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How To Check Gift Card Balances From Any Store Or Restaurant

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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.

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.

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 CardCheck BalanceNotes
5.11 TacticalCheck here
Aeropostle Gift CardCheck here
Adidas Gift CardCheck here
Amazon Gift CardRedeem hereCheck without redeeming
AMCCheck here
American Airlines Gift CardCheck here
American Eagle Outfitters Gift CardCheck here
American Express Gift CardCheck here
American GirlCheck hereOr call 800-360-1861
Apple Gift CardCheck here
Applebee's Gift CardCheck here
Arby's Gift CardCheck here
Bahama Breeze Gift CardCheck here
Banana RepublicCheck here
Barnes & Noble Gift CardCheck here
Bass Pro Shops Gift CardCheck here
Bath & Body Works Gift CardCheck here
Best Buy Gift CardCheck here
Bloomingdale's Gift CardCheck here
Bonefish Grill Gift CardCheck here
Burger King Gift CardCheck here
Burlington Gift CardCheck here
Cabela's Gift CardCheck here
Carrabba's Gift CardCheck here
Champs Sports Gift CardCheck here
Cheddar's Gift CardCheck here
Cheesecake FactoryCheck here
Chick-fil-A Gift CardEmail chickfila@wgiftcard.comOr call 800-669-0033
Chili's Gift CardCheck here
Chipotle Gift CardCheck here
Claire's Gift CardCheck here
Costco Gift CardCheck here
Cracker Barrel Gift CardCheck here
Dairy Queen Gift CardCall 800-605-9371
Disney Gift CardCheck here
DSW Gift CardCheck here
Dunkin Donuts Gift CardCheck here
eBay Gift CardCheck here
Eddie V's Gift CardCheck here
Etsy Gift CardRedeem here
Express Gift CardCheck here
Fanatics Gift CardCheck here
Foot Locker Gift CardCheck here
Forever 21 Gift CardCheck here
GameStop Gift CardCheck here
Google Play Gift CardRedeem hereOr call 855-466-4438
H&M Gift CardCheck here
Happy You Gift CardCheck hereOr call 855-606-3494
Hobby Lobby Gift CardCheck here
Home Depot Gift CardCheck here
HomeGoods Gift CardCheck here
Hot Topic Gift CardCheck here
IHOP Gift CardCheck here
iTunes Gift CardCheck here
Kohl's Gift CardCheck here
Kroger Gift CardCheck here
Longhorn Steakhouse Gift CardCheck here
Lowe’s Gift CardCheck here
Macaroni Grill Gift CardCheck here
Macy’s Gift CardCheck here
Maggiano's Gift CardCheck here
Marshalls Gift CardCheck here
MasterCard Gift CardCheck here
McDonald's Gift CardCheck here
Michaels Gift CardCheck hereOr call 800-642-4235
Netflix Gift CardRedeem hereOr call 866-579-7172
Nike Gift CardCheck here
Nordstrom Gift CardCheck here
Old Navy Gift CardCheck here
Olive Garden Gift CardCheck here
On The Border Gift CardCheck here
PaneraCheck here
Pizza Hut Gift CardCheck here
Pottery Barn Gift CardCheck here
Red Lobster Gift CardCheck here
REI Gift CardCheck here
QVC Gift CardCall 888-345-5788
Safeway Gift CardCall 888-413-5003
Sears Gift CardCheck hereOr call 888-332-2218
Seasons 52 Gift CardCheck here
Sephora Gift CardCheck hereOr call 888-860-7897
SONIC Gift CardCheck here
Staples Gift CardCheck here
Starbucks Gift CardCheck here
Steak 'n Shake Gift CardCall 888-892-3813
Subway Gift CardCall 877-697-8222
T.J. Maxx Gift CardCheck here
Taco Bell Gift CardCheck here
Target Gift CardCheck here
Texas Roadhouse Gift CardCheck here
The Capital Grille Gift CardCheck here
The Container Store Gift CardCheck here
Ticketmaster Gift CardCheck here
Ulta Gift CardCheck here
Valentino'sCheck here
Victoria's SecretCheck here
Visa Gift CardCheck here
Walmart Gift CardCheck here
Wawa Gift CardCheck here
Wendy's Gift CardCheck here
Whole Foods Gift CardCheck hereOr call 844-936-2273
Yard House Gift CardCheck here
Zara Gift CardCheck 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:

  1. Re-gift to someone else (preferably not the person that gave it to you)
  2. Donate to charity or give to someone as a goodwill gesture 
  3. 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.

Q: Do gift cards expire?

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.

Q: Do gift cards expire in California?

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.

Q: How can I avoid paying inactivity fees on my gift card?

A: To avoid paying inactivity fees, simply use your gift card at least once every 12 months.

Q: What is the difference between a prepaid debit card and a gift card?

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.

Q: Can I use my gift card to get cash?

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.

Q: How can I check the balance on my gift card?

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.

Q: Can I reload my gift 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.

Q: What should I do if my gift card is lost or stolen?

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.

Q: Can I use my gift card at any store?

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.

Q: What if the purchase I want to make is for more than the balance on my gift 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.