Can You Get Cash Back from a Gift Card and What Are Your Options

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You can get cash back from a gift card, but it's not always easy. Some gift cards, like those from stores that are going out of business, may offer cash refunds.

Gift cards from retailers like Target and Best Buy can be exchanged for cash, but only if the card has a remaining balance. This is because these stores often have a policy of allowing customers to exchange gift cards for cash when the card is no longer needed.

To get cash back from a gift card, you'll need to check the card's terms and conditions. Some cards may have restrictions on how and when you can get cash back.

Walmart Gift Card Policies

Walmart's gift card policy is pretty clear about cash returns and refunds. As of 2022, you cannot return their gift cards to any Walmart store or request a refund for them.

This applies to basic Walmart gift cards, as well as specialty Walmart cards launched in collaboration with third-party retailers like iTunes or SUBWAY. Gift cards carrying Walmart plus membership benefits are also subject to this policy.

Some states in the U.S. have a law that requires retailers to pay cash for gift cards with a small balance left in them, typically between $0.99 and $9.99.

Using Gift Cards

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You can use a Visa gift card to get cash back in several ways. If you've been given a Visa gift card but would rather have the cash back, you can do this.

Some gift cards, like Visa gift cards, can be returned for cash, but this may involve a fee. This is one option to consider.

You can also use a gift card to make a purchase and then ask the store for a cash refund. This is another option to explore.

Alternative Options

If you're unable to use your gift card as intended, there are alternative options to consider.

You can trade your gift card with family or friends, but this method is time-consuming. Selling or exchanging your gift card online is a more straightforward approach.

Some gift cards, like Visa gift cards, can be used as debit cards to pay for purchases at retail stores or online. You can also use them to send money to people with PayPal.

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If you're unable to withdraw cash with your Visa gift card, you can sell it online through platforms like Prestmit, which is considered one of the best gift card trading platforms in Nigeria and Ghana.

If you have a store gift card, you can sell it to an official gift card repurchase website, such as CardCash, CardPool, Raise, or GiftCard.

Alternative Liquidation Options

If you're looking to liquidate a gift card, you have several options beyond simply using it to make a purchase. You can trade the gift card with family or friends, sell or exchange it online, or use it with a cash purchase at a Walmart store.

If you're looking for a more straightforward way to sell your gift card, you can check out official gift card repurchase websites such as CardCash, CardPool, Raise, and GiftCard. These websites will buy your card for cash, although you won't get the full value of the gift card.

A yellow gift bag with a Mother's Day card and bracelet on a pink background, perfect for celebration themes.
Credit: pexels.com, A yellow gift bag with a Mother's Day card and bracelet on a pink background, perfect for celebration themes.

Selling your gift card through an app like Raise can also be an option, but be aware that the app operators will take a percentage of up to 15% of the overall value as commission.

Alternatively, you can sell your card on commercial shopping outlets like eBay or Craigslist, where you're unlikely to lose as much as the 15% charged by apps as a foreign transaction fee and discount card sites.

If you need immediate cash, you can use a gift card kiosk, which is a physical machine often found in grocery stores or shopping malls. Kiosk payouts are usually lower than what you would receive through selling online, often ranging from 50% to 70% of the card's value.

Here are some gift card liquidation options to consider:

Alternative Card Uses

You can use your Visa gift card as a debit card to pay for purchases at retail stores, even if you can't withdraw cash at the ATM. This is a convenient alternative.

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Credit: pexels.com, Collection of bright present paper bags with natural handles near gift card with ribbon

You can also use your Visa gift card to do online shopping, including buying digital gift cards on stores like Amazon. It's a great way to get the most out of your card.

If you're unable to withdraw cash, you can sell your Visa gift card on Prestmit, a reputable gift card trading platform in Nigeria and Ghana. This can get you the cash value you need.

Earning Cash Back

You can get cash back from gift cards by using them to make purchases with credit or debit cards that offer cash back options. These cards often provide a percentage of the purchase price back to you.

Some popular ways to earn cash back include using loyalty cards, credit and debit cards, or premier rewards programs like Monetha. Taking surveys, offering your opinion, and testing products or services can also earn you rewards.

Here are some specific ways to get cash back on gift cards:

  • Use your prepaid Visa card as cash for online retail purchases
  • Sell your gift card – usually at a lower value
  • Buy money orders and exchange them
  • Buy and flip products
  • Add money to your PayPal account
  • Sell your prepaid card to a friend
  • Invest all the cash
  • Re-gift the card to buy a gift that you would have had to spend cash on

You can also earn cash back by using your credit or debit card to buy gift cards online, and then using the gift card to make purchases with even more discount on your future purchases from the store of your choice.

Methods for

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Methods for earning cash back on gift cards can be a bit tricky, but with the right approach, you can get the most out of your gift cards.

You can use cash back credit cards to buy gift cards online and earn rewards, such as 1-2% of the purchase price back. This way, you can get your cash back credit card reward and use the gift card to make a purchase with even more discount on your future purchases.

If you're unable to withdraw cash with your Visa gift card at the ATM, you can use the card as a debit card to pay for purchases at retail stores, or use it to do online shopping, including the purchase of digital gift cards on stores like Amazon.

