Woman holding card and smiling at phone

Instant Cash For Gift Cards [2024]

Some of the links in this post are from our sponsors, and we might earn a commission if you click on one.

Close your eyes and picture a “birthday present.” What do you see? Is it a beautifully wrapped package with a crimson bow?

How quaint! These days, most birthday gifts look like a little plastic card or a digital code. I’m talking, of course, about gift cards.

An estimated 74% of consumers purchase gift cards for birthdays. But what can you do when you get a card you don’t want? 

Sell it!

You can use online marketplaces to get instant cash for gift cards. Below, I’ll describe how it works and share some of the best platforms. 

Legit Ways To Get Instant Cash For Gift Cards

It’s easy to sell gift cards for instant cash. You just have to find a legitimate gift card marketplace and follow the instructions. 

Here are some apps and platforms where you can get instant cash for gift cards.

CardCash

CardCash is an online marketplace where you can sell gift cards for instant cash. 

Selling gift cards on CardCash is a simple 3-step process: 

  1. Get a quote. Just go to the official CardCash website and click “Sell Gift Cards.” From there, you can enter the store name and gift card balance to see your offer.
  2. Submit the card. You can usually send the gift card electronically by sharing the card number and pin. Otherwise, you can send the physical card.
  3. Get paid. You can choose to receive cash or trade for a different gift card. Opting for a gift card will allow you to get a higher percentage of your initial gift card balance. Gift cards are available from major retailers like Target and Home Depot.  

If you choose to receive cash, it can be delivered as:

  • An ACH transfer to your bank account
  • A check sent through the mail
  • A payment through PayPal 

Your payment should arrive within 1 to 2 days.

CardCash can offer up to 92% of the card’s balance, but the exact offer depends on the store. That’s why your best bet is to get a quote for your specific gift card.

The marketplace accepts gift cards from a wide variety of merchants, from mega-retailers like Walmart to smaller restaurant chains like Fogo de Chao. There are also no pesky fees to worry about. 

Try CardCash Now

For more ways to access instant cash, check out this article about how to get free money

Raise

Raise is another easy-to-use platform where you can sell gift cards for instant cash. It also has an interesting feature that you don’t see with many other platforms: You set your own price for the gift cards you’re selling!

Here’s how it works:

  1. Create a Raise account. Just head to the official Raise website and click “Sign up.”
  2. List your gift cards on the marketplace. You set the price – but you should choose an amount that will actually entice buyers. You can list gift cards from thousands of different brands. 
  3. Get paid. Once someone buys your gift card and the delivery has been confirmed, Raise will send you the money.

There are two ways to receive your Raise earnings:

  • PayPal ($5 cashout threshold, receive your money within 5 days)
  • Direct deposit (no cashout threshold; get your money within 3 days) 

You can sell both physical gift cards and e-gift cards through Raise. Just be aware that physical gift card sales bring a small fee of $2.75 or 1% of the gift card value (whichever is greater). 

Raise also charges a 15% commission on all gift card sales. 

CardSell

CardSell is just what it sounds like – a platform where you can sell gift cards for instant cash.

But there’s something weird going on with CardSell at the moment. It claims to be an app-based marketplace available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play. But when you click the download link, no app shows up. 

I also couldn’t find an active app called “CardSell” on either the Apple App Store or Google Play. And there’s no option to make an account online through the official CardSell website. 

This could all be part of a technical issue. Once CardSell gets back up and running, it will be a great option for anyone who wants instant cash for gift cards.

CardSell advertises a 3-step selling process:

  1. You enter your gift card information.
  2. CardSell verifies the gift card and contacts buyers. 
  3. You get paid via PayPal within 48 hours.

Sounds easy, right? Check back here for an update on the reemergence of the CardSell app on the Apple Apple Store and Google Play.

GiftCash 

GiftCash is another online platform that helps people earn instant cash for gift cards. 

So, what sets GiftCash apart? That’s easy – the fact that you can receive your money in crypto! 

Not a blockchain whisperer quite yet? No worries. GiftCash pays out in cash, too. 

Here’s the 3-step process for selling gift cards on GiftCash:

  1. Enter your cards. Go to the official GiftCash website and click “Sell Gift Cards.” From there, you can see if your gift card’s brand is available. If it is, then you can type in the card balance to check how much money GiftCash is offering. 
  2. Accept your offer. Happy with the dollar amount? You can accept it right then and there!
  3. Cashout. If you want U.S. dollars, you can request an ACH transfer. Prefer crypto? GiftCash offers BTC, BCH, ETH, and USDT. You should receive your money in 10 to 15 days, and you’ll be charged a small processing fee for the transaction. There’s no set fee amount since it depends on a fluctuating market rate. 

