Amazon gift cards do not expire

Amazon gift cards have no expiration date. Once you add the balance to your Amazon account, you can use it whenever you want—whether that's when ready or years later. The funds stay in your account indefinitely until you spend them.

This applies to all types of Amazon gift cards: physical cards you receive in the mail, digital codes sent by email, and cards purchased at retail stores. The only exception is if your Amazon account itself is closed for an extended period or violates Amazon's terms of service, but the gift card balance itself does not have a time limit.

Key Takeaways

  • Amazon gift cards never expire, and the balance remains available in your account until you use it.
  • Physical cards, digital codes, and retail-purchased cards all have the same no-expiration policy.
  • If you lose a gift card code before redeeming it, you can contact Amazon customer service with proof of purchase to recover the balance.
  • Your Amazon account itself must remain active for you to access the gift card balance, though Amazon does not close accounts for inactivity alone.

How to check your Amazon gift card balance

To see how much gift card balance you have on your account, sign in to Amazon.com and go to "Your Account." From there, select "Gift cards" in the left menu. You will see your current balance displayed at the top of the page.

If you have not yet redeemed a gift card code, you can do that on the same page by clicking "Redeem a gift card" and entering the code. Once you redeem it, the amount is added to your account balance and stays there until you make a purchase.

What happens if you lose an unredeemed gift card code

If you received a gift card code by email or on a physical card and lost it before redeeming it, contact Amazon customer service. You will need to provide proof that you received the card—such as the original email, a photo of the physical card, or a receipt from the retailer where it was purchased.

Amazon can look up the code and either resend it to you or add the balance directly to your account. The process typically takes a few business days. Keep your gift card codes in a safe place, such as a password manager or a note in your email, until you are ready to redeem them.

Using your gift card balance for purchases

Once you redeem a gift card code, the balance is automatically applied to your account. When you make a purchase on Amazon, the system will use your gift card balance first before charging any other payment method on file. You do not need to do anything special—just proceed with checkout as normal.

If your purchase is larger than your gift card balance, Amazon will charge the remaining amount to your default payment method. If your purchase is smaller than your balance, the leftover amount stays in your account for future purchases.

Gift cards and Amazon Prime membership

Amazon gift card balance can be used to pay for a Prime membership renewal, just like any other purchase. However, gift cards cannot be used to pay for certain services, such as digital content rentals or some third-party seller fees. For most everyday purchases and subscriptions, your gift card balance will work.

If you are unsure whether a specific purchase can be paid with a gift card, try adding the item to your cart and proceeding to checkout. Amazon will show you which payment methods are available for that particular item.

Regional and currency restrictions

Amazon gift cards are region-specific. A gift card purchased for Amazon.com (the US store) can only be used on Amazon.com, not on Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, or other international Amazon sites. The balance is also stored in the currency of that region—US dollars for Amazon.com, pounds for Amazon.co.uk, and so on.

If you try to use a gift card code from one region on a different region's Amazon site, the code will not work. Make sure the gift card matches the Amazon store where you have your account.

What to do if your Amazon account is closed

Amazon does not close accounts straightforward because you have not used them. However, if your account is closed for violating Amazon's terms of service, any gift card balance in that account may be forfeited. This is rare and typically happens only in cases of fraud or serious policy violations.

If your account is closed and you have an unredeemed gift card code (one you never entered into your account), contact Amazon customer service with proof of purchase. They may be able to issue you a new code or refund, depending on the circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer my Amazon gift card balance to another person?

No, once you redeem a gift card code into your account, the balance is tied to that account and cannot be transferred. If you want to give someone else money to spend on Amazon, you should give them an unredeemed gift card code instead of redeeming it yourself first.

Do Amazon gift cards expire if I don't use them within a certain time?

No. Amazon gift cards have no expiration date, whether they are unredeemed codes or balance already added to your account. You can use them whenever you choose, even years after receiving them.

What if I received a gift card as a promotional offer from Amazon?

Promotional gift cards or promotional credits sometimes do have expiration dates, unlike regular gift cards. Check the terms that came with the promotional offer to see if there is a important date. Regular Amazon gift cards purchased or gifted by others never expire.

Can I use my gift card balance to buy gift cards for other people?

Yes. You can use your gift card balance to purchase Amazon gift cards for others, just as you would with any other payment method. The new gift card codes can then be sent to whoever you choose.