eGift cards are delivered by email or text in minutes, which makes them a popular reward and a popular scam. This guide covers the honest ways to earn free eGift cards for stores like Amazon, Target, Starbucks and Walmart, and how to avoid offers that are too good to be true.
Table of Contents
Legit ways to earn free eGift cards
- Microsoft Rewards – earn points for Bing searches and daily activities, then redeem for eGift cards from retailers, restaurants and gaming brands.
- Receipt-scanning apps – apps like Fetch reward you for scanning shopping receipts; redeem points for eGift cards.
- Rewards and survey sites – Swagbucks, InboxDollars, MyPoints and similar platforms let you earn points through surveys, shopping and videos.
- Cashback portals – some cashback sites pay out in eGift cards, sometimes with a small bonus over cash.
- Store loyalty programs – store programs like Target Circle and others reward members with offers, birthday rewards and bonus credit. Check each program’s current benefits.
- Trade-in programs – Amazon Trade-In and some retailers pay for used electronics, games and devices in gift cards.
- Credit card and bank rewards – redeem points for eGift cards, often with occasional discounts on popular brands.
- Employer, school and wellness programs – many organizations reward participation with eGift cards.
- Legitimate sweepstakes – entering real sweepstakes with official rules can win you eGift cards. Read our guide on how to enter sweepstakes safely.
What to expect
Earning gift cards takes time. A few dollars a week is a realistic pace for most people using one or two apps. Anyone promising $100 or more in minutes is not being honest.
Scams that use “free eGift card” bait
Fake giveaways
Texts and social posts claiming you’ve won a $100, $500 or $1,000 eGift card from Walmart, Target, Amazon or Visa. They lead to endless surveys, paid “offers” or data harvesting. See our breakdown of the free $500 Visa gift card scam.
“Pay with gift cards” scams
Someone claiming to be from the IRS, your bank, a utility, tech support or even a relative asks you to buy eGift cards and send them the codes. The FTC says only scammers demand payment by gift card.
Gift card generator sites
Websites that claim to generate working codes for Amazon, iTunes, Google Play or Roblox are scams. Codes can’t be generated by third parties.
Discounted cards from strangers
Selling or buying eGift cards through social media or classified ads is risky. The seller can use the code first or the card may have been bought with stolen money.
How to protect your eGift cards
- Redeem or add them to your account as soon as you receive them.
- Never share codes with anyone you haven’t verified.
- Only check balances on the brand’s official site or app.
- Keep the delivery email until the balance is spent.
FAQ
Are free gift card apps legit?
Some are, and many aren’t. Stick to established apps with clear payout terms, a long track record and recent reviews. Avoid apps that require payment to cash out.
Which eGift cards are easiest to earn?
Amazon, Starbucks, Target and Walmart eGift cards are offered by most rewards programs and usually have low minimums.
Can I convert an eGift card to cash?
Usually not directly. Some states require cash back for small balances on store gift cards; check your state’s rules.