Do you have a stash of unused gift cards gathering dust? It’s time to transform them into valuable spendable funds! Luckily, you can embark on an exciting journey of transferring your gift card balance to PayPal, and even into your bank account. These cards should bear the Visa, American Express, MasterCard, or Discover logo to work their enchantment. Think of them as your secret passage to financial flexibility.
Chapter 1: The Quest Begins
Can I transfer money from a gift card to PayPal?
Absolutely! As long as your gift card boasts the Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover logo, you can indeed transfer its mystical funds to PayPal. Unfortunately, this enchantment doesn’t work for merchant-specific gift cards lacking these logos.
Chapter 2: The Spellbook – How to Transfer Money From Gift Card Balance to PayPal
Here’s where the magic unfolds. Follow these steps to bind your gift card’s essence to PayPal:
1. Adding the Gift Card to PayPal
To initiate the ritual, begin by linking your prepaid gift card to your PayPal account. You can perform this spell during the checkout process, just like you would with a new debit or credit card. Ensure your gift card holds a balance.
- Tap on “Wallet.”
- Click on the “+” next to “Add Banks and Cards.”
- Choose “Cards.”
- Either manually enter your gift card details or use magic to scan the card.
Feel the power as you link up to four cards to your PayPal account, or even up to 24 for a verified account. However, beware of single or multi-store cards (closed-loop cards) as they resist such enchantments.
2. Initiating the Gift Card Transfer
Now that your card is bound, it’s time to perform the transfer ritual. You can only achieve this by transferring your gift card funds to a trusted friend’s PayPal account. Once this is done, your friend can channel the enchanted funds back into your PayPal balance, and the only cost is a minor fee, a small price to pay for such power.
But wait, the journey doesn’t end there! You can also transfer these funds to your bank account.
3. The Bank to PayPal Journey
If you seek an alternate path, know that many general-use prepaid cards, including the mighty Visa and American Express, allow you to transfer your newfound wealth to a bank account. With your bank account’s secret numbers, you can complete this mystical journey.
Here’s the general incantation:
- Visit the issuer’s sacred website.
- Log into your account and discern your gift card balance.
- Share the holy numbers of your bank account.
- Utter the desired sum and proceed.
- Review your request before sending it on its way.
- Await the blessed transfer of funds into your bank account.
Now, harness your bank account to channel these funds back to your PayPal account.
Chapter 3: A Mysterious Scroll – Sending an Invoice to Another Email Address
For those wielding rechargeable Visa or MasterCard gift cards, a unique spell awaits:
- Log into your verified PayPal account and create an ‘invoice.’
- Send this enchanting document to a different email address, one not linked as your primary email on PayPal.
- Open the received ‘invoice’ and complete the payment with the power of the gift card.
- Reenter your PayPal realm, transferring the acquired funds from your “available balance” to a registered bank account.
- Patience is key; wait for the spell to be complete. If haste is desired, opt for an “Instant Transfer” at a minor cost.
Remember, this method is not for product or company-branded gift cards – they have their own destinies to fulfill.
Chapter 4: Beyond the Veil – Vanilla Gift Card to PayPal
If you possess a Vanilla Visa/Mastercard gift card, you’re in for an extraordinary journey. Here’s how it’s done:
- Sign into your PayPal account.
- Find the “Link a Card” button under Credit and Debit Cards.
- Begin the enchantment by linking your Vanilla Visa gift card.
- Share your card’s secrets: its number, expiration date, and CVV.
- Click “Link Card.” A small verification fee of $1.95 will be charged and later refunded.
- Ready to cast a spell? Send money to a trusted ally. Choose the gift card as your magical payment method.
- Request your ally to return the funds to you, this time channeling them into your PayPal balance.
- The power of transferring from your PayPal to your bank account awaits in the “Transfer Money” spell, available on your Account overview.
Chapter 5: The Amulet – Using Prepaid Gift Cards via PayPal
The enchanted usage of prepaid gift cards via PayPal is as simple as any ancient spell. If you’re a PayPal adept, simply add them to your wallet during checkout, like regular debit or credit cards. No discrepancies here!
No PayPal account? No worries! Input your gift card details during checkout, just as you would with a regular card. However, remember, these enchanted cards aren’t suited for recurring payments or reference transactions.
Chapter 6: The Reluctant Adventurer – When You Don’t Want a PayPal Account
Not all adventurers seek to open the PayPal realm. If you’re one of them, simply input your prepaid gift card details during checkout, using your home or shipping address as the billing address. Ensure your chosen gift card holds enough magic to cover the full transaction.
Chapter 7: The Enigmatic Denial – Why PayPal Declines a Gift Card
When PayPal declines your gift card, fear not; the fault may not be your own. Ensure you’ve entered the card details correctly, as even the most experienced mages may err.
PayPal only accepts gift cards issued by the likes of Visa, MasterCard, AMEX, and Discover. Beware; the magic doesn’t work for single or multi-store gift cards or closed-loop cards with rigid restrictions.
Insufficient funds on your gift card could halt the enchantment. Additionally, ensure your gift card was born in the U.S. to align with PayPal’s preferences. When dealing with foreign merchants, be prepared for possible rejections from PayPal.
If you encounter any issues, reach out to the gift card’s creators, as they may hold the answers to unlock your gift card’s true potential.
Epilogue: The Gift Card Chronicles – A Journey of Transformation
Unleash the hidden powers of your gift cards. Whether you seek to conquer new realms or simply transform your gift cards into tangible wealth, the secrets are now yours to command. Your journey has only just begun!