Best Site to Sell Gift Cards for Cash
Summary
The best site to sell gift cards for cash is CardCash for unwanted brand-name cards from major retailers, with payout in cash, check, or PayPal within a few business days. Raise is the strongest secondary marketplace after its relaunch. Gameflip works for gaming-related cards. For peer-to-peer trades, the Reddit r/giftcardexchange community offers higher payouts but more friction and risk. Most listicles miss that payout rates on CardCash have compressed in recent years — we factor current rates explicitly.
Top 4 at a glance
| # | Site | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CardCash | Fast cash on major brand-name cards | Typical payout 60-85 percent of face value depending on brand |
| 2 | Raise | Marketplace listings where you set your discount | Seller-set price minus 15 percent commission |
| 3 | Gameflip | Gaming-adjacent gift cards including Steam, PSN, Xbox | Seller-set price minus 8-10 percent fee |
| 4 | r/giftcardexchange (Reddit) | Peer-to-peer trades at the best effective rate | Set by negotiation; typical 85-92 percent of face value |
Detailed rankings
CardCash
Fast cash on major brand-name cards
The default for US sellers. Get a quote first, accept only if the rate beats your patience cost compared to peer-to-peer.
Pros
- Long operating history in the US
- Accepts cards from hundreds of major retailers
- Payout via ACH, PayPal, or check within a few business days
- Quote shown before you commit
Cons
- Payout rates have compressed compared to several years ago
- Some brands pay materially less than others — quote varies sharply
- Some users report account holds for unusual activity
Price: Typical payout 60-85 percent of face value depending on brand
Sources: www.cardcash.com
Raise
Marketplace listings where you set your discount
Better than CardCash on net rate for popular brands if you can wait. Worse if you need cash today.
Pros
- You control the discount rate, often netting more than CardCash
- Long brand history, relaunched marketplace model
- Larger card values can move faster than peer-to-peer
Cons
- Time to sell can be long for unpopular brands
- Commission and processing fees reduce the headline rate
- Not all brands are eligible for instant listing
Price: Seller-set price minus 15 percent commission
Sources: www.raise.com
Gameflip
Gaming-adjacent gift cards including Steam, PSN, Xbox
The right choice for gaming gift cards specifically. Not a general-purpose alternative to CardCash or Raise.
Pros
- Strong audience for gaming gift cards
- Lower fees than general marketplaces
- Wallet-style payout once a balance accumulates
Cons
- Narrow brand focus — not useful for retail gift cards
- Payout withholding period to mitigate chargebacks
- Dispute system can be slow
Price: Seller-set price minus 8-10 percent fee
Sources: gameflip.com
r/giftcardexchange (Reddit)
Peer-to-peer trades at the best effective rate
The right pick when you have patience, want the best rate, and are willing to follow the subreddit's safety rules including using a trusted middleman.
Pros
- Highest effective payout when you find a buyer
- Built-in confirmed-trades flair acts as a reputation system
- No platform fee
Cons
- Risk of scammers — middleman or escrow is essential
- Time-consuming negotiation per trade
- Strict subreddit rules about format and conduct
Price: Set by negotiation; typical 85-92 percent of face value
Sources: www.reddit.com
How we chose
- Brands accepted — the broader the list, the easier to liquidate odd cards.
- Payout speed — funds in your account in days, not weeks.
- Payout method — cash equivalents like ACH or PayPal beat merchant credit-only offers.
- Effective rate for major brand cards in the current market, not last year's rates.
- Trust signals — operating history, BBB record, public dispute reports.
- Friction level — peer-to-peer trades pay more but require active management.
Frequently asked questions
How much can I expect to get for my gift card?
Typical payouts range from 60 to 92 percent of face value. Major brands like Amazon and Visa pay more. Niche brands and store-credit-only cards pay less. Peer-to-peer trades net the highest rates but take longer.
Is it safe to sell gift cards online?
On established marketplaces like CardCash and Raise, the risk is mostly that the payout rate is lower than you hoped. On peer-to-peer platforms, the main risk is scam buyers — use a trusted middleman and never share the code before confirming payment.
How long does it take to get paid?
CardCash and Raise typically pay within a few business days. Peer-to-peer trades pay as soon as your buyer completes the transaction, often the same day.
Can I sell partially used gift cards?
Yes, but expect lower rates and stricter verification. Most platforms accept partial balances and discount the payout to reflect the remaining value.
Are there sites I should avoid?
Be cautious of unknown sites promising rates above 95 percent of face value — those rates are not sustainable on legitimate platforms. Always check Better Business Bureau ratings and recent user reports before trusting a new buyer site.