How to check your Mastercard Gift Card (any issuer) gift card balance
How to check your Mastercard Gift Card (any issuer) gift card balance on the official site, by phone or in store — plus activation, fees, expiry and scams to avoid.
Quick answer: Check your Mastercard Gift Card (any issuer) gift card balance online at mastercard.com or by phone using the number on the back of the card. You will need: 16-digit card number; expiration date. Enter the card number and PIN only on mastercard.com.
What you need
- 16-digit card number
- Expiration date
- CVV
- The issuer's website printed on the back
Check your Mastercard Gift Card (any issuer) gift card balance online
- Find the issuer's balance website and phone number on the back of the card.
- Type the address into your browser yourself.
- Enter the card number, expiration date and CVV.
- Check the balance and your recent transactions for anything you didn't make.
Other ways to check the balance
- By phone: call the number printed on the back of the card and enter the card number when prompted.
- On your receipt: the balance remaining after each purchase is usually printed on the receipt.
Activating a Mastercard Gift Card (any issuer) gift card
Usually activated at the register. Online-purchased cards may need activation on the seller's site, for example GiftCards.com or PerfectGift.com.
Fees and expiry
Same US federal rules as Visa gift cards: funds last at least 5 years and inactivity fees are limited. A purchase fee is common.
Where to buy Mastercard Gift Card (any issuer) gift cards
grocery stores, drugstores, giftcards.com, perfectgift.com.
Tips
- Vanilla, GiftCardMall and PerfectGift each have their own official balance sites. Use the one printed on your card.
- Never read your card number to someone who called you.
Mastercard Gift Card (any issuer) gift card FAQs
How do I check my Mastercard Gift Card (any issuer) gift card balance?
You can check it online at mastercard.com, phone, on receipt. You will usually need 16-digit card number and expiration date.
How do I activate a Mastercard Gift Card (any issuer) gift card?
Usually activated at the register. Online-purchased cards may need activation on the seller's site, for example GiftCards.com or PerfectGift.com.
Do Mastercard Gift Card (any issuer) gift cards expire or have fees?
Same US federal rules as Visa gift cards: funds last at least 5 years and inactivity fees are limited. A purchase fee is common.
Is it safe to use a third-party gift card balance checker?
Avoid them. Enter your card number and PIN only on mastercard.com, in its official app, or in store. Third-party checkers can capture the numbers and drain the card.
What should I do if my Mastercard Gift Card (any issuer) gift card has a zero balance I didn't spend?
Contact Mastercard Gift Card (any issuer) customer service straight away with the card, the receipt and the purchase details. Card-draining fraud — where numbers are copied before the card is sold — is common; the sooner you report it the better the chance of recovery.
Can I get cash back for a small remaining balance?
Sometimes. Several US states require cash back for small balances — California, for example, for balances under $15 (raised from $10 in April 2026) — and some Canadian provinces have similar rules. Ask at the till or contact the brand.
Sources: www.bbb.org · www.consumerfinance.gov.