You can also sell your Visa gift cards for cash on platforms like Prestmit, which is considered the best alternative to get the best value for your card.

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Here are some popular ways to get cash back on gift cards:

Some people even use the gift card balance for other purchases they don't want, then return the product in exchange for cash back. However, many retailers now have a no-refund policy and use non-cash redeemable gift cards in exchange for returned goods.

If you're willing to spend, there's always bonus cash to be earned. You can also use your gift card to buy something of greater value than your gift card, then return the item within 90 days to get a cash refund.

Participating Businesses

Earning cash back with the Five Back Visa gift card is a great way to save money, and you can use it at hundreds of businesses that have partnered with Visa.

American Eagle, Bass Pro Shops, and Crate and Barrel are just a few of the many places that will rebate five percent of the total charge on your gift card.

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You can also use your Five Back Visa gift card at Dave and Busters, Famous Footwear, and Gap.

Hard Rock Cafe, Journey’s, and Krispy Kreme are other popular businesses that participate in the cash back program.

Lane Bryant, Neiman Marcus, and Outbreak Steakhouse also accept the Five Back Visa gift card and offer cash back rewards.

You can even use your gift card at Potttery Barn, Royal Caribbean, and Sephora.

Shutterfly, Top Golf, and Under Armor are other great places to earn cash back with your Five Back Visa gift card.

Wayfair and Yankee Candle are also part of the program, making it easy to save money on your everyday purchases.

Getting Money Off Gift Cards

You can get cash back from a Visa gift card by using it as cash for online retail purchases with your prepaid Visa card.

There are many online businesses offering discounted gift cards, including Giftcards.com, CardPool, Raise, and CardCash. These sites let you buy discounted gift cards on their websites.

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If you take a little time before making everyday purchases, you can search for online-only offers and find discounted gift cards with a discount and even additional bonuses.

Some prepaid card sites buy back unused cards, but you'll never redeem them for all the cash they're worth.

Here are some ways to get money off gift cards:

  • Visit an ATM to withdraw cash from your gift card balance
  • Use your prepaid Visa card as cash for online retail purchases
  • Sell your gift card to a site like Giftcards.com or CardPool
  • Buy money orders and exchange them for cash
  • Add money to your PayPal account
  • Sell your prepaid card to a friend

Understanding Gift Cards

A Visa gift card is a prepaid card that can be used like cash at stores that accept Visa credit cards. It comes in physical and digital forms, with denominations ranging from $25 to $500.

You can use a Visa gift card for various purposes, including making purchases and even accessing cash at ATMs. The card's real-time value is one of its key features, making it equivalent to holding cash.

Holding a $100 Visa gift card is similar to having $100 in cash, and you can enjoy this conversion by selling it for cash or withdrawing cash from an ATM.

State Return Policies

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If you live in a state with statutory gift card cash back laws, you can return your Walmart gift card for a small cash refund. Some states require retailers to pay cash for gift cards with balances between $0.99 and $9.99.

Walmart's gift card policy is strict, but there's a way to get around it. Certain states require retailers to pay cash for gift cards with small balances.

Here are the states with statutory gift card cash back laws, along with their corresponding maximum refundable amounts:

If you have an eligible Walmart gift card, you can visit your local store and ask for the residual balance in cash.

Check Expiration and Restrictions

Some gift cards come with expiration dates or geographic and merchant-specific limitations, which can reduce their value or make them harder to sell or trade.

Before cashing out, always check the terms and conditions of your gift card to ensure you can use it as intended.

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Expiration dates can be a major issue, so make sure to check your card's expiration date before trying to use it.

Certain states in the U.S. require retailers to pay cash for gift cards with small balances, usually between $0.99 and $9.99.

Walmart has a strict no-returns policy for gift cards, but some states may have laws that allow for cash refunds for small balances.

Gift cards with merchant-specific limitations can be tricky to use, so it's essential to understand the terms and conditions before trying to redeem them.

Always read the fine print on your gift card to avoid any surprises.

Here are some types of gift cards that may have restrictions:

  1. Basic Walmart gift cards
  2. Specialty Walmart cards launched in collaboration with third-party retailers like iTunes or SUBWAY
  3. Gift cards carrying Walmart plus membership benefits

Understanding

A gift card is essentially a prepaid card that stores a certain amount of value. This value can be used to make purchases at stores that accept the card.

Visa gift cards, for instance, are available in both physical and digital forms, with denominations ranging from $25 to $500. You can use them to make purchases at any retailer that accepts credit cards with the Visa logo.

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One of the best things about gift cards is that they function like prepaid cards, giving you ATM access. This means you can reload the card with money when the fund on it is almost exhausted.

You can use Visa gift cards for a variety of purposes, including making purchases, selling them for cash, or even withdrawing cash from an ATM.

Mike Kiehn

Senior Writer

Mike Kiehn is a seasoned writer with a passion for creating informative and engaging content. With a keen interest in the financial sector, Mike has established himself as a knowledgeable authority on Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), particularly in the UK market. Mike's expertise extends to providing in-depth analysis and insights on REITs, helping readers make informed decisions in the world of real estate investment.

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