Trying to find out how much money is left on a gift card can be a frustrating experience. Thankfully, there are a few simple ways to check gift card balances so that you can use them with confidence. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to check the balance of popular gift cards from major retailers.
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How To Check Gift Card Balances
The process for checking gift card balances will vary depending on the retailer. However, there are a few general tips that you can follow to make sure that you’re checking your balance correctly:
Step 1: Find the Website
The first step is to find the website of the company that issued the gift card. For example, if you have a McDonald’s gift card, you’ll want to go to the McDonald’s website. If you’re not sure where to find the website, a quick Google search should do the trick or look to see if the URL is listed on the actual card on in the email if it’s an e-card (electronic card). If there is no website, look on the card for a telephone number to call.
Step 2: Find the Balance Checker Tool
Once you’re on the company’s website, locate the balance checker tool. This is usually located in the footer of the website. For example, on the McDonald’s website, the balance checker tool is located under the “Gift Cards” links at the bottom of the page. You will then need to scroll down on that page to see the “Check Your Balance” link.
Luckily, we have done all of this research for you if scroll down on this page, you’ll see the links to the exact pages to check your gift card balances for the most popular retailers including restaurants and stores, both online and brick and mortar.
Step 3: Enter Your Gift Card Information
Once you’ve found the balance checker tool, simply enter your gift card number and access code or pin code if requested into the relevant fields. After you hit “submit,” your current balance will be displayed on screen.
Once you’ve followed these tips, checking your gift card balance should be a breeze. However, if you’re still having trouble, we’ve provided specific instructions for the most popular retailers below.
List of Links to Check 100+ Gift Card Balances
Here are instructions, including links and telephone numbers, to check the balances on over one hundred of the most popular gifts cards available today.
| Gift Card | Check Balance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 5.11 Tactical | Check here | |
| Aeropostle Gift Card | Check here | |
| Adidas Gift Card | Check here | |
| Amazon Gift Card | Redeem here | Check without redeeming |
| AMC | Check here | |
| American Airlines Gift Card | Check here | |
| American Eagle Outfitters Gift Card | Check here | |
| American Express Gift Card | Check here | |
| American Girl | Check here | Or call 800-360-1861 |
| Apple Gift Card | Check here | |
| Applebee's Gift Card | Check here | |
| Arby's Gift Card | Check here | |
| Bahama Breeze Gift Card | Check here | |
| Banana Republic | Check here | |
| Barnes & Noble Gift Card | Check here | |
| Bass Pro Shops Gift Card | Check here | |
| Bath & Body Works Gift Card | Check here | |
| Best Buy Gift Card | Check here | |
| Bloomingdale's Gift Card | Check here | |
| Bonefish Grill Gift Card | Check here | |
| Burger King Gift Card | Check here | |
| Burlington Gift Card | Check here | |
| Cabela's Gift Card | Check here | |
| Carrabba's Gift Card | Check here | |
| Champs Sports Gift Card | Check here | |
| Cheddar's Gift Card | Check here | |
| Cheesecake Factory | Check here | |
| Chick-fil-A Gift Card | Email [email protected] | Or call 800-669-0033 |
| Chili's Gift Card | Check here | |
| Chipotle Gift Card | Check here | |
| Claire's Gift Card | Check here | |
| Costco Gift Card | Check here | |
| Cracker Barrel Gift Card | Check here | |
| Dairy Queen Gift Card | Call 800-605-9371 | |
| Disney Gift Card | Check here | |
| DSW Gift Card | Check here | |
| Dunkin Donuts Gift Card | Check here | |
| eBay Gift Card | Check here | |
| Eddie V's Gift Card | Check here | |
| Etsy Gift Card | Redeem here | |
| Express Gift Card | Check here | |
| Fanatics Gift Card | Check here | |
| Foot Locker Gift Card | Check here | |
| Forever 21 Gift Card | Check here | |
| GameStop Gift Card | Check here | |
| Google Play Gift Card | Redeem here | Or call 855-466-4438 |
| H&M Gift Card | Check here | |
| Happy You Gift Card | Check here | Or call 855-606-3494 |
| Hobby Lobby Gift Card | Check here | |
| Home Depot Gift Card | Check here | |
| HomeGoods Gift Card | Check here | |
| Hot Topic Gift Card | Check here | |
| IHOP Gift Card | Check here | |
| iTunes Gift Card | Check here | |
| Kohl's Gift Card | Check here | |
| Kroger Gift Card | Check here | |
| Longhorn Steakhouse Gift Card | Check here | |
| Lowe’s Gift Card | Check here | |
| Macaroni Grill Gift Card | Check here | |
| Macy’s Gift Card | Check here | |
| Maggiano's Gift Card | Check here | |
| Marshalls Gift Card | Check here | |
| MasterCard Gift Card | Check here | |
| McDonald's Gift Card | Check here | |
| Michaels Gift Card | Check here | Or call 800-642-4235 |
| Netflix Gift Card | Redeem here | Or call 866-579-7172 |
| Nike Gift Card | Check here | |
| Nordstrom Gift Card | Check here | |
| Old Navy Gift Card | Check here | |
| Olive Garden Gift Card | Check here | |
| On The Border Gift Card | Check here | |
