Redeeming multiple gift cards can seem complicated, but it’s actually quite straightforward once you know the process. Here are some quick answers to common questions about using more than one gift card at a time:
Can I use multiple gift cards in one purchase?
Yes, you can use multiple gift cards from the same retailer to pay for a single purchase. When checking out, simply provide the gift card numbers and PINs for each card you want to redeem. The store’s payment system will apply the gift card balances until the purchase total is covered.
What if my gift cards don’t cover the full amount?
If your combined gift card balances don’t cover the total cost of your purchase, you can pay the remainder with another payment method like cash, credit card, or debit card. The store will use up the gift card funds first and then charge the balance to your other payment method.
Should I use gift cards in any particular order?
It generally doesn’t matter which gift card you enter first. The store’s system will draw down all of them until the purchase is paid off. However, if you have one card that’s very low on funds, you may want to enter that one last to avoid issues.
Can I use gift cards from different retailers together?
Unfortunately, you can’t combine gift cards from different stores in a single transaction. Gift cards are retailer-specific, so you can only redeem cards from the same retailer together. You’ll need to make separate purchases to use gift cards from different stores.
Do stores limit how many gift cards I can use?
Most major retailers don’t impose any limits on how many gift cards you can redeem in one purchase. However, smaller businesses may have restrictions in place to prevent fraud, so check with the store first if you plan on using more than 2-3 gift cards together.
Do the gift cards need to be all for me?
Nope! You can redeem gift cards in your name together with cards gifted to friends and family members. The cards don’t all have to be registered to the same person to use them in one transaction.
Can I redeem gift cards online?
Yes, many major retailers allow you to enter multiple gift card numbers when checking out online. Make sure to have the gift card numbers, PINs, and balances handy before starting the checkout process. Entering them is just like using multiple payment methods.
What about in-store purchases?
You can also use multiple gift cards for a single in-store transaction. Let the cashier know upfront that you’ll be using more than one gift card so they can walk through the payment steps with you. Have all the cards ready at checkout to speed up the process.
Tips for Redeeming Multiple Gift Cards
Follow these tips to smoothly redeem multiple gift cards at once:
- Check gift card balances ahead of time so you know how much funds are on each card.
- Bring the physical gift cards with you if redeeming in-store (if applicable).
- Have all gift card numbers and PINs handy for online redemptions.
- Enter gift cards with the lowest balances first to maximize your use of funds.
- Be prepared to pay any remaining balance with another payment method.
- Save the transaction receipts showing your gift card redemptions.
- Check your gift card balances afterward to confirm the amounts used.
Why Redeem Multiple Gift Cards?
There are many reasons you may need or want to use multiple gift cards at once. Here are some of the most common scenarios:
- You received gift cards as presents for your birthday, holiday, or other occasion.
- You earned gift cards through credit card rewards programs.
- You want to redeem gift cards you’ve been accumulating over time.
- You need to make a large purchase that exceeds the balance on one gift card.
- You have leftover balances on several cards you want to consolidate.
- You need to use up gift cards before they expire.
Regardless of the situation, redeeming multiple gift cards is easy to do. You can drain the balances more quickly and avoid leaving money unspent on old gift cards.
Are there any fees or gotchas to watch out for?
For the most part, there are no fees or penalties for redeeming multiple gift cards at once. However, here are a couple things to keep in mind:
- If you return part of your purchase later, the refund will be divided back onto the original gift cards rather than in cash.
- Some retailers charge an inactivity fee if you don’t use a gift card within a certain time period. Check the policies so unused cards don’t get reduced by fees.
- Prepaid Visa or Mastercard gift cards often have associated purchase fees, so those may be less cost effective to redeem in bulk.
What regulations apply when redeeming multiple gift cards?
There are a couple government regulations surrounding gift card redemptions to be aware of:
- Under the federal CARD Act, gift cards cannot expire for at least 5 years from the purchase date or last use.
- Most states prohibit gift cards from expiring or assess inactivity fees until 2-5 years after they were purchased.
- If a retailer goes bankrupt, you may have to file a claim to recoup the balance on purchased gift cards.
So make sure to double check the expirations and fees associated with any gift cards you’re planning to redeem together. Also try to use gift cards sooner rather than later if you’re concerned about the retailer’s financial stability.
Tax Implications
One thing to keep in mind when redeeming multiple gift cards is any potential tax implications:
- If you sell gift cards for over the value you paid for them, you may owe capital gains taxes on the profit.
- Swapping gift cards for cash back may also generate taxable income in some cases.
- If you’re redeeming cards received through a customer loyalty program, be aware those rewards are sometimes taxable.
Consult a tax advisor if you have any concerns about possible taxes when redeeming gift cards received from third parties. But if you redeem cards that were given to you as gifts, those are generally not taxable transactions.
Can gift cards expire or lose their value?
Yes, gift cards can expire and lose unused value under certain circumstances:
- Gift card expiration varies by state law and retailer policy, but cards usually expire within 5 years from purchase date.
- Inactivity fees may deduct money from the balance if the card goes unused for a period of time.
- Lost or stolen gift cards typically cannot be replaced or refunded by the retailer.
- Damaged gift cards may not be accepted if the barcode is scratched or number illegible.
- Retailer bankruptcy can render gift cards of a bankrupt company worthless.
So when redeeming multiple gift cards, it’s advised to use them sooner rather than later. Check any cards you haven’t used recently to ensure they haven’t expired or incurred fees. Also keep physical cards in a safe place and register cards you purchase online.
