7 Ways to Spend the Remaining Small Balance on a Gift Card (Prepaid Visa, Amazon…)

It would be nice if there were “combine gift card apps” that would let you combine balances from a few different cards into one bigger balance that you could use to shop with, but sadly that’s not an option.

Fortunately, there are a few ways to use the remainder of a gift card, even if it only has a small balance – like just a dollar or a few cents!

Below, we tell you exactly how to use the remaining balance on a gift card, even if that balance is teeny!

1. Go to a Brick and Mortar Store

If you have a really small gift card balance and you want to use it all up you should definitely consider going into a physical store.

Usually, the cashier will apply the value of your gift card to your whole purchase, and therefore lower your purchase total.

All you have to do is ask.

Even if you only get $1 off your purchase, you’ve still completely used your balance.

2. Use the Remaining Balance at a Partner Store

A lot of stores and restaurants have partner locations.

So if you have a gift card balance for a store, but can’t see anything to buy, consider using it at other stores that are owned by the same company.

For example, you can use a gift card for the Olive Garden at any restaurant owned by Darden Restaurants – such as LongHorn Steakhouse and Yard House.

And, Gap gift cards can also be used at Athleta, Banana Republic, and Old Navy.

This is a great way to use that last $0.50 on the gift card and save money when eating out.

Check to see if the store or restaurant you have a balance with has any partner brands.

3. Get the Retailer to Cash Out the Balance on its Gift Card

There is actually a way that you can get the cash from a gift card with a remaining balance.

In some states, there are laws that require retailers to cash out balances on the gift cards they issue.

This means that if you have a small balance that you can’t really use in the store, that cash won’t go to waste.

The balance will need to be under a certain amount for you to redeem it for cash.

But this amount varies from state to state.

Here are a few examples of the gift card balance threshold in different states:

• California: Less than $10
• Rhode Island : Less than $1
• Connecticut: Less than $3
• Maine: Less than $5
• Oregon: Less than $5

It’s important to note that not all states have such laws.

So check with the laws in your state.

If your state doesn’t have a law about cashing out balances, then ask them anyway. They might do it for you!

This is such a good way to use gift cards with less than $1 remaining.

4. Use Your Prepaid Gift Cards Wherever PayPal is Accepted

Did you know that you can add Visa, American Express, MasterCard or Discover gift cards to your PayPal account?

Yes, you can actually use these general purpose gift cards during checkout, as you could with any other debit or credit card that you have on your PayPal account.

This means that anywhere you can use PayPal to pay you can use your gift card!

This is great because PayPal is widely accepted now as a payment method – so it can make spending the balance on a Visa, MasterCard or other prepaid gift cards much easier.

You just need to make sure that the prepaid card has enough balance to cover the total amount to pay.

5. Use Your Balance to Buy an Amazon Gift Card

Wondering how to use a Visa gift card on Amazon? Or any other prepaid card, like one issued by MasterCard or American Express?

You can use a general purpose gift card, like a gift card issued by Visa, MasterCard, or American Express to purchase an gift card for Amazon.com.

This is useful when you only have a small balance left.

Just use your prepaid card to buy an Amazon gift card. Then, apply the Amazon gift card to your Amazon purchase and pay the rest of the balance with a regular credit or debit card.

How simple is that?

Do keep in mind though that Amazon won’t let you buy gift cards that have a value of less than $1.

So if you have 50 cents on a card, then you won’t be able to buy an Amazon gift card.

You may be able to try this trick at other retailers, like Walmart or Microsoft, for example.

6. Sell the Gift Card

If the balance is enough, then you might be able to sell your gift card for cash.

It’s so easy nowadays.

Check out these sites to sell your unwanted gift cards:

• Raise
• CardCash
• GiftCardBin
• Cardpool
• Gift Card Granny

These sites make selling unwanted gift cards so easy.

The only thing to keep in mind is that you won’t get the full value when you sell your card.

This is because these are discount gift card sites where customers are looking to buy gift cards at a low price.

So if you have a gift card for $20, for example, then you might only get $18 in cash for it.

Still though, it’s cash in your pocket, rather than money stuck on a gift card that you’ll never use.

7. Donate Your Gift Card

If you really don’t know how to use the remaining balance on a gift card, consider donating it.

There’s a Texas-based, non-profit organization called GiftCards4Change that lets you donate gift cards – even ones that have a small remaining balance.

It’s a great organization that’s helped tons of great causes, from disability projects to homelessness.

• Donate your gift card here.
• Learn more about the projects GiftCards4Change helps here.

Also, you could see if there are any local shelters or organizations that accept unwanted gift cards.

Closing Thoughts

If you have a small amount left on a gift card, don’t let it go to waste. Give our tips on how to use the remaining balance on a gift card a try.

Let us know in the comments section below if you have any tricks for using up a gift card balance too.