| Panera | Check here | |
| Pizza Hut Gift Card | Check here | |
| Pottery Barn Gift Card | Check here | |
| Red Lobster Gift Card | Check here | |
| REI Gift Card | Check here | |
| QVC Gift Card | Call 888-345-5788 | |
| Safeway Gift Card | Call 888-413-5003 | |
| Sears Gift Card | Check here | Or call 888-332-2218 |
| Seasons 52 Gift Card | Check here | |
| Sephora Gift Card | Check here | Or call 888-860-7897 |
| SONIC Gift Card | Check here | |
| Staples Gift Card | Check here | |
| Starbucks Gift Card | Check here | |
| Steak 'n Shake Gift Card | Call 888-892-3813 | |
| Subway Gift Card | Call 877-697-8222 | |
| T.J. Maxx Gift Card | Check here | |
| Taco Bell Gift Card | Check here | |
| Target Gift Card | Check here | |
| Texas Roadhouse Gift Card | Check here | |
| The Capital Grille Gift Card | Check here | |
| The Container Store Gift Card | Check here | |
| Ticketmaster Gift Card | Check here | |
| Ulta Gift Card | Check here | |
| Valentino's | Check here | |
| Victoria's Secret | Check here | |
| Visa Gift Card | Check here | |
| Walmart Gift Card | Check here | |
| Wawa Gift Card | Check here | |
| Wendy's Gift Card | Check here | |
| Whole Foods Gift Card | Check here | Or call 844-936-2273 |
| Yard House Gift Card | Check here | |
| Zara Gift Card | Check here | |
Are you looking for a gift card balance checker that we are missing? Contact us to research and add.
And if you’re looking to buy discounted gift cards for less than face value, click here!
Use, Sell or Donate Gift Cards
CNBC reported that $3 billion worth of gift cards go unused every year. Don’t let that happen to yours!
If your gift card has an expiration date, be sure to use it before it expires. Under the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009, gift cards aren’t allowed to expire for five years, but if the card hasn’t been used in a year, it may be subject to inactivity fees. So set a reminder in your calendar to use your gift cards before the expiration date.
If you have gift cards that you don’t want or plan to use, here’s some ideas so they don’t go to waste:
- Re-gift to someone else (preferably not the person that gave it to you)
- Donate to charity or give to someone as a goodwill gesture
- Sell it! You probably won’t get the whole face value of the gift card, but something is better than nothing if you didn’t intend to use it. You can sell gift cards on CashCard.com which is safer and easier than online marketplaces such as eBay and Facebook Marketplace. And that being said, you can also buy gift cards for less than face value at CashCard.com so you want to want to use the money you earned from selling your unused gift card for a different gift card that you will use.
Gift Card FAQs
Below are some frequently asked questions about gift cards.
A: Under the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009, gift cards can’t expire for five years. However, if the card hasn’t been used in a year, it may be subject to inactivity fees.
A: No, gift cards cannot expire in California. However, if the card hasn’t been used in a year, it may be subject to inactivity fees.
A: To avoid paying inactivity fees, simply use your gift card at least once every 12 months.
A: A prepaid debit card is a type of plastic payment card that can be used like a credit or debit card to make purchases. A gift card is a type of stored-value card that can be used like cash to make purchases at merchants that accept the card.
A: No, you cannot use your gift card to get cash. However, you may be able to use your gift card to make purchases online or over the phone. If you have a prepaid debit card, you may be able to use it to get cash from an ATM.
A: To check the balance on your gift card, visit the website of the issuer or call the customer service number listed on the back of the card. You will need to provide the account number and PIN listed on the card.
A: Most times you cannot reload your gift card, but you can ask the issuing retailer if that option is available. But usually, once the funds on the card are depleted, you will need to purchase a new card.
A: If your gift card is lost or stolen, you should contact the customer service number listed on the back of the card as soon as possible. You may be able to cancel the card and get a replacement. However, you will likely be charged a fee for this service.
A: No, you cannot use your gift card at any store. You can only use your gift card at merchants that accept the card. To find out which stores accept the card, visit the website of the issuer or call the customer service number listed on the back of the card.
A: If the purchase you want to make is for more than the balance on your gift card, you will need to pay the difference with another form of payment. You cannot split a transaction between multiple forms of payment.
Conclusion
Checking the balance on your gift card is easy! Simply find the company’s website and locate the balance checker tool. Once you’ve found it, just enter your gift card number and access code into the relevant fields. After you hit “submit,” your current balance will be displayed on screen.
We hope that this blog post has helped you to understand how to check your gift card balances from major retailers. Remember to enter your gift card number and PIN carefully, and always check your balance often if you don’t redeem it right away.
