When you receive a gift card, it represents both thoughtfulness from the giver and shopping freedom for you. Yet many people forget about their cards or set them aside, leading to billions in unused value annually. You can make the most of every card you receive with some practical strategies.
Clever ways to track your cards
Keeping tabs on your gift cards is the first step to ensuring they don’t languish unused in a drawer somewhere. Consider creating a dedicated spot in your wallet for gift cards you plan to use soon. For cards you’ll use later, keep them in a labelled envelope or box at home. Digital solutions also offer excellent tracking options. These apps often send timely reminders when expiration dates approach.
Using partial balances effectively
After making a purchase, you might have an awkward remaining balance that is too small for most items but too valuable to discard. Many shoppers check their giftcardmall balance only to discover just a few dollars remaining. Instead of letting these small amounts go to waste, consider these approaches:
- Combine the card with cash for your next purchase
- Use the small balance toward a recurring subscription payment
- Purchase a digital item like an e-book or movie rental that matches the remaining amount
Some retailers also allow you to transfer small balances to store credit accounts, consolidating value into a more usable form.
Trading and exchanging unwanted cards
Gift card matches your preferences or needs. When you receive cards for stores you rarely visit, don’t let them sit unused. Several legitimate exchange platforms exist where you can sell unwanted gift cards for cash (usually at 70-90% of face value) or trade them for cards you’ll use. Before deciding to exchange, verify the card’s full value and check any terms affecting its transferability. Some retail-specific cards have restrictions that general-purpose cards like Visa gift cards don’t have.
Extending the life of expiring cards
While many major retail gift cards no longer expire, some speciality cards and promotional certificates still have time limitations. When facing an expiring giftcardmall balance, act quickly with these tactics:
- Purchase a non-expiring gift card from a retailer you frequent regularly
- Buy shelf-stable items you know you’ll use eventually
- Check if partial redemption will reset or extend the expiration clock
- Share the card with family or friends who can use it immediately
In some states, consumer protection laws provide additional safeguards against rapid expiration, so it’s worth checking local regulations.
Planning strategic gift card purchases
Sometimes, the wisest approach is to become a strategic gift card purchaser yourself. By buying cards for places you shop regularly, particularly during promotional periods when retailers offer bonus value, you essentially create a discount on future purchases. Many grocery stores and warehouse clubs sell popular gift cards at slight discounts, allowing you to save on upcoming expenses. During the holiday season, retailers often run promotions offering bonus cards with minimum purchase amounts.
These can prove invaluable during unexpected situations when you might need to make a purchase but have forgotten in your wallet or when electronic payment systems are temporarily unavailable. Treating gift cards as real money deserving of attention and tracking ensures their value translates into actual benefits rather than becoming another statistic in the billions of dollars of unused gift card value.
