Convert to Cash: How to Get Extra Value from Mastercard Gift Cards

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Receiving a Mastercard gift card—perhaps as a bonus for completing an online offer or a giveaway—can feel like free money. You can convert it by stacking card-linked cashback offers and apps that accept prepaid Mastercards. In this guide, we’ll show you how to take a gifted Mastercard, load it into Apple Pay (via Curve), link to a cashback app like Zilch, and walk away with more real value than the card’s face amount.

Step 1: Add the Gift Card to Curve (so Apple Pay Will Accept It)

Many cashback apps will only track Apple Pay transactions that come from a “real” Mastercard or Visa. If you try to add a generic prepaid Mastercard directly into Apple Pay, it sometimes fails. The workaround is:

1. Download the Curve App

2. Create/Log In to Your Curve Account

   • Follow the on-screen steps to verify your identity.

3. Tap “Add a Card” → Enter Your Gift Card Details

   • Type in the 16-digit card number, expiry date, and CVV/PIN.

   • Curve will verify it with a small authorisation (which disappears within minutes).

4. Add Curve to Apple Pay

   • Open the Wallet app, tap the “+”, choose “Curve”, and follow the prompts.

   • Now, whenever you pay with Apple Pay and select the Curve card, you’re actually spending from your gifted Mastercard balance.

By using Curve as a bridge, you ensure that your prepaid Mastercard qualifies for any Apple Pay–based cashback offers.

*You can also use the card details to purchase something online normally but this method will earn you more than the value of the card.

Step 2: Link Curve to a Cashback App (e.g., Zilch)

Once your gift card sits inside Curve and is available in Apple Pay, choose a card-linked cashback service that pays you for spending via Apple Pay. Zilch is one popular UK option:

1. Download Zilch (iOS/Android) and create an account.

2. In Zilch, go to Payment Settings → Add Payment Method → Curve.

   • Zilch will run a small test authorisation to confirm.

Step 3: Spend the Card Balance via Apple Pay

With your gift card loaded and Zilch tracking, use your Zilch card via Apple Pay anywhere Mastercard is accepted:

• Groceries: Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, etc.

• Fuel: BP, Shell, Tesco petrol.

• Online Shopping: Amazon, eBay, or any contactless checkout.

• Everyday Essentials: Coffee shops, pharmacies, supermarkets.

Example: £100 Uber Eats Gift Card vs. £100 Prepaid Mastercard

Imagine you complete an offer and the company give you £100 to cash out as a gift card. You could cash it out as a pre-paid Mastercard gift card or directly as an Uber Eats voucher. You’re much better off taking the Mastercard and converting it to a Uber Eats gift card after (you’ll get more value)

Choosing the £100 Prepaid Mastercard (and Converting to Cash)

1. Receive a £100 prepaid Mastercard.

2. Load that £100 Card into Curve.

3. Link your Curve card to a cashback card app (e.g. Zilch paying 0.5% on all transactions).

4. Spend £100 purchasing another gift card from a site like Jam Doughnut via Apple Pay with Zilch (drawing on the £100 prepaid-Mastercard balance linked to Curve).

   • You unlock 0.5% from Zilch

   • You earn the instant cashback buying the gift card (in this case 5%)

5. Remove the zero-balance prepaid Mastercard from your Curve wallet so you don’t accidentally try to charge it later.

6. Net outcome:

   • You received £100 spending power with Uber Eats, and you gained £5.50 cashback, for a total value of £105.50.

   • Since the card balance sits at £0, there are no dormancy fees.

Step 4: Remove the Gift Card from Curve

Once the balance hits £0, make sure to delete the card so Curve doesn’t try to default to it:

1. Open Curve → Wallet → Cards

2. Select the Gift Card (showing zero balance)

3. Tap “Remove Card”

Curve then reverts to your next payment method in Apple Pay. This prevents any accidental declines or confusion later.