Most gift cards cannot be refunded, but you have options depending on how you paid and why you want your money back

A gift card itself is not refundable. Once you buy it, the retailer has your money and treats the card as a stored balance, not a purchase. If you want your money back, you are asking the retailer to reverse a transaction that already completed. Most will not do this.

However, the method you used to buy the card matters. If you paid with a credit card, debit card, or bank account, you may be able to dispute the charge with your card issuer or bank instead of asking the retailer. If the card was a gift and you never used it, some retailers have small-balance policies or will make exceptions. The path forward depends on your situation and the retailer's rules.

Key Takeaways

  • Gift cards sold by retailers are treated as final sales and are not refundable through the retailer itself.
  • If you paid with a credit or debit card, you can contact your card issuer to dispute the charge as an unauthorized or unwanted transaction.
  • Some retailers will exchange an unused gift card for store credit or a different card value, even if they will not refund cash.
  • State laws require retailers to honor gift card balances for a set period (usually five to ten years) and to refund remaining balance if the card expires.
  • If a gift card was purchased fraudulently or you were scammed, your bank or card issuer is your fastest route to recovery.

Disputing the charge with your card issuer

If you bought the gift card with a credit card or debit card, contact your card issuer's customer service and explain that you want to dispute the charge. You do not need the retailer's permission to do this. Tell your issuer that the transaction was unauthorized, that you changed your mind, or that you did not receive what you ordered. The issuer will open a dispute case.

The card issuer will contact the retailer and ask them to refund the charge. If the retailer does not respond or refuses, the issuer will often side with you and reverse the charge to your account. This process typically takes 7 to 10 business days for a temporary credit and 30 to 60 days for a final decision. You will keep the temporary credit even if the retailer later disputes it.

This method works best if you never activated or used the gift card. If you already spent part of the balance, the retailer can prove the card was used and the issuer may deny your dispute. It also works better with credit cards than debit cards—credit card issuers have stronger consumer protections built into law.

Asking the retailer directly for an exception

Some retailers will make exceptions for unused gift cards, especially if the balance is small or the card was a gift you never wanted. Call the retailer's customer service line or visit a store location and explain your situation honestly. Ask whether they have a policy for refunding or exchanging gift cards.

Many retailers will not refund cash but will exchange the card for a different amount, a different card (like a Visa gift card), or store credit. Target, Walmart, and Best Buy sometimes do this. Others, like Amazon, almost never refund gift card balances under any circumstance. The answer depends entirely on the retailer and the manager you speak with.

If you have the original receipt showing you bought the card, bring it or have the order number ready. If the card was a gift and you have no receipt, the retailer may still help you if you can provide the card number and proof of purchase (like a credit card statement showing the transaction to that retailer).

State law protections for unused balances

Most states require retailers to honor gift card balances for five to ten years from the date of purchase or last use. Some states, like California and New York, require retailers to refund the remaining balance in cash if the card expires or if the retailer goes out of business. A few states have no expiration requirement at all.

If your gift card has expired and your state law requires a refund, contact the retailer and cite your state's gift card law. You can find your state's specific rules by searching "[your state] gift card law" or by contacting your state's attorney general office. If the retailer refuses to honor the law, you can file a complaint with your state's consumer protection agency.

This protection does not give you a refund on a card you simply do not want to use. It protects you only if the card has genuinely expired or the retailer has closed.

What to do if the gift card was purchased fraudulently

If someone else bought the gift card using your payment information without your permission, report it to your card issuer immediately. This is different from a regular dispute—you are reporting fraud, not just changing your mind. Your issuer will cancel the card and investigate.

You will likely receive a full refund because the transaction was unauthorized. Your issuer may also issue you a new card with a new number to prevent further fraud. If the gift card was already spent by the person who bought it, the issuer will still refund you the full amount you were charged.

If you paid with a debit card, call your bank right away. Debit card fraud has stricter time limits—you usually have 60 days to report it, and waiting longer can reduce your protection. If you paid with a bank account transfer or wire, contact your bank immediately, though recovery is harder with these methods.

Selling or trading an unwanted gift card

If the retailer will not refund or exchange the card, you can sell it on a secondary market. Websites like CardCash, Raise, and Decluttr buy unused gift cards at a discount—usually 70 to 90 percent of face value, depending on the retailer and card balance. You list the card, they verify it works, and they send you payment via check or PayPal.

This is not a refund, but it recovers some of your money. The discount exists because these sites resell the cards to other buyers. A $100 gift card might sell for $75 to $85. The process takes a few days to a week.

Be cautious with sites that ask you to pay a fee upfront or that seem untrustworthy. Stick to established platforms with user reviews. Never give anyone the card number until you have confirmed the buyer is legitimate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund if I used part of the gift card balance?

Retailers almost never refund partially used gift cards. Your best option is to contact your card issuer and dispute the original purchase, but they may deny the dispute if the card was activated and used. If the remaining balance is small, some retailers will exchange it for a different card or store credit.

What if the retailer is out of business?

If the retailer has closed permanently, your state law may require them to refund the remaining balance. Contact your state's attorney general office or consumer protection agency to find out whether your state has this requirement and how to file a claim. If the company filed for bankruptcy, you may be able to file a claim in the bankruptcy proceeding, though recovery is uncertain.

Do I need a receipt to get a refund?

A receipt helps but is not always required. If you have the gift card number and can prove you paid for it (through a credit card statement or bank record), many retailers can look up the transaction. If the card was a gift and you have no proof of purchase, most retailers will not help you.

How long do I have to dispute a gift card charge with my bank?

With a credit card, you typically have 60 days from the transaction date to dispute it. With a debit card, you have 60 days to report fraud but only 10 business days to report unauthorized transactions. Check your card issuer's specific timeline, as it varies by bank and card type.

Can I return a gift card I received as a gift?

You cannot return a gift card to the retailer for a refund. If you do not want it, you can ask the person who gave it to you whether they have the receipt and can return it themselves, or you can sell it on a secondary market for a reduced amount.