Last updated: June 3, 2026
Quick Answer: In most cases, you cannot purchase gift cards with gift cards at major retailers. Most stores — including Target and Best Buy — explicitly block these transactions to prevent fraud. However, prepaid Visa or Mastercard gift cards are sometimes accepted as payment for store-branded gift cards, depending on the retailer’s policy. [1][2]
Key Takeaways
- Most major retailers do not allow store-branded gift cards to be used to buy other gift cards.
- Prepaid Visa, Mastercard, or Amex gift cards may work at some stores, but policies vary.
- The main reason for restrictions is fraud and money laundering prevention.
- You cannot use an Amazon gift card to buy a Starbucks gift card directly.
- Gift card exchange platforms offer a practical workaround if you have an unwanted card.
- Online platforms sometimes have different (more flexible) rules than physical stores.
- Always check a retailer’s current policy before attempting a gift card-to-gift card purchase.
- If a transaction fails, ask a store associate — some exceptions exist at the manager’s discretion.
Can You Purchase Gift Cards With Gift Cards at Major Retailers?
No, most major retailers block this type of transaction. Stores like Target, Best Buy, and Walmart have clear policies preventing customers from using store gift cards to buy other gift cards. [1][2]
The reason is straightforward: allowing gift card-to-gift card purchases creates an easy path for fraud. Scammers use layered gift card transactions to obscure the trail of stolen money, so retailers close this door entirely.
What this means for travelers: If you’re at an airport gift shop or a big-box store trying to use a leftover gift card to grab a travel-friendly card for your trip, you’ll likely hit a wall.
Can I Buy a Starbucks Gift Card Using an Amazon Gift Card?
No — you cannot use an Amazon gift card to purchase a Starbucks gift card. Amazon gift card balances are locked to Amazon’s platform and can only be spent on Amazon purchases. They cannot be transferred, converted, or used as payment at other retailers. [3]
The same logic applies in reverse. A Starbucks card won’t pay for an Amazon card. These are closed-loop systems — each card works only within its own ecosystem.
Practical tip for travelers: If you want a Starbucks card for your trip, use a credit card, debit card, or a prepaid Visa gift card to buy one. That’s the most reliable path.
Are There Restrictions on Using Gift Cards to Buy Other Gift Cards?
Yes, and they’re widespread. Most retailers have written policies that specifically exclude gift card purchases when paying with another gift card. [1]
Common restrictions include:
- Store-branded gift cards cannot be used to buy any other gift card (store-branded or open-loop).
- Third-party gift cards (like iTunes or Google Play) are also excluded from gift-card payment at most stores.
- Open-loop prepaid cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) may be accepted, but only at certain retailers and only if the card issuer hasn’t blocked that merchant category.
“Target GiftCards cannot be used to purchase American Express, Visa, Mastercard, iTunes, or other specialty gift cards.” — Target’s official gift card policy [1]
Which Stores Let You Purchase Gift Cards With Existing Gift Cards?
Very few stores allow this, and those that do tend to permit it only with open-loop prepaid cards (not store-branded cards). [3]
Here’s a general breakdown:
| Retailer | Store Gift Card → Buy Another Gift Card? | Prepaid Visa/MC → Buy Gift Card? |
|---|---|---|
| Target | ❌ Not allowed | ⚠️ Varies by card issuer |
| Best Buy | ❌ Not allowed | ⚠️ Varies by card issuer |
| Walmart | ❌ Not allowed | ⚠️ Sometimes allowed |
| Amazon | ❌ Not allowed | ❌ Not accepted on Amazon |
| Small retailers | ⚠️ Policy varies | ⚠️ Policy varies |
Bottom line: Don’t assume any major retailer will allow it. Always verify before you’re standing at the register.
How Do Retailers Prevent Gift Card to Gift Card Purchases?
Retailers block these transactions at the point-of-sale system level. When a cashier scans a gift card as the payment method and the item being purchased is also a gift card, the system automatically declines the transaction. [2]
Some retailers also train staff to manually refuse these purchases, adding a human layer of enforcement. This is especially common at stores that sell high-value open-loop cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex).
Edge case: Occasionally, a system glitch or an undertrained cashier may allow the transaction through. But this isn’t reliable, and it doesn’t mean the policy has changed.
Is It Possible to Exchange Gift Cards for Other Gift Cards?
Not directly through retailers — but gift card exchange platforms make this possible indirectly. [3]
Here’s how it works:
- Sell your unwanted gift card on a platform like Raise, CardCash, or Gift Card Granny.
- Receive cash (or PayPal/bank transfer) for the card’s value, usually at 70–90% of face value.
- Use that cash to buy the gift card you actually want.
This is the most practical workaround if you’re a traveler sitting on a gift card you won’t use. It’s not instant, but it works.
What gift card brands allow gift card swapping? No major brand officially supports direct swapping. The exchange happens through third-party resale platforms, not the brands themselves.
Are There Fees for Converting Gift Cards?
Yes. When you sell a gift card through an exchange platform, you typically receive less than face value. The platform keeps the difference as its fee.
- Most platforms pay 70–92 cents on the dollar, depending on the card’s brand and demand.
- Some platforms charge a listing fee or take a percentage of the sale.
