Coinstar no longer offers its former gift card exchange service for selling unwanted gift cards for cash. Its current gift-card offering works in the opposite direction: eligible Coinstar kiosks let customers exchange loose coins for eGift cards from participating retailers.
If you have an unused Amazon, Walmart, restaurant, or other retailer gift card, you will need to look at a gift card resale marketplace, an eligible retailer trade-in program, or another legitimate buyer. Before choosing one, compare the payout, payment method, processing time, and any restrictions.
This guide explains what happened to Coinstar’s Gift Card Exchange, which services are available today, where to sell unwanted gift cards, and how to protect the value of your card.
Does Coinstar Still Exchange Gift Cards for Cash?
No. Coinstar does not currently offer its former gift card-to-cash exchange service through its standard US kiosks. You cannot rely on a green Coinstar kiosk to buy an existing retail gift card and pay you cash.
The distinction is important because Coinstar still advertises gift cards as part of its services. However, its current eGift-card service lets customers convert coins into a participating retailer’s gift card; it does not provide a way to sell a gift card they already own.
The former Coinstar Exchange service was associated with dedicated yellow kiosks. Those machines should not be confused with today’s green coin-counting kiosks.
What this means for you:
- Have an unused gift card? Compare gift card resale services or retailer-specific trade-in options.
- Have a jar of loose coins? Coinstar may let you exchange those coins for cash or an eligible eGift card.
- Looking for a nearby gift card exchange? Use the official Coinstar locator to check current services, but do not assume a kiosk accepts existing gift cards for cash.
For current service information, visit the official Coinstar kiosk locator.
What Gift Card Services Does Coinstar Offer Today?
Coinstar’s current services focus on converting coins into other forms of value. Available options depend on the kiosk, retailer, and location.
1. Coins to cash
Coinstar kiosks count loose coins and issue a cash voucher that you can redeem according to the kiosk’s instructions.
A service fee may apply. Coinstar states that fees are displayed at the kiosk before the transaction begins, so check the actual terms rather than relying on an old fee estimate.
2. Coins to eGift cards
Coinstar’s Coin to Card service allows customers to convert eligible loose coins into a digital or paper-format eGift card from a participating retailer.
The selection varies by kiosk. Some eGift-card options have no fee, while fees for others depend on the retailer, brand, and location.
See the official Coinstar eGift-card page for current information.
Important: Buying an eGift card with coins is not the same as exchanging an unwanted gift card for cash. Coinstar’s current eGift-card service does not solve the problem of cashing out an existing retail gift card.
3. Charity donations
Participating Coinstar kiosks may let customers donate eligible loose change to supported charitable organizations. Available charities depend on the location.
How do Coinstar fees work?
Fees vary by transaction and service. Cashing in coins may incur a service fee and, where applicable, an additional transaction fee. Some participating eGift cards may be available without a coin-counting fee.
Always review the fee displayed on the kiosk before confirming a transaction. Do not apply an old Coinstar Exchange fee, such as the previously quoted gift-card exchange rate, to a current coin-counting transaction.
Where Can You Sell Unwanted Gift Cards?
If your goal is to turn an unused gift card into cash, a resale marketplace is a more appropriate starting point than Coinstar.
Three factors matter most when choosing a service:
- Payout: How much money will you actually receive?
- Payment: Can you receive a bank deposit, PayPal payment, check, or another supported method?
- Timing and risk: Does the service buy the card directly, or must your listing sell first? What verification is required?
1. CardCash
CardCash buys eligible unwanted gift cards at less than their face value and resells them to buyers. The amount offered depends on the card and the service’s current requirements.
Its published FAQ describes payment options that include checks, ACH deposits, and PayPal, subject to eligibility and approval. It also explains that CardCash verifies card balances and may request additional information.
Before accepting an offer, confirm the amount, payment method, card eligibility, and processing requirements.
2. Other gift card marketplaces
Other marketplaces may offer direct purchases, seller listings, or exchanges for different gift cards. Availability varies by country, retailer, and service.
For example, GiftCardGranny has historically provided a way to compare gift card offers. Check its current services and terms before relying on it for a sale.
Do not assume that every marketplace accepts every retailer or operates in every country. Verify that the service currently accepts your specific card and can pay you through a method available in your location.
3. Retailer trade-in programs
Some retailers or third-party partners may accept eligible gift cards in exchange for store credit or another gift card. Such programs are not universal and can change over time.
Before visiting a store, check the retailer’s official website or contact customer service to confirm:
- Whether the program is currently active.
- Which gift card brands are accepted.
- Whether the reward is cash, store credit, or another gift card.
- Whether minimum balances or other eligibility rules apply.
- Whether the program is available at your particular location.
Do not assume that historical programs associated with Target, Walmart, or GameStop are still available in their former form.
How Much Can You Get for an Unused Gift Card?
The amount you receive depends on the gift card’s brand, balance, resale demand, condition, and the buyer’s current offer.
Most resale services pay less than the card’s face value. The difference is the cost of converting a restricted spending balance into money or a more useful form of credit.
Example: Calculating your actual payout
Suppose you have a gift card with a confirmed balance of $100 and receive a hypothetical offer worth 80% of its balance.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Gift card balance | $100 |
| Hypothetical offer rate | 80% |
| Amount offered | $80 |
| Value given up | $20 |
The calculation is:
Payout = Verified balance × Offer rate
In this example, $100 × 0.80 = $80.
