Coinstar kiosks offer more than a route from loose change to cash. At participating locations, customers can exchange eligible coins for an eGift Card from a range of retailers. In the United States, some participating gift card options carry no Coinstar exchange fee, although availability and fees vary by retailer, brand and location.

The key distinction is that Coinstar lets users exchange coins for selected gift cards; it is not a general service for exchanging existing gift cards for cash or for other gift cards. Before visiting a kiosk, customers should check the available gift card brands, review any applicable fees and confirm that the retailer's gift card suits their needs.

What Are Coinstar Gift Cards?

Coinstar gift cards are eGift Cards that eligible customers can obtain by exchanging loose coins at participating Coinstar kiosks. Rather than dispensing a cash voucher, the kiosk prints a voucher containing a unique gift card code, which can be used according to the participating retailer's redemption terms. Unlike a typical coin-to-cash transaction, choosing an eGift Card can spare users the coin-counting fee at participating locations. At the kiosk, the on-screen choices typically include a cash voucher, an eGift Card and a charitable donation, so opting for the fee-free path is a decision made during the transaction itself.

Coinstar's gift card program is subject to several conditions:

• Availability: Not every gift card brand is available at every kiosk.
• Fees: Some eGift Card options carry no Coinstar fee; other options may have different terms.
• Redemption: Each gift card follows the participating retailer's rules for in-store or online use.
• Location: Available brands and services depend on the country, retailer and specific kiosk.

For the most accurate information, consult the official Coinstar gift card page.

Can You Exchange Coins for Gift Cards at Coinstar?

Yes. At participating Coinstar kiosks, customers can exchange eligible loose coins for an available eGift Card instead of receiving a cash voucher. The process is straightforward: select the gift card option, choose an available brand, follow the kiosk instructions and receive a voucher containing the gift card code.

The option can be useful for people who have accumulated coins and already know which participating retailer or restaurant they want to shop with. It is important, however, to understand the difference between the services: anyone who wants to sell an unwanted gift card must turn to a separate gift card resale or exchange service and check its fees, eligibility rules and consumer protections.

Which Gift Cards Are Available at Coinstar?

Coinstar lists eGift Cards across categories such as retail, food and drink, entertainment, travel and e-commerce. The exact selection depends on the kiosk and the current participating retailer lineup. A brand shown on the official page may not appear on the machine in a given area, so the on-screen lineup at the kiosk is the definitive list for that transaction.

Examples of brands featured in Coinstar's gift card information may include major retailers, restaurants and entertainment services. Customers should not assume that a particular brand is available at their nearest kiosk or that the same selection is offered in every country.

To find a suitable option:

1. Visit the official Coinstar eGift Card page.
2. Browse the listed brands and categories.
3. Check the kiosk finder for a participating location.
4. Confirm the available brands and terms before starting a transaction.

A practical tip: choose a gift card based on where you already shop. A fee-free gift card has little value if it cannot be used conveniently or if its restrictions do not fit your needs.

Does Coinstar Charge a Fee for Gift Cards?

Not always. Coinstar states that many locations in the United States offer eGift Card options with a 0% fee. Fees vary by retailer, brand and location, so users should check the terms for their chosen option before proceeding.

Coinstar's cash exchange service has a different fee structure. When cash is chosen instead of an eligible gift card, a service fee and transaction fee may apply.

Consider this illustrative example:

• Coins counted: $50
• Gift card selected: an eligible option with a 0% Coinstar fee
• Gift card value: $50, assuming the full amount is eligible and no other deductions apply

In this example, the full $50 would be available as gift card value. This is an illustration, not a guarantee for every kiosk or retailer. Where a fee applies, compare the amount received through the gift card option with the cash option before making a selection.

For current details, review the Coinstar Help Center.

How to Get a Gift Card at a Coinstar Kiosk

Follow these steps to exchange coins for a gift card.

Step 1: Find a participating kiosk

Use Coinstar's official kiosk finder to locate a machine nearby. Check the services listed for that location, including whether eGift Cards are offered.

Step 2: Prepare the coins

Make sure coins are clean and dry. Remove dirt, debris and other objects that could interfere with the kiosk's counting mechanism.

Step 3: Select the gift card option

Follow the on-screen instructions and choose the eGift Card service rather than the cash option or a charitable donation.

Step 4: Choose an available gift card

Browse the brands displayed at that kiosk. Check the amount, applicable fees and redemption restrictions before confirming the selection.

Step 5: Complete the transaction

Add the coins as instructed and allow the kiosk to count them. Review the transaction details before completing the exchange.

Step 6: Keep the voucher safe

The kiosk provides a printed voucher containing a unique gift card code. Treat the voucher like cash, because anyone who obtains the code may be able to use the gift card value.