- Instant cash-out options usually offer a lower rate than waiting for a buyer.
Are there fees for direct gift card-to-gift card purchases? This question is mostly moot since direct purchases are blocked at most retailers. But if a prepaid Visa card is used to buy a store gift card, the prepaid card issuer may charge a transaction fee depending on the card’s terms.
Why Do Some Stores Not Allow Gift Card Purchases With Other Gift Cards?
The core reason is fraud prevention. Gift cards are anonymous, hard to trace, and easy to liquidate — which makes them attractive to scammers. [2]
Common fraud scenarios retailers are trying to block:
- Money laundering: Converting stolen cash or stolen gift cards into new, clean gift cards.
- Resale schemes: Buying discounted gift cards in bulk and converting them to more liquid cards.
- Refund fraud: Using fraudulently obtained gift cards to buy other gift cards before the fraud is detected.
From a legal standpoint, there are no federal laws in the U.S. that specifically prohibit gift card-to-gift card purchases. The restrictions are retailer policies, not legal mandates. Retailers have the right to set their own payment acceptance rules.
Are Online or In-Store Gift Card Purchases Different?
Sometimes, yes. Online platforms occasionally have more flexibility than physical stores, but this isn’t universal. [3]
- Some online gaming or digital content platforms accept gift card codes as payment for other digital gift cards.
- Amazon does not accept gift cards as payment for other gift cards, online or in-store.
- Third-party resale sites (not the brands themselves) are the most flexible option online.
What happens if a gift card purchase with another gift card fails? The transaction is simply declined. No funds are deducted from either card. You’ll need to use a different payment method. If you believe the decline was an error, ask to speak with a manager — but don’t expect a different outcome at most major chains.
Tips for Maximizing Gift Card Value Without Direct Exchanges
If you’re a traveler with gift cards you won’t use, here are practical options:
- Sell on a reputable exchange platform (Raise, CardCash) and use the proceeds to buy what you need.
- Use the gift card for travel-adjacent purchases — many gift cards work at airport retail, hotel gift shops, or online travel booking sites.
- Combine gift cards with other payment methods — most retailers let you split payment between a gift card and a credit card.
- Regift thoughtfully — a gift card you won’t use might be exactly what someone else needs.
- Check if the retailer sells travel products — a Target or Amazon gift card can cover luggage, travel accessories, or airport snacks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a Visa gift card to buy a store gift card? Sometimes. Prepaid Visa gift cards function like debit cards and may be accepted at retailers that sell store-branded gift cards. However, some card issuers block purchases in the “gift card” merchant category. Test it at a low-value card first.
Can I use a gift card to buy a gift card on Amazon? No. Amazon does not accept gift cards as payment for other gift cards. Amazon gift card balances can only be used for regular Amazon purchases.
Can businesses legally block gift card-to-gift card transactions? Yes. Retailers set their own payment acceptance policies. There is no U.S. federal law requiring retailers to accept gift cards as payment for other gift cards.
What should I do if I have a gift card I don’t want? Sell it on a gift card exchange platform like Raise or CardCash, regift it, or use it for everyday purchases at that retailer to free up cash for what you actually need.
Do prepaid Mastercard or Amex gift cards work differently than store cards? Yes. Open-loop prepaid cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) are more widely accepted because they work like debit cards. Some retailers will accept them to buy store gift cards, though this still depends on the card issuer’s merchant restrictions.
Can I buy a gift card with a gift card at a small or independent retailer? Possibly. Smaller retailers may not have the same POS restrictions as major chains. It’s worth asking, but don’t rely on it.
Is there a way to convert one gift card into another without losing value? Not without some loss. Exchange platforms typically pay 70–92% of face value. There’s no fee-free, one-to-one conversion option available to consumers.
What if the cashier accidentally processes a gift card-to-gift card purchase? The transaction may go through, but it doesn’t change the retailer’s policy. If the error is caught later, the retailer may reverse the transaction.
Conclusion
The short answer to “can you purchase gift cards with gift cards” is: usually no, especially at major retailers. Most stores block these transactions to prevent fraud, and that policy isn’t going away anytime soon.
For travelers, the most practical path forward is this: if you have a gift card you won’t use, sell it on a reputable exchange platform and use the cash to buy what you need for your trip. If you have a prepaid Visa or Mastercard gift card, it’s worth trying at a retailer — just don’t count on it working every time.
Actionable next steps:
- Check the specific retailer’s gift card policy before you shop.
- If you have an unwanted gift card, list it on Raise or CardCash.
- Use prepaid open-loop cards when you need the most flexibility.
- When in doubt, split your payment — use the gift card for part and a credit card for the rest.
References
[1] Target Giftcards – https://www.target.com/help/articles/gift-cards/target-giftcards?utm_source=openai
[2] Best Buy Gift Card Q&A – https://www.bestbuy.com/site/questions/best-buy-150-gift-card/1999018/question/60a57ae2-da8e-3e96-b9da-249328dccf5d?utm_source=openai
[3] Can You Buy Gift Cards Using Gift Cards – https://www.lootbar.com/blog/en/can-you-buy-gift-cards-using-gift-cards.html?utm_source=openai