Last Updated on August 19, 2023 by Rebecca Lake
Got unwanted gift cards that you just don’t know what to do with?
One of the best ways to get rid of unused gift cards is to take them to a local gift card exchange kiosk near me (you) and swap them for cash. A gift card kiosk allows you to turn physical gift cards into real money that you can spend or save.
Americans have $21 billion in unused gift cards sitting around, according to a Bankrate survey. That’s real money that’s just left sitting on the table that you could be putting to good use!
The good news is that you probably have at least one gift card exchange kiosk near you. Here’s how to find a gift card exchange machine so you can get cash for gift cards instantly.
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Table of Contents
What Is a Gift Card Exchange Kiosk?
A gift card exchange kiosk is a physical machine that allows you to turn unwanted gift cards into instant cash. You can insert your card, get a quote for instant cash and accept or decline their offer.
In terms of their physical appearance, gift card kiosks can look like stand-alone ATMs, DVD rental machines, photo booths or even a slot machine. These self-service machines can be located in a plethora of grocery stores, drugstores and retail stores like Target or Walmart.
There are also online gift card exchange kiosks that you can use to turn gift cards into easy money. This can be a great option if you want to sell physical or digital (e-gift) cards for cash.
How much cash you can get for unused gift cards?
The amount will depend on the value of the card and where you’re exchanging gift cards. Typically, gift card exchange kiosks can offer anywhere from 60% of the gift card balance at the lower end and up to 90% of the card’s value at the higher end.
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Find a Gift Card Exchange Kiosk Near Me
Need to find a gift card exchange kiosk near me (you)? Enter your zip code below and hit the search button to find the nearest gift card exchange kiosk locations in your area.
Note: Search results will open in a new tab.
You can also try finding places to sell unused gift cards by plugging different phrases into your preferred search engine. For example, you might try searching for:
- ‘Sell my gift card near me’
- ‘Buy my gift card near me’
- ‘Gift card exchange near me’
- ‘Where to sell gift cards near me’
- ‘Gift card kiosk exchange near me avoid the fee’
- ‘Sell gift cards near me’
We’ll cover some of the best places to sell gift cards for cash locally and online a little later.
Related post: How to Make Money With Rakuten – Ultimate Guide
How to Use a Gift Card Exchange Kiosk
Before you look for a gift card exchange machine near me (you), you’ll want to round up unusued or unwanted gift cards you’d like to swap for cash. That can include Mastercard or Visa gift cards, retailer gift cards, gift cards for online gaming, subscription service gift cards, and restaurant gift cards.
Here’s how to exchange your gift cards for instant cash:
- Find a gift card exchange kiosk near you. If you haven’t searched for ‘gift card exchange kiosk near me’ yet, you’ll want to backtrack and do that first. Some of the easiest places to find gift card exchange kiosks include grocery stores and drugstores like Walgreen’s or CVS.
- Check your gift card’s remaining balance. Before you enter any gift card information into an exchange kiosk, it’s a good idea to know how much it’s worth. You might be able to check the balance at the machine but if not, the card should include instructions for checking balances. If you want to check your Visa gift card balance, for example, you should be able to do that online or by calling the number on the back.
- Next, enter the gift card number and/or PIN. Once you know the gift card’s value, you’ll enter the gift card number and PIN. Both of those are required to ensure that the card is legit. That information may be on the front or back of the gift card, depending on what kind it is.
- Review the gift card exchange kiosk’s cash offer. After verifying the gift card number and PIN, the kiosk should give you a quote for cash. Again, this is usually a percentage of the value of the gift card, rather than its full face value.
If you decide to accept the offer, you’ll receive one or more cash vouchers. These print out directly from the gift card exchange kiosk. If the exchange kiosk charges a fee to turn gift cards into cash, you should be able to review that on the screen before making your exchange.
You can then take these cash vouchers to the customer service desk or a cash register in order to collect your money. You may be asked to present your driver’s license in order to exchange your cash vouchers for actual money. Once you’ve verified your identity, you should be able to collect your cash, less the fee.
Note: Cash vouchers typically expire within a couple of days. So if you’re planning to swap gift cards for cash, time is of the essence.
