How to Know the Balance of a Gift Card: 3 Easy Ways

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Quickly find out your balance online or over the phone

Co-authored by Bailey Bujnosek, BA

Last Updated: December 3, 2024 Fact Checked

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Checking Your Balance Online

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Checking Your Balance by Phone

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Going into the Store

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Q&A

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It's frustrating when you try to buy something with a gift card, only to find out that you don't have enough money left on it! Luckily, you can easily check the balance of your Visa, Amazon, Dunkin', Target, Walmart, Vanilla, or other gift card online or over the phone before you go shopping. Keep reading to learn exactly which steps to take to check your gift card’s balance.

How to Find a Gift Card Balance: Quick Steps

Visit the website on the back of the gift card and enter the number on the card to check the balance. You can also call the toll-free number on the back of the card to find out the balance. If it's an Amazon gift card, go to "Your Account" on Amazon's website, then "Gift cards" to view your balance.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Checking Your Balance Online

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Find the website on the back of the card. Flip the card over to the side with the black strip and read the fine print on the back of the gift card. It will usually have directions to find your balance and will sometimes list a website that you can visit to determine your balance.^{[1]
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- For Amazon gift cards, you can log in to your account on Amazon’s website and go to “Your Account.” Then, select “Gift cards” to view the balance of Amazon gift cards you’ve used or redeemed to your account.^{[2]
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  - The Amazon gift card must be redeemed (added to your account) before you can check the balance. Once added, it cannot be transferred to another account.
- Beware of scam sites that aren't affiliated with the gift card company. Only use websites linked from the company's official site, or the website printed on the back of the card. Other sites are trying to steal your card’s data to use it themselves.
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Enter your gift card number and any other required information into the site. Once you visit the website found on the back of the card, it will have fields for information pertaining to your card. This will usually include your gift card number and another numeric code like the expiration date or access code.
- Sometimes you may have to peel off a piece of tape to reveal the card numbers on the back of the card.^{[3]
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Hit submit or enter. Once you submit the information you should be forwarded to a page that lists the gift card’s balance. If it doesn't work, go back to the last page and enter the card details again. Double-check them to make sure that they are correct before you submit them.^{[4]
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- If the information still doesn't work your card could be expired or there could be a technical problem. In this case, call the company or go to a physical location.
- Make sure the website you’re on matches the kind of card you have. For example, there are six Visa Gift card issuers (Visa Vanilla, Giftcards.com, Gift Card Mall, Commerce Bank, Navy Federal, and Walmart) that each have their own sites where you can check a card’s balance.
If you can't find a website on the back of the card, there may be no way to check your balance online. If this is the case, you'll have to use another method to check the balance on your gift card.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Checking Your Balance by Phone

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Locate the company's number on the back of the card. Most gift cards will have a toll-free number on the back of them that you can call to get your balance. Flip the card over to the side with the black card strip and locate the phone number on the back of the card. Some cards will have 2 numbers--one for customer service and one for balance inquiries.
- If you call the customer service number, they will be able to direct you to the balance inquiry phone number.
Dial the balance inquiry number you found on the back of the card. Sometimes this number will lead to a live operator and other times it will go to an automated phone system.^{[5]
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Once you call the number, it will ask you for card details which could include the card number, expiration date, your birth date, or the last four digits of your phone number. The information you'll need depends on which type of gift card you have. Follow the automated system or talk to the customer service representative until you input all the required card information.^{[6]
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Once you input the proper information, you'll be redirected to a reading of your gift card balance. Write the balance down or save it on your cell phone so that you know how much you have on the card.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Going into the Store

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If your gift card is for a specific company (like Target or Sephora), visit a store of that company. They will typically tell you the balance on your gift card free of charge.^{[7]
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Hand your gift card over to a customer service representative or a cashier and ask them if they can check the balance on your gift card. They will usually be able to scan the card and tell you what the balance is.^{[8]
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If you use the gift card at a physical location, get a printed receipt. Most companies will list the remaining balance of your card on the bottom of the receipt.^{[9]
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Community Q&A

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Can I redeem the value an out-of-date gift card?

Community Answer

No you cannot because it is already expired, and the place will not take it because of it having expired. Unless they're good about it, they'll give you an excuse like "it's invalid or "it's expired." However, there is a movement in various consumer protection groups to get rid of expiry dates on voucher cards in several countries, so things are changing. It can't help to ask to see the manager, to explain the situation and to find out if the manager/company is prepared to honor the money already paid to them. Mention that consumers are wanting this sort of service, not an expiry date.

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Can you shop online using a store gift card like Walmart?

Donagan

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Yes, gift cards are typically usable online.

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Is it possible to find out what was charged on a gift card?

Community Answer

Depending on the store or website, you might be able to look it up online. If not, then you could call in and ask. However, unless you are the current owner of the gift card, they won't be able to help you for privacy reasons.

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The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

To check the balance on an Amex gift card, you typically need to visit the card issuer's website or call their customer service number. Enter the card number and security code online, or follow the automated prompts over the phone. The available balance will be provided, allowing you to manage your spending accordingly.
Preferably, if you need to gift someone you care for a gift card, give them a debit gift card (like Visa) so they can choose where they want to spend the money.

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