You cannot deposit a gift card directly into a bank account, but you can convert the card's value to cash or a bank transfer in a few ways
A gift card is not a payment method your bank recognizes. When you try to deposit a physical gift card at an ATM or through mobile deposit, it will be rejected — the card has no routing number, account number, or bank affiliation. However, you can move the money from a gift card into your bank account by converting it first, either by spending it at the retailer, transferring it to a digital wallet, or selling it for cash.
The method you choose depends on what kind of gift card you have and how quickly you need the money in your account. Some routes are instant; others take a few days or cost you a small percentage of the card's value.
Key Takeaways
- Gift cards cannot be deposited directly into a bank account because they are not linked to any bank routing or account number.
- You can move gift card money into your account by spending it online and transferring the refund, using a digital wallet that links to your bank, or selling the card on a resale platform.
- Retailer gift cards (Amazon, Target, Walmart) are easiest to convert because you can spend them and request a refund to your bank account if you change your mind.
- Visa or Mastercard gift cards can sometimes be added to digital wallets like PayPal or Apple Pay, which then transfer funds to your bank.
- Gift card resale sites take a commission (usually 2–15% of the card's value) but will send cash or a bank transfer within a few business days.
Spending the gift card and requesting a refund
If the gift card is from a retailer with an online store — Amazon, Target, Walmart, Best Buy, or similar — you can spend it and then request a refund to your bank account if you change your mind or return the item. This is the simplest route and costs you nothing.
Buy something you actually want or need, or purchase a low-cost item you can return. When you request a return, the retailer will refund the money to the original payment method. Since you paid with the gift card, the refund goes back to the card's balance. From there, you can spend it again or contact the retailer's customer service to ask whether they will transfer the remaining balance to a bank account directly — some will, though it is not may provide.
This method works best if you have time to wait for a return to process (usually 5–10 business days) and if you are comfortable buying and returning items.
Adding a Visa or Mastercard gift card to a digital wallet
If your gift card is a Visa or Mastercard branded card (not a store-specific card), you may be able to add it to a digital wallet like PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Venmo. Once it is in the wallet, you can transfer the balance to your linked bank account.
Open the digital wallet app, select "Add a card," and enter the gift card's number, expiration date, and CVV. The wallet will verify the card. Once added, go to your wallet's transfer or cash-out settings and request a transfer to your bank account. The timeline varies: PayPal typically transfers within 1–3 business days if you have a standard account, while other services may take longer.
Not all digital wallets accept gift cards, and some may flag them as unusual activity. If the wallet rejects the card, try a different service or move to another method. This approach works best if you already use the wallet for other payments.
Selling the gift card on a resale platform
Gift card resale sites like CardCash, Raise, and Decluttr will buy your card for a percentage of its face value and send you cash or a bank transfer. The discount ranges from 2% to 15% depending on the card type and current demand — popular retailers like Amazon and Walmart typically sell for 90–95% of face value, while less common cards may sell for less.
List your card on the platform, provide the card number and PIN, and wait for a buyer. Once sold, the site will send you payment via bank transfer, PayPal, or check. Bank transfers usually arrive within 3–5 business days. This method costs you money but is reliable and does not require you to spend the card's value on something you do not want.
Before listing, check the card's balance to make sure it matches what you are selling. Some platforms verify the balance themselves before accepting the card, so mismatches will delay or cancel the sale.
Using a gift card to pay bills or subscriptions
If you have recurring bills or subscriptions, you can use the gift card to pay them instead of your bank account. This frees up money in your account that you can use elsewhere. This is not the same as depositing the card into your account, but it achieves the same result: the card's value reduces your out-of-pocket spending.
Add the gift card to the billing service (utilities, streaming, phone, insurance) the same way you would add a debit card. The service will charge the card each billing cycle until the balance runs out. Once depleted, you will need to add a different payment method.
What to do if the gift card is from a small or local business
Store-specific gift cards from small retailers, restaurants, or local businesses cannot be resold on major platforms and usually cannot be added to digital wallets. Your best option is to spend the card at the business itself or contact the business directly to ask whether they will refund the balance to a bank account.
Some small businesses will accommodate this request, especially if the card was a gift and you have a legitimate reason for wanting cash instead. Be prepared for them to say no — they are not required to offer refunds. If they refuse, you are limited to spending the card or giving it to someone else.
Avoiding scams when converting gift cards
Gift card resale and conversion come with fraud risks. Never share your gift card number or PIN with anyone except the official resale platform or retailer. Scammers pose as resale sites or digital wallets to steal card information.
Use only established platforms with verified reviews and secure payment processing. Check the URL carefully — scam sites often mimic real ones with slightly different spellings. If a site asks you to pay a fee upfront to convert your card, it is a scam. Legitimate resale platforms take their commission from the sale price, not from you in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deposit a gift card at an ATM?
No. ATMs only accept checks and cash, not gift cards. Gift cards have no bank routing number or account number, so the ATM cannot process them as a deposit.
Will my bank let me add a gift card as a payment method?
Most banks do not recognize gift cards as valid deposit instruments. However, you can link a gift card to a digital wallet (PayPal, Apple Pay) and then transfer the wallet balance to your bank account.
Do I lose money when I sell a gift card?
Yes, resale platforms take a commission, typically 2–15% of the card's face value. Popular cards sell for closer to face value; less common ones sell for less. If you spend the card at the retailer instead, you lose nothing.
How long does it take to transfer gift card money to my bank account?
It depends on the method. Digital wallet transfers usually take 1–3 business days. Resale platforms typically take 3–5 business days. Refunds from retailers can take 5–10 business days.
What if my gift card has a small balance left?
Small balances are harder to resell because platforms have minimum thresholds (often $5 or $10). Spend the remaining balance at the retailer, use it toward a subscription, or combine it with another card if the platform allows it.