Top Pick for Selling Gift Cards: EJ Gift Cards
EJ Gift Cards makes it easy to sell unwanted gift cards for cash or Bitcoin, without ever leaving home. Just enter your card details to get an instant offer, accept the terms, and get paid fast!
Find a Physical Gift Card Exchange Kiosk Near Me
When searching for a gift card kiosk, you have two options: physical kiosks or online gift card exchanges.
If don’t mind a short drive or bike ride, it’s possible to find gift card exchange machines at local stores. Here are some of the most popular options for finding the nearest kiosk locally.
GiftCardBin
GiftCardBin allows you to exchange unwanted gift cards for cash locally through its network of partner locations. There are more than 600 partner locations across the United States, so this could be one of the best places to exchange gift cards for cash.
And here’s what makes GiftCardBin unique: you can exchange gift cards through text messages if you can’t make it to a partner gift card drop-off location.
To exchange gift cards via text messaging, you’ll just snap a pic of the gift card with your mobile phone and send it to GiftCardBin.
You’ll need a valid state or government-issued photo ID and either a PayPal account, bank account, Venmo account or Cash App account to get paid.
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Walmart
Walmart is a popular gift card retailer since they sell a variety of gift cards for restaurants, stores, gas stations and gaming platforms.
For example, you might be able to buy a Home Depot card here or pick up a Best Buy gift card. And of course, you can always buy a Walmart gift card there as well.
With more than 5,000 stores in the U.S., your closest store location may be right around the corner. You can visit the store’s gift card exchange kiosk, exchange your gift cards and head to the cash register to redeem your cash vouchers.
Pro tip: If you have loose coins to unload, you can turn them into cash at a Walmart Coinstar exchange!
Target
Target stores are another great option for buying gift cards or exchanging them. The next time you’re making your weekly Target run, look for the gift card exchange kiosk (they’re usually near the front of the store) and turn your gift cards into cash.
Note: Target does not accept returns of gift cards purchased in-store, or offer cash for gift cards directly. You can only exchange gift cards for cash at Target if you’re using a gift card kiosk machine.
Walgreens
Walgreens locations may have gift card exchange kiosks where you can turn different gift card options into cash. You may also be able to return a Walgreens gift card for cash if you have the original receipt.
CVS
If CVS is your preferred pharmacy, you may be able to visit your nearest store location to exchange gift cards. It may be a good idea to compare the discounted price you’ll get at CVS gift card exchange kiosks to Walgreens or other retailers to make sure you’re making the most of your card’s value.
Grocery stores and supermarkets
Plenty of grocery stores offer gift card exchange kiosks so that’s an easy way to get rid of unused gift cards while making your weekly shopping trip. Some of the grocery stores where you might be able to exchange gift cards include:
- Kroger
- Safeway
- Meijer
- Giant
- Shoprite
- Wegman’s
- Food Lion
- Stop & Shop
If you’re not sure whether your local grocery store offers a gift card exchange kiosk, the easiest way to find out is to give them a call if you have the phone number. You can ask someone at the customer service desk whether they have a gift card kiosk and which gift card brand or brands you may be able to exchange.
Online Gift Card Exchange Kiosks
Don’t feel like driving or don’t have physical kiosks near you where you can exchange gift cards? You could try a digital gift card exchange instead.
There are plenty of online services that you can use to convert Visa gift cards or other gift cards into instant cash if you have an email address and a laptop or mobile device.
Using an online marketplace is convenient since you don’t have to leave the house to exchange gift cards. And it can be a great way to maximize your card’s value if there’s no high cost or service fee involved.
Here are some of the best options if you’re looking for an online platform that offers gift card exchange.
EJ Gift Cards
EJ Gift Cards makes it easy to sell physical and e gift cards online instantly.
You simply select the gift card brand, review EJ Gift Cards’ offer based on the card’s value, then accept or decline it. If you accept the offer, you can enter the card number and PIN along with your payment information.
EJ Gift Cards sends payment to your PayPal account within one to three business days. So it isn’t exactly instant cash. But it could be the best way to exchange unwanted gift cards with minimal hassle.
Raise
Raise is an online marketplace where you can buy and sell gift cards at a discounted rate.
