Let's get straight to the point: you've got an American Express Gift Card, and you need cash. Maybe it's a gift you can't use right now, or you've found yourself in a situation where cash is your only option. Whatever the reason, the question is, how do you turn that plastic into physical money?
This guide will walk you through the various methods people use to "cash out" an Amex Gift Card. It's important to understand the official limitations and the creative workarounds that have developed.
Step 1: Understand the Official Rules (The Hard Truth)
First and foremost, let's address the elephant in the room. American Express Gift Cards are not designed for cash withdrawals.
No ATM Access: You cannot use an American Express Gift Card at an ATM to withdraw cash. The cards do not have a PIN that works for cash advances or withdrawals, and they are not linked to a bank account.
No Cash Back at Point of Sale: Unlike a debit card, you cannot ask for "cash back" when making a purchase with an Amex Gift Card at a grocery store or other retailer. The card will only process the exact amount of the purchase.
No Direct Transfer to a Bank Account: You cannot directly transfer the funds from the gift card to a bank account, Venmo, or PayPal. American Express has security measures in place to prevent this kind of "seamless liquidation," which could be a way for criminals to quickly convert stolen credit card information into cash.
So, while the official rules are strict, there are some clever, and often indirect, methods that people have found to convert their card's value into cash. Let's explore these alternative strategies.
 |
| How Can I Get Cash From My American Express Gift Card |
Step 2: The "Buy and Return" Method
This method is one of the most common ways to get cash from a gift card, but it comes with some risks and limitations.
QuickTip: Revisit key lines for better recall.
Sub-heading: The Strategy
The basic idea is to use your American Express Gift Card to make a purchase and then return the item to the store for a cash refund.
Sub-heading: The Process
Find a Suitable Retailer: Look for a retailer with a very generous return policy. A key factor is finding a store that is known for offering cash refunds, even when the original purchase was made with a credit card or gift card.
Make a High-Value Purchase: Go to the store and buy an item using your Amex Gift Card. It's often best to buy something with a high resale value in case the return doesn't work out.
Return the Item: Return the item to the store and request a refund. This is the crucial part. The store's policy will dictate whether they give you cash, store credit, or a refund back to the original card. If the store's policy is to refund to the original card, you'll be out of luck unless you can persuade the manager otherwise. A common workaround is to claim you no longer have the gift card, which may prompt a store credit or, less commonly, a cash refund.
Important Caveat: This method is not guaranteed to work and depends entirely on the store's specific return policies and the discretion of the employee or manager you deal with. Many stores are now programmed to refund the money to the original form of payment, making this more difficult than it used to be.
Step 3: The "Buy and Resell" Method
This strategy requires a little more effort but can be a very effective way to get cash for your card.
Sub-heading: The Strategy
Use your American Express Gift Card to purchase an item that is in high demand, and then sell it for cash on a platform like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or a local consignment shop.
Tip: Reread complex ideas to fully understand them.
Sub-heading: The Process
Identify a High-Demand Item: Look for products that are easy to sell and hold their value well. Electronics, video games, or popular brand-name items are often good choices.
Purchase the Item: Use your Amex Gift Card to buy the item. This can be done online or in-store.
Sell the Item: List the item for sale on a peer-to-peer marketplace. You can set the price slightly below the retail price to ensure a quick sale.
Receive Cash: When the item sells, you collect the cash from the buyer.
Tip: To make this work, be sure to factor in the potential for a slightly lower selling price than the original purchase price. You might not get the full face value of the gift card, but you will get cash.
Step 4: The "Money Order" Method (A Grey Area)
 |
This is a method that has been used by some, but its success is highly variable and depends on a number of factors.
Sub-heading: The Strategy
The idea is to use the American Express Gift Card to purchase a money order, which is a paper document that can be cashed at a bank or post office.
Sub-heading: The Process
Find a Location that Sells Money Orders: The most common places are post offices, some grocery stores, and Western Union locations.
Attempt to Purchase with the Gift Card: Go to the counter and attempt to purchase a money order using your Amex Gift Card.
The Challenge: The challenge here is that most merchants will only accept cash or a debit card with a PIN for money order purchases. Since American Express Gift Cards don't have a PIN for this type of transaction, it's often declined. Some users have reported success by using a workaround, such as first buying another gift card that does have a PIN and then using that to buy the money order, but this is an increasingly difficult and risky path.
Warning: This method is fraught with uncertainty and potential for fees. You may incur a fee for the money order itself, and the risk of the transaction being declined is high.
Tip: Avoid distractions — stay in the post.
Step 5: The "Sell to a Friend or Family Member" Method
This is by far the easiest and safest way to get cash, assuming you have someone you trust who is willing to help.
Sub-heading: The Strategy
Simply sell the gift card to a friend or family member for cash.
Sub-heading: The Process
Find a Willing Buyer: Ask around your social circle to see if anyone needs to make a purchase where an Amex card would be accepted.
Offer a Discount: To make the deal more appealing, you might offer to sell the card for a slightly lower price than its face value (e.g., sell a $100 card for $95).
Receive Cash: Once the agreement is made, hand over the gift card and receive the cash.
This method avoids all the risks and complexities of the other options and is the most recommended approach.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Tip: Every word counts — don’t skip too much.
Here are some quick answers to common questions about converting your Amex Gift Card to cash.
How to get a cash advance from an American Express Gift Card? You cannot get a cash advance from an American Express Gift Card. These cards are prepaid and do not have an associated credit line or bank account for cash withdrawals.
How to transfer an Amex Gift Card balance to a bank account? There is no direct way to transfer the balance of an Amex Gift Card to a bank account. The cards are not linked to any financial institution for this type of transaction.
How to use an Amex Gift Card on Venmo or PayPal? While some users in the past have had success with this, American Express has implemented security measures to prevent this from working. You can try adding the card to your digital wallet, but transferring funds to another person or a bank account will likely be blocked.
How to get cash from an Amex Gift Card with a low balance? Some states have laws that require merchants to cash out gift cards with balances below a certain threshold (e.g., $5 or $10). Check the laws in your state to see if this is an option for you.
How to use an Amex Gift Card for a purchase and get the change in cash? You can't. American Express Gift Cards work like a credit card for the exact purchase amount. Any leftover value will remain on the card.
How to find a store that will give a cash refund for a gift card purchase? This is difficult to determine without asking directly. Look for smaller, independent retailers or stores with a very lenient return policy. You may need to call and ask about their specific policies on returns without the original payment method.
How to buy a money order with an American Express Gift Card? This is generally not possible as most locations require a debit card with a PIN or cash for money order purchases. American Express Gift Cards lack a PIN for these transactions.
How to sell an American Express Gift Card online? You can sell your card on various online marketplaces like eBay or specialized gift card exchange websites. Be aware that you will likely sell the card for less than its face value, and there may be fees involved.
How to use a gift card for a "split payment"? Most retailers will allow you to use your gift card to pay for a portion of a purchase and then use cash or another card for the remaining balance. This is a great way to deplete the card's value.
How to check the balance on my American Express Gift Card? You can check the balance by visiting the American Express Gift Card website and entering your card details. This will ensure you know exactly how much you have to work with.
 |