The 80% rate is an illustration, not a quoted rate from a particular marketplace. Actual offers can be higher or lower, and additional costs or payment restrictions may apply.
Is selling always better than using the card?
Not necessarily.
If you can use the gift card for purchases you would otherwise make, spending it at its face value may provide more value than reselling it at a discount.
Selling may make sense if you do not shop at that retailer, need a more flexible form of payment, or would otherwise leave the balance unused.
Compare the resale offer with the value you would realistically get from spending the card before making a decision.
How to Sell a Gift Card Safely
Gift card resale requires care because a card number and PIN may provide access to the balance. Use the following process to reduce the risk of fraud and payment disputes.
Step 1: Check the balance
Use the retailer’s official website or customer service number to verify the remaining balance. Keep a record of the balance and any relevant transaction information.
Step 2: Compare offers
Check more than one legitimate service where possible. Compare the final payout rather than the headline percentage, and read the payment and cancellation terms.
Step 3: Verify the buyer
Check the website address, company information, customer support options, and current terms. Be cautious of unsolicited messages, unusually high offers, or buyers who pressure you to act immediately.
Step 4: Understand verification requirements
A legitimate service may need to verify the card balance or confirm your identity. Follow the service’s published instructions, but do not share passwords, one-time authentication codes, or unrelated financial credentials.
Step 5: Transfer the card only through the approved process
Do not send a card number or PIN to an unknown person in a public post or unverified message. Use the service’s official transaction process and keep confirmation records.
Step 6: Confirm payment
Check that the payment has arrived through the agreed method. Processing may be immediate, take several business days, or depend on the sale of the card, depending on the service.
Never pay an unexpected fee or purchase another gift card simply because a stranger promises to release your payout.
For more consumer protection guidance, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s consumer advice website.
How to Find a Coinstar Kiosk Near You
You can use Coinstar’s official locator to find kiosks and check which current services they offer.
- Visit the Coinstar kiosk locator.
- Enter your address or ZIP code where supported.
- Review the nearby kiosk results.
- Check the listed services, such as coins-to-cash, eGift cards, or charity donations.
- Confirm the applicable fees and options before visiting.
Kiosk services vary by location, so the presence of an eGift-card option does not mean a kiosk accepts existing gift cards for cash.
If you searched for “Coinstar gift card exchange near me,” keep in mind that finding a nearby Coinstar machine will not restore the discontinued gift-card resale service.
Is Coinstar Worth Using for Gift Cards?
Coinstar can be useful if you want to convert loose coins into cash or a participating eGift card. It is not the appropriate service if you want to sell an existing retailer gift card for cash.
The best choice depends on what you have and what you want to receive.
| Your goal | Best starting point |
|---|---|
| Turn loose change into cash | Coinstar’s coins-to-cash service |
| Turn loose change into a gift card | Coinstar’s participating eGift-card options |
| Sell an unwanted retailer gift card | A legitimate gift card resale marketplace |
| Exchange one gift card for another | A marketplace or retailer program that explicitly supports exchanges |
| Get the best practical value | Compare resale offers with the value of using the card yourself |
The key is to choose the service that matches the transaction you actually want. A coin-counting kiosk and a gift card resale marketplace serve different purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Coinstar’s Gift Card Exchange
Does Coinstar buy gift cards in 2026?
No. Coinstar’s former gift card-to-cash exchange service is no longer available through its standard US kiosks. Customers looking to sell an existing gift card should compare current resale services instead.
Can I exchange gift cards at a Coinstar kiosk?
Not through Coinstar’s former gift-card exchange service. Current Coinstar eGift-card options let customers convert eligible coins into participating retailers’ gift cards; they do not allow customers to sell existing gift cards for cash.
Does Coinstar accept Amazon gift cards?
Coinstar’s current standard kiosk services do not provide a way to sell an existing Amazon gift card for cash. Check a legitimate resale marketplace’s current eligibility rules if you want to sell one.
What happened to Coinstar Exchange?
The former Coinstar Exchange service, associated with dedicated gift-card-exchange kiosks, has been discontinued. Coinstar’s current kiosk services focus on coins and other available transactions rather than buying unwanted retailer gift cards.
Does Coinstar charge a fee for gift cards?
There is no current Coinstar gift-card resale fee to calculate because its former gift-card-to-cash service is no longer offered. For Coinstar’s coin-to-eGift-card service, fees vary by retailer, brand, and location, and no-fee options may be available.
What is the difference between Coinstar and a gift card exchange website?
Coinstar primarily converts loose coins into cash or selected eGift cards. A gift card resale website may buy an existing gift card and pay the seller a discounted amount based on its balance and eligibility.
Where can I sell gift cards for cash?
You can start by checking a legitimate gift card resale service such as CardCash. Confirm the card is eligible, compare the final payout, and review the payment method and processing requirements before accepting an offer.
Is Coinstar available worldwide?
Coinstar services and kiosk availability are location-dependent. Its US kiosk locator and eGift-card offerings should not be assumed to apply in every country. International readers should check local service availability and look for resale marketplaces that operate in their country.
Final Verdict
Coinstar’s Gift Card Exchange is no longer a practical option for turning an unwanted retailer gift card into cash in 2026. Its current eGift-card service is designed to convert loose coins into a participating retailer’s gift card, which is a different transaction.
If you want to sell an unused gift card, verify its balance, compare offers from legitimate resale services, and calculate the amount you will actually receive. If you have loose coins instead, check Coinstar’s current kiosk services and fees.
