How to find your gift card balance

The fastest way to check your balance is on the retailer's website or mobile app. Most major retailers — Target, Best Buy, Walmart, Amazon, and others — have a dedicated balance checker on their homepage or in their app. You enter the card number and, usually, a PIN or security code printed on the back of the card. The balance appears when ready.

If you do not have the card in front of you, you can call the retailer's customer service number, which is typically on their website. Have the card number ready. Some retailers also let you check balance in-store by asking a cashier to scan the card at checkout.

For restaurant and smaller retail gift cards, the process is the same: visit their website, find the balance checker, and enter your card details. If the retailer does not have an online tool, a phone call to their customer service line will get you the answer.

Key Takeaways

  • Most retailers offer a free balance checker on their website or app that shows your remaining amount when ready.
  • You will need the card number and usually a PIN or security code to check your balance online.
  • If you lose the card or do not have it nearby, call the retailer's customer service line with the card number.
  • Some gift cards expire or lose value over time, so check your balance and the card's terms before the expiration date.
  • Partial balances can usually be spent on your next purchase, and the remaining amount stays on the card.

What happens when you use part of your balance

When you spend less than the full balance on a gift card, the remaining amount stays on the card. If your card has $50 and you spend $30, you now have $20 left. You can use that $20 on a future purchase at the same retailer, either online or in-store.

The retailer keeps track of the balance automatically. You do not need to do anything special — just use the card again when you are ready. Some retailers send you an email receipt showing the new balance after each transaction, though not all do.

Gift card expiration dates and fees

Federal law requires that gift cards issued after 2010 cannot expire for at least five years from the date of purchase. However, some states have longer rules, and a few states ban expiration dates entirely. Check your card's terms or the retailer's website to see the expiration date.

Inactivity fees — charges for not using the card — are allowed in some states but banned in others. If your state permits them, the retailer must disclose the fee clearly on the card or receipt. These fees typically appear only after a long period of no activity, often one to three years. Again, state law varies, so read the fine print on your specific card.

If your card is close to expiring, use it before the expiration date. Once expired, the retailer is not required to honor it, though some retailers will replace an expired card as a courtesy.

Checking balance on lost or damaged cards

If you have lost your gift card but remember where you bought it, contact that retailer's customer service. Have your receipt if you can find it — it usually shows the card number. Some retailers can look up the card by the purchase date and amount, then tell you the current balance.

If the card is damaged but still readable, most retailers will replace it for free if you bring it in-store or contact customer service with the card number. The balance transfers to the new card.

If you cannot find the receipt or remember the card number, the retailer may not be able to help you recover the balance. This is why taking a photo of the card number and PIN when you receive a gift card is a good idea — store it somewhere safe, separate from the physical card.

Gift cards from restaurants and smaller retailers

Balance checking works the same way for restaurant and smaller retail gift cards, but the tools may be less polished. Some restaurants have a straightforward balance checker on their website; others require you to call. A few still require you to bring the card in-store.

Smaller retailers are more likely to have inactivity fees or shorter expiration dates, so read the terms on the back of the card or on your receipt. If you cannot find the terms, ask the retailer directly before the balance expires.

Digital gift cards and app-based balances

Digital gift cards sent via email or text work the same way as physical cards. You receive a code instead of a plastic card. To check your balance, visit the retailer's website or app, find the balance checker, and enter the code.

Some retailers, like Starbucks or Target, let you load a digital gift card directly into their mobile app. The balance then appears in your app account automatically. You can check it anytime by opening the app.

Digital gift cards have the same expiration dates and fee rules as physical cards, so the same caution applies: note the expiration date and use the balance before it expires.

What to do if your balance seems wrong

If you checked your balance and it is lower than you expected, contact the retailer's customer service with the date and amount of your last purchase. They can look up your transaction history and confirm whether the balance is correct.

Occasionally, a balance checker shows an outdated amount if a recent purchase has not yet processed. Wait a few hours and check again. If the balance still seems wrong after a recent transaction, call customer service and ask them to investigate.

Keep your receipt from each purchase. If there is a dispute, the receipt proves what you spent and what the balance should be.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check my gift card balance without the PIN?

Most retailers require the card number and PIN to check balance online. If you do not have the PIN, call customer service with the card number and they can tell you the balance over the phone. Some retailers will also scan the card in-store without a PIN.

What if my gift card expired?

Once a card expires, the retailer is not legally required to honor it. However, many retailers will replace an expired card or restore the balance as a courtesy. Contact customer service and explain the situation. Bring your receipt if you have it.

Can I transfer my gift card balance to another person?

Most retailers do not allow balance transfers between cards. However, you can use your card to buy something and give that item to someone else. Some retailers let you buy a new gift card with your existing balance, which you can then give away.

Do gift card balances ever disappear if I do not use them?

Federal law protects balances for at least five years. After that, state law varies — some states require the retailer to hold the balance indefinitely, while others allow the retailer to keep it. Check your state's rules and your card's terms. If you are unsure, use the balance before five years pass.

What if I spent more than my gift card balance?

You cannot spend more than the balance on a gift card alone. At checkout, if your purchase exceeds the card balance, the system will decline the card for the amount over the balance. You can then pay the difference with another payment method, or reduce your purchase.