You can list your unwanted gift cards on Raise and earn up to 85% cashback when they sell. Raise pays you via direct deposit, paper check or transfer to a PayPal account, which makes it simple to collect your cash.
GiftCash
GiftCash could be a good option for exchanging gift cards if you want to make the most use of the card. This online marketplace offers cashback worth up to 92% of the card’s value.
This site is also unique in that you can get paid via bank account transfer or in cryptocurrency. That’s a plus if you’re interested in crypto investing for passive income.
Gameflip
Gameflip doesn’t purchase gift cards directly. Instead, you can use this service provider to connect with interested gift card buyers.
You can list your unused gift cards for sale on Gameflip. When someone buys them, you’ll transfer the gift cards to them and get paid.
Gift Card Outlets
Gift Card Outlets (formerly Gift Card Spread or GC Spread) is an online marketplace where you can sell unwanted gift cards at your own price. This means you have more control when it comes to selling gift cards for cash.
The only hitch is that payments are only made by check and it can take up to 10 days to receive payment. So if you need instant cash for your gift cards, you may want to explore one of the other online gift card exchange kiosk options mentioned here.
CardCash
CardCash is another site you can visit to sell your gift cards for cash. You list your gift card, including the gift card brand and value. If you’re happy with Card Cash’s offer, you can accept it and get paid by check, ACH transfer or PayPal deposit.
ClipKard
ClipKard makes it as easy as possible to sell gift cards for cash online. You can add your card, review your cash offer, ship in your physical cards and get paid. You can also earn reward points for each gift card you sell which you can then use to buy gift cards at a discounted rate.
CardSell
The CardSell app allows you to easily sell gift cards online. You enter your gift card information and verify your account. Once you accept CardSell’s offer you can get paid cash through PayPal within two business days.
QuickcashMI
QuickcashMI buys gift cards for cash and offers quick payouts to its users. The company is U.S.-based and offers instant quotes, plus you can also buy discounted gift cards here as well.
There is one catch, however. If you’re exchanging gift cards for cash with QuickcashMI online, your only option for getting paid is via paper check. That might not be the best option if you want to unload your gift cards for cold hard cash in a hurry.
Places that no longer buy or trade gift cards
Some gift card exchange kiosks that used to allow you to trade gift cards for cash have either discontinued that policy or gone out of business altogether.
For example, you no longer exchange gift cards for cash at…
- Card Kangaroo
- Gift Card Granny
- Cardpool
- Plastic Jungle
- Gift Card Rescue
Here’s one more thing to note: you might not be able to turn gift cards into cash if the retailer goes out of business.
When Bed Bath & Beyond filed for bankruptcy protection in early 2023, for example, the company announced that it did not expect its gift cards to be honored beyond May 8th. If you have any unwanted gift cards from stores that are going out of business, your best bet might just be using them up so you don’t lose that money altogether.
Top Pick for Selling Gift Cards: EJ Gift Cards
EJ Gift Cards makes it easy to sell unwanted gift cards for cash or Bitcoin, without ever leaving home. Just enter your card details to get an instant offer, accept the terms, and get paid fast!
Can You Exchange Gift Cards for Cash With Coinstar?
Coinstar Exchange kiosks allow you to turn coins into cash. The value of the coins determines how much cash you’ll get, less Coinstar’s service fee.
Ninety percent of people in the United States live within five miles of a Coinstar kiosk so this might be the first place to look if you’re ready to exchange gift cards. They’re also available globally, including in Puerto Rico and Guam.
Unfortunately, Coinstar gift card exchange kiosks are no longer a thing. While you used to be able to exchange gift cards for cash at Coinstar at a discounted rate, the company removed that option.
So if you found this site by searching for “Coinstar gift card exchange rate”, “does Coinstar buy gift cards”, “yellow Coinstar near me”, “yellow Coinstar kiosk near me” or “does Coinstar give gift cards”, just know that you can’t use Coinstar for that anymore.
You can, however, use your loose change at Coinstar to buy gift cards.
Coinstar charges no service fee when you use your coins to buy egift cards. For example, you could turn coins into a Home Depot gift card or Amazon gift card. So that might be a good option if you have tons of spare change lying around and you’d like to turn it into a good gift for someone else or store credit to your favorite retail brands.
