance to a trusted friend or family member who sends the money back to your bank account via a standard transfer. This is clunky and involves a third party, so it is not practical unless you have no other option.

Why banks do not accept gift card deposits

Gift cards are issued by retailers or payment networks, not by banks. When you deposit money into a bank account, the bank verifies the source and records the transaction in its system. A gift card has no connection to a bank — it is a separate financial product with its own balance and rules.

Some people ask whether they can deposit a gift card as if it were a check. The answer is no. A check is a written instruction to a bank to move money from one account to another. A gift card is prepaid value stored on a card or in a retailer's system. They are fundamentally different instruments, and banks have no way to process a gift card as a deposit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I deposit a Visa gift card into my bank account?

No, not directly. You can add a Visa gift card to PayPal or Venmo and use the balance to send money or pay for things, but the balance stays on the card. To convert it to bank account cash, sell the card on a resale platform like CardCash or Raise, or use it to purchase a money order that you then deposit.

What if my gift card has a low balance?

Resale platforms typically have minimum balances — often $5 to $10 — before they will accept a card. If your balance is below that, your best option is to spend the card at the retailer or use it to make a small purchase online. Some platforms waive minimums during promotions, so check periodically.

How long does it take to get cash from selling a gift card?

Most platforms deposit cash within 3 to 5 business days after a buyer purchases your card. Some offer faster payouts for a small fee. Check the platform's terms before listing — payout speed varies.

Will I lose money if I sell a gift card?

Yes, typically. Resale platforms buy cards at a discount — usually 70 to 90 percent of face value — to make a profit when they resell. The discount is larger for less popular retailers and smaller for high-demand cards like Amazon or Walmart.

Can I deposit a store gift card like an Amazon card into my bank?

No. Store-specific gift cards cannot be deposited into a bank account. Your options are to spend the card at that retailer, sell it on a resale platform, or use it to buy a money order if the retailer allows it.