Can you check gift card value online?

Yes, you can check the balance or value of a gift card online in most cases. There are a few different ways to check a gift card balance online depending on the merchant or brand of the card.

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Ways to Check Gift Card Balance Online

Here are some of the main ways to check the balance of a gift card online:

Official merchant website – Most major retailers and restaurants allow you to check the balance of their gift cards through the company’s website. There is usually an option to enter the gift card number and access code to view the remaining value.

Gift card issuer website – If the gift card is from a third-party issuer like Blackhawk Network or Incomm, you can log into their website and enter the card details to check the balance. Examples include GiftCardMall.com and CheckGiftCardBalance.com.
Mobile app – Many merchants and gift card issuers also have mobile apps that allow you to register your card and check the balance on the go.
Receipt or order history – If you registered the gift card online when purchasing it, you may be able to log into your account on that site and view gift card activity and balances.

Call customer service – As a last resort, you can call the merchant’s or issuer’s customer service line and provide the gift card number to get the current balance.

Checking Balance on Merchant Website

To check your gift card balance on the merchant’s website, first visit their official website and look for a link or option to “Check Gift Card Balance”. This is usually found under the customer service, gift card, or account login sections.

For example, to check an Amazon gift card balance, you would:

Go to amazon.com
Click “Accounts & Lists” near the top of the screen
Select “Your Account”

Click “Gift cards”
Enter the gift card number and PIN
View the gift card balance

Once you enter the gift card number and PIN, it will display the current balance remaining on the card. Many sites will also show you the transaction history so you can see how much has been used.

Using Gift Card Issuer Websites

If you have a gift card that is not tied to a specific merchant, but is from a third-party gift card provider, you can check the balance on the issuer’s website. Some of the largest gift card issuers include:

Blackhawk Network – CashStar.com

Incomm – GiftCardMall.com
Fiserv – GiftCardInfo.com
Tango Card – GiftCardBlock.com

To check the balance, go to the issuer’s balance checking website and enter your gift card number and PIN when prompted. This will display the current dollar amount remaining on the card.

Checking via Mobile App

In addition to the merchant and issuer websites, many also offer mobile apps to manage and check gift card balances on the go:

Starbucks – Download the Starbucks app, register your gift card, and you can view the balance and reload the card.

Walmart – The Walmart app has an option to scan or enter Walmart gift card numbers to check the balance.
Amazon – Download the Amazon mobile shopping app to check gift card balances linked to your Amazon account.
American Express – The Amex app lets you register and view gift card balances for their third-party gift cards.

Using the mobile app is often the most convenient way to check the balance and can also provide alerts when the balance gets low or the card expires.

Check Through Online Order History

For gift cards purchased online, you may be able to check the balance by logging into your account where the gift card was ordered and viewing your order history or stored gift cards:

If you bought it directly from the retailer’s website, the gift card may be stored in your online account.

Third-party sites like Amazon, Walmart, or restaurant delivery apps also let you view gift card orders.
The order details usually show the complete gift card number and remaining balance.

This option makes it easy to check the balance without needing the physical gift card in front of you. However, you still need to have the associated online account details.

Contact Customer Service

If you are unable to check the balance online through any of the above methods, you can call or contact customer service to check the card balance. You will need to provide the complete gift card number and PIN. Some ways to contact them include:

Call the customer service phone number on the back of the gift card.
Use the live chat function on the merchant’s website.

Email customer support and request the gift card balance.
Send inquiries through their social media accounts like Facebook or Twitter.

A customer service agent will be able to look up the gift card in their system and provide information on the remaining balance, transaction history, and expiration date if applicable.

Tips for Checking Balances

To get the most accurate and up-to-date information on your gift card balance, keep these tips in mind:

Register gift cards on the merchant’s website when possible.
Save gift card receipts and order confirmations for reference.

Note the customer service number and online balance check options.
Check the balance before shopping to avoid surprises at checkout.
Use mobile apps when available for convenient balance tracking.

Visit the website periodically as balances can change over time.
Call customer service if you encounter any issues checking online.