Pro tip: You can also use your coins to donate to a good cause through your local Coinstar coin exchange kiosk.
Other Ways to Get Rid of Unwanted Gift Cards
Looking for more places to sell your gift cards if you don’t have time to visit a gift card exchange kiosk near me(you)?
Here are a few more options for unloading gift cards you don’t plan to use.
Sell them on Facebook
Facebook is a great place to buy and sell things locally, including gift cards.
Technically, you’re not supposed to list them for sale on Facebook Marketplace–only third-party companies are allowed to sell gift cards there. And if you see other finance experts claiming that you can sell digital or physical gift cards Facebook Marketplace, you might nudge them to take a look at Meta’s policies.
Does that mean you won’t see other people selling gift cards on Facebook Marketplace? Nope. And you could try putting a listing up to see if you get any takers (and avoid Facebook jail).
You can also post gift cards for sale on your personal page or in local Facebook bargain or swap groups. The bigger the group, the more reach your listing will have.
Just be careful about meeting up with people to collect cash for gift cards if you don’t know who they are.
If you’re selling physical gift cards, choose a safe place like a nearby police station to meet to exchange your gift cards for cash. And think twice if someone asks you to send a photo of the gift card number or PIN before money changes hands, as that could be a scam.
List them on eBay
There are lots of things you can sell for cash on eBay, including gift cards. You can create a listing and sell your gift cards for cash, then ship them out to your buyer.
One thing to know about selling gift cards for cash on eBay is that it can be a breeding ground for scams. A common scam involves gift card buyers who purchase gift cards through eBay, use them to make purchases then file false fraud reports with eBay claiming the card didn’t work.
If you’re considering selling gift cards for cash on eBay, be sure to weigh the risks. You could make more money selling unwanted gift cards this way but it could end up costing you money if you have to give out refunds to scammers.
Exchange gift cards with a friend
Gift cards make a great gift–when they’re something you actually plan to use.
If you’ve got gift cards for stores or restaurants that you don’t normally go to, you could try to arrange a gift card swap with a friend.
For example, maybe someone gifted your friend a Home Depot card when they really wanted an Amazon gift card. You don’t shop on Amazon, so you could swap the Amazon gift card you have for their gift card to Home Depot.
Swapping git cards means you don’t have to pay any fees. And you may not lose anything if the card’s value you’re exchanging is the same as the one you’re getting.
Gift unwanted gift cards to someone else
If you don’t have anyone willing to trade gift cards, you could regift them to someone else.
This might be more appropriate when you haven’t accessed any of the card’s value.
Giving someone a Starbucks gift card with $8.53 on it, for example, probably won’t seem like much of a gift. But a $25 Starbucks gift card might be much more welcome.
Just make sure the gift card hasn’t expired before you give it to someone else, which could be embarrassing for both of you.
Pro tip: If you need to buy some discounted gift cards, check out Gift Card Granny. You’ll find a huge selection of discounted cards and choose from physical cards or e-delivery. It’s a simple way to find the perfect gift without leaving home!
Use gift cards to pay bills
If you have a Visa gift card or a Mastercard gift card, you could use it to pay bills.
Gift cards with a Visa, Mastercard or American Express logo can be used in the same places you’d use a credit card or debit card from any of those brands. So you could use unwanted gift cards to buy groceries, get gas or pay a bill or two if you can’t think of any other way to spend it.
Use unwanted gift cards to purchase items to flip
Flipping is the act of buying things at one price, then selling them for a profit.
If you have some gift cards you don’t plan to spend on yourself, you could use them to purchase items to flip.
For example, if you have a Sephora gift card you could use it to purchase beauty products and then flip them on Facebook Marketplace or eBay. Or you could purchase items with a gift card, then sell them to a pawn shop for fast cash.
This way, you can still get some value out of the gift card by getting cash indirectly.
Related post: 50+ Things to Sell to Make Money (Sell Stuff for Cash Fast!)
Donate gift cards to charity
Donating gift cards to a good cause is a chance to give back while unburdening your wallet of gift cards you never planned to use.
