Gift cards sell below face value because whoever buys yours has to resell it at a discount and carries the risk that the code is used, from the wrong region or from a scam. How much you get depends on the brand, the region, the card value and sometimes the format. Popular gaming and app store cards from the US usually pay the most.
Selling a $100 card and getting less than $100 can feel unfair at first. But a gift card can only be spent at one brand, often only in one country, so to anyone but you it's worth less than cash. This guide explains where the difference goes and what changes the rate you get.
Where the difference goes
- Resale below face value. Cards are resold to people who want that brand, and they only buy if it's cheaper than paying full price. That discount comes out of the price every buyer can pay.
- Risk. Some codes turn out to be used, from another region or from a scam. A buyer that pays you before checking would lose money on those, so the risk is priced in.
- Time and checks. Codes are checked before anyone is credited, and money sits in between for a few days.
- Currency. Cards in euro, pound or other currencies are converted to US dollars at the current rate.
- The middleman's margin. Every buyer, including us, keeps a small share. We show the amount you get before you submit, so you can compare.
What changes the rate
- Brand. Cards with lots of demand, like Steam, Apple, Razer Gold and PlayStation, usually pay more than shop cards that only work in a few countries.
- Region. US cards are usually in the highest demand. The same brand from a smaller market often pays less.
- Card value. Different values of the same card can pay a different percentage.
- Format. For some brands, e-codes and physical cards pay differently.
These cards pay the most for a $50 US card right now, live from our catalog:
| Card | Region | $50 card pays |
|---|---|---|
 Steam | USA | $38.00 |
 Razer Gold | USA | $38.00 |
 Apple | USA | $36.50 |
 Amazon | USA | $35.50 |
 PlayStation | USA | $35.50 |
 Xbox | USA | $35.50 |
How to get the most for a card
- 1Sell it while it's unusedA card with its full balance is the only kind that can be sold. Don't try it out first.
- 2Pick the right regionThe real region, not the one that pays most. A mismatch is rejected.
- 3Compare the exact valueLook at the payout for your card's exact value and format in the sell form, not just the "up to" rate.
- 4Don't wait too longRates move with demand, and some cards expire or lose value over time.
Questions
Why can't I sell a gift card for its full value?
Whoever buys it has to resell it, and gift cards resell below face value. The buyer also carries the risk that a code is used, from the wrong region or from a scam. The difference between face value and your payout covers that.
What's a good rate for a gift card?
It depends on the brand, the region and the card value. Popular gaming and app store cards from the US usually pay the most. Our rates page shows every card we buy with today's rate.
Why do two values of the same card pay a different percentage?
Demand differs per value. Some values sell faster than others, so our buyer pays a different rate for them. The sell form always shows the rate for the exact value.
Do e-codes and physical cards pay the same?
Not always. For some brands they pay differently, and the form shows the better one for your card.
Are there fees on top?
No. The amount you see before you submit is what gets credited, and withdrawing it in crypto has no payout fee.