Whether you can get a refund depends on who issued the card and their refund policy
Most gift cards have no refund option — the issuer's terms say the card is final sale. But some retailers do offer refunds under specific conditions, and a few states have laws that require it. The answer depends on three things: which company issued the card, what their written policy says, and where you live.
A gift card is not the same as a purchase you made yourself. When someone gives you a gift card, you are spending money that the retailer already has. That changes the legal picture. The retailer has no obligation to you the way they would if you had paid them directly for a product that broke or disappointed you.
That said, some retailers treat gift cards like store credit and will refund them if you ask within a certain window. Others will not. The only way to know is to check the card's terms or contact the issuer directly.
Key Takeaways
- Most retailers' gift card terms state that cards are non-refundable, but some make exceptions if you ask within 30 to 90 days of purchase.
- A few states — including California, New York, and Illinois — have laws requiring retailers to refund unused gift cards or allow them to be transferred, though the rules vary by state.
- The person who bought the card (not the person who received it) is usually the one who can request a refund, because they are the customer of the retailer.
- If the card was purchased with a credit card, the original buyer can sometimes dispute the charge with their credit card company if the retailer refuses to refund.
- Gift cards that expire or lose value due to retailer bankruptcy are handled differently depending on state law and whether the retailer is still operating.
What the retailer's policy actually says
Check the back of the physical card or the retailer's website for their gift card terms. Most will say something like "non-refundable" or "final sale." Some cards include a link to a full policy document. Read it carefully, because policies vary widely even among large chains.
Some retailers — including Target, Walmart, and Best Buy — state in their policies that they will not refund gift cards. Others, like some regional grocery chains and smaller retailers, may refund unused cards if you ask within a set timeframe, usually 30 to 90 days from purchase. A few will refund the remaining balance if you have used part of the card.
The policy is a contract between the retailer and the person who bought the card. If you received the card as a gift, you are not a party to that contract, which is why the original buyer usually has to be the one to request the refund.
State laws that protect gift card holders
California, New York, Illinois, and a handful of other states have passed laws that give gift card holders certain rights. These laws vary significantly, so the protection you have depends on where the retailer is based or where you live.
California law says that gift cards cannot expire, and retailers must refund the remaining balance if the card has not been used in three years. New York requires retailers to honor gift cards for at least five years and allows cardholders to request a refund of the remaining balance. Illinois requires retailers to either refund unused cards or allow them to be transferred to another person.
If you live in one of these states, check your state's attorney general website or consumer protection office for the exact rules. If the retailer is based in one of these states but you live elsewhere, you may still have protection under that state's law — it depends on how the law is written.
How to request a refund from the retailer
Start by contacting the retailer's customer service. You can usually find a phone number or email on their website or on the back of the card itself. Explain that you have an unused gift card and ask whether they offer refunds. Be prepared to provide the card number and proof of purchase if you have it.
If you are the person who bought the card, have your receipt or credit card statement ready. If you received the card as a gift, ask the person who gave it to you to contact the retailer on your behalf, since they are the customer of record.
If the retailer says no, ask to speak with a manager or escalate to their corporate office. Some companies will make exceptions even if their standard policy is no refunds. If you live in a state with gift card protection laws, mention that when you contact them — it may change their answer.
Using a credit card dispute if the retailer refuses
If you bought the gift card with a credit card and the retailer refuses to refund it, you have another option: disputing the charge with your credit card company. This is called a chargeback.
Contact your credit card issuer and explain that you purchased a gift card, the retailer will not refund it, and you believe the charge should be reversed. The credit card company will investigate and may side with you, especially if you live in a state with gift card protection laws or if the retailer's refusal violates their own stated policy.
This process takes time — usually 30 to 90 days — and the credit card company is not required to rule in your favor. But it is worth trying if the amount is significant and the retailer has been uncooperative.
Gift cards from retailers that have closed or gone bankrupt
If the retailer has gone out of business, your options are limited. In most cases, gift cards become worthless when a company closes, because the card is a claim against that company's assets, and those assets are gone.
Some states have laws that require retailers to turn over unused gift card funds to the state's unclaimed property program before closing. If that happened, you may be able to recover the balance by searching your state's unclaimed property database. Start with your state treasurer's office or the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) website.
If the retailer filed for bankruptcy, check the bankruptcy court's website to see if there is a claims process for gift card holders. You would need to file a claim, but recovery is uncertain and often takes months or years.
Transferring or selling a gift card you do not want
If the retailer will not refund the card, you may be able to transfer it or sell it instead. Some states require retailers to allow transfers. Even if yours does not, you can try to sell the card on a secondary market.
Websites like CardCash, Raise, and Gift Card Granny let you list unused gift cards for sale. You will usually receive less than the card's face value — typically 80 to 95 percent — because the buyer is taking on the risk that the card will not work or the retailer will close. But it is better than having the card sit unused.
Before listing a card for sale, check the retailer's terms to make sure transfers are allowed. Some retailers prohibit it, and selling a card that cannot be transferred is fraud.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if I received the gift card as a gift?
Usually the person who bought the card has to request the refund, not the person who received it, because they are the retailer's customer. Ask the gift-giver to contact the retailer on your behalf. If you live in a state with gift card protection laws, you may have the right to request a refund yourself — check your state's rules.
What if I lost the gift card but remember the number?
Contact the retailer's customer service with the card number. They can look up the balance and may be able to issue a replacement card or refund if the card has not been used. You may need to provide proof of purchase or other identifying information.
Do gift cards expire?
It depends on the retailer and your state. Federal law does not require an expiration date, but some retailers set them anyway. California, New York, and a few other states ban expiration dates or require them to be at least five years out. Check your card's terms or your state's laws.
Can I return a gift card to the store where it was bought?
Not usually. Gift cards are sold at the point of sale like any other product, and most retailers do not take them back. Your only option is to contact the retailer that issued the card and ask about their refund policy.
What if the gift card has a small balance left on it?
Some retailers will refund the remaining balance if you ask, especially if it is less than a certain amount. Others will not. Contact the retailer and ask. If they refuse and you live in a state with gift card protection laws, mention that — it may change their answer.