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What to do with a gift card you don't want

Somebody meant well. Now there's a card for a shop you never visit sitting in a drawer, slowly being forgotten. You have more choices than you think, and doing nothing is the only bad one. Here they are, with the honest pros and cons of each.

Updated October 19, 2026

First, find out what you're holding

Before deciding anything, look at three things. Which brand is it (Amazon, Apple, a supermarket, a clothing store)? Which country was it bought in? And how much is on it? The country matters more than people expect: a card from a US store usually only works in that store's US shop.

Also check if it's still untouched. A card that was never added to an account keeps all of its options open. Once it's redeemed, the money lives inside that account and most of the choices below disappear.

Your six options

1. Spend it on something you'd buy anywayBig stores sell everyday things too: groceries, phone chargers, school supplies, gifts for someone else. If the brand has anything you'd pay for with your own money this month, this is the simplest win.
2. Give it to someone who'll love itA gaming card is a great present for a cousin who plays every night. Check the card's terms first: a few brands don't allow transfers once the card has been registered to a name.
3. Swap it with a friend or family memberYou have a coffee chain card, your sister has a bookstore card. Trading face to face, with people you know, is free and safe.
4. Donate itSome charities and shelters accept gift cards, especially for supermarkets and pharmacies. Call first and ask which brands help them most.
5. Keep it for a real needIf the brand is useful but not right now, write the balance on a sticky note and put it with your bills. Out of sight is how cards get lost.
6. Sell it for moneyIf none of the above fits, turn it into money you can spend anywhere: PayPal, your bank account, cash. You get less than the full value, but money in your account beats a card in a drawer.

Why you never get 100% when you sell

Whoever buys your card takes a risk (codes can be fake or already used) and has to find someone else who wants that exact brand and country. That's why every buyer pays less than face value. What changes from buyer to buyer is how much less, and whether they tell you before you hand over the code.

A fair buyer shows you the exact amount you'll receive first, lets you choose how you're paid, and only asks for the code once you've agreed.

Watch the clock, but don't panic

In the United States, most store gift cards can't expire within five years of being bought, thanks to federal law. Rules in other countries vary, and some cards lose value after a period without use. If the back of your card mentions fees or an end date, deal with it sooner rather than later.

Things that turn a good card into a dead one

• Redeeming it on your account "just to see" what's on it. That locks the money to you.
• Posting a photo of the card online. If the code shows, anyone can use it.
• Reading the code to someone on the phone who says they're from the store or the bank. Real companies never ask for it.
• Throwing away the receipt. It shows which store sold the card, which helps if anything goes wrong.

Questions people ask