You're standing in that massive checkout line at Burlington. You've got a cart full of designer sneakers, a weirdly high-quality frying pan, and maybe a pack of those heavy-duty socks. You reach for that plastic card in your wallet—the one you found at the bottom of a junk drawer or got for your birthday six months ago. But then that annoying little voice in your head starts whispering: Is there actually any money on this thing? Honestly, there is nothing more awkward than the "declined" beep while a line of twenty people stares at the back of your head. Checking your Burlington Coat Factory gift card balance check before you hit the store isn't just a good idea; it's basically a survival strategy for discount shoppers.
Burlington—which, let's be real, most of us still call Burlington Coat Factory even though they dropped the "Coat Factory" from the official name years ago—doesn't make this a total mystery, but they don't exactly shout the instructions from the rooftops either. They’ve gone through some major digital shifts recently. For a while, they didn't even have a functional e-commerce site. Now that they're back in the digital game, the way you verify your funds has tightened up.
The Fastest Ways to Run a Burlington Coat Factory Gift Card Balance Check
Forget the fluff. You want to know if you can buy those shoes.
The most reliable way to handle a Burlington Coat Factory gift card balance check is through their official website. If you head over to the Burlington "Gift Cards" page, there is a specific portal managed by their card partner (usually a third-party processor like CashStar or similar retailers use). You’ll need the 19-digit card number. It’s on the back. You also need the CSC (Security Code), which is usually hidden under a silver scratch-off coating.
Don't use a knife to scratch that off. Seriously. I’ve seen people slice right through the magnetic strip or the actual numbers. Use a penny. Or a fingernail if you’re brave.
Once you plug those numbers into the online form, it’s instant. The screen will tell you exactly what’s left, down to the penny. If the website is acting glitchy—which happens during peak holiday seasons—you can always go the "old school" route. Every Burlington location has a customer service desk or a "Price Check" scanner. You can walk up to any cashier, and they can swipe it for you. You don't have to buy anything to ask for a balance inquiry.
Why Your Balance Might Look Weird
Sometimes you do a Burlington Coat Factory gift card balance check and the number is zero, even though you know you didn't spend it. This is where it gets annoying.
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If you recently tried to buy something online and the order was canceled, those funds might be "frozen" in a pending state. It’s not that the money is gone; it’s just in limbo. Usually, it takes about 3 to 5 business days for the system to realize the transaction didn't go through and release the balance back to the card. Another thing to watch out for is regional gift cards. If you have an older card from years ago, sometimes the magnetic strip demagnetizes. If the strip is dead, the online checker might return an error saying the card is invalid. In that case, you have to call their corporate support line or bring the physical card to a store manager who can manually type in the digits.
Can You Check the Balance Without a PIN?
Short answer: No.
Longer answer: Still no, but with a reason. The PIN (or CSC) is a security feature designed to stop "brute force" attacks where bots try to guess card numbers to steal balances. If your card doesn't have a PIN—which sometimes happens with very old legacy cards or certain types of promotional store credits—you won't be able to use the online Burlington Coat Factory gift card balance check tool.
You’ll be forced to visit a store. The cashier can bypass the PIN requirement by swiping the physical magstripe. If you’re trying to check a balance for a card you found online or bought from a "discount gift card" site, and it doesn't have a PIN, be careful. That's a red flag for a scam.
Resale Sites and the "Empty Card" Trap
We’ve all seen those sites promising 15% off Burlington cards. It sounds like a steal. You buy a $100 card for $85, you do your Burlington Coat Factory gift card balance check, and everything looks great.
Then, two weeks later, you go to use it and the balance is $0.
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What happened? Some scammers sell the card, wait for the buyer to verify the balance, and then immediately use the card info (which they kept) to buy something online before the buyer gets to the store. Or, they report the card as lost/stolen to the retailer and get a replacement issued. If you’re buying second-hand, only use reputable platforms like Raise or CardCash that offer a 60-day or 90-day money-back guarantee. If you buy a card off a random person on Facebook Marketplace, you’re basically gambling.
The Phone Call Option: Is It Worth It?
Burlington does have a toll-free number for gift card inquiries. It’s usually 1-800-444-2628.
Is it faster than the website? Usually not. You’ll have to navigate a phone tree, listen to a recording about current sales, and then slowly punch in that 19-digit number using your keypad. It’s a solid backup if your internet is down or if the website's "Check Balance" button is mysteriously missing, but it’s definitely the "slow lane" of balance checking.
Dealing With Store Credit vs. Gift Cards
There is a subtle difference that trips people up. If you returned something without a receipt, Burlington likely gave you a "Merchandise Credit" card.
These look exactly like gift cards. They behave mostly like gift cards. But sometimes, the automated Burlington Coat Factory gift card balance check systems treat them differently. Specifically, some merchandise credits are locked to the specific person who made the return (ID verification). If you try to check the balance of a merchandise credit online and it fails, it doesn't mean the card is empty. It just means the system requires a physical swipe in-store for security reasons.
Maximizing Your Remaining Balance
So you did the check. You’ve got $12.43 left. What now?
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Burlington is famous for having items at weird price points. You can actually find a lot in the "Home" or "Snack" sections for under $15. Unlike some high-end retailers where a gift card balance under $20 is useless, at Burlington, that’s a whole set of kitchen towels or a new dog toy.
If you’re shopping online, you can stack your gift card with other payment methods. If your total is $50 and your gift card has $12, you just pay the remaining $38 with a credit card. In-store, it’s even easier. You just hand over the gift card first, let them drain it, and then pay the rest however you want.
A Note on Expiration and Fees
Here is some actually good news: Burlington gift cards do not expire.
Federal law (the CARD Act) prevents most gift cards from expiring for at least five years, but many retailers, including Burlington, have just scrapped expiration dates entirely. They also don't charge "inactivity fees." Your $20 is still $20 whether you use it today or in 2029. However, if you have a "promotional" card—like one given away as part of a "spend $50, get $10" deal—those can have expiration dates because they weren't purchased with cash. Always check the fine print on the back for anything labeled "Promotion" or "Bonus."
Actionable Steps for Your Next Trip
Before you head out to grab that discounted designer coat, follow this checklist to ensure your checkout is smooth.
- Locate the PIN: Scratch off the silver foil gently. If you can't read it, you'll have to go to the store in person.
- Use the Official Portal: Stick to the Burlington website. Avoid third-party "balance checker" sites that ask for your email address; they’re often just lead-generation tools or phishing attempts.
- Screenshot the Result: If you check the balance at home, take a quick photo or screenshot of the balance page. If there’s a discrepancy at the register, having that timestamped proof can help a manager sort it out.
- Treat it Like Cash: If you lose the card, it’s gone. Unless you have the original purchase receipt and the full card number, Burlington generally won't replace lost or stolen cards.
- Check for "Ghost" Balances: If your Burlington Coat Factory gift card balance check shows a few cents less than you expected, check your old receipts. Sometimes tax calculations from a previous "partial" use leave a weird remaining balance you forgot about.
The best way to handle these cards is to use them quickly. Gift cards are essentially interest-free loans you’re giving to a corporation. Instead of letting that money sit in a drawer, do the balance check, put the card in your car or your phone's digital wallet, and go find a deal. Burlington’s inventory moves fast—that weirdly cool lamp you saw yesterday will probably be gone by tomorrow. Be ready to pull the trigger.
Verify your numbers, keep your physical card until the transaction is fully processed, and never give your card details to anyone claiming to be "customer support" over social media. Real support will never ask for your PIN over a Facebook comment. Keep it simple, keep it secure, and go get your discount.