Can I get cash back when redeeming a gift card?
Typically you cannot redeem a gift card for cash directly from the retailer. Store gift cards must be spent on merchandise or services from that brand. However, there are couple options for getting cash from gift cards:
- Sell unwanted gift cards at a discount through gift card exchange websites.
- Trade in gift cards for cash back at select grocery stores and retailers.
- Deposit gift card value to PayPal (where available) then withdraw the funds.
- Redeem points from credit cards, airlines, etc. for gift cards, then resell the gift cards.
These options do involve fees or discounted payouts. But they provide alternatives if you need the cash value instead of the gift cards themselves.
Selling and Exchanging Gift Cards
If you want to redeem gift cards for cash, your options include selling or exchanging them through third-party services:
- Gift card resale sites like Cardpool, Raise, and CardCash allow you to sell unused gift card balances for cash.
- You’ll typically get 70-90% of the card’s value by selling through these sites.
- Some sites also let you trade one brand’s gift card for another’s at a discounted rate.
- You can mail gift cards to the sites or redeem e-gift card codes online.
- Payment is issued by check, direct deposit, or prepaid card after the site verifies the balance.
Selling or exchanging gift cards does take some time and involves transaction fees. Make sure to compare sites to get the best payout rate for your specific gift cards.
Can I consolidate multiple gift cards into one?
Some retailers and third-party services allow you to merge multiple gift cards into one for easier management:
- Starbucks, Amazon, Walmart, and select other brands let you combine balances from multiple cards online.
- Prepaid Visa/Mastercard services like GiftCards.com can consolidate retail gift cards into one prepaid card.
- You may need to pay a small fee to transfer balances between cards.
- Consolidating cards requires all cards to be from the same retailer.
- Any consolidated card usually has the same expiration as the original cards.
Before combining cards, make sure you use up any that are close to expiration first. And don’t consolidate cards from different retailers. Overall, consolidating can help minimize forgotten balances and reduce clutter from multiple plastic cards.
Examples of Gift Card Consolidation Policies
Here are the specific policies on combining gift card balances from a few popular retailers:
Retailer | Consolidation Policy |
---|---|
Amazon | You can consolidate up to 25 gift card balances on one Amazon card through your account. |
Starbucks | Starbucks allows you to transfer balances from multiple cards onto one new or existing Starbucks card through the app or website. |
Target | Target combines any number of Target gift card balances into one new card for a $3 fee per consolidation. |
Walmart | You can combine Walmart gift card balances through an in-store kiosk or online into a single card for free. |
Can I redeem a gift card without having the physical card?
In many cases, you can redeem a gift card without presenting the physical card, such as:
- E-gift cards can be redeemed using just the claim code and PIN.
- You may be able to provide the gift card number and PIN over the phone for phone/catalog orders.
- Some retailers can look up physical gift cards using the number and your ID.
- Digital wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay let you add gift cards without the physical copy.
However, policies vary by retailer regarding redeeming gift cards without the actual card present. Some may require the physical card if you purchased and registered it previously. Check with customer service before going to redeem gift cards you don’t have with you. Carrying the physical card is safest when redeeming in-store.
Tips for Redeeming Gift Cards Without the Physical Card
If you need to redeem a gift card without having the card with you, keep these tips in mind:
- Take a picture of the card when you receive it so you have the number.
- Register the gift card number online if possible so it’s attached to your account.
- For plastic gift cards, jot down the number and PIN and store securely.
- Ask the retailer about redemption policies without the physical card.
- Bring ID matching the gifted name to help verify your identity.
- Follow up to ensure proper redemption if not done in person.
Having the gift card number, PIN, and your ID on hand will make phone or online redemptions smoother when you can’t present the card itself. But try to hold onto physical gift cards if possible in case in-person use is required.
Can I use gift cards internationally?
The ability to use gift cards internationally varies depending on the retailer:
- Restaurant and store gift cards typically only work at locations in the country of purchase.
- Visa/Mastercard/Amex gift cards and prepaid cards often work abroad and online.
- Some airlines and hotel brands issue international gift cards for use around the world.
- Foreign transaction fees may apply if redeeming internationally.
- Physical gift cards don’t always work in foreign card readers.
Before traveling, check the gift card or prepaid card policies to see if it can be used outside your home country. You may need to exchange any domestic retailer cards for a more globally-accepted option.
Tips for Using Gift Cards Internationally
If you want to redeem gift cards while overseas, keep these tips in mind:
- Exchange any retailer-specific cards for a prepaid Visa or Mastercard.
- Use gift cards to shop online at retailers before your trip.
- Register gift cards under your name and bring ID in case the physical card doesn’t work.
- Carry the gift card number and PIN in case you encounter any issues.
- Consider exchanging any leftover foreign currency back to gift cards before returning.
Doing some prep work before traveling internationally will help ensure your gift cards are accepted abroad. You’ll then be able to enjoy redeeming them for local shopping, dining, hotels, and other purchases.
Conclusion
Redeeming multiple gift cards is a great way to consolidate card balances and maximize your available funds. Most retailers happily accept multiple gift card redemptions for a single purchase. Just be sure to check expiration dates, fees, and the retailer’s specific redemption policies. With a small amount of planning, you can easily redeem two, three, or more gift cards at once for seamless checkouts and getting more value from your cards.