How to Transfer Gift Card Balance to Your Bank Account

Most gift cards cannot transfer directly to a bank account

A gift card balance sits on the card itself or in the retailer's system — it is not money in a bank account, and most retailers do not let you move it there. The card is a store credit tool, not a payment method that connects to banking infrastructure. However, you have several real paths to convert that balance into usable funds, depending on what type of card you hold and what the issuer allows.

The most straightforward route is to spend the card at the retailer or use it to buy something you can resell. If the card is a Visa, Mastercard, or American Express gift card (not a store-specific one), you have additional options: you can use it like a debit card to withdraw cash at an ATM, transfer the balance to a payment app, or sell the card to a third party. Each path has different limits and costs.

Key Takeaways

• Store-branded gift cards (Target, Amazon, Starbucks) cannot be transferred to a bank account directly, but Visa and Mastercard gift cards can be used at ATMs to withdraw cash.
• You can link a Visa or Mastercard gift card to payment apps like PayPal, Venmo, or Cash App and then transfer the balance to your bank account, though some apps charge fees.
• Selling your gift card on a resale platform like CardCash or Raise converts it to cash, but you will receive less than the card's face value.
• Using the card to purchase items you can resell online (books, electronics) is slower but avoids fees and third-party platforms.
• Some banks let you add a gift card as a linked payment method, which lets you spend the balance but does not move money into your account.

Using an ATM with a Visa or Mastercard gift card

If your gift card is issued by Visa, Mastercard, or American Express, you can withdraw cash at most ATMs. The card functions like a debit card at the machine. Insert the card, enter the PIN (usually printed on the back or in the documentation that came with the card), and select the withdrawal amount. The ATM will dispense cash up to your remaining balance.

Check your card's terms for ATM withdrawal limits — some cards cap the amount per transaction or per day. You may also pay an ATM fee if you use a machine outside the card issuer's network, just as you would with a regular debit card. Store-branded gift cards (Amazon, Target, Walmart) do not work at ATMs because they are not connected to the Visa or Mastercard network.

Linking the gift card to a payment app

Payment apps like PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, and Google Pay let you add a gift card as a payment method. Once linked, you can use the card's balance to send money to friends, pay bills, or make purchases. Some apps then let you transfer that balance to your linked bank account, though the process and fees vary.

PayPal is the most straightforward: add your gift card to your PayPal wallet, and you can transfer the balance to your bank account. PayPal does not charge a fee for this transfer if you use PayPal Balance (their internal account). Cash App lets you add a card but does not offer a direct transfer to your bank — you can only spend it through the app. Venmo works similarly: the card becomes a payment source, but you cannot move the balance directly to your bank account.

Before linking, confirm with the app whether they accept gift cards and whether you can transfer the balance out. Some apps block gift cards entirely, and others accept them only for spending, not for transfers.

Selling the gift card on a resale platform

Websites like CardCash, Raise, and Decluttr buy unused gift cards at a discount and pay you via bank transfer or check. You list the card, the buyer purchases it, and you receive payment — usually 70 to 95 percent of the card's face value, depending on demand and the retailer.

The process takes a few days to a week. You will need to provide the card number and PIN, and the platform verifies the balance before releasing payment. The discount reflects the buyer's risk and the platform's cut, so you lose money compared to spending the card yourself. However, this is the fastest way to convert the card to cash in your bank account if you do not plan to use it.

Popular retailers (Amazon, Target, Walmart, Best Buy) sell quickly and at higher percentages. Niche or regional cards may sit unsold or sell at steeper discounts. Check the current offer before listing — prices change daily based on demand.

Using the card to buy items you can resell

If you do not want to use a third-party platform, you can purchase items with the gift card and resell them yourself. Buy something with strong resale value — books, electronics, gift cards to other retailers — and sell it on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or a local buy-and-sell group. You keep the full sale price minus any platform fees.

This method takes more time and effort than selling the card directly, and you may not recover the full value if the item does not sell quickly or at the price you hoped. However, it avoids the discount you would take on a resale platform and keeps the transaction between you and the buyer.

Linking the card to your bank account directly

Some banks allow you to add a gift card as a linked payment method in their mobile app or online portal. This does not move the balance into your account — instead, it lets you spend the gift card balance when you make purchases or pay bills through your bank's system. The card becomes another way to pay, but the money stays on the gift card until you use it.

Check your bank's website or app to see if this option is available. The process usually involves entering the card number and verifying the balance. This is useful if you want to use the gift card for regular spending but does not convert it to bank account funds.

What to do if the card has a small balance left

If your gift card has only a few dollars remaining, the cost and effort of converting it may exceed the value. Resale platforms typically have minimum balances (often $5 to $10), and ATM withdrawals may trigger fees that eat into a small balance. In these cases, spending the remaining amount at the retailer or combining it with another payment method is usually the most practical choice.

Some retailers let you use multiple payment methods in a single transaction — for example, paying part of your purchase with the gift card and the rest with a debit card. This lets you use up the full balance without waste.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer a store gift card like Amazon or Target directly to my bank account?

No. Store-branded gift cards are not connected to the banking system and cannot be transferred to a bank account. You can spend the balance at the retailer, sell the card on a resale platform at a discount, or use it to buy items you can resell elsewhere.

Do I have to pay a fee to withdraw cash from a gift card at an ATM?

Only if you use an ATM outside the card issuer's network. Visa and Mastercard gift cards work like debit cards at ATMs, so out-of-network fees explore the same way. Check your card's terms for the fee amount and any daily withdrawal limits.

What percentage of the gift card value will I get if I sell it?

Resale platforms typically pay 70 to 95 percent of the card's face value. Popular retailers like Amazon and Target sell at higher percentages (often 85 to 92 percent), while smaller or regional cards may sell at steeper discounts. Prices change daily based on demand.

Is it safe to sell my gift card on a resale platform?

Established platforms like CardCash and Raise verify the card balance before paying you and have buyer protection policies. However, you are trusting a third party with your card information. Only use well-known platforms with clear terms and customer reviews.

Can I use a gift card to pay bills through my bank?

Some banks let you link a gift card as a payment method, which means you can use it to pay bills through your bank's system. However, this does not move the balance to your account — it straightforward lets you spend the gift card balance. Check your bank's app or website to see if this option is available.