Check My Gift Card Balance: How to Redeem the Most Popular Gift Cards

Before going shopping with your new gift card, call ahead for the balance. Even if the gift card was received recently, and should have a specific balance on it, it's a good idea to find out the balance before you fill up your shopping cart. Handling any issues before they occur will be easier and less stressful than dealing with them in the check out line. Check your gift card balance at these popular retailers, online, or by phone.

Check My Apple Gift Card Balance

Check your Apple iTunes gift card balance at the iTunes store. Create an account at iTunes if you don't have one already. In the Quick Links box on the right-hand side you will find "Redeem." Enter in the gift card information and your updated balance will appear near the top of iTunes when you check it.

For more information on an Apple iTunes gift card balance, or to check an Apple Store gift card balance, call 1-800-my-Apple.

Applebee's Gift Card Balance

Check the balance of your Applebee's card at Https://wbiprod.storedvalue.com/WBI/lookupservlet?language=en

A small box will pop up where you can type in your 19-digit card number. There is also a Captcha code that is fairly easy to read. If the box is not popping up, check the pop-up blocker setting on your browser.

Your local Applebee's location can also check your Applebee's gift card balance on the phone or in the restaurant, before you use it.

Contact Applebee's customer service with further questions: 1-800-252-6722.

American Express

Check your American Express gift card balance at Americanexpress.com. For balance or other information call American Express at 1-877-AXP-GIFT.

Barnes & Noble

You can check the balance on your Barnes & Noble gift card at Cart2.barnesandnoble.com/gc/gc_ViewBalance.asp.

Type in the Barnes & Noble gift card number and the four digit pin on the back of the card. If your Barnes & Noble gift card starts with the numbers 349 it will not have a pin, and you only need to type in the gift card number.

For more information about your Barnes & Noble gift card you can call customer service at 1-800-THE-BOOK (1-800-843-2665) on Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m. ET. They are also available on Saturdays, Sundays and holiday between 9 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. ET, according to Barnes & Noble.

Home Depot

The only way to check the balance on a Home Depot gift card is to go to your local Home Depot store. According to Home Depot, balances cannot be checked online or on the phone, which would explain why a Home Depot gift card does not contain a phone number on the card.

Lowe's

Check your Lowe's gift card balance at Lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=giftCard&view=home. Type in the 19-digit account number and the pin number.

MasterCard

MasterCard gift card balances can be checked at the issuer's website, according to MasterCard. This is not entirely convenient, considering a gift card recipient may not know where the MasterCard was purchased.

For balance information, MasterCard recommends consumers call the phone number printed on the back of the MasterCard gift card.

Simon Gift Card (Visa)

Another popular gift card is the Simon gift card, which can be redeemed at any Simon mall. Check your Simon gift card balance at Simon.com/giftcard.

Target Gift Cards

Find your Target gift card balance online at Target.com/gp/css/gift-card/balance-lookup.html.

How to Check a Target Gift Card Balance Online: Enter the Target gift card number in the "Card #" box. Type in the Access(RA) # in the next box. Click submit.

Check Target Gift Card Balance by Phone: 1-800-544-2943

Visa Gift Card

It's important to use the Visa gift card soon after you receive it. The balance on the Visa Gift card, after a year, will start to deplete at a rate of $2.50 per month. If you have one of a Visa gift card, don't hang onto it and risk losing it or losing money. Use it first, since many other gift cards, including the other gift cards listed here will not expire or charge your fees.

Check your Visa gift card balance at Gift2go.net.

Register at the Visa gift card site to track your purchases and to safeguard your account information and balance.

Check Visa Gift Card Balance by Phone

To check your Visa gift card balance by phone, call 1-800-675-7984.

Walmart

In order to check the balance of your Walmart gift card online, you need to register with Walmart.com.

Registration requires your first and last name, an email dress, a zip code, your year of birth and a password. Create a free email account at a free email website first, to use for this registration and other websites. Be sure to opt out of Wal-Mart Wire by un-checking the box if you do not want email from Walmart.

If you would rather check your Walmart gift card balance without having to register at Walmart.com, call Walmart at 1-800-537-5503.

Sources

American Express, http://www.americanexpress.com/gift/giftcardslanding.shtml

Apple, http://www.apple.com

Applebees, http://www.applebees.com/GiftCardLanding.aspx

Barnes & Noble, http://www.barnesandnoble.com

Home Depot ,http://www.homedepot.com

MasterCard, http://www.mastercard.com/us/personal/en/aboutourcards/gift_prepaid/faqs.html#q08

Personal Experience

Simon, http://www.simon.com/giftcard

Target, http://www.target.com/gp/css/gift-card/balance-lookup.html

Visa, http://www.gift2go.net

Walmart, https://www.walmart.com/subflow/YourAccountLoginContext/2063500481/sub_generic_login/start.do