Like other electronics retailers, Best Buy typically restricts these purchases to prevent fraud. Exceptions and Workarounds
: Depending on your state, you may be able to cash out a gift card with a very low balance. For example, in California, cards with balances under $15 must be redeemable for cash starting April 1, 2026. Expert Tip Payment Methods - Walmart.com can u buy a gift card with a gift card
The short answer is: While some major retailers explicitly ban this practice to prevent fraud and money laundering, others allow it, especially when consolidating balances. Why Most Stores Say No Expert Tip Payment Methods - Walmart
: Some stores that don't allow "buying" a new card will let you merge several small balances into one single gift card. However, some retailers may still block these for
: Prepaid Visa, Mastercard, or American Express gift cards can often be used to buy store-specific gift cards because they are processed like standard debit cards. However, some retailers may still block these for gift card purchases.
: Anti-money laundering (AML) laws often classify gift cards as "stored value," and exchanging one for another can trigger legal red flags for the merchant. Major Retailers and Their 2026 Policies