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It would be nice if there were \u201ccombine gift card apps<\/em>\u201d that would let you combine balances from a few different cards into one bigger balance that you could use to shop with, but sadly that\u2019s not an option.<\/p>\n Fortunately, there are a few ways to use the remainder of a gift card, even if it only has a small balance \u2013 like just a dollar or a few cents!<\/p>\n Below, we tell you exactly how to use the remaining balance on a gift card, even if that balance is teeny!<\/p>\n If you have a really small gift card balance and you want to use it all up you should definitely consider going into a physical store.<\/p>\n Usually, the cashier will apply the value of your gift card to your whole purchase, and therefore lower your purchase total.<\/p>\n All you have to do is ask.<\/p>\n Even if you only get a $1 off your purchase, you\u2019ve still completely used your balance.<\/p>\n A lot of stores and restaurants have partner locations.<\/p>\n So if you have a gift card balance for a store, but can\u2019t see anything to buy, consider using it at other stores that are owned by the same company.<\/p>\n For example, you can use a gift card for the Olive Garden at any restaurant owned by Darden Restaurants \u2013 such as LongHorn Steakhouse and Yard House.<\/p>\n And, Gap gift cards can also be used at Athleta, Banana Republic, and Old Navy.<\/p>\n Check to see if the store or restaurant you have a balance with has any partner brands.<\/p>\n In some states, there are laws that require retailers to cash out balances on the gift cards they issue.<\/p>\n Join Smart Panel Now<\/a>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n This means that if you have a small balance that you can\u2019t realistically use in store, that cash won\u2019t go to waste.<\/p>\n The balance will need to be under a certain amount for you to redeem it for cash.<\/p>\n But this amount varies from state to state.<\/p>\n Here are a few examples of the gift card balance threshold in different states:<\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s important to note that not all states have such laws.<\/p>\n So check with the laws in your state.<\/p>\n If your state doesn\u2019t have a law about cashing out balances, then ask them anyway. They might do it for you!<\/p>\n This is such a good way to use gift cards with less than $1 remaining.<\/p>\n Did you know that you can add Visa, American Express, MasterCard or Discover gift cards to your PayPal account?<\/p>\n Yes, you can actually use these general purpose gift cards during checkout, as you could with any other debit or credit card that you have on your PayPal account.<\/p>\n This means that anywhere you can use PayPal to pay you<\/a> can use your gift card!<\/p>\n This is great because PayPal is widely accepted now as a payment method \u2013 so it can make spending the balance on a Visa, MasterCard or other prepaid gift cards much easier.<\/p>\n You just need to make sure that the prepaid card has enough balance to cover the total amount to pay.<\/p>\n Wondering how to use a Visa gift card on Amazon? Or any other prepaid card, like one issued by MasterCard or American Express?<\/p>\n You can use a general purpose gift card, like a gift card issued by Visa, MasterCard, or American Express to purchase an Amazon gift card<\/a>.<\/p>\n This is useful when you only have a small balance left.<\/p>\n Just use your prepaid card to buy an Amazon gift card. Then, apply the Amazon gift card to your Amazon purchase and pay the rest of the balance with a regular credit or debit card.<\/p>\n How simple is that?<\/p>\n Do keep in mind though that Amazon won\u2019t let you buy gift cards that have a value of less than $1.<\/p>\n So if you have 50 cents on a card, then you won\u2019t be able to buy an Amazon gift card.<\/p>\n You may be able to try this trick at other retailers, like Walmart or Microsoft, for example.<\/p>\n If the balance is enough, then you might be able to sell your gift card for cash.<\/p>\n It\u2019s so easy nowadays.<\/p>\n Check out these sites to sell your unwanted gift cards<\/a>:<\/p>\n These sites make selling unwanted gift cards so easy.<\/p>\n The only thing to keep in mind is that you won\u2019t get the full value when you sell your card.<\/p>\n This is because these are discount gift card sites<\/a> where customers are looking to buy gift cards at a low price.<\/p>\n So if you have a gift card for $20, for example, then you might only get $18 in cash for it.<\/p>\n Still though, it\u2019s cash in your pocket, rather than money stuck on a gift card that you\u2019ll never use.<\/p>\n If you really don\u2019t know how to use the remaining balance on a gift card, consider donating it.<\/p>\n There\u2019s a Texas-based, non-profit organization called GiftCards4Change that lets you donate gift cards \u2013 even ones that have a small remaining balance.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a great organization that\u2019s helped tons of great causes, from disability projects to homelessness.<\/p>\n Also, you could see if there are any local shelters or organizations that accept unwanted gift cards.<\/p>\n If you have a small amount left on a gift card, don\u2019t let it go to waste. Give our tips on how to use the remaining balance on a gift card a try.<\/p>\n Let us know in the comments section below if you have any tricks for using up a gift card balance too.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\nJoin Smart Panel and share your experince on how you use the internet. They pay you $5 for installing their free app & $5 a month just for keeping it, plus loyalty bonus every three months! .<\/p>\n4. Use Your Prepaid Gift Cards Wherever PayPal is Accepted<\/h3>\n
5. Use Your Balance to Buy an Amazon Gift Card<\/h3>\n
6. Sell the Gift Card<\/h3>\n
7. Donate Your Gift Card<\/h3>\n
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Closing Thoughts<\/h2>\n