Reasons a Balance May be Incorrect

In some cases, the online balance shown may be incorrect or not reflect recent transactions. Some potential reasons include:

Recent purchases haven’t been processed yet.
You used the card at a different merchant that hasn’t updated the system.
The card needs to be activated before the balance is visible.

There are pending returns or credits on the card.
The system is temporarily down or experiencing an error.

If you find the online balance is wrong, contact the merchant’s customer service department. They can look into the issue and find out why it does not match your records.

Troubleshooting Balance Issues

If you are having trouble accessing or checking your gift card balance online, try the following troubleshooting tips:

Confirm the website is correct – Make sure you are on the official merchant or issuer website, not a third party site.
Check spelling – Double check the gift card number and PIN are entered correctly.

Try different browsers – Sometimes browser compatibility issues can prevent balance checking.
Clear cookies and cache – Data stored by your browser may be interfering with the balance tool.
Restart your device – A device reboot can clear up temporary glitches and issues.

Use a different device – Test if the problem is isolated to just one device like your phone or computer.

If you still can’t get the balance after trying these steps, reach out to the merchant’s customer service for additional support and troubleshooting.

Balance Transfer Options

Once you have checked your gift card balance, you may want to consolidate or transfer the funds for easier tracking and redemption. Here are some options to transfer gift card balances:

Money transfer apps – Some peer-to-peer payment apps like PayPal, Venmo, or Square Cash let you register and send gift card funds to others.
Exchange for a different gift card – Many merchants allow you to exchange your gift card for one of their other brands if you don’t want to shop there.
Sell to a gift card exchange service – You can trade-in or sell unwanted gift cards to get cash back through reseller sites.

Register with a gift card wallet app – Apps like Gyft and Gift Card Granny let you consolidate balances from multiple cards in one place.

Consolidating multiple balances onto one card or into an online wallet app can make it much easier to track usage and redeem the full value.

Using Expired Gift Cards

When you check the balance on a gift card, make sure to note the expiration date if there is one. If your card has expired, here are some ways you may still be able to recover or use the remaining funds:

Retailers will often still honor expired cards and allow you to use the balance, especially if it was purchased recently.
Contact the merchant to request they reset or reinstate the expired card.
See if you can transfer the balance to a new replacement card through their online system.

Some states require merchants to honor expired card balances as long as proof of purchase is provided.

If you are unable to use an expired card with a remaining balance, request a refund of the leftover funds through customer service. Make sure to check gift card expirations so you can use the full value while it is still valid.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the balance on a Visa gift card?

To check the balance on a Visa gift card, go to the USA Gift Card Balance website at www.usagiftcardbalance.com and enter the card number and security code. You can also call 1-800-857-1046 to check the balance with customer service.

Can you check the balance of a Mastercard gift card online?

Yes, you can check the balance of a Mastercard gift card online at the official Mastercard Gift Card Balance website, www.mastercardgifts.com. Click “Check Balance” and enter the card number and security code to view the current balance online.

How do you check the balance on a Starbucks gift card?

To check a Starbucks gift card balance, you can use the Starbucks mobile app, visit starbucks.com and log into your account, bring the card into a store to scan at checkout, or call 1-800-782-7282 to check with customer service.

Can I check the balance of a Home Depot gift card online?

Yes, you can check a Home Depot gift card balance online at www.homedepot.com/mybby. Create or log into your Home Depot account and add the gift card by number. The balance will show in your stored gift cards.

What if the online balance is wrong?

If the online balance showing for your gift card is incorrect, contact the merchant’s customer service department. They can look into the issue and find out why it does not match your records of how much should be on the card based on purchases and activations.

The Bottom Line

Checking a gift card balance online is easy and convenient through the retailer’s website, mobile app, or third-party balance checker tool. This allows you to monitor the funds available and avoid surprises at the register when the card has less value than expected. If you have trouble viewing the balance or feel it is inaccurate, customer service can provide additional insight into the card’s transaction history and work to resolve any issues.