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FAQs
You have questions? We have answers.

Here's a list of frequently asked questions to help you understand how Alula works.

You can browse the list below or use our Search Box to search our FAQs.
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Which gift cards does Alula accept?

Alula accepts over 150 gift cards from a variety of retailers such as Home Depot, Target, and Starbucks, among others. Please visit the Gift Cards We Accept page in our website to see a full list of gift cards that can be exchanged for cash at Alula.

How much money will I get for my gift card?

The amount we pay will depend on the type of gift card you have, and is primarily driven by how easily that gift card can be resold to another consumer. For example, a gift card to a grocery store, gas station, or mass merchant is more desirable than a smaller or specialty retailer. This is usually around 60-85% of face value.

What does Alula do with the gift card I sell?

The gift cards we purchase from you are resold at a discount through other channels and partners. We do not sell gift cards to consumers directly. 

Why can’t I trade in a card that has less than $20 of value?

We can't accept these cards because there is limited demand for cards that have less than $20 of value. However, most retailers will give you the remaining balance in cash if it's below $5-$10, so we suggest you visit their store and see if they can help you!

Why am I limited in the number of times I can visit Alula?

We have to limit visits and gift cards per person to help prevent people from trading in a large volume of fraudulent/stolen gift cards. If you have more gift cards to trade in and you've hit your limit, you can come back as soon as tomorrow. We'd be happy to see you again the next day!

If you have a number of high value gift cards or a high overall total value you're trading and are having difficulties, please call us at 1-855-GO-ALULA (1-855-462-5852) and we'll try to gather enough information to complete the transaction.

Why do you need my driver's license, credit card and/or contact information?

We ask for this information in order to verify your identity, which helps prevent people from trading in fraudulent gift cards and/or using stolen credit cards. Your credit card will NEVER be charged.

Which credit cards can I use for verification?
At this time, you can use a Visa or MasterCard for your transaction. Unfortunately, we cannot accept American Express, Discover, or debit cards.

What do you do with my email address?

We use your email address to provide you with an electronic receipt of your transaction, for your records. You always have the option to opt out from any emails we might send.
And we promise not to spam you. That just wouldn't be nice.

How do I trade in my voucher for cash?

The kiosk prints a voucher. This voucher must be taken to the customer service desk or, in some stores, can be taken directly to any cashier. You need to trade in your voucher the same day and at the same store where you visited Alula.

What if the voucher didn’t print?

Please call customer service at 1-855-GO-ALULA (1-855-462-5852). That's the quickest way to get a resolution.
Or you can email us through our easy-to-use Contact Us form, and we will send you a check upon confirming your trade in.

What if I can’t find the retailer for my gift card?

Please double check the spelling of the retailer name. Sometimes, a gift card might be under a different name (for example, Chili’s is part of Brinker Restaurants). Otherwise, please check the Gift Cards We Accept to ensure that we can trade your card. If you don't see your retailer, we're very sorry. We are trying to add as many retailers as we can and as soon as possible. 
If you want to suggest a retailer for us to add, we'd love to hear from you! Use our Contact Us page to suggest a retailer.

Why can’t the machine read my card when I swipe it?

Please check the back of your gift card and make sure it has a magnetic stripe, and that you are swiping the card with the stripe facing down and towards the kiosk. If your card does not have a mag stripe, or it still does not work, please type in the gift card number manually.

Where do I find the gift card number?

The gift card number is a longer number (often 16 digits). It typically only contains numbers, but can sometimes contain letters as well. If you still have trouble finding it, you can always call the 800-number on the back of the gift card to ask about the location of the gift card number.

Where do I find the PIN number?

The PIN number is often shorter in length (4-8 characters) and can include letters. It may also be called the "access code" or another name, and could also be hidden under a scratch off area. If all else fails, please call the gift card retailer using the 800-number on the back of the card to verify the PIN number.

Why can’t I fit my gift card in the machine?

If your gift card is an odd shape, too big, too small, or is a printout of an electronic gift certificate, you probably won't be able to trade it in at Alula. We're working to update our kiosk so that we can accept all sorts of shapes and sizes of gift cards .. we really want to be gift card tolerant;) But for now, we can only accept your standard-sized gift cards. 

When and where will you be opening new locations?

We will be expanding to new locations throughout the country very soon! Keep checking our Locations page for the latest list of Alula locations near you. 

How do I contact Customer Service?

You can call 1-855-GO-ALULA (855-462-5852) to speak directly with an Alula representative every day of  the week from 5 AM to 10 PM Pacific time. After hours, you can leave a message and we'll call you back the next day. Or you can always email us using through our Contact Us page.

Can I franchise an Alula kiosk?

Unfortunately we do not offer franchising opportunities. All kiosks are owned and operated by Alula, a division of Coinstar/Redbox.

Any other fine print?
The trademarks and names of gift cards we accept are the property of their respective owners.  Coinstar, Inc. is not affiliated or associated with such owners or their products/services in any way.
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