The direct answer: most gift cards cannot move money into a bank account

A gift card is a prepaid card tied to a specific retailer or payment network. The money on it stays locked to that card and that merchant until you spend it. You cannot transfer the balance to a checking or savings account the way you would move money between two bank accounts.

What you can do depends on what kind of gift card you hold. Visa, Mastercard, and American Express gift cards work differently from store-specific cards like Target or Amazon. Some paths involve converting the card value into cash or a bank transfer; others involve spending the balance strategically to free up money elsewhere.

Key Takeaways

  • Visa, Mastercard, and Amex gift cards can sometimes be transferred to a bank account through their issuer's app or website, but store-specific cards like Target or Amazon cannot.
  • You can withdraw cash from a Visa or Mastercard gift card at an ATM if the card has a PIN, though you may pay a fee per withdrawal.
  • Selling a gift card on a resale platform like Raise or CardCash converts it to cash you can deposit, but you will receive less than the card's face value.
  • Using a gift card to buy items you would otherwise purchase frees up cash in your checking account that you can then deposit or move.
  • Store credit cards and closed-loop cards (Target, Amazon, Starbucks) have no direct path to a bank account and are designed to keep money within that retailer.

Visa, Mastercard, and Amex gift cards: checking for a bank transfer option

Network-branded gift cards—those issued by Visa, Mastercard, or American Express—sometimes allow you to link the card to a bank account or move the remaining balance. The process and availability depend on the card issuer.

Start by checking the back of the card or the issuer's website for a customer service number. Call and ask whether the card can be linked to your bank account for a transfer. Some issuers allow this through their mobile app; others do not offer it at all. If the card was issued by a bank (like a Bank of America Visa gift card), that bank's app may have a transfer option. If it was issued by a third party like NetSpend or Green Dot, check their app or website directly.

Be prepared to provide your bank account details if a transfer is available. The issuer will verify your identity before processing. Transfers typically take one to three business days. Not all issuers offer this, so do not assume it is available—ask first.

Withdrawing cash at an ATM

If your Visa or Mastercard gift card has a PIN, you can withdraw cash at an ATM. The card must be activated and have funds remaining. Look for the PIN on the card itself, in the packaging it came in, or contact the issuer to request one.

Insert the card into an ATM, enter your PIN, and select "Withdrawal." You can withdraw up to the card's remaining balance, though the ATM may have its own daily limit. Each withdrawal typically costs a fee—usually $2 to $3—charged by the ATM operator or the card issuer. If you withdraw $50 and pay a $3 fee, you net $47.

This method works but is expensive if you make multiple small withdrawals. Withdrawing the full balance in one or two transactions minimizes fees. Some ATMs are free for certain card networks; check the issuer's website for a fee-free ATM locator.

Selling the gift card on a resale platform

Websites like Raise, CardCash, and Decluttr buy unused gift cards at a discount and pay you cash or a bank transfer. The discount reflects the buyer's risk and the platform's cut.

To sell, you list the card's remaining balance and take a photo of the card number and PIN (the platform will ask for these before payment). The platform reviews the listing and either accepts or rejects it based on demand. If accepted, you receive an offer—typically 70 to 95 percent of face value, depending on the card type and current demand.

Once you accept the offer, the platform pays you via bank transfer, PayPal, or a check. Bank transfers usually arrive within one to five business days. You then provide the card details to the buyer. The entire process takes a few days to a week.

Store-specific cards (Target, Amazon, Starbucks) sell for lower percentages because they are less flexible. Network cards (Visa, Mastercard) typically sell for higher percentages. Resale is not information programs—you lose 5 to 30 percent of the card's value—but it converts an unused card into cash you control.

Using the gift card to replace planned spending

If you do not need when ready cash, the simplest path is to spend the gift card on something you would buy anyway. This frees up money in your checking account that you can then keep or move.

For example, if you have a $50 Amazon gift card and plan to buy a book this month, use the card instead of your debit card. You keep the $50 in your account. This is not a transfer, but it achieves the same result: the gift card value becomes available cash in your bank account.

This method works best when the card is for a place you shop regularly. It does not work if the card is for a store you do not use or if you need the money urgently.

Store-specific and closed-loop cards: no direct path to a bank account

Target, Amazon, Starbucks, and other retailer-branded cards are closed-loop systems. The money stays within that retailer's ecosystem and cannot be transferred to a bank account, even partially.

Your options are limited to spending the card or selling it on a resale platform. There is no way to withdraw cash directly or request a bank transfer. If you sell it, you will receive less than face value. If you spend it, the money is gone from your control but you have received goods or services in return.

What to watch for when converting gift cards

Fees add up quickly. ATM withdrawals, resale discounts, and platform commissions all reduce the amount you actually receive. A $100 gift card sold on a resale site might net you $75 to $85 after the platform's cut. The same card withdrawn from an ATM in four transactions might cost $12 in fees, leaving you $88.

Scams exist around gift card resale. Never send a card's details before receiving payment, and use only established platforms with buyer protection. If a site asks you to pay money upfront to sell a card, it is a scam.

Check the card's expiration date and any inactivity fees. Some gift cards expire or lose value if unused for a set period. If the card is close to expiring, convert it sooner rather than later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer a gift card balance to someone else's bank account?

No. You cannot transfer a gift card balance to another person's bank account directly. You can sell the card on a resale platform and receive cash, or you can spend the card and give the person cash instead. Some platforms allow you to send a gift card code to another person, but that is not a bank transfer.

What if my gift card has a very small balance left?

Small balances are often not worth selling on a resale platform because the platform's minimum payout or the discount makes the return negligible. Spend the card at the retailer, use it to buy a gift for someone else, or donate it. Some charities accept gift cards as donations.

Do I need to report gift card sales as income?

Selling a gift card you received as a gift is generally not taxable income. You are converting an asset you already own, not earning new income. If you are selling gift cards as a business or regularly, consult a tax professional. For occasional personal sales, no reporting is required.

Why can't I just transfer the money like a regular payment?

Gift cards are prepaid instruments issued by a specific merchant or payment network. They are not bank accounts and do not have the same infrastructure as checking accounts. The card issuer controls where the money can go, and most issuers restrict it to spending at their network or retailer.

Is it better to sell the card or use it to buy something?

Use the card if you shop at that retailer regularly and would buy the item anyway. Sell the card if you do not use the retailer and need cash. Selling costs you 5 to 30 percent of the value but gives you cash when ready. Using the card costs nothing but locks the money into that retailer's ecosystem.