When donating gift cards to charity, consider whether the charity will be able to use them. Amazon gift cards, for example, can be used to buy a wide range of things. But if you have gift cards to a grocery store or a pet store, you might need to find a charity that specializes in meeting those kinds of needs to donate them to.
Pick up the tab when out with friends
You could also use restaurant gift cards to take friends out and cover the tab. They can then send cash back to you via CashApp or Venmo.
Keep in mind that this usually works best if you can count on your friends to pay you back. If you can’t, then you could still take them out but just consider it a fun treat instead.
Top Pick for Selling Gift Cards: EJ Gift Cards
EJ Gift Cards makes it easy to sell unwanted gift cards for cash or Bitcoin, without ever leaving home. Just enter your card details to get an instant offer, accept the terms, and get paid fast!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell unwanted gift cards at a pawn shop?
Whether you can sell gift cards at a pawn shop depends on the pawnbroker’s policies. Pawn shops do pay cash for a wide variety of items. So if you have unwanted gift cards, you could try selling them at a pawn shop near you.
Do gift card exchange kiosks charge a fee?
It depends. Some gift card exchange kiosks do charge a fee to trade your gift cards for cash. If you do have to pay a listing fee, seller’s fee, or shipping fee to mail in physical cards, be sure to factor those in when deciding whether the kiosk’s offer price is a good deal.
How do I get the most money for my gift card?
Comparing gift card exchange kiosks near you can help you figure out which ones offer the most money for unused gift cards. You could also try selling gift cards to friends or family members at a discount, which would allow you to bypass any fees you might pay at an exchange kiosk.
Can I get cash for a gift card with a low balance?
Possibly. Many states have gift card laws that allow you to redeem cards at the retailer for cash if the balance is below a certain threshold. Usually, the minimum is $5 to $10.
These states have laws regarding low gift card balances and cash redemptions:
- California: Allowed if the balance is $10 or less
- Colorado: Allowed if the balance is $5 or less
- Maine: Allowed if the balance is $5
- Massachusetts: 90% of the original balance must be used already
- Montana: Allowed if the balance is less than $5
- New Jersey: Allowed if the balance is less than $5
- Oregon: Allowed if the balance is less than $5
- Vermont: Only allowed if the balance is less than $1
- Washington: Allowed if the balance is less than $5
So, if you have a gift card with just a few bucks on it you could take it to the store or retailer that issued it and ask for cash back. Assuming you’re in a state where retailers must honor your request, you can walk away with a little cash in hand.
Can I sell expired gift cards for cash?
Gift card exchange kiosks usually won’t pay cash for expired gift cards. And again, you might not be able to sell a gift card for cash if the retailer that issued it has gone out of business. You may, however, be able to sell collectible versions of expired gift cards on eBay.
How do I find a gift card exchange near me?
It’s easy, just enter your zip code and click the search button to find gift card kiosks near you!
Where can I get free gift cards to sell?
There are lots of ways to get free gift cards that you can trade for cash at a gift card exchange kiosk. Some of the best places to get free gift cards for doing small tasks like taking surveys, playing video games, watching videos or shopping online include:
You can also get free gift cards during the holidays. That’s when stores and restaurants tend to run promotions that offer free gift cards.
For example, you might get a $10 gift card free when you buy $50 in physical or digital gift cards. Or you may get a $5 Target gift card when you buy certain items in-store.
Those are a few more simple ways to get rewarded with free gift cards for minimal effort. You can stash them away to use as gifts, spend them, or turn them into cash at a gift card exchange.
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Final Thoughts on Gift Card Exchange Kiosks
Paying a quick visit to a gift card exchange kiosk near you can be an easy way to trade gift cards for cash. When comparing the options for selling unused gift cards online or off, be sure to consider:
- What gift card brands you can exchange
- How much cash you can expect to get for your gift cards
- What kind of service fee or handling fee you might pay
- How quickly you’ll be able to get cash
- Payment methods available (i.e. PayPal account, Venmo, Cash App, bank account transfer, check, etc.)
With a little research, you can make sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck when cashing in gift cards. And if you’re interested in getting free gift cards to sell for cash, remember that you can earn them online doing simple tasks with Swagbucks or MyPoints.
Need more ideas for making easy money? Read these posts next:
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