If you are looking to trade gift cards for cash, one of the most important things to know is which gift cards sell quickly and which ones are hard to sell. Not all gift cards have the same demand, and some might take longer to find buyers or offer lower resale values than others. This guide will help you identify the gift cards that are hard to sell, why they have lower demand, and what you can do if you already own one.

Why Are Some Gift Cards Hard to Sell?

Several factors make some gift cards difficult to trade:

Limited Usability – If a gift card is only accepted in a few locations or countries, fewer people will want to buy it.

Low Resale Demand – Some gift cards are for niche stores that not many people are interested in.

Complicated Redemption Process – If a card requires multiple steps to redeem, it discourages buyers.

**Frequent Scams & Fraud ** – Certain gift card brands are heavily targeted by fraudsters, making platforms more cautious in accepting them.

Region-Locked Gift Cards – Some gift cards can only be used in a specific country, making them difficult to trade internationally.

Gift Cards That Are the Hardest to Sell

1. Hotels & Airline Gift Cards

Examples: Marriott, Delta Airlines, American Airlines, Airbnb Why They Are Hard to Sell: These cards are only useful for travelers. If there is low demand for travel, they become difficult to sell. Alternatives: If you have one, consider using it for your travel plans instead of trading it.

2. Store-Specific Gift Cards

Examples: Macy’s, Nordstrom, JCPenney, Kohl’s, Foot Locker

Why They Are Hard to Sell: These brands are not widely used outside the U.S., which limits the number of buyers. Alternatives: If you can’t sell them, try shopping for items you can resell instead.

3. Food & Restaurant Gift Cards

Examples: Olive Garden, Chipotle, Subway, Starbucks, McDonald’s Why They Are Hard to Sell: While they might be useful for meals, most people don’t buy food gift cards in bulk. These are low resale value cards. Alternatives: Use them for yourself or give them to someone who frequently dines at these places.

4. Gas Station Gift Cards

Examples: Shell, BP, ExxonMobil Why They Are Hard to Sell: These cards are only useful in specific locations and cannot be used online, limiting their appeal. Alternatives: If you drive, use them for fuel instead of selling them.

5. Regional Gift Cards

Examples: Gift cards issued by small businesses or local stores Why They Are Hard to Sell: If a gift card can only be used in one country, it becomes useless outside that region. Alternatives: Sell them within the country where they are valid.

6. Store Credit Gift Cards

Examples: Apple Store Credit, Walmart Store Credit Why They Are Hard to Sell: Store credits cannot be traded like regular gift cards and are often non-transferable. Alternatives: Use them to buy something valuable or give them to someone who shops at that store.

7. Non-Reloadable Visa & Mastercard Gift Cards

Why They Are Hard to Sell: Some prepaid Visa and Mastercard gift cards have restrictions that prevent them from being used like regular debit cards. Alternatives: Try using them for online purchases before they expire.

What Should You Do If You Have a Hard-to-Sell Gift Card?

If you own one of these low-demand gift cards, don’t worry—there are still options:

Sell It on the Right Platform – Some platforms accept niche gift cards, even if they are harder to sell. Use It for Purchases – Instead of selling, buy items that you can resell for cash. Gift It to Someone – If you can’t sell it, consider giving it as a gift to someone who can use it. Trade for Another Gift Card – Some platforms allow you to swap an unwanted gift card for a more useful one. Use It for a Subscription – Some store-specific cards work for Netflix, Amazon Prime, and other online services.

Easiest Gift Cards to Sell

Now that you know which cards are hard to sell, here are the best gift cards for trading:

Amazon Gift Cards – High demand worldwide

Tunes & Apple Gift Cards – Popular for app purchases

Google Play Gift Cards – Used for apps and subscriptions

Steam Gift Cards – Gamers love Steam credits

eBay Gift Cards – Useful for shopping online

Walmart Gift Cards – Great for retail purchases

If you want to sell a gift card instantly, choose cards that have high demand and are easily redeemable.

Sell Your Gift Cards at the Best Rates on GCBuying

At GCBuying, we make it easy to sell your gift cards with:

Instant Payment – Get paid in minutes Best Rates – No hidden charges 100% Secure Transactions 24/7 Customer Support

Sell your gift cards now! Don’t let your gift card go to waste—trade with confidence on GCBuying today!