3 Sites That Pay Cash for Unused Gift Cards

Do you have gift card balances you don’t plan to use? According to the Washington State Budget and Policy Center, around 60% of U.S. consumers have at least one. Instead of letting that money go to waste, you can sell your gift cards on reputable websites to recover some of their value. Here are three reliable sites to help you do just that:

1. Raise

-AppStore Rating

: 4.7/5 stars from 26K ratings
– Google Play Store Rating : 2.4/5 stars from 3.68K reviews
– Selling Fee: 15% of the card’s sale price
– Card Balance Limits : $5 to under $2,000 (eGift cards must have at least $5, and all card balances must be under $2,000.)
– Payout Time : 3 to 5 business days

Raise is a popular platform for buying and selling U.S. gift cards across a variety of brands. To sell a card, you simply list it on the website, where Raise will suggest a competitive price based on similar listings. After your card sells, you’ll receive the earnings minus a 15% fee. Payout options include check, PayPal, or ACH direct deposit. Raise’s user-friendly website and strong App Store rating make it a top choice. However, note that Raise only accepts physical gift cards that can be converted into vouchers or e-gift cards.

 2. CardCash

– AppStore Rating

: 3.8/5 stars from 525 ratings
– Google Play Store Rating : 2.6/5 stars from 502 reviews
– Selling Fee : Varies by offer, minimum of 8%
– Card Balance Limits : $10 to $500
– Payout Time : 1 to 2 days after receiving your card

CardCash buys gift cards for set amounts instead of allowing you to set your own price. For example, it might offer $316 for a $400 Target gift card, equivalent to a 21% fee. Fees start at 8%, with no specified maximum. Payout options include ACH deposit, check, or PayPal. CardCash’s site is easy to use, providing offers in seconds by entering the card’s brand and balance. It also accepts mailed physical gift cards, unlike Raise. However, its user ratings are mediocre.

3. Gameflip

– AppStore Rating : 4.7/5 stars from 13.8K ratings
– Google Play Store Rating : 4.5/5 stars from 14.1K ratings
– Selling Fee : 8% to 10% of the card’s listing price
– Card Balance Limits : N/A
– Payout Time : As soon as the sale is completed

Gameflip, primarily a marketplace for gaming items, allows users to sell both gaming and non-gaming gift cards. Sellers set their own list price, typically discounting the card’s value by 2% to 15%. After a card sells and is delivered to the buyer, proceeds (minus an 8% to 10% fee) are added to your Gameflip wallet. Funds can then be transferred to your bank account through various providers like Bitcoin Wallet, Payoneer, Wise, and Skrill. Gameflip accepts 21 types of non-gaming cards, with gaming-related cards like PlayStation and Xbox being the most popular.

 Factors to Consider When Selling Unused Gift Cards

Before choosing a gift card exchange, ensure the site is legitimate. Check Trustpilot reviews, app marketplace ratings, and Better Business Bureau profiles. Many sites have red flags such as poor ratings, scam claims, or malfunctioning features, but the three listed above are reputable.

Consider these factors when selecting a site:
– Supported brands
– Card amounts
– Card types (digital vs. physical)
– Payout methods
– Payout timing
– Fee structures
– Customer service quality

Choose the site that best fits your needs and the type of cards you have. For instance, Gameflip and Raise might offer lower fees, but you’ll need to wait for the card to sell. CardCash may have higher fees, but it pays upfront.

Bethany Hollards from BrickSeek advises comparing offer prices from multiple sites to get the best value. “Many sites also allow you to trade gift cards for ones you’ll actually use,” she says. Additionally, Julee Schmaus from the Retail Gift Card Association suggests using gift cards for gifts, regifting them, or donating them to charity.