You cannot add a gift card directly to a bank account, but you can move the money from a gift card into your account in a few ways
A gift card and a bank account are separate financial tools. Your bank account holds money that belongs to you; a gift card is a prepaid balance tied to a specific retailer or payment network. You cannot merge them or link them the way you might link two bank accounts together.
What you can do is transfer the money from your gift card into your bank account. The method depends on what kind of gift card you have. A Visa or Mastercard gift card works differently from a Target or Amazon gift card, and the steps vary by card type and your bank.
The most common routes are: using an ATM to withdraw cash, transferring money through a payment app, or depositing the card as a payment toward a bill or purchase, then moving that freed-up money to your bank account.
Key Takeaways
- Visa, Mastercard, and American Express gift cards can be linked to payment apps like PayPal or Venmo, then transferred to your bank account.
- Retail gift cards (Target, Best Buy, Amazon) cannot be transferred directly to a bank account; you must spend them at that retailer first.
- You can withdraw cash from a Visa or Mastercard gift card at an ATM, though some cards charge a fee for this.
- Some banks let you add a gift card as a payment method on their website or app, but this does not move money into your account — it just lets you spend the card's balance.
How to transfer a network gift card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) to your bank account
Network gift cards — those branded Visa, Mastercard, or American Express cards — can be added to digital payment apps and then transferred to your bank account. The process takes a few steps but works reliably.
First, open a payment app you already use or trust, such as PayPal, Venmo, Square Cash, or Google Pay. Add your gift card as a payment method by entering the card number, expiration date, and CVV (the three-digit code on the back). Most apps let you do this in the settings or payment methods section.
Next, link your bank account to the same app if you have not already. Then initiate a transfer: send money from the app to your bank account, or use the app to pay a bill or send money to someone, which draws from the gift card balance. Some apps charge a small fee for transfers; others do not. Check the app's fee schedule before you proceed.
Once the transfer completes — usually one to three business days — the money lands in your bank account as a regular deposit. You can then spend it however you want.
Using an ATM to withdraw cash from a gift card
Visa, Mastercard, and American Express gift cards can be used at ATMs to withdraw cash, just like a debit card. This is the fastest way to get money into your hands, though not directly into your bank account.
Insert the gift card into any ATM that accepts that card network. Enter the PIN if the card has one (some gift cards do not); if there is no PIN, you may be prompted to enter the last four digits of the card or leave the PIN field blank. Select "Withdraw Cash" and the amount you want.
The cash comes out immediately. You can then deposit it into your bank account at a branch, ATM, or through mobile deposit if your bank offers it. Some gift cards charge a fee for ATM withdrawals — typically $2 to $3 per transaction — so check the card's terms before you use it.
Retail gift cards cannot be transferred to a bank account
Gift cards from specific retailers — Target, Best Buy, Amazon, Walmart, Starbucks, and others — are not linked to a bank or payment network. They hold a balance that works only at that retailer or its partners. You cannot transfer this balance to your bank account.
Your only option is to spend the card at the retailer. Once you do, if you pay with a debit card or bank account for the remainder of the purchase, you could theoretically move that freed-up bank money elsewhere, but the gift card balance itself stays with the retailer.
Some retailers let you check your gift card balance online or in their app, and a few allow you to transfer an unused balance to another person's card or account within their system, but this still does not move money to your bank.
Adding a gift card to your bank's website or app
Many banks let you add a gift card as a payment method in their online banking portal or mobile app. This does not transfer money into your account; instead, it lets you use the gift card to pay bills or make purchases through your bank's bill pay system.
To do this, log into your bank's website or app, go to the payment methods or cards section, and select "Add Card." Enter the gift card number, expiration date, and CVV. Your bank will verify the card and add it to your list of payment options.
When you pay a bill or make a purchase, you can choose the gift card as your payment source. The balance is drawn from the card, not from your bank account. Once the gift card is empty, you remove it and use a different payment method. This is useful if you want to spend down a gift card without carrying it separately, but it does not move money into your bank account.
What happens if a gift card has a remaining balance
If you transfer most of a gift card's balance to your bank account but a small amount remains, you have a few options. Some payment apps let you keep the card linked and use it for small purchases. Others require you to spend the remaining balance at the retailer or through the payment network before removing the card.
Check your app's policy on low balances. If the card is a network card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex), you can usually use it anywhere that card is accepted until the balance is gone. If it is a retail card, you must spend it at that retailer.
Some gift cards expire or lose their value if unused for a long period — typically two to five years, depending on state law and the card issuer. If you have an old gift card with a small balance, transfer or spend it sooner rather than later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I link a gift card directly to my bank account like a linked savings account?
No. A gift card is not a bank account and cannot be linked to one. You can add a gift card to a payment app and transfer money from there to your bank, or withdraw cash at an ATM and deposit it, but there is no direct link option.
Do I have to pay a fee to transfer a gift card balance to my bank?
It depends on the method. Payment apps like PayPal may charge a transfer fee (usually 1 to 2 percent). ATM withdrawals may charge $2 to $3 per transaction. Transferring through a payment app to another person first, then having them send it back, avoids fees but takes longer. Check your app's fee schedule before you transfer.
What if my gift card does not have a PIN?
Many gift cards do not come with a PIN. At an ATM, you may be able to leave the PIN field blank or enter the last four digits of the card number. If the ATM rejects it, try a different ATM or use a payment app instead. Not all ATMs accept gift cards without a PIN.
Can I add a retail gift card like Amazon or Target to my bank account?
No. Retail gift cards can only be spent at that retailer. You cannot transfer the balance to a bank account. You must spend the card at the retailer, or in some cases, transfer the balance to another person's account within that retailer's system.
How long does it take to transfer a gift card balance to my bank account?
Cash withdrawals at an ATM are instant. Transfers through payment apps usually take one to three business days. The exact timing depends on your bank and the app you use. Check the app's transfer page for an estimated delivery date.