William Lipovsky
Gift cards are great when giving a present or planning ahead — they’re flexible, convenient, and “one-size-fits-all.” But sometimes they still aren’t the right fit.
Below, we list the top national stores that give refunds for gift cards, including return policy details, and those that don’t.
You’ll also find the list of U.S. states that require refunds on gift cards, complete with a brief summary of these laws.
Additionally, we share several easy ways to get money for unwanted gift cards, even if the store doesn’t accept returns.
Stores That Allow Gift Card Returns
Note that every business on our list requires a receipt or other proof of purchase in order to issue a refund.
If you received the card as a gift, you’ll need to talk to the person who gave it to you about making a return.
Advance Auto Parts
- Requirements: Cards must be unused.[1]
- Refund method: The full amount will be refunded to the original form of payment. Refunds can be made in person at an Advance Auto Parts store. You or the purchaser can also sign in to your online account in order to request a refund.[1]
- Find a store
Costco
- Requirements: For in-store returns, this is up to the warehouse manager. Otherwise, you’ll have to begin a return online to find out if your gift card is eligible for a refund.[2]
- Refund method: Physical gift cards purchased from a warehouse must be returned in-store; eGift cards must be returned online. The remaining balance will be refunded to the original form of payment.[2]
- Find a store
Gap (The Gap store, Baby Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, Athleta)
- Requirements: Cards must be unused; must be a physical gift card; eGift cards scheduled to be delivered at a future date can be canceled by calling (866) 853-9918.[3]
- Refund method: Take the card and receipt to the store brand shown on the card. If it was purchased online, you can also mail it in for a return. Your purchase price will be refunded to the original form of payment and may take up to 10 business days if returned to a credit card.[3]
- Find a store
Macy’s
- Requirements: Cards must be unused.[4]
- Refund method: Physical gift cards must be returned in person at a Macy’s store. Your purchase price will be returned in the original form of payment.[4] For eGift cards, you can request a refund by signing in to your Macy’s account. Funds will be returned to the bank account associated with this purchase.[5]
- Find a store
ShopRite
- Requirements: Cards must be unused; must be a physical gift card.[6][7]
- Refund method: Return your card for a refund by calling (800) 746-7748 and providing the email address and order number used to purchase the gift card.[6]
- Find a store
Starbucks
- Requirements: Cards must be unused.[8]
- Refund method: Call customer service at (800) 782-7282 to process a return.[8]
- Find a store
Victoria’s Secret (also PINK and Victoria Sport)
- Requirements: The gift card’s balance must be less than $10; must be a physical gift card.[9][10]
- Refund method: Return your card to a Victoria’s Secret location within the U.S. or Puerto Rico with proof of purchase and you will receive a cash refund.[9]
- Find a store
Stores That Don’t Allow Gift Card Returns
Many national stores have policies that don’t allow gift cards to be returned, except where required by law.
Unless your state requires it, you can’t return gift cards at these stores:
- Academy Sports + Outdoors[11]
- Ace Hardware[12]
- ALDI[13]
- Amazon[14]
- Apple Store/iTunes[15]
- Army & Air Force Exchange Service[16]
- AutoZone[17]
- Bath & Body Works[18]
- Bed Bath & Beyond[19]
- Best Buy[20]
- BJ’s Wholesale Club[21]
- Chick-fil-A[22]
- CVS[23]
- Darden Restaurants (Olive Garden, Longhorn Steakhouse, Cheddar’s, Capital Grille, Bahama Breeze, Yard House, Season’s 32, Eddie V’s)[24]
- DICK’S Sporting Goods[25]
- Dollar Tree[26]
- Dunkin'[27]
- Family Dollar[28]
- Foot Locker[29]
- GameStop[30]
- H&M[31]
- The Home Depot[32]
- IKEA[33]
- Jack in the Box[34]
- JCPenney[35]
- Justice[36]
- Kroger Family of Stores[37]
- Lowe’s[38]
- McDonald’s[39]
- Neiman Marcus[40]
- Nordstrom[41]
- Office Depot/OfficeMax[42]
- O’Reilly Auto Parts[43]
- Panera Bread[44]
- Petco[45]
- PetSmart[46]
- Publix[47]
- Rite Aid[48]
- Saks Fifth Avenue[49]
- SONIC[50]
- Sprouts Farmers Market[51]
- Staples[52]
- Target[53]
- Ulta Beauty[54]
- Verizon[55][56]
- Walgreens[57]
- Walmart[58]
- Wendy’s[59]
- Whole Foods[60]
States That Require Cash Refunds on Gift Cards
Some U.S. states require cash refunds on gift cards. In most cases, you must have a small remaining balance — $5 or $10.
States with gift card laws include:
- California: You can redeem any gift card that isn’t used if the balance is under $10.[61][62]
- Colorado: You can redeem gift card balances under $5 in cash.[62]
- Maine: You can redeem gift card balances under $5 in cash, except for cards with a beginning balance of $5 or less.[63][62]
- Massachusetts: If your card can’t be refilled and you have spent 90% of the original balance, you can redeem the remaining 10% in cash. If your card can be refilled and the balance is under $5, you can redeem the balance in cash.[64][62]
- Montana: If the original value of the card was more than $5, you can redeem gift card balances under $5 in cash.[65][62]
- New Jersey: If you’ve used the card, you can redeem gift card balances under $5 in cash.[66][62]
- Oregon: If you’ve used the card, you can redeem gift card balances under $5 in cash. However, you cannot redeem promotional cards given for free or with a discount, or cards for phone or internet service.[67][62]
- Rhode Island: You can redeem gift card balances under $1 in cash.[62]
- Vermont: You can redeem gift card balances under $1 in cash.[68][62]
- Washington: After a purchase is made, the remaining value must be made available to the bearer in cash or as a gift certificate. If you have $5 or less on a gift card, it can be redeemed for cash.[69][62]
How to Get Cash for Gift Cards
If you can’t get a partial or full refund on your gift card, there are many ways to get some money back by selling your card in person, electronically, or by mail. See our list of places that buy unwanted gift cards.
You can also check out our related research for information about getting cash back from an American Express gift card or Visa gift card.
Cathy Desmet