Best Buy gift cards are a popular gift for gamers, tech fans and anyone saving up for a new TV or laptop. Here’s how to check your balance, get the most out of the card and steer clear of the scams that target Best Buy shoppers.
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How to check your Best Buy gift card balance
- Online: go to bestbuy.com and search for Gift Card Balance (it’s also linked from the Gift Cards page). Enter the card number and PIN.
- By phone: call Best Buy customer service at 1-888-BEST-BUY (1-888-237-8289).
- In store: take the card to any register or the customer service counter.
For eGift cards, use the card number and PIN in your email.
How to use a Best Buy gift card
- In store: hand the card to the cashier or scan it at checkout.
- Online and in the app: at checkout, choose to pay with a gift card and enter the number and PIN. You can usually combine more than one gift card and pay the rest with another method.
- Saving up: if you’re buying something expensive, it’s fine to hold several cards until you have enough. Checking the balance doesn’t use it up.
Make your gift card go further
- Shop during big sales: Best Buy runs major sale events around holidays. Using your gift card on a sale price is the simplest way to get more for it.
- Join My Best Buy: Best Buy’s free membership tier gives access to member deals, and paid tiers add extra perks.
- Check open-box deals: open-box items are often cheaper and still come with Best Buy’s return policy.
Watch out: fake “free Best Buy gift card balance” pages
Search results for Best Buy gift cards are full of pages promising “free Best Buy gift card balance”, hidden codes or “claim your free card” buttons. Many of these pages are spam posted on hijacked or unrelated websites. Best Buy does not give away gift card balances through random web pages.
Red flags:
- A page asks for your gift card number and PIN on a site that isn’t bestbuy.com.
- You must complete surveys, install apps or pay a fee to “unlock” a card.
- Someone calls or emails claiming to be Best Buy support and asks you to buy gift cards to fix a problem, pay a bill or renew a subscription.
Best Buy and the FTC both warn that real companies never ask you to pay with gift cards to fix account problems.
Keep your gift card balance safe
- Only check your balance on the official website, app or receipt. Search results and pop-up ads sometimes lead to look-alike “balance checker” pages that copy your card number and PIN and drain the card.
- Never read your card number or PIN to someone who calls, texts or emails you. The FTC warns that anyone who demands payment in gift cards is a scammer.
- Keep the receipt until the card is used up. It proves the card was activated and helps if the balance looks wrong.
- Inspect physical cards before you buy them. If the PIN area has been scratched or the packaging looks resealed, choose a different card.
FAQ
Do Best Buy gift cards expire?
Best Buy gift cards generally don’t have an expiration date or fees. Check the terms printed on your card.
Can I use a Best Buy gift card at Best Buy Canada?
U.S. and Canadian gift cards are usually separate. Use your card in the country where it was issued.
Can I reload a Best Buy gift card?
Policies change, so check the Gift Cards page on bestbuy.com or ask in store.