It's rude to refuse a gift card, and they seldom come with gift receipts because people don't think they're going to return gift cards. I mean, who returns store credit?! Well, I would. Cash is more helpful to me than an iTunes gift card, but here we are. At least I know I'm not alone — we've all received gift cards that seem like a White Elephant.
Well, there's more than one way to spend a gift card. Here are a few ways to utilize a gift card to a digital store you don't use.
Before we go any further, go thank the person who gave you the card before you turn it into something useful.
Swap with a friend
Have a friend who actually could use an iTunes gift card to buy apps for their iDevices? Have a friend who uses gift cards to reload their kiddos' accounts rather than keeping a credit card on file? Ask them if they want to buy your card off you. You can do the transaction in person, and since you already know the person, you don't really have to worry about them taking your gift card and running. This is likely the easiest way to swap your gift card for cash or a gift card to another store.
Regift physical cards
So long as they didn't write your name on the card itself, you can keep the gift card and give it to someone down the line who could use it. Most major digital stores don't have gift cards that expire, and you can just remove the card from the paper slip if your name was written on there. Buy a nifty maze gift card case — or just use a nice decorated Altoids tin — and regift away.
If you received a digital gift card in your email, that's a little harder to regift. If the digital gift card came with a code, you can send those in another email/text, but they look a little odd. But hey, so long as they can use it, who cares?
Reddit Gift Card Exchange
This is a digital age where there are lots of people who want and need different gift cards out there, and Reddit has one of the better places online to try and swap them. Just as people can swap digital copy codes, PC parts, and all manner of interesting and insane gear on Reddit, the Reddit Gift Card Exchange is a subreddit dedicated to helping users safely and legitimately swap gift cards. Some people will buy gift cards from each other, some will swap for gift cards of equal value, and after Christmas, chances are higher you'll be able to find someone willing to barter for your gift card.
Just be sure you read their guide and be prepared to lose a few dollars on the exchange. It was a gift anyway, and 85% of money on a store you do use beats 100% of money on a store you don't.
Use it on Movies Anywhere-eligible films and music
Should you not be able to offload your card, or you just don't want to hassle with it, don't worry, there are some things you can do with your card. If the gift card you're trying to blow is for iTunes or Vudu, then you can just do yourself a favor and buy films that are Movies Anywhere eligible. Movies Anywhere can connect and sync your movie library between iTunes, Vudu, Amazon Video, and Google Play, allowing you to buy movies at any of the four retailers and enjoy them on all four platforms. Not ever studio is onboard with Movies Anywhere yet, so check the film listing on the store and make sure it says it is Movies Anywhere eligible.
The other media that's easily purchasable and shareable between digital retailers is music. If you have a digital gift card to burn, you can buy a few albums you've had your eye on and download them to your computer, or upload them to the music locker service of your choice. iTunes often has more albums on sale than Google Play, so this could be a golden opportunity to buy an album you haven't found on your regular store.
