How to Put Money on a Gift Card

Co-authored by Michael R. Lewis

Last Updated: March 2, 2024 References

Have an old gift card you really love but it's all out of money? Would you rather just reload it and not have to go and pick a new gift card? There may be several ways for you to reload the card—in person, through your customer account, or online. You may also be able to set up automatic reloads of the gift card.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Reloading Your Gift Card with a One-time Transaction

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1
Visit the business that issued your gift card. If your gift card is for a business with a physical location (such as a store, restaurant, or amusement park), in many cases you will be able to reload the card by visiting that business.
- You can see ahead of time whether or not this option is available. Check the back of your gift card, or call the business to find this information.
Have a form of payment (cash, credit card, etc.) ready for the amount that you would like added to the gift card. Give the gift card to the cashier or customer service agent and tell him or her that you would like to reload the card.

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3
Visit the website of the gift card issuer. Alternatively, many businesses that offer gift cards give you the option of reloading the card online. Go to the website of the business and search for “gift card.” Follow the directions for reloading the card, using a credit or debit card, wire transfer, etc.
- Check the back of the gift card, which may state if you can reload the card online, and the website to visit in order to do so. You can also call the business to see if this option is available to you.
- Keep the card with you when you visit the website to reload it, as you may be prompted to enter the gift card number (usually found on the back of the card) and PIN number (if applicable) to do so.^{[1]
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- Your options for reloading the card online may be limited. For instance, you may only be able to reload using a bank transfer.
- Have your payment information (credit card or checking account number, PIN, etc.) ready when visiting the reload website so that you can transfer funds to the gift card.
- You may be prompted to create an account in order to reload the gift card using this method.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Reloading Your Gift Card Using a Customer Account

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If you have an online account or existing relationship with the issuer of your gift card, you may be able to reload the card through your account.
2
Visit your account login website. If your gift card issuer allows you to reload the card through your personal account, use a web browser to go to your account login website. Enter the information you are prompted to (username, account number, password, etc.) in order to access your account.^{[2]
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- If you are not sure of the account login website, it may be listed on the back of your gift card.
You may be prompted to enter your gift card number (and PIN number, if applicable). With some merchants, you can store one or more gift cards on your customer account. If this option is available to you, select the gift card(s) you would like to reload, once you have logged onto your customer account.
You will need to have money transferred from one of your payment accounts (a checking account, credit card, etc.) onto the gift card. When prompted to, enter the amount you would like added to the gift card.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Setting Up a Recurring Reload on a Gift Card

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1
Determine if you can set up recurring reloads on your gift card. Some merchants will allow you periodically reload your card automatically. This can be a great way to make sure that your gift card maintains a balance so you can keep using it.
- Check the back of the gift card, which may state if you can set up an auto reload option, and the website to visit in order to do so. You can also call the business to see if this option is available to you.
- Even though the reloads are automatic, you won't want to overlook them. Make sure that you keep sufficient funds in the account that the automatic reloads will be drawn from.
Visit the gift card issuer’s website, and search for “gift card” to locate the form for setting up an option like “automatic reload,” “auto reload” or “auto-load” for your gift card. Create an account using an email address or user name and password.^{[3]
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You will need to have money transferred from one of your payment accounts (a checking account, credit card, etc.) onto the gift card at regular intervals. Enter the relevant information for this account when the set-up prompts you to.
Depending on the card issuer, you may have options to have money transferred onto your gift card on a specific day or week of each month, or when the gift card balance drops below a certain amount, etc.^{[5]
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You should be able to confirm whenever your gift card is reloaded. Many merchants will send an email, text message, or similar alert each time money is withdrawn to reload your card. Typically, you can also check the balance on your gift card to confirm that it was reloaded, by checking your online account or calling the customer service number listed on the card.

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Tips

Sometimes, there is a limit on the amount you may load onto a gift card, or a minimum amount you can reload. The amount you reload may also be required to fall in certain increments (such as in multiples of $5 or $10).^{[6]
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Research source} Call the customer service number or visit the website listed on the back of your gift card if you are not of the amount you can reload onto your card.

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Some “gift cards” don’t have a physical card. Nevertheless, you may be able to reload these through an online account.^{[8]
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Research source} If you don’t yet have an online account, you may be able to set one up with the gift card issuer, and then reload it.

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In some cases, there are fees for reloading gift cards or prepaid cards.^{[9]
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