If you have a Visa gift card, you might be wondering how to convert it to cash. After all, cash can be more versatile than plastic.
While you can use a Visa gift card for many purchases, you can’t use it for everything.
We’re sharing several ways to convert Visa gift cards to cash. Use the ideas that work best for you so that you get some extra cash quickly.
How to Exchange Visa Gift Cards for Cash
Exchanging your Visa gift cards for cash may require creative thinking, but it is possible. Here are some of the best ways to use a Visa gift card like cash.
1. Add It to Your PayPal Wallet
Whether you have a Vanilla Visa gift card or another type of card, PayPal provides an option to add these gift cards to your PayPal wallet. Just enter the gift card number and other information to add it to your account.
Once the gift card balance clears, you can use the money to pay for purchases via PayPal. Alternately, you can send the money to a friend or your own bank account.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that fees may apply when you transfer money. This applies when sending money to your bank account or loved ones.
Using your Visa gift card balance for purchases where merchants accept PayPal is one of the most cost-effective options since your card won’t lose any of its value.
Pros
- Use for PayPal purchases
- Transfer to your bank account
- Pay a friend or family member
2. Buy Other Gift Cards
A more indirect way to convert your Visa gift card to cash is to buy a different gift card. If you know you’ll use a company-branded gift card, it can be more valuable to you than one from Visa.
For example, you could use your Visa gift card to buy an Amazon gift card of equal value. Since you can buy almost anything you could ever need on Amazon, you would essentially be converting your Visa gift cards into cash.
You could even do this for stores like Walmart, Starbucks or Target. However, you might pay extra to do this if the merchant you’re shopping at charges a fee for Visa-based purchases.
Better yet, you could use your Visa gift card to buy discounted cards from sites like Raise. This may actually increase the value of your gift card (i.e., you could turn your $35 Visa gift card into a $50 one to Jiffy Lube).
Pros
- Trade for more valuable card
- Valid at a merchant you prefer
Cons
- Won’t work with all retailers
- Potential fees
3. Get a Money Order
It is possible to use your Visa gift card to buy a money order. From there, you can deposit the money order at your bank and use the funds directly from your checking account.
Or, you can cash your money order at any store that accepts money orders. You might even be able to cash it where you purchased it.
It’s important to note that some banks limit the number of money orders you can deposit or cash. For that reason, you may want to check ahead of time with your bank if you plan on depositing money orders frequently.
To learn more, check out our article on the best places to buy money orders.
Pros
- Function as cash
- Widely available
4. Gift Card Exchange Kiosk
Gift card exchange kiosks are available throughout the U.S. and around the world. When you use a gift card exchange kiosk, you insert your gift card into the machine as you would with an ATM card.
The kiosk then scans your Visa gift card and gives you a cash offer for it.
You have a choice as to whether to accept or reject the offer. If you accept the offer, the kiosk keeps your card and gives you the money.
In some situations, you may need to take a receipt voucher to a cashier to get your money for the exchange.
If you reject the offer, the kiosk will give you back your gift card.
Unfortunately, you will likely see a payout that is lower than the value of your gift card when you use kiosks. Plus, each kiosk has different rules about what they charge, and the cashout fee can be quite high.
Ultimately, this isn’t the best way to convert your Visa gift cards to cash. But, if you are in a time crunch, it can be a quick way to get paid fast.
Pros
- Easy and convenient
- Fast way to get cash
- Many locations
Cons
- Fees can be high
- May reduce gift card’s value
5. Give It as a Gift
Another way to turn Visa gift cards into cash is to give them as gifts. But how exactly does this equate to converting your card to cash?
By giving your card as cash, you free up money in your budget that you would have spent on a gift for your friend or family member. In turn, this allows you to use that budgeted cash for other needs.
The key to success with this idea is to be sure that you already had this expense included in your budget. That way, the cash is readily available when you need it.
Pros
- Cash can be readily available
- Makes gift giving easier
- No fees
6. Pay Bills
Another unique way to turn your gift card into cash is by using it to pay bills.
Similar to gifting your Visa gift card, you can use the cash you had set aside for your bills in whatever way you please.
Just about any company that accepts credit card payments for bills will let you pay your bills with a Visa gift card. However, not all companies allow you to pay bills with Visa gift cards. You’ll want to verify that this option will work for you before trying it.
In addition, there is often a fee for this service. This fee is charged by the company that you owe. In turn, this will reduce the value of your Visa gift card.
While this might not be the most cost-effective way to convert your Visa gift cards into cash, it can come in handy in a pinch.
Pros
- Pay bills
- Use online or in person
Cons
- Potential fees
- Not at all companies
7. Purchase and Resell Items
Have you heard about retail arbitrage? This is when you buy something and then resell it at a higher price.
