Amazon Giftcard Explained: Buying, Redeeming, and Using Your Balance

How Do Amazon Gift Cards Work?

An Amazon giftcard is a prepaid code that adds money to your Amazon account balance. You can spend that balance on almost anything sold on Amazon.com. This guide covers how to buy, redeem, check the balance, and use Amazon gift cards.

Amazon offers physical cards, e-gift cards, and printable cards. The card's claim code is what you enter to add value. Once added, the balance appears in your account.

You do not need to link a bank account or credit card to redeem a gift card. You do need an Amazon account. If you do not have one, you can create it for free.

In the United States, Amazon gift cards do not have fees. You will not be charged a monthly fee or an inactivity fee. This makes them a low-cost gift option.

Where Can You Buy Amazon Gift Cards?

You can buy Amazon gift cards on Amazon.com and in many physical stores. Supermarkets, drugstores, and big-box retailers stock them at checkout counters. You can also buy them from bank reward programs or office supply stores.

When buying on Amazon, you choose a design and an amount. The amount can be from $1 to $2,000. You can send it to any email address or phone number.

Buying a physical card in a store is convenient, but you need to inspect the packaging. Some scammers sell cards that show an already-scratched-off code. If the code has been exposed, do not buy it.

How Do You Redeem an Amazon Gift Card?

Redeeming is quick. Follow these steps:

1. Log in to your Amazon account.
2. Hover over Account & Lists and select Gift Cards.
3. Click Redeem a Gift Card.
4. Enter the claim code from your card, then click Apply to Your Balance.

The balance is usually added right away. You can start using it immediately. To confirm, check the gift card balance on your account page.

Be careful when entering the claim code. The code is case-sensitive and often has no dashes. Copy and paste the code from an email or the card's packaging to avoid typos.

How Do You Check an Amazon Gift Card Balance?

Go to the Amazon Gift Card Balance page and enter your claim code. This works before and after redemption. After redemption, the balance shows in Your Account.

For a physical card, the claim code is printed on the back. You may need to scratch off the covering. Keep the code in a safe place.

If you have already applied the card to your account, you can check the balance without the code. Open Your Account and click Gift Cards to see your total balance. The page also shows a history of recent activity.

What Are the Limits and Rules for Using Amazon Gift Cards?

Amazon lets you hold up to $2,000 in gift card balance per account. You can redeem more than that, but you may need to contact customer service. The balance cannot be sold or transferred to another account.

Gift card balance is not refundable in cash. Refunds for returned items go back into your gift card balance. The card does not expire in the United States.

You cannot use an Amazon gift card to buy another Amazon gift card. In some cases, you also cannot use the balance to buy prepaid phone cards. Check Amazon's rules for the most current list of restrictions.

Can You Use an Amazon Gift Card for Prime and Subscriptions?

Yes, you can. Your gift card balance can pay for Amazon Prime, Kindle Unlimited, and Audible. You just select the gift card balance option when you check out.

This also works for digital purchases like eBooks and app downloads. For subscriptions with auto-renewal, make sure your balance is enough to cover the next payment. If you change to gift card balance for a subscription, Amazon warns you when the credit runs low.

What If Your Amazon Gift Card Is Lost or Stolen?

If you have the claim code written down, you can still redeem it. If you do not have the code, contact Amazon customer service as soon as possible. They may ask for the order number or card receipt.

For e-gift cards, keep the original email. The email contains the claim code. Do not share your code with anyone you do not trust.

If you bought a physical card in a store and the code is scratched off, the card is likely worthless. Bring it back to the store with your receipt. In many cases, the store can refund the purchase.

How to Send an Amazon Gift Card to Someone Else

You can send an e-gift card from the Amazon Gift Cards page. Choose a design, enter an amount, and add a message. Pick a delivery date for a birthday or holiday.

Physical cards are also available for shipping, but you pay for shipping. E-gift cards are free to send. The recipient receives an email with the claim code, and you can track when it is opened.

For Amazon accounts in other countries, the gift card must match the recipient's store. Sending a card from Amazon.com to someone outside the US may not work. Use the local Amazon site when you send abroad.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Amazon gift cards expire?

In the United States, no. Federal law requires gift cards to remain valid for at least five years. Amazon does not set an expiration date.

Can you use an Amazon gift card outside the United States?

An Amazon gift card sold on Amazon.com works only on Amazon.com's US store. To shop on a different Amazon site, you need a gift card issued for that country.

Can you use two Amazon gift cards at the same time?

No, you cannot apply two cards in one transaction. You can redeem both cards to your account balance first. The combined balance is then applied to your order.

Can you reload an Amazon gift card?

Most physical and e-gift cards cannot be reloaded. The card itself is just a code. You can add more value to your Amazon account balance by redeeming new gift cards.

Are there fees for using an Amazon gift card?

No. In the US, Amazon gift cards have no purchase fees, shipping fees for e-cards, or maintenance fees. The full amount you pay is available to redeem.

Bottom Line

Amazon gift cards are a straightforward way to pay for nearly anything on Amazon. You can buy them online or in stores, redeem them in seconds, and track the balance in your account. Keep your claim code private and avoid third-party sellers that sell discounted cards, since those cards may be tampered with.