William Lipovsky
Purchasing gift cards online using your checking account is a great option when you don’t have a debit or credit card on hand.
You can use your checking account to buy gift cards from CardCash by ACH payment.[1]
By connecting your checking account to PayPal, you can also pay with your checking account on platforms like Gift Card Granny, Raise, and eBay.[2][3][4]
If none of these options work for you, you can also use a personal check to buy gift cards at retailers like Target and Walgreens.[5][6]
See below for more information about buying gift cards online with your checking account.
What I Recommend
The only online option that allows you to buy gift cards directly with your checking account information is CardCash, an online retailer that offers gift cards at a discount. However, note that there’s an application process for CardCash ACH payments.[1]
To avoid this process, you can link your checking account to your PayPal account and buy gift cards from sites like Gift Card Granny and Raise (which offers discounts similar to CardCash).[2][3]
ACH Payments on CardCash
CardCash allows you to purchase gift cards online with your checking account.[1]
To pay with a checking account on CardCash, you’ll first need to create an account. Then, to apply for access to ACH payment, you must make at least three transactions using a different payment method and intend to make a purchase of over $1,000.[1]
To apply, you will send a copy of your driver’s license, the email address linked to your checking account, and a written request for ACH access to compliance@cardcash.com.[7]
CardCash will review your application. If you’re approved, you’ll be able to purchase gift cards directly from your checking account.[7]
Additionally, like the sites listed below, CardCash allows you to link your PayPal account (which you can connect to your checking account) to pay for gift cards.[7]
CardCash sells physical and digital gift cards discounted up to 35% off the face value of a gift card. You can also use CardCash to sell gift cards at a discount or trade them for gift cards to other stores.[7][8][9]
If you’re planning to shop online for other items and prefer to use your checking account, see our list of where to shop online with your checking account numbers only.
Buying Gift Cards With PayPal
Many online retailers accept PayPal payments. If you don’t have a PayPal account, you’ll need to sign up on the PayPal website.[10]
Select the type of account you’d like to open (business or personal), enter your name and email, and create a password. Then follow the guided steps to add your checking account as a payment method.[11][10]
If you already have a PayPal account but haven’t linked a checking account, head to your PayPal Wallet. Here, you’ll see an option to link a bank account or debit/credit card.[12]
Participating Stores
Once you’ve linked a bank account to your PayPal account, you can buy gift cards online and choose PayPal at checkout at the following online stores.
Note that I’ve ordered businesses starting with the best overall options regarding discounts and gift card availability.
Gift Card Granny
Raise (Mobile App Only)
- Physical or digital gift cards? Both[15]
- Discounts: Up to 30% off; earn up to 15% Raise cash on full-priced gift card purchases.[16]
- Shop
eGifter
- Physical or digital gift cards? Both[17]
- Discounts: Generally around 2% to 20% off;[18] you can also earn points to save money when purchasing gift cards in the future through its rewards program.[19]
- Shop
Giftcards.com
Target
- Physical or digital gift cards? Both[22]
- Discounts: 5% off specialty and third-party gift cards when using a Target RedCard[23]
- Shop
PayPal
Newegg
eBay
- Physical or digital gift cards? Physical[31]
- Discounts: Varies by seller and availability[32][33]
- Shop
Game Card Delivery
Buying Gift Cards With Personal Checks
If none of the options listed above have the gift card you want, you can indirectly pay with your checking account by using a paper check at a brick-and-mortar store.
Note that individual locations may have different policies, so you might want to call ahead to make sure it accepts checks.
The following retailers generally allow you to purchase gift cards with personal checks:
Not true. Can’t buy a gift card with a checking account at Amazon, I just tried and the only option is debit card, no checking account.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention, Brandon! You are correct — while Amazon does allow you to make purchases with a checking account, gift cards are now on the list of excluded purchases and require a different payment method. We have updated our article to reflect this.