The percentage of your card’s balance that you’ll be able to claim depends on the retailer. For example, a Starbucks gift card only gives you a 70% payout, while a Best Buy card will give you 87%. 

In general, GiftCash accepts gift cards with balances between $20 and $2,000. But there are some exceptions, including Air Canada, Apple, and Petco, which all have a $100 minimum.

Gift Card Outlets 

Gift Card Outlets is a great platform for earning instant cash for gift cards, especially if you want to be in control. With Gift Card Outlets, the seller decides what percentage of the gift card balance they want to earn.

Here’s how it goes down:

  1. You make an offer on the platform. Just head to the official Gift Card Outlets website and click “Sell Gift Cards.” If your gift card’s brand is available, you can enter the card’s current value and choose what percentage of the balance you want to receive. Gift cards typically sell for 60% to 90% of their balance. 
  2. Gift Card Outlet responds. Within 2 to 3 business days, the platform will respond with an acceptance, a rejection, or a counteroffer. Exciting, right? It’s like being a heavy hitter on Wall Street!
  3. You set up your payments. Before Gift Card Outlets can send you money, they’ll need some information – including a copy of a photo ID that shows your state.
  4. You submit your card information. You can only sell electronic gift cards on the platform.
  5. You get paid! Gift Card Outlets uses Zelle for standard sellers and ACH transfers for bulk sellers. You should receive your money within 10 to 15 working days. 

There are some major benefits of using Gift Card Outlets:

  • As the seller, you make the initial offer.
  • There are no fees.
  • You don’t have to wait for an individual buyer. The platform itself buys your gift card.

That’s why Gift Card Outlets is a great marketplace to sell gift cards for instant cash!

The Gift Card Outlets web page where you fill in your gift card details.
Gift Card Outlets and similar platforms will give you instant cash for gift cards.
Source: Gift Card Outlets

How to Get Free Gift Cards 

I’ve already described how you can receive instant cash for gift cards, but here’s another question: Where can you get gift cards in the first place? After all, you only have one birthday a year!

Well, I’ve got good news: There are apps and platforms that will give you free gift cards just for completing online tasks. 

Here are some of the best ways to earn gift cards online. 

Mistplay 

Mistplay is a gaming app that will give you cash or gift cards for playing games. It’s not available for iOS, but it’s a fantastic option for Android users. 

There are tons of games on the platform, so you’re sure to find some you like. And once Mistplay learns your preferences, they’ll recommend games just for you. 

Here’s how Mistplay works:

  1. Download the Mistplay mobile app on Google Play.
  2. Play games and earn “units” as you go.
  3. Redeem your units for money sent through PayPal or gift cards.

Mistplay offers Visa gift cards as well as gift cards to Amazon and other popular retailers. Check out this article for more ways to earn free Visa gift cards.

Play Mistplay Now

Cashyy 

Cashyy is another paid gaming app that’s available for Android users. And it’s super popular, earning 4.3 stars from reviewers on Google Play. 

Why do folks love Cashyy? It’s probably because the platform offers both entertainment and real-world prizes.

Here’s how to use Cashyy:

  1. Download the Cashyy app (for free!).
  2. Choose a game-related “mission.”
  3. Earn coins for completing missions.
  4. Exchange your coins for cash or gift cards.

From Amazon to Apple, Cashyy offers a wide variety of gift cards – including plenty that you could exchange for cash if you wanted to! That makes Cashyy a great option for anyone who wants to sell gift cards for instant cash.

Play Cashyy Now

Looking for even more gaming opportunities? Read this list of exciting ways to earn gift cards by playing games.

And check out FreeCash to play games, take surveys, and complete tasks to win money and gift cards (read “Is Freecash Legit?”). 

Branded Surveys 

Branded Surveys is a classic survey platform that sends you cash or gift cards in exchange for sharing your opinions.

Using Branded Surveys is easy:

  1. Sign up through the official Branded Surveys website.
  2. Answer some basic questions about yourself.
  3. Earn points by taking surveys.
  4. Redeem your points for cash payments and gift cards. 

The great thing about Branded Surveys is that they offer tons of different gift cards. Want sports supplies? Video games? A decent meal? Whatever you’re after, you can find it on Branded Surveys. 

Check out this full list of sites that offer surveys for gift cards.

Swagbucks 

Swagbucks is a “get paid to” (GPT) platform that will pay you to complete all sorts of online tasks.

