For the most part, companies tend not to allow the return of gift cards unless required by state law (more on that below.) There are exceptions, though. For example, Gap allows customers to return unused physical gift cards and cancel scheduled e-gift cards for a refund.

No, in 2026, it is virtually impossible to return a gift card once even a fraction of its balance has been spent. Retailers view a used gift card as "consumed" or "non-resellable," and their systems are programmed to block any return transactions for cards with a balance lower than the original face value. This policy applies to physical plastic cards and digital e-gift cards alike. The only rare exception occurs if you can prove that the card was fraudulent or defective at the time of purchase, but even then, the retailer will typically issue a replacement card rather than a cash refund. If you find yourself with a partially used gift card you no longer want, your best option is to use a "gift card exchange" website, though you will likely receive only 60-80% of the remaining value in cash. Because gift cards are treated like "stored-value currency," once the seal is broken or the code is entered, the merchant considers the sale final. Always double-check your balance and be certain of your purchase before applying a gift card to an order, as there is no "undo" button for these transactions.