Sell Gift Cards UK
Buy and sell gift cards for less. Discover the best places to cash in unwanted gift cards, find discounted gift cards from popular retailers, and learn how to combine them with cashback sites and cashback cards to maximise your savings.
Best Places To Sell Gift Cards
Received a gift card you'll never use? Rather than letting it sit in a drawer, you can often exchange it for cash within minutes.
Gift card resale platforms allow users to sell unwanted gift cards from retailers such as Amazon, Tesco, John Lewis, Argos and hundreds more. The amount you'll receive depends on the retailer, card balance and demand, but most platforms provide an instant quote before you commit.
We've ranked the best UK gift card exchanges below based on payout rates, ease of use, referral bonuses and overall user experience.
How Selling Gift Cards Works
Selling unwanted gift cards is surprisingly straightforward. Most gift card exchanges follow a very similar process regardless of which platform you use.
First, you'll enter details about your gift card, including the retailer, remaining balance and whether it's a physical gift card or an e-gift card. The platform will then provide an estimated payout based on current demand for that retailer. Popular brands such as Amazon, Tesco, John Lewis and M&S usually achieve the highest resale values.
If you're happy with the quote, you'll submit the gift card details. For e-gift cards this usually means providing the code and PIN, while physical gift cards may require a photo of the card itself. Some platforms also carry out identity verification to help prevent fraud.
What Happens Next?
Once submitted, the platform verifies the balance with the retailer before listing the card for sale. Most major exchanges have automated systems which check gift card balances directly with retailers, helping protect both buyers and sellers.
After your card sells, payment is normally sent via UK bank transfer. Many platforms use Faster Payments, meaning funds can arrive within a few hours once released.
How Much Will I Receive?
Gift card exchanges don't usually pay the full face value of the card. Instead, buyers purchase the cards at a discount, with the exchange keeping a small commission.
As a rough guide:
High-demand brands often sell for 85-95% of their value.
Mid-tier retailers typically achieve 75-90%.
Niche retailers may receive lower offers.
Before accepting a quote, it's worth checking multiple exchanges as payout rates can vary considerably.
Physical vs Digital Gift Cards
Most platforms accept both physical and digital gift cards. Digital cards are generally the easiest to sell as they can be transferred instantly using the gift card code and PIN. Physical cards may require photos and occasionally need to be retained until the transaction is complete.
Is Selling Gift Cards Safe?
Provided you use a reputable exchange, selling gift cards is generally very safe. Established platforms verify balances, carry out anti-fraud checks and provide clear payment timelines. Trustpilot reviews for both Cards2Cash and Cardyard highlight straightforward selling experiences, though as with any marketplace, occasional payment delays can occur.
Our Top Tip
If you regularly earn gift cards through cashback sites, surveys, receipt-scanning apps or referral offers, don't assume you need to spend them yourself. Many My Side Gig users convert unwanted gift cards into cash and then reinvest the money into higher-paying opportunities such as bank switches, investment offers and cashback deals.
It's one of the easiest ways to turn rewards you'll never use into real money in your bank account.
Buying Discounted Gift Cards
Gift card exchanges aren't just useful for selling unwanted gift cards. They're also a great way to save money on spending you were planning to do anyway.
Many gift card marketplaces allow you to purchase gift cards below face value, meaning you can effectively get an instant discount at popular retailers. For example, buying a £100 gift card for £95 immediately saves you £5 before you've even started shopping.
It's also worth comparing gift card exchanges against dedicated instant cashback apps. Services such as Jam Doughnut, EverUp, Widilo and other gift card cashback providers often offer instant cashback when purchasing gift cards, which can sometimes beat the discounts available on gift card marketplaces.
FAQ’s
-
Yes. Gift card exchanges allow you to sell unwanted gift cards for cash. Once the card has been verified and sold, you'll receive payment directly to your bank account.
-
Most gift cards sell for less than their face value. Popular brands such as Amazon, Tesco and John Lewis typically achieve the highest resale values, while less popular retailers usually sell for a bigger discount.
-
Generally, gift cards from major retailers with broad appeal achieve the highest payouts. Amazon, Tesco, John Lewis, M&S and other well-known brands tend to attract the strongest offers.
-
Most platforms check the balance directly with the retailer before listing the card for sale. Some retailers provide balance-checking tools, while others require manual verification.
-
Sometimes. Many platforms carry out identity verification checks to help prevent fraud and protect buyers and sellers. Verification is usually completed online and only takes a few minutes.
-
This varies between platforms. Some services release funds shortly after a card is sold and verified, while others operate a holding period before payment is made. Cardyard, for example, uses a waiting period before releasing funds to sellers.
-
Yes, many gift card exchanges accept partially used cards, provided there is still a balance remaining. The payout will simply be based on the remaining value.
-
Yes. In fact, digital gift cards are often easier to sell because they can be transferred instantly using the gift card code and PIN.
-
Most platforms will simply leave the card listed until it sells or allow you to cancel the listing. Some platforms purchase cards directly, while others operate a marketplace model.
-
Established platforms use balance verification, fraud checks and identity verification to help protect users. Trustpilot reviews for both Cards2Cash and Cardyard generally describe the process as straightforward and reliable, although occasional delays can happen.
-
Absolutely. Payout rates can vary significantly between platforms. Spending an extra minute checking two or three sites can often result in a noticeably higher payout for the same gift card.
-
Some experienced users buy discounted gift cards through cashback sites, promotions and loyalty schemes before reselling them. However, profits are usually small and depend on the retailer, resale demand and any cashback earned along the way.
