Buying presents for everyone in the family during the holiday season can be daunting.

Equally challenging is being on the other end of it sometimes. Occasionally, receiving gifts you genuinely like and want may become rare, especially in big groups.

For instance, finding the perfect present for your dad or the right gift for your big sister can be confusing if you have a big family.

Several times, people wrap it up with gift cards if it’s for a store you like, voila! But if not, you might as well flush it down the drain.

Fortunately, there’s another solution. You can sell the gift card and get money to spend however you want.

Read on to find out how to get cash for gift cards immediately!

Platforms to Get Cash for Gift Cards

Simply put, a gift card is a prepaid debit card you can use to purchase things.

The person who purchases the gift cards can specify an amount to be input into it and the person who uses them can buy anything from those gift cards as long as it is within that amount.

Most gift cards are specific to certain brands, stores, and shops. So, if you receive a store’s gift card but don’t shop there, the gift card goes to waste.

One of the best ways to avoid letting that happen is to sell it for cash. You may lose some money or a small percentage in cuts by third-party mediators, but ultimately, it is better than losing all of it!

Some of the top websites/apps act as third-party mediators and let you sell your gift cards on their platforms.

1. Raise

Two iPhones displaying the discount card app, allowing users to access exclusive deals and savings

Raise is an interactive marketplace that provides a platform for people to sell their gift cards.

Although there’s no charge for signing up or listing your gift cards, Raise will keep a 15% cut of whatever you sell the gift card for.

Another constraint is that the gift cards must be worth at least $5 if digital and $10 if physical. Plus, the maximum balance can be $2,000 only.

Despite these terms, Raise is quite popular among regular shoppers and can assist you in selling your gift cards soon.

2. Craigslist

A step-by-step guide on using Craigslist to find a job. Explore job listings, filter by location and category, and contact employers easily

Who doesn’t like Craigslist’s convenience? Not only is it an excellent marketplace to list your items/products, but it is also a great place to auction off your gift cards.

The only catch here is that there’s no concrete security regarding authentication or exchange of data and money.

If you can figure out a way to be digitally and physically safe, make a listing on Craigslist and get the most from the gift card!

3. GiftCash

A stack of colorful gift cards with the word 'GiftCash' written on them

As the name summarises well, GiftCash is a dedicated platform to help people gain maximum compensation for their gift cards.

GiftCash is good enough to get you as much as 90 – 95% of what the gift card is worth.

Once it’s sold, you can get the money through PayPal or convert it to cash or crypto!

4. Reddit

The Reddit logo, symbolizing the widely used online platform for engaging in discussions and sharing content

We all know Reddit for the wonderful (sometimes twisted) community network it is.

But you can use Reddit to sell your gift cards, too! A specific community called “r/giftcardexchange” where Reddit users can chat, inform each other, negotiate, and finally sell their gift cards for a good price.

However, the moderator must first approve any gift card above $250.

5. CardCash

The logo for CardCash, a trusted platform for buying and selling discounted gift cards.

CardCash is where users can convert unwanted gift cards into discount vouchers or concessions applicable at more than 1,300 locations, like Starbucks, Walmart, Target, and more.

You can also sell (or buy) a gift card directly via cash. But remember that CardCash charges a small percentage of the transaction amount as a fee.

6. PayPal Zettle

PayPal Zettle logo: A sleek and modern logo representing the PayPal Zettle brand

PayPal has a special app – PayPal Zettle, where you can sell your gift cards conveniently.

Arguably, it has the best advantage over other apps since it is a reliable source to complete transactions.

You must create an account and input the details of the gift card, but the good part is that you don’t need to list your gift card and negotiate with different potential consumers.

You can add a digital card for the physical one and get the card’s worth.

Checklist Before Selling Your Gift Card

 Checklist for selling your gift card: 1. Verify the card's balance. 2. Research the best selling platform. 3. Take clear photos of the card

Before you sell the gift card, ensure you don’t get scammed. Here are a few quick tips that you can check through to find the best deal.

  • Compare the different offers on multiple platforms if possible.
  • Analyze the platform fees, convenience charges, and other deductions involved in the transaction.
  • Include all the essential information about the gift card in your listing to avoid discrepancies later.
  • Avoid shady websites, apps, and deals.
  • Don’t hesitate to pick up a good deal. If you take too much time to think, your consumer could redact their offer!

Wrapping Up

Gift cards can certainly be a tough present to utilize, especially if you don’t shop at the respective store or brand quite frequently.

Fortunately, websites like CardCash, Raise, Reddit, GiftCash, and Craigslist assist you in selling your gift cards and finding a better compensation for the gift.

In addition to these, ClipKard, eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Gift Card Kiosks are other places where you can sell your gift cards.

Ethan Lee

Ethan Lee, an MBA graduate from Harvard Business School, has over two decades of experience in finance and real estate. He joined our platform as a freelancer in 2021, bringing wealth of knowledge from his time as a financial analyst and real estate consultant. Ethan's insights into market trends and investment strategies are invaluable to our readers. Ethan's articles provide in-depth analysis and practical advice, reflecting his deep understanding of the financial world. His hobbies include golfing and volunteering for financial literacy programs for youths.

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