If anything looks incorrect or the kiosk displays an error, contact Coinstar support before attempting another transaction.

How to Redeem a Coinstar eGift Card

A Coinstar eGift Card voucher includes a unique code that can be used according to the participating retailer's instructions. In general, redemption works as follows:

1. Read the voucher and identify the retailer and gift card code.
2. Visit the retailer's official website or an eligible physical store.
3. Follow the retailer's instructions for entering or presenting the code.
4. Check the remaining balance if the full value is not used in one purchase.
5. Keep the voucher until the balance has been used or transferred as permitted.

Some retailers support online redemption, while others may have specific in-store requirements. Check the retailer's terms before shopping.

Coinstar also advises customers to keep their voucher safe. Its help center states that printed eGift Card vouchers cannot be tracked, canceled or reissued by Coinstar if lost or stolen. For that reason, voucher details should be verified immediately after the transaction.

Can You Exchange an Existing Gift Card at Coinstar?

No. Coinstar's standard eGift Card service is designed to let customers exchange loose coins for selected gift cards. It is not a service for converting an existing retailer gift card into cash or swapping one gift card for another.

Coinstar's published help information also states that it cannot exchange an eGift Card for cash or refund a selection so that it can be exchanged for a different eGift Card.

Anyone holding an unwanted gift card may contact the card issuer to review its terms or research a reputable third-party gift card exchange service. Check the service's fees, payment methods and restrictions before providing any gift card details.

Never share a gift card number or PIN with someone who claims they need it to verify your identity or release a payment.

What to Know Before Using Coinstar Gift Cards

Before exchanging coins, review these important considerations.

Check local availability

Gift card selection is not universal. A retailer available at one kiosk may not appear at another. Confirm the options for the intended location before making a trip.

Compare fees

A gift card with no Coinstar fee may be preferable to a cash transaction that incurs fees, but only if the card can be used for purchases that are genuinely wanted.

Review redemption restrictions

Retailers may set their own rules for eligible purchases, online redemption, balance checks, expiration and other terms. Review those conditions before selecting a card.

Protect the gift card code

A printed voucher should be treated as a cash equivalent. Keep it in a safe place and avoid sharing the code or PIN with anyone you do not fully trust.

Watch out for gift card scams

A legitimate gift card is intended for purchases, not for paying an unexpected fine, tax bill, technical support charge or supposed prize fee. The Federal Trade Commission warns that scammers often pressure people to buy gift cards and disclose the codes. If someone demands payment by gift card, stop and independently verify the claim, and consult the FTC's guide to avoiding and reporting gift card scams.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Coinstar exchange coins for gift cards?

Yes. Participating Coinstar kiosks allow customers to exchange eligible loose coins for selected eGift Cards. Available brands and fees vary by location.

Are Coinstar gift cards free?

Some participating eGift Card options carry a 0% Coinstar fee. Not every retailer, brand or location has the same terms, so confirm the applicable fee before proceeding.

Can any gift card be chosen?

No. Users choose from the gift cards available at their selected kiosk. Check the official Coinstar gift card listing and local kiosk information to see which options are offered.

Can a gift card be exchanged for cash at Coinstar?

No. Coinstar's eGift Card service exchanges coins for selected gift cards. It does not provide a general gift card-to-cash exchange service.

Can one Coinstar eGift Card be exchanged for another?

Coinstar's published help information says it cannot exchange an eGift Card for another eGift Card or convert an eGift Card into cash. Check the official help center for specific issues.

How is a Coinstar gift card voucher used?

Use the unique code printed on the voucher according to the participating retailer's instructions. The retailer may accept it online, in-store or through another approved redemption method.

What happens if a Coinstar eGift Card voucher is lost?

Coinstar states that its printed eGift Card vouchers cannot be tracked, canceled or reissued if lost or stolen. Keep the voucher secure and contact Coinstar support promptly with questions about a damaged or unreadable code.

Are Coinstar gift cards available worldwide?

Do not assume so. Gift card offerings depend on the markets and kiosks Coinstar serves. Check the official website for availability in your country before relying on the service.

Where can a Coinstar kiosk be found?

Use Coinstar's official kiosk finder to locate a participating machine and check which services it offers. Confirm that the kiosk supports eGift Cards before visiting.

Final Thoughts

Coinstar can be a convenient way to turn loose change into a gift card when a participating kiosk offers a suitable eGift Card option. The most important steps are to check local availability, review fees, understand the retailer's redemption terms and protect the printed voucher.

Exchanging coins for a gift card is different from exchanging an existing gift card for cash. Anyone whose goal is to sell or swap a gift card they already own will need a separate service that explicitly supports that transaction.

This article is based on reporting by Ethan Blackburn and was first published on Cryptsy.