If you learn to do it well, you can make money with retail arbitrage. The goal is to buy items that you find that are priced lower than what they’re typically selling for.
For instance, you can find clearance items at your local big box store and resell them online for a profit.
But how does this relate to converting your gift cards to cash? It’s a truly out-of-the-box way to flip your cards.
Essentially, you search online for items that you can buy at super steep discounts and pay for them with your Visa gift card. Then, you resell them at a profit that will cover selling and other fees.
Be sure to do some research before you buy the items you want to resell. You’ll want to choose items that are popular and have a high chance of reselling quickly.
Pros
- May increase card’s value
- Side hustle potential
Cons
- Takes research and time
- Some risk involved
8. Put it in Venmo
Just like you can put your Visa gift cards into PayPal, you can also put the funds into Venmo.
Simply follow the instructions on the Venmo site to add your Visa gift card to your wallet. Once you see the money in your Venmo wallet, you can use it to make purchases where Venmo is accepted.
Alternately, you can transfer money from your Venmo wallet to your bank account.
What’s more, Venmo doesn’t charge fees to transfer money to your bank account like PayPal does.
Keep in mind that you may get a fraud warning from Venmo if you attempt to add your Visa gift card. If this happens, don’t worry. This is simply a security precaution, and Venmo can help you clear it up.
Pros
- Easy and fast
- Transfer to bank account
- No fees
9. Sell It Through a Website or App
There are websites and apps that will let you convert your Visa gift card to cash by selling them. The best places to sell gift cards depend on how fast you want your cash and how much of its value you are willing to lose.
Some sites will buy your card directly, while others will advertise your gift card on a marketplace for consumers to buy. Offer prices will differ as well.
For example, CardCash will give you up to 92% of the value of your card. Some sites may give you less than that.
Make sure you do your research and compare offers on different sites to get the best payout for your card.
Pros
- Quick and easy
- Multiple apps and sites
Cons
- Will reduce card’s value
10. Sell It to Someone Directly
This option can be one of the more simple solutions. You can sell your Visa gift cards on Craigslist or similar sites, or you can sell your gift card to someone you know and trust.
Many people will consider buying Visa gift cards from you if it means they get a deal. After all, you can use these gift cards just about anywhere.
Whoever buys your gift card can use it at a big box store, restaurant or any other retailer.
The best way to ensure that someone will buy your gift card is to offer a good deal. For example, sell a $25 gift card for $22. Or sell a $100 gift card for $90 or $95.
Also, be willing to negotiate if necessary. This will ensure you can sell your Visa gift card quickly.
Pros
- Many potential buyers
- No service fees
Cons
- Could reduce card’s value
Benefits of Converting a Visa Gift Card to Cash
As the saying goes, “cash is king.” However, if you aren’t sure that converting your Visa gift card to cash is worth the effort, there are some scenarios when it is a wise decision.
For example, if you want to make a purchase but a merchant only accepts cash, using your gift card won’t work. Plus, some merchants won’t accept Visa cards to complete transactions.
In both these scenarios, using cash ensures your transactions can be completed without any issues.
Additionally, if you can use your gift card to buy a different gift card that you will actually use and has a higher value, converting your card may give you extra breathing room in your budget.
Along the same lines, if you are able to repurpose your gift card to pay bills or offset the cost of other expenses, you can free up cash in your budget. This will allow you to move toward your financial goals more quickly.
FAQs
If you still have questions about how to convert Visa gift cards into cash, these answers might be able to help.
The answer to this question varies depending on the person. Adding your gift card to your PayPal or Venmo account can be easy, especially since you can do it from the comfort of your couch.
That said, the simplest solution is likely to use the card for needed purchases or gift it and save money you would have otherwise spent on those budget items.
If you want to get the most cash for your Visa gift card, using it to buy a discounted gift card of a higher value is ideal. Or, adding it to your PayPal wallet or Venmo account are your best options to ensure it holds its value.
Other strategies, like selling it either online or locally, could cause you to receive less cash than the card is worth.
Yes. Whether you have a Vanilla Visa gift card, Visa prepaid card or another type of card, it is safe if you use one of the options mentioned above to get cash.
It’s important to remember that there are scammers and illegitimate websites that will offer to turn your Visa gift card into cash. Make sure you do your research before using any option to ensure it’s safe.
Visa gift cards typically cannot be used at ATMs to get cash.
However, if your Visa gift card comes with a four-digit PIN, you might be able to get cash from an ATM. That said, this capability is rare.
Summary
There are several unique ways to convert Visa gift cards to cash. You just need to find the option that works best for you.
Consider what you need the cash for, how much you are willing to pay in fees and what the easiest conversion method is for you.
This will help you determine what strategy to use as you flip your Visa gift card for cash.