Best Buy Gift Cards, Explained
Best Buy gift cards have no expiration date or fees, hold up to $500 each, and show their balance online, by phone or in a store.
By Olivia HarperContributing writer. Policy checked .
On this page
Store policies change. This is a summary in our own words of Best Buy's Gift Card FAQ and Gift Card Terms and Conditions, read on October 26, 2026. The official pages are the ones that apply.
The basics
Best Buy sells its own gift cards in three forms: plastic cards that come by mail, e-gift cards sent by email (Best Buy says they usually arrive within minutes), and corporate gift cards bought in bulk by businesses that are not resellers.
| Rule | What Best Buy's terms say |
|---|---|
| Expiration | None |
| Fees | None |
| Most on one card | $500 |
| Cards per online order | Up to 10 |
| Cards per store purchase | Up to 15 |
| Where it works | Best Buy stores in the US and BestBuy.com |
| Cash back | Not redeemable for cash, except where the law requires it |
Best Buy also says it tries to limit gift card sales to $2,000 per person per day.
How to check the balance
- Online: the gift card balance page on BestBuy.com, with the card number (and the PIN on the back when asked).
- By phone: 1-888-716-7994, with the card number ready.
- In a store: hand the card to an employee.
Best Buy warns never to share a card number or PIN by phone or online with anyone who asks for it.
Using a gift card
If the order costs more than the card holds, the rest goes on another payment method. If it costs less, the leftover stays on the last card you entered. A return or a canceled order paid with a gift card goes back onto the card, which Best Buy says happens within 30 minutes of it receiving the item or the cancellation. Keep the card until you are happy with the order; if you no longer have it, Best Buy asks you to call 1-888-BEST BUY.
What a Best Buy gift card cannot pay for:
- A Best Buy Credit Card bill.
- Other Best Buy gift cards.
- Third-party and prepaid cards, such as app store or gaming cards.
Online, BestBuy.com takes Best Buy gift cards and store credit, but not cards from Best Buy Canada, Future Shop, Magnolia Audio Video, Shutterfly photo cards or Geek Squad prepaid cards.
Lost, stolen or damaged cards
Best Buy replaces the remaining balance only with the original purchase receipt. For a card bought at Best Buy, call 1-888-716-7994; for one bought at another store, ask that store.
Gift cards and free shipping
E-gift cards do not count toward the $35 free shipping minimum, and digital coupons cannot be used to buy Best Buy gift cards. More in our shipping guide.
Sources
Gift Cards FAQ, Gift Card Terms and Conditions and Free Shipping, Best Buy. Policy checked October 26, 2026.