Paid activities on Swagbucks include:

  • Taking surveys
  • Playing games
  • Watching videos
  • Shopping 
  • Answering trivia questions

These tasks are easy, and they can even be fun!

Here’s how to use Swagbucks:

  1. Sign up through the official Swagbucks website or download the Swagbucks mobile app (available for iOS and Android).
  2. Earn points (called “SBs”) for taking surveys and completing other tasks.
  3. Redeem your SBs for cash (through PayPal) or gift cards.

Swagbucks offers gift cards from a wide variety of brands, including Amazon and Apple. 

Try Swagbucks Now

To learn about similar platforms, check out this article on how to get free Apple gift cards.

Survey Junkie

Survey Junkie is a survey platform with an exciting twist: You can earn extra money by giving the company access to your browsing activity. Yes, that means you can earn gift cards just by using the internet as usual! 

Here’s how Survey Junkie works:

  1. Download the Survey Junkie app (available for iOS and Android) or register on the official Survey Junkie website.
  2. Take surveys to earn points.
  3. Enable “SJ Pulse” to earn extra money by sharing your browsing activity (this is 100% optional).
  4. Exchange your points for cash or digital gift cards.

Survey Junkie can send you gift cards from Walmart, Starbucks, and other massive brands.

Try Survey Junkie Now

Did the mention of Starbucks ignite your coffee craving? Well, here’s an article with more ways to earn a free Starbucks gift card.

MyPoints 

MyPoints is another comprehensive “get paid to” (GPT) platform that lets you earn gift cards by taking surveys, shopping, and even playing games. 

It’s owned by Prodege, the same market research company that operates Swagbucks and similar platforms. Why does that matter? Because it shows MyPoints is just as legit!

Interested? Here’s how to earn gift cards through MyPoints:

  1. Sign up by creating an account through the official MyPoints website or by downloading the MyPoints mobile app (available for iOS and Android).
  2. Complete online tasks for points.
  3. Exchange your points for gift cards to Target, Starbucks, and other popular retailers. 
A MyPoints web page displaying gift cards from Target, Starbucks, Apple, Sephora, and eBay.
You can use MyPoints and similar platforms to earn gift cards by completing simple tasks.
Source: MyPoints

And here’s an extra perk with MyPoints: You’ll get a $5 bonus just for signing up!

Try MyPoints Now

Interested in upping your “gift card” game? Read this article on how to get a $10 Google Play gift card free.

Commonly Asked Questions About Instant Cash For Gift Cards 

Where To Sell Gift Cards For Instant Cash?

You can use these apps and platforms to sell gift cards for instant cash:

  • Raise
  • CardCash
  • Gift Card Outlets
  • CardSell
  • GiftCash

Instant Cash For Gift Cards PayPal / Sell Gift Cards For PayPal Instantly?

There are several platforms where you can sell gift cards for instant cash delivered through PayPal, including CardCash and Raise.

How Can I Get Cash For Gift Cards Immediately? 

You can get instant cash for gift cards by selling the cards through an online marketplace. You won’t get the entire value of the gift card in cash, but you can get most of it. CardCash, Raise, GiftCash, and Gift Card Outlets are all reputable platforms.

What App Turns Gift Cards Into Cash Instantly?

Here are some apps and platforms that let you sell gift cards for instant cash:

  • CardCash
  • Raise
  • CardSell
  • GiftCash
  • Gift Card Outlets

Does GiftCash Pay Instantly?

GiftCash pays out quickly, but not quite “instantly.” You can expect to get your money within 10 to 15 days. 

How To Get Cash For Visa Gift Cards Immediately? 

You can get instant cash for gift cards – including Visa gift cards – by selling them through Raise and Gift Card Outlets. These are two of the most popular gift card marketplaces. And unlike some other gift card platforms, they accept Visa gift cards. 

Instant Cash For Gift Cards No Verification? 

Most legitimate gift card marketplaces require that you verify your identity. You generally have to do this by sending an image or copy of your I.D. You might also have to share a credit card number. 

Sell Gift Cards instant Payment Cash App?

Several apps and platforms will give you instant cash for gift cards – or almost instant, anyway. CardCash, Raise, GiftCash, and Gift Card Outlets are all reputable platforms, and you can receive up to 92% of a gift card’s balance. 

Gift Card Exchange Online? 

There are lots of gift card exchanges available online, including Gift Card Outlets, CardCash, GiftCash, and Raise. You can use these sites to earn instant cash for gift cards, often receiving a significant percentage of the gift cards’ total balance.