Check the Balance on an Old Macy's Gift Card

Last updated: March 2026

That Gift Card You Found in a Drawer Might Still Be Worth Something

I found a Macy's gift card tucked inside an old birthday card last spring — buried under a pile of receipts and expired coupons in my desk drawer. My first thought was, "There's no way this still works." It had been sitting there for at least three years. I figured it was probably drained to zero or had some kind of inactivity fee eating away at it. I almost threw it out.

I didn't throw it out. And I'm really glad I checked, because there was still $47 on it.

Here's the thing: a lot of people have old Macy's gift cards they've written off as dead. Maybe someone gave it to you during the holidays years ago. Maybe you used part of it and forgot about the rest. Maybe it's been sitting in a junk drawer so long you can't even remember where it came from. Whatever the situation, the fear that "old gift cards expire" is completely understandable — but when it comes to Macy's, that fear is largely unfounded.

Macy's No-Expiry Policy: What It Actually Means

Let me be clear about this because I think a lot of people assume there's a catch. Macy's gift cards do not expire. Period. There's no fine print about "must be used within five years" or "subject to inactivity fees after 12 months." The balance you had on that card the day you received it — or the day you last used it — is still sitting there waiting for you.

Why does this matter? Because federal law (specifically the Credit CARD Act of 2009) actually provides some baseline protections for gift cards in the U.S. — cards can't expire within five years of purchase, and inactivity fees can only kick in after 12 months of no use. But Macy's goes beyond that. They've simply chosen not to have expiration dates or fees at all. I'm not 100% sure why they made that choice specifically, but honestly — good on them for it.

So if you've got an old Macy's gift card, the money isn't gone. The question is just how to verify that and what to do if something seems off.

How to Check the Balance on an Old Macy's Gift Card

There are three ways to do this. I've used all three at different points, and they all work — some are just more convenient depending on where you are and what information you have on hand.

Option 1: Check Online at macys.com/giftcard

This is usually the fastest method, assuming your card has a readable PIN. Here's how it works:

1. Flip your card over and look for a silver scratch-off panel on the back. Scratch it off carefully — a coin works better than a fingernail, trust me.
2. You'll find a PIN underneath. It's typically 4 digits, though I've seen some older cards where it's formatted slightly differently.
3. Go to macys.com/giftcard on your phone or computer.
4. Enter your 16-digit card number (or 15-digit if it's an older card — more on that below).
5. Enter the PIN when prompted.
6. Your current balance will display on screen.

One note: if the scratch-off panel is already gone and you don't know the PIN, the online method won't work for you. That's when the phone or in-store options become your best bet.

Option 2: Call 1-800-289-6229

This is honestly my favorite method for old cards. The automated system walks you through it, you don't need the PIN (just the card number), and it takes about 90 seconds. When I tried this with the forgotten card I mentioned earlier, it was completely painless — I had my balance read back to me before I even sat down.

The line is available 24/7, which is handy if you're doing a late-night drawer cleanout and suddenly wonder how much is left on that old card.

Option 3: Visit Any Macy's Store

Walk up to any register or head to the customer service desk. Hand them the card. They can pull the balance right up. No purchase necessary, no hoops to jump through. If the card number is faded or hard to read, in-store staff sometimes have more tools at their disposal to look things up.

What If Your Old Card Has 15 Digits Instead of 16?

This one trips people up more than you'd think. Macy's has updated their card format over the years, and some older physical gift cards have a 15-digit number instead of the current 16-digit format. If that's what you're working with, don't panic.

The online balance checker may or may not accept a 15-digit number without modification — I could be wrong, but in my experience the phone line and in-store methods tend to handle older card formats more gracefully. If you're hitting a wall online, just call or go in person. The card is still valid; it's just a legacy format.

What to Do If Your Old Card Isn't Working

So you've tried checking the balance and something isn't adding up. Maybe the site says the number is invalid. Maybe you're getting an error. What now?

Don't assume the money is gone. Here's what I'd actually do, step by step:

1. Double-check the card number. Old cards can have faded ink. Make sure you're reading every digit correctly — 8s and 3s, 5s and 6s, 0s and Os all look similar on a worn card.
2. Try the phone line. If the website is rejecting your card number, call 1-800-289-6229. A different system might handle it differently.
3. Go in store. This is your best bet for tricky situations. A store associate can scan the card directly, bypassing any typing errors or format issues.
4. Bring ID and any purchase records if you have them. If the card appears to have a zero balance but you know it shouldn't, store management may be able to escalate the issue to Macy's gift card support team.
5. Contact Macy's customer service directly. Call 1-800-289-6229 and ask to speak with a live representative. Explain the situation. They do have processes for investigating cards that seem to show an incorrect balance.

Have the card physically in front of you when you call. They'll want the full card number and any other identifying information printed on it.

What About Old eGift Cards?

If you received a Macy's gift card via email — an eGift card — the process is a little different. These don't have a physical scratch-off PIN panel, obviously. Instead, you'll need to find the original email it was delivered in. The email will contain either a redemption link or a code you can enter at checkout or on the gift card balance page.

If you can't find the original email, check your spam folder and search for "Macy's gift card" or the sender address. It might be buried in there. If it's truly gone and you can't retrieve the code, contacting Macy's with proof of purchase (if you have it) is your only real option — but that's a longer road.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line

Here's what I want you to take away from all of this: if you've got an old Macy's gift card, there's a genuinely good chance that money is still on it. Macy's has maintained a no-expiration, no-fee policy that actually protects consumers — and that means cards from years ago are just as valid today as the day they were purchased. Before you toss one out or assume it's worthless, spend two minutes calling 1-800-289-6229 or visiting macys.com/giftcard to verify. The worst case is you confirm it's empty. The best case? You find money you forgot you had. That's a pretty good two minutes.