How to check your Best Buy gift card balance

Best Buy lets you check your gift card balance in three ways: online at bestbuy.com, by phone, or in a store. The fastest method is usually the website. Go to bestbuy.com/giftcardbalance, enter your 19-digit card number and the 4-digit PIN on the back of the card, and the balance appears instantly.

If you prefer to call, dial 1-800-BEST-BUY (1-800-237-8289) and follow the prompts to enter your card number and PIN. A representative can also look it up for you if you ask. In a physical Best Buy store, any cashier or customer service desk employee can scan your card and tell you the balance on the spot — you do not need to make a purchase.

Keep your card number and PIN in a safe place. If your card is lost or stolen, Best Buy can freeze it, but you will need the card number to report it and to recover any remaining balance.

Key Takeaways

  • Best Buy gift cards work only at Best Buy stores and bestbuy.com, not at other retailers or online marketplaces.
  • You can check your balance online at bestbuy.com/giftcardbalance, by calling 1-800-BEST-BUY, or by asking a store employee to scan the card.
  • Gift card balances do not expire, so you can use the card whenever you want without losing the money.
  • If your card is lost or stolen, contact Best Buy with your card number to have it frozen and the balance transferred to a replacement card.

Where you can spend your Best Buy gift card

Best Buy gift cards are accepted at any Best Buy location in the United States and on bestbuy.com. You can use the card to buy electronics, appliances, software, accessories, and services that Best Buy sells. This includes items like computers, phones, televisions, gaming systems, and extended protection plans.

The card does not work at Best Buy's partner retailers, other electronics stores, or third-party sellers on bestbuy.com. If you see a product listed on bestbuy.com but sold by another company, you cannot pay with a Best Buy gift card for that item — only for items sold directly by Best Buy.

What happens if your balance is not enough for your purchase

If your gift card balance is less than the total cost of what you want to buy, you can combine the gift card with another payment method. At checkout online or in store, tell the cashier or enter the gift card information first, and the system will deduct that amount from your total. You can then pay the remaining balance with a credit card, debit card, or another gift card.

Best Buy does not issue change or refunds to your gift card if you use it. If your card has $50 and you buy something for $40, the card will have $10 left on it, but you cannot get that $10 as cash or a refund to your bank account.

Gift card expiration and balance protection

Best Buy gift cards do not expire. You can hold onto the card for years and use it whenever you want without losing the balance. This is true for both physical cards and digital gift cards sent by email.

However, if your card is lost, stolen, or damaged, you should report it to Best Buy as soon as you notice. Best Buy can freeze the card to prevent someone else from using it, but you will need your card number. Once frozen, Best Buy can transfer the remaining balance to a new card. Without the card number, Best Buy cannot recover the balance, so keep your card details in a safe place.

Digital gift cards versus physical cards

Best Buy sells both physical gift cards and digital gift cards. Digital gift cards are sent to your email address and can be used immediately online or printed and brought to a store. Physical cards arrive by mail and take several business days to reach you.

Both types work the same way at checkout. The main difference is timing: digital cards are instant, while physical cards require a wait. If you are buying a gift card as a gift for someone else, digital is faster if they need it right away, and physical is traditional if you want to present a card in person.

What to do if your card number or PIN is not working

If the card number or PIN you entered is rejected, first check that you typed both correctly. The card number is 19 digits and the PIN is 4 digits, both printed on the back of the card. Spaces or dashes should not be entered — only the numbers themselves.

If you are still getting an error, the card may not have been activated yet. Physical gift cards sometimes need to be activated at the register when purchased. If you bought the card in a store and it has not been used, ask a Best Buy employee to activate it. If you received a digital card by email and it is not working, check your spam folder to make sure you received the email, and contact Best Buy customer service with your email address and the order number from your receipt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Best Buy gift card to buy things online and pick them up in store?

Yes. You can order online using your gift card and choose in-store pickup at checkout. Enter your gift card number when you pay, and pick up your order at the store location you selected. The same rules apply — if your balance is not enough, you can add another payment method.

What if I lost my gift card but I know the balance?

Knowing the balance is not enough to recover the card. You need the 19-digit card number to report it to Best Buy and have it frozen. If you do not have the card number, Best Buy cannot help you recover the balance. This is why it is important to keep your card in a safe place or take a photo of the number and PIN for your records.

Can I transfer my Best Buy gift card balance to someone else?

No. Best Buy gift cards are not transferable once activated. The balance stays on that specific card. If you want to give the card to someone else, you can give them the physical card or the digital code, but you cannot move the balance to a different card or person.

Do Best Buy gift cards work at Best Buy's credit card rewards program?

Best Buy gift cards are separate from the My Best Buy credit card and rewards program. Using a gift card does not earn you rewards points. However, if you have a My Best Buy membership, you may earn points on purchases made with other payment methods.