Where to Buy Discounted Gift Cards: A Comprehensive Guide to Saving Money
Understanding Different Platforms & Retailers to Get the Best Value
Main image courtesy of NBC News.
Gift cards have become one of the most popular presents for birthdays, holidays, and special occasions. But what many people don’t realize is that you don’t have to pay full face value for these convenient gifts. Whether you’re buying gift cards for yourself to stretch your budget or purchasing them as presents to maximize your gift-giving dollars, the discounted gift card market offers substantial savings opportunities. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the best places to buy discounted gift cards, how to avoid scams, and strategies to maximize your savings.
Understanding the Discounted Gift Card Market
Before diving into where to buy discounted gift cards, it’s important to understand how this market works. Discounted gift cards typically come from people who received cards they don’t want or can’t use. Rather than letting these cards sit unused in a drawer, they sell them at a discount to recoup some of their value. Legitimate marketplaces facilitate these transactions, taking a small commission while passing savings on to buyers.
The discount rates vary depending on the retailer’s popularity and the card’s demand. Popular retailers like Amazon, Target, and Walmart typically offer smaller discounts (usually 2-10%), while less popular or niche retailers might be available at 20-30% off. Understanding these dynamics helps set realistic expectations when shopping for discounted gift cards.
Top Online Marketplaces for Discounted Gift Cards
One of the most important factors that you should consider when it comes to choosing the best discounted gift cards is knowing the top platforms that allow you to score the best deal. These platforms allow you to get a discount on your purchases by purchasing the card for less than its face value.
Gift Card Granny
Gift Card Granny operates differently from other marketplaces. Rather than selling gift cards directly, it functions as a comparison search engine that aggregates deals from multiple gift card resellers. When you search for a specific retailer on Gift Card Granny, you’ll see offers from various platforms ranked by discount percentage, making it easy to find the best deal available.
This approach saves time and ensures you’re getting competitive pricing without having to visit multiple websites. Gift Card Granny partners with reputable sellers like CardCash, Raise, and others, so you can trust that the deals you’re seeing come from legitimate sources. The site also features a blog with tips on maximizing gift card savings and alerts about special promotions.
Raise
Raise is one of the largest and most reputable gift card marketplaces, offering both physical and electronic gift cards from hundreds of retailers. The platform operates as a peer-to-peer marketplace where individuals can buy and sell unwanted gift cards. Discounts typically range from 1% to 30%, depending on the retailer and current availability.
What makes Raise particularly attractive is its buyer protection program. The company guarantees that all gift cards sold on its platform have the balance advertised, and if there’s any issue, they’ll work to make it right. Raise also frequently offers promotional codes that can stack with existing discounts, allowing savvy shoppers to save even more. The mobile app makes it easy to browse deals on the go and purchase electronic gift cards that can be used immediately.
CardCash
CardCash has been in the discounted gift card business for over a decade, establishing itself as a trusted name in the industry. The platform offers discounts up to 35% on gift cards from over 1,300 retailers. CardCash operates both as a marketplace for peer-to-peer sales and as a direct buyer of gift cards, which they then resell to consumers.
One of CardCash’s standout features is its 45-day money-back guarantee, one of the most generous in the industry. If you encounter any issues with your gift card within 45 days of purchase, CardCash will replace it or refund your money. The site also offers a trade-in program where you can exchange unwanted gift cards for ones you’ll actually use, though you’ll typically receive less than the card’s face value.
Cardpool (now part of Raise)
While Cardpool was acquired by Raise and no longer operates as a separate entity, it’s worth mentioning because many people still search for it. Former Cardpool users can now find similar deals and services through Raise. The acquisition actually benefited consumers by combining two major platforms into one comprehensive marketplace with more inventory and competitive pricing.
Retail-Specific Discount Programs
A good understanding of gift card discount programs is very important for any shopper. These are run by the brand and are unlike those found on secondary marketplaces.
Costco and Sam’s Club
Warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club regularly offer discounted gift card packages to their members. These aren’t used gift cards being resold; rather, they’re brand-new cards sold below face value as a membership perk. You might find a $100 gift card to a restaurant chain selling for $79.99, or a four-pack of movie theater tickets at a significant discount.
The selection rotates regularly, both in-store and online, so it pays to check frequently. These deals are only available to members, but if you already have a membership, the warehouse club should be your first stop when looking for discounted gift cards. The cards come with the full backing of the retailer and the warehouse club, providing excellent peace of mind.
Credit Card Rewards Programs
Many credit card rewards programs allow you to redeem points or cash back for gift cards at a favorable rate. Some programs even offer bonuses when you choose gift cards over cash back. For example, you might get a 20% bonus when redeeming points for certain retailers’ gift cards, effectively giving you a 20% discount.
Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, and Citi ThankYou Points all offer gift card redemption options. Check your credit card’s rewards portal to see what’s available and calculate whether the redemption rate offers better value than other options, which works particularly well when combined with credit cards that offer bonus points at specific retailers. Image courtesy of TripPlus.
Daily Deal Sites and Flash Sales
Flash sales and daily deal sites are great ways to save money on gift cards, which offer some more flexibility compared to traditional marketplaces.
Groupon
While primarily known for experience deals and local services, Groupon also offers discounted gift cards through its “Goods” section. The discounts can be substantial, sometimes reaching 20% or more, especially during promotional periods. Groupon occasionally runs sitewide sales that apply to gift cards, creating opportunities for stacking discounts.
The selection on Groupon tends to focus on restaurants, entertainment venues, and local businesses rather than major national retailers. This makes it an excellent resource if you’re looking for dining gift cards or experience-based gifts. Always read the fine print carefully, as some deals have expiration dates or restrictions.
Restaurant.com
For dining enthusiasts, Restaurant.com specializes in gift certificates to local restaurants across the country. While the site regularly sells $25 certificates for $10, it frequently runs promotions where you can get them for even less—sometimes as low as $2 or $3 with promotional codes.
The catch is that these certificates usually come with minimum purchase requirements and restrictions (like not being valid on certain days). However, if you read the terms carefully and choose restaurants you already planned to visit, the savings can be substantial. The site works well for discovering new restaurants while saving money on meals.
How to Avoid Scams and Protect Yourself
The discounted gift card market, while largely legitimate, does attract scammers. Here are essential tips to protect yourself:
Stick with established, reputable platforms that offer buyer protection guarantees. Companies like Raise, CardCash, and Gift Card Granny have built their businesses on trust and have systems in place to protect buyers.
Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true. If someone is offering a $100 Amazon gift card for $50, there’s likely something wrong. Scammers often advertise unrealistic discounts to lure victims.
Use your gift cards promptly after purchase. While most reputable sellers guarantee their cards, it’s harder to resolve issues months after a transaction. Using cards quickly also prevents the seller from draining the balance after selling it to you (though this is rare on reputable platforms).
Check the balance immediately upon receiving the card. Most retailers allow you to check gift card balances online or by phone. Verify the balance matches what you paid for before considering the transaction complete.
Keep all documentation related to your purchase, including confirmation emails, receipts, and screenshots. If a problem arises, this documentation will be essential for resolving the issue with the marketplace or your credit card company.
Strategies to Maximize Your Savings
Smart shoppers can layer multiple strategies to maximize gift card savings. Here’s how:
Stack discounts: Some platforms allow you to use promotional codes on top of existing gift card discounts. Sign up for email newsletters from gift card marketplaces to receive exclusive discount codes.
Combine with cash back: Use cash back portals like Rakuten or credit cards that offer cash back on all purchases when buying discounted gift cards. This adds another layer of savings on top of the gift card discount.
Buy for planned purchases: Purchase discounted gift cards for stores where you regularly shop or for planned purchases. If you know you’ll spend $500 at Home Depot for a renovation project, buying discounted Home Depot gift cards first can save you $25-$50.
Time your purchases: Gift card marketplaces often run sales around major holidays and shopping events. Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the post-holiday period typically offer enhanced discounts.
Consider bulk purchases: Some platforms offer better discounts when you buy multiple cards or higher denominations. If you frequently shop at a particular retailer, buying a larger gift card might offer better savings.
Special Considerations and Limitations
Most gift cards don’t expire thanks to federal regulations, but promotional cards and certificates (like those from Restaurant.com) often do. Always check expiration dates before purchasing. Some marketplaces sell gift cards with partial balances remaining. Make sure you understand exactly what balance you’re purchasing and that the discount reflects the actual value.
Gift cards purchased at a discount typically cannot be returned or exchanged. Make sure you’ll actually use the card before buying it. While most reputable platforms don’t charge buyers fees, always review the total cost before completing your purchase to ensure there are no surprise charges.
Discounted Gift Cards Offer More Than Just an Ideal Gift Option
Buying discounted gift cards is a legitimate and effective way to save money on everyday purchases and gifts. By using reputable marketplaces like Gift Card Granny, shopping at warehouse clubs, and leveraging credit card rewards programs, you can consistently save 5-30% on your purchases.
The key to success is combining smart shopping strategies with caution and due diligence. Stick with established platforms that offer buyer protection, verify card balances immediately, and use your cards promptly. With these practices in place, discounted gift cards become a powerful tool in your money-saving arsenal, helping you stretch your budget further whether you’re shopping for yourself or buying gifts for others.
As the gift card resale market continues to mature and expand, more options and better deals are becoming available to savvy consumers. By making discounted gift cards part of your regular shopping routine, you can enjoy significant savings year-round while still purchasing from your favorite retailers.