The fastest way to check your Michaels gift card balance

You can check your Michaels gift card balance in three ways: online at michaels.com, by phone at 1-800-MICHAELS (1-800-642-4235), or in any Michaels store. The online method is fastest — you enter your card number and PIN on the gift card balance page, and you get your balance instantly. No account required, no waiting.

If you don't have the PIN, you can still check your balance by phone or in person. A store associate can swipe your card at the register to show you what's left on it. This takes a few minutes but works whether or not you remember the PIN.

Key Takeaways

  • The Michaels website balance checker is the fastest option and requires only your card number and PIN.
  • You can call 1-800-MICHAELS to speak with a representative who can look up your balance over the phone.
  • Any Michaels store will check your balance at the register if you bring the physical card in.
  • You do not need a Michaels account or password to check a gift card balance through any of these methods.

Checking your balance online

Go to michaels.com and look for the gift card balance checker, usually found in the footer or under a "Gift Cards" section. Click on it and you'll see a form asking for your card number and PIN. The card number is the 16 digits on the front of your card. The PIN is a four-digit code, often printed on the back near the signature strip or on your receipt if someone gave you the card.

Enter both numbers and click the button to check balance. The page will display your remaining balance immediately. Write down the number or take a screenshot if you plan to use it later — this way you won't have to look up the PIN again.

If you get an error message, double-check that you've entered the numbers correctly. Michaels gift cards sometimes have spaces or dashes printed on them; ignore those and enter only the digits.

Checking your balance by phone

Call 1-800-MICHAELS (1-800-642-4235) during business hours. A representative will ask for your card number and can look up your balance without needing the PIN. This method works if you've lost the PIN or if the card is damaged and hard to read.

Wait times vary depending on how busy the store is. Calling during off-peak hours — early morning or mid-week — usually means shorter hold times. Have your card in front of you when you call so you can read the number quickly.

Checking your balance in a Michaels store

Bring your physical gift card to any Michaels location and ask a cashier or associate to check the balance. They'll swipe it at a register and the balance will appear on the screen. This is free and takes less than a minute. You don't need to make a purchase or have an account.

This method is useful if you're already shopping or if you've lost the PIN and don't want to call. It's also a good way to verify the balance before you use the card, so you know exactly how much you have to spend.

What to do if you can't find your PIN

If the card came with a receipt, the PIN is usually printed there. Check any paperwork that came with the gift card. If you received it as a gift and don't have the receipt, the person who gave it to you might have kept it.

If you can't locate the PIN, use the phone or in-store method instead. Both work without it. You can also contact Michaels customer service by phone and ask if they can help you recover the PIN, though they may ask for proof of purchase or other details to verify you own the card.

Using your balance after you check it

Once you know your balance, you can use the card in any Michaels store or online at michaels.com. In-store, hand the card to the cashier at checkout and they'll process it like any other payment method. Online, enter the card number and PIN at checkout under payment options.

Michaels gift cards don't expire, so you can use your balance whenever you're ready. If your balance is less than the total purchase, you can combine the gift card with another payment method — a credit card, debit card, or another gift card.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Michaels gift cards expire?

No. Michaels gift cards have no expiration date, so you can use your balance at any time in the future. There are no monthly fees or inactivity charges that reduce the balance over time.

Can I check the balance of someone else's gift card?

Online, yes — anyone with the card number and PIN can check the balance. In-store or by phone, a Michaels associate can check it for you, but they may ask questions if the card is registered to someone else. The safest approach is to ask the cardholder to check it themselves.

What if my gift card shows a zero balance?

The card may have been fully spent, or there could be a technical error. Try checking again in a few hours. If it still shows zero and you know you haven't used it, contact Michaels customer service by phone with your card number and they can investigate whether there's a problem with the card itself.

Can I reload a Michaels gift card?

Michaels does not offer reloading for standard gift cards. Once the balance is spent, the card cannot be refilled. However, you can purchase a new Michaels gift card at any time if you want to continue shopping.

Is my gift card balance safe if I lose the card?

Michaels gift cards are not tied to a personal account, so if someone finds your card and knows the PIN, they can spend the balance. Keep your card and PIN in a safe place. If your card is lost or stolen, contact Michaels customer service immediately with your card number — they may be able to freeze it or transfer the balance to a new card depending on their policy.