Can You Return a Gift Card If You Still Have the Receipt? Here's What You Can and Can't Do (2024)

FAQs

Can You Return a Gift Card If You Still Have the Receipt? Here's What You Can and Can't Do? ›

Check the Store's Return Policy

The ability to return a gift card depends on the store you bought it from. A lot of retailers (like Amazon, Target, Lowe's, and Sephora) state in their terms and conditions that their gift cards, both physical and digital, are nonrefundable. And yes, that's even if you kept the receipt from the purchase.

He says know what to expect when you enter the store. "Keep in mind even with a gift receipt that person is not going to get a cash refund, or a credit card refund," he warns. "They are going to get merchandise credit, equal to the amount the gift giver paid or they are going to get an even exchange.

In some states, by law, you can exchange low-balance gift cards for cash. See a state-by-state guide here. However, refunds only apply to retail and restaurant gift cards, not bank-issued cash cards like Visa and American Express and in most states, the cards need to be less than $5.

Unless a Gift Card is faulty, Gift Cards and eGift Cards are non-refundable following the loading of funds onto the card.

For the most part, companies tend not to allow the return or exchange of gift cards unless required by state law — more on that further below. There are exceptions with certain stores, though. For example, Gap allows customers to return unused physical gift cards and cancel scheduled e-gift cards for a refund.

If lost, stolen, or damaged, the card can be replaced for any remaining value if satisfactory proof of purchase is provided. However, most states have mandatory cash-back requirements that can allow you to be refunded for the remaining balance on a partially used gift card.

Most stores won't accept gift card returns if the card has been partially or fully redeemed. You can usually check online or in-store to see if a card has been used.

Nonreturnable; not for resale.

Notwithstanding anything contained in these Terms and Conditions, Walmart plastic Gift Cards and eGift Cards ("Walmart Gift Cards") are not returnable or refundable for cash except in states where required by law.

Do you have a gift receipt? Without proof of purchase, you may not be able to secure a refund as return rights only apply to the person who actually paid for the item. A receipt can be used for proof of purchase, so check to see if a gift receipt has been included with your present.

What can I do with gift cards I don't want? ›

If the merchant's return policy allows for refunds, the value of the returned goods will be credited back to the card within three to seven business days of the return. If your Visa Gift card has expired, the merchant's return policy will determine how the return will be handled.

Yes, returns policies on gift cards are different than other merchandise. Once you redeem a gift card, you can return it with the receipt you received when you purchased the gift card. However, not all stores accept returns on gift cards.

Unlike credit cards, there typically isn't any recourse for consumers when a gift card is stolen or used without authorization, so it is very hard to reverse the purchases or get a refund in these situations.

Under usual refund policies, where you have the receipt, most retailers will offer you a full refund - on card if that's how you paid - or by cash. Where you've got a gift receipt, you'll usually be offered a gift card.

Yes, your right to return an item is exactly the same regardless of whether you bought it with a gift card, a payment card, or a combination of the two. If you paid for your whole order with a gift card, your order will be refunded onto the original payment gift card.

Specialty gift cards, pre-paid gift cards and Target GiftCards cannot be returned or redeemed for cash or credit except where required by law. This includes Target GiftCards, Visa®, Mastercard®, or American Express® Gift Card, restaurant, entertainment, lottery cards.