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Gift cards make it easier to shop on international platforms by removing common payment barriers. However, not every gift card will match your needs or interests. For example, a Steam gift card means little if you don’t play video games, while a Sephora gift card may go unused if beauty products aren’t your thing. In other cases, a card may simply not work on the platforms where you shop, so why keep it when it can be more useful in another form?
Instead of leaving it sitting in your inbox or collecting dust in a drawer, here are five smart things to do with an unwanted gift card.
1. Sell Gift Card for Cash
One of the fastest ways to recover the value of an unwanted gift card is to sell it for cash. You can, in turn, use the money for everyday expenses, save, or invest it. While you can find a buyer yourself, the process often takes time and comes with the risk of scams or delayed payments. Selling through a trusted gift card trading platform is usually the faster and safer option.
Prestmit is one such platform where you can sell gift cards fast and safely. It supports a wide range of gift card brands, including Amazon, Apple, Steam, and Google Play, and offers competitive rates based on current market demand.
Before selling your gift card, the built-in rates calculator shows you exactly what your card is worth, so you know the payout upfront. After a successful card verification, you can receive your payment in Naira and Cedis to your local bank account, thanks to its auto withdrawal feature. But you can also receive your gift card payout in US dollars on the platform.
Gift card resale rate usually depends on the brand and where you sell it. For example, if you sell a $100 Razer Gold gift card on Prestmit, you’ll receive between ₦110,000 and ₦120,000. Meanwhile, a $100 Google Play gift card will earn you between ₦80,000 and ₦90,000.
Rates change with the market, so always check Prestmit’s rates calculator before selling to see the current value of your card.
Here is how to sell gift card for cash on Prestmit:
Step 1: Sign up or log in to your Prestmit account.
Step 2: Tap Gift Cards and select Sell Gift Cards.
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Step 3: Choose your preferred payment method between Naira, Cedis, USD, or crypto.
Step 4: Select your gift card category and subcategory, enter the amount, and upload a clear image (if physical) or enter the e-code.
Step 5: Confirm and submit. You will receive payment in your wallet automatically after verification, usually within 5–30 minutes.
2. Swap the Unwanted Gift Card for Another
If you don’t want cash, you can trade the gift card for one you will actually spend. Sell it on Prestmit and use the balance in your wallet to buy a different gift card without switching apps or platforms. For example, you can sell a Razer Gold gift card and buy an Amazon gift card for everyday essentials.
Prestmit lets you choose from a wide range of gift card options at competitive rates, including Amazon, Steam, Netflix, Apple/iTunes, PlayStation, and Starbucks. You can pay in Naira, Cedis, USD, or cryptocurrency and enjoy fast gift card delivery after a successful purchase.
The trade-off is that you could lose some value due to the exchange rate when selling one card and buying another. Overall, it’s still better than leaving the gift card unused.
Here is how to buy another gift card on Prestmit:
Step 1: Sign up or log in to your Prestmit account.
Step 2: Tap Gift Cards and select Buy Gift Cards.
Step 3: Select the card value or denomination and enter the quantity you want to purchase.
Step 4: Choose your preferred payment method from Naira, Cedis, USD, or cryptocurrency.
Step 5: Confirm the transaction. Once successful, your gift card code will be available immediately in your account.
3. Gift Card Donation to Charity
If the money matters less to you or you’re just not interested in selling, donating your gift card balance to charity is a meaningful option. Some charities, like GlobalGiving, let you donate a gift card to support verified nonprofits. Others, like Lagos Food Bank, would prefer cash, so the better option is to sell the card on Prestmit and donate the proceeds.
Visa and Mastercard gift cards are more versatile donation options because recipients can spend them at a wide range of stores and online merchants. Meanwhile, gift cards like Apple are harder to donate because charities often have broader needs than credit tied to a single platform. Make sure you’ve done a gift card balance check before donating your Visa gift card balance to avoid any surprises.
4. Give the Gift Card as a Tip or Gesture
Selling, donating, or swapping your unwanted gift card is not the only option available. You can also give it to someone who will genuinely appreciate it, either as a tip for exceptional service or as a thoughtful gift.
For example, you could tip the rider who delivered your package quickly under the hot sun or a neighbour who helped fix your wiring issues. You can also regift the card to a friend or family member for their birthday or simply as a surprise.
Some gift cards make especially good gifts. For example, a Netflix gift card is thoughtful because many people enjoy watching movies but don’t always pay for a monthly subscription. An Amazon gift card, on the other hand, is perfect for someone who shops regularly.
Before regifting, check the card balance to make sure it’s still worth giving. You don’t want to hand someone a $1 gift card, thinking it has much more. Also, if you received the gift card from someone in your circle, avoid regifting it to another person in that same circle, as it could create an awkward situation. Finally, make sure the gift card is still valid before giving it away.
5. Buy Items to Resell With the Gift Card
Another practical way to get value from an unwanted gift card is to use it to buy products you can resell for cash. This works especially well with gift cards from popular retailers such as Amazon, Apple, Walmart, or major electronics stores.
For example, you could use a $100 Amazon gift card to buy a phone accessory, a household item, or another product with strong demand in your area. You can then sell the item through local marketplaces, social media, or directly to someone who needs it.
Before buying anything, check the current selling price of the item and estimate your potential profit. The goal is to choose products that move quickly.
The Best App to Sell Your Gift Card – Prestmit
Prestmit is one of the fastest and most reliable platforms to sell your unwanted gift card for cash. The app supports a wide range of brands, including Amazon, Apple/iTunes, Steam, and Google Play, making it easy to sell almost any gift card.
Selling on Prestmit means access to competitive gift card rates and multiple payout options, including Naira, Cedis, USD, Bitcoin, Litecoin, Dogecoin, or USDT. Before confirming a transaction, the built-in rate calculator shows the expected payout, so you know exactly how much you’ll receive. Payment processing is fast, and if you prefer, you can receive your funds directly in your local bank account, thanks to the Auto Withdrawal feature.
Need to replace your unwanted card with one you will actually use? Buying gift cards is just as straightforward as selling on Prestmit. You can purchase gift cards from a wide range of catalogues with fast delivery, competitive pricing, and flexible payment options, including Naira, Cedis, USD, and cryptocurrency.
With the multi-currency conversion feature, swapping from one currency to another is easy and helps you trade more conveniently. The platform employs security features, including two-factor authentication (2FA) and biometric verification, to prevent unauthorised access to your account and protect your funds. Responsive customer support is also available whenever you need assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I sell unwanted gift cards for cash?
You can sell your unwanted gift card for cash using Prestmit. Log in and locate the gift card section, select your brand, enter the amount, and confirm. You should receive payment within 5–30 minutes.
2. Can I donate a gift card?
Yes, you can donate a gift card to charity, but not every charity can use every type of gift card. If the charity prefers cash, you can sell the gift card on Prestmit and donate the proceeds instead.
3. What’s the best option if I don’t want to sell my gift card?
You can regift the gift card to someone who would genuinely use it, donate it to a charity, or exchange it by barter.
4. How do I activate an unused gift card?
To activate your unused gift card, visit the official website of the card issuer and enter your card details, such as the card number, CVV, and expiry date.
Conclusion
An unwanted gift card doesn’t have to go to waste. You can sell it on Prestmit and receive your cash in under 30 minutes, or swap it for a more useful gift card. Donating a gift card to charity supports a good cause, while passing it on as a tip or gift puts it in the hands of someone who will truly value it. The worst option is leaving the gift card unused until it expires.
