There are various methods that you can use to unload the cards back to either your checking account or directly to the credit card you used to buy them.

Buy gift card with credit card -> Unload gift card back to credit card. Repeat. Send the same $5000 around in a circle (less fees). I'm simplifying of course.

Bluebird, a prepaid debit card from Amex and Walmart, has been one of the big methods for some time but I'm not sure if that one is still viable.

They were visa gift cards. He could use them like a regular credit card.

many times what you will end up with is $XXXX in non-transferable gift cards or you will have to sit on them. in those cases you just use them to pay your bills or use them as your spending cash etc.