How to check your gift card balance

The fastest way to check your balance depends on who issued the card. Most major retailers and Visa or Mastercard gift cards let you check online through their website or mobile app — you'll need the card number and sometimes a PIN or security code from the back. Some cards also have a customer service phone number printed on the back; call that number and follow the prompts to hear your balance read aloud.

If you're checking a store-branded card (Target, Best Buy, Walmart, etc.), go directly to that store's website and look for a "Check Balance" or "Gift Card Balance" link, usually in the footer or customer service section. You'll enter the card number and the balance appears instantly. For Visa or Mastercard gift cards, visit the issuer's website — the name is printed on the front of the card — and use their balance checker.

Keep your receipt if you have one; some retailers will check the balance for you in-store if you bring the card and receipt together. This matters if the card is damaged or the number is hard to read.

Key Takeaways

  • Store gift cards are checked through that store's website by entering the card number; Visa and Mastercard gift cards are checked through the issuer's website.
  • Most retailers and card issuers offer phone lines where you can call to hear your balance, usually printed on the back of the card.
  • Your balance does not expire in most states, but some cards charge monthly maintenance fees that reduce the balance over time if unused.
  • Once you know your balance, you can spend it anywhere that card is accepted — in-store, online, or by phone — just like cash.
  • If your card is lost or stolen, contact the issuer immediately; some cards offer replacement if you have the receipt or original purchase record.

What happens if you can't find the card number

If the card number is worn off or the card is damaged, call the customer service number on the back of the card if it's still readable. Have your receipt ready — most companies can look up the balance using the receipt number and the date of purchase, even if the card itself is illegible.

If you don't have the receipt and the card is unreadable, contact the retailer or card issuer directly through their website. Explain that the card is damaged and you need to recover the balance. They may ask for the original purchase information (the date, the amount, or the name of the person who bought it) to verify your claim. Some will transfer the balance to a new card; others will issue a refund to the original payment method if you can prove the purchase.

Fees that reduce your balance over time

Maintenance fees are monthly or annual charges that some gift cards deduct from your balance if the card sits unused. These are most common on Visa and Mastercard gift cards, less common on store-branded cards. A typical fee is $1 to $2.50 per month, which means a $50 card could lose $12 to $30 per year if never used.

Store gift cards rarely charge maintenance fees, but it varies by retailer and state. Visa and Mastercard gift cards almost always charge them unless the card is used within a certain period (often 12 months). Check the terms printed on the back of the card or on the issuer's website before you buy one; if fees apply, they'll be listed there.

If you know you won't use the card soon, spend it or give it away rather than let fees drain it. Once the balance reaches zero, the card is worthless.

State laws that protect your balance

Most states have laws that prevent gift card balances from expiring. Federal law requires that Visa and Mastercard gift cards not expire for at least five years from the date of purchase. Store gift cards are governed by state law, which varies — some states require no expiration date at all, while others allow expiration but only after five years of inactivity.

The catch is that maintenance fees can still reduce your balance to zero before the expiration date arrives. A card that "never expires" but loses $2 per month will be worthless in two years if you don't use it. Read the card's terms to understand both the expiration policy and any fees.

If a card has expired and you still have a balance, contact the issuer with your receipt. Many will honor the balance even after expiration if you can prove the purchase date and original amount.

Using your balance online, in-store, and by phone

Once you know your balance, you can spend it anywhere that card is accepted. Store gift cards work only at that store and its affiliated locations. Visa and Mastercard gift cards work anywhere those cards are accepted — online retailers, gas stations, restaurants, and most other businesses.

In-store, hand the card to the cashier like a credit card and they'll process it. Online, enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV (the three-digit code on the back) in the payment fields, just as you would a regular credit card. By phone, provide the card number and expiration date to the customer service representative.

If your balance is less than the total purchase, you may be able to split the payment — use the gift card for part of it and pay the rest with another card or payment method. This depends on the retailer; some allow split payments and some don't. Ask before you check out.

What to do if your card is lost or stolen

If you lose a gift card or it's stolen, contact the issuer or retailer immediately. Have your receipt ready. Some companies will cancel the old card and issue a replacement with the same balance if you can prove the original purchase. Others won't replace it because gift cards are treated like cash — once it's gone, it's gone.

The sooner you report it, the better your chances. If someone uses the card before you report it, you may not recover that portion of the balance. Store the receipt in a safe place, separate from the card itself, so you have proof of purchase if you need to make a claim.

For Visa and Mastercard gift cards, the issuer's policy on replacement varies. Check the terms on the back of the card or call customer service to understand what happens if the card is lost before you need to use it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a gift card balance expire?

Federal law requires Visa and Mastercard gift cards to remain valid for at least five years. Store gift cards are protected by state law, which varies — most states require no expiration or expiration only after five years. However, maintenance fees can reduce the balance to zero before expiration, so check the card's terms for both policies.

What if I have a small balance left on the card?

You can use the remaining balance toward a purchase, even if it's less than the full price. Many retailers allow you to combine the gift card with another payment method to complete the transaction. Call the store or check their website if you're unsure whether they allow split payments.

Can I transfer my gift card balance to another card?

Most retailers and card issuers do not allow balance transfers between cards. Your best option is to spend the balance or give the card to someone else. Some companies will issue a replacement card with the same balance if the original is lost or damaged and you have the receipt.

Do I need to register my gift card to check the balance?

No. You can check your balance without registering, using just the card number. Registering the card (usually through the retailer's website) can help you recover the balance if the card is lost, because the issuer can link it to your account, but it is not required to check your balance or spend the money.

What if the balance checker says zero but I haven't used the card?

Maintenance fees may have reduced the balance to zero over time, or the card may have expired and been deactivated. Contact the issuer with your receipt and the original purchase amount. If the card was charged fees or expired within the timeframe allowed by law, they may restore the balance or issue a refund to the original payment method.