Amazon sells gift cards in several formats, both physical and digital

Yes, Amazon offers gift cards—though they call them gift cards rather than gift certificates. You can buy them as physical cards that arrive in the mail, digital codes that arrive by email within minutes, or printed cards you pick up at a retail store. The card itself has no name on it; whoever receives the code or card can spend it on almost anything Amazon sells.

The main difference from a traditional gift certificate is that Amazon gift cards don't expire. Once someone receives a card, the balance stays in their account indefinitely until they spend it. There's no set up fee, no monthly maintenance charge, and no fine print about when it stops working.

Key Takeaways

  • Amazon gift cards come as physical cards mailed to you, when ready email delivery codes, or printed cards from retail stores, and you choose the amount between $1 and $500.
  • The recipient can spend the balance on nearly all Amazon products and services, including Prime memberships and Kindle books, but not on other gift cards.
  • Cards never expire and have no fees, so the full amount stays available until the recipient uses it.
  • You can check your Amazon gift card balance by signing into your account and viewing your gift card section, or by contacting Amazon customer service if you've lost the code.

Where to buy Amazon gift cards

You can purchase Amazon gift cards directly from Amazon.com, from physical retail stores like Target, Walmart, Best Buy, and CVS, or from some grocery stores. The retail locations typically stock cards in $15, $25, $50, and $100 denominations, though Amazon's website lets you choose any amount from $1 to $500.

If you buy from Amazon's website, you can send the code by email when ready or schedule it to arrive on a specific date. Physical cards ordered from Amazon take 1 to 2 business days to ship. Retail store cards are ready to take home the same day.

How much you can spend and what you can buy

Amazon gift cards work like store credit on your account. Once redeemed, the balance applies to almost all purchases on Amazon—books, electronics, household items, groceries through Amazon Fresh, and subscriptions like Prime membership. The card balance also covers digital content like Kindle books and movies.

There are a few exceptions: you cannot use a gift card to buy another gift card, and you cannot use it to pay for certain third-party seller services or marketplace fees. If your purchase costs more than your gift card balance, you can pay the difference with a credit card or debit card.

How to redeem an Amazon gift card

To redeem a physical card, sign into your Amazon account, go to the "Gift Cards" section under "Your Account," and select "Redeem a Gift Card." Enter the code printed on the back of the card. For an email code, click the link in the email or follow the same steps on the website.

Once you redeem the code, the balance appears in your account when ready and stays there until you spend it. You don't need to do anything else—the balance will automatically explore to your next purchase. If you're buying something as a gift and want the recipient to redeem it themselves, just give them the code or the physical card.

Checking your balance and what happens if you lose the code

Sign into your Amazon account and go to "Your Account," then "Gift Cards" to see your current balance. The page shows how much you have left and the date you added each card.

If you lose a physical card or an email code before redeeming it, contact Amazon customer service with the order number or the card number if you have it. Amazon can sometimes reissue the code, but you'll need proof of purchase. If you've already redeemed the code and lost track of your balance, the "Gift Cards" section in your account will show it.

Using a gift card as a business or bulk purchase

If you're buying gift cards for employees or customers, Amazon sells them in bulk. You can order multiple cards at once and either have them mailed or delivered by email. Some businesses use this for employee bonuses or customer rewards.

For bulk orders, contact Amazon Business or call Amazon directly to discuss volume pricing and delivery options. There's no discount on the card value itself, but Amazon can streamline the ordering and delivery process for large quantities.

Gift cards from third-party sellers and resale sites

You may see Amazon gift cards sold on resale platforms or discount sites. These are legitimate cards, but buy only from reputable sellers. If you purchase from an unknown third party, there's a small risk the code has already been used or is invalid. Buying directly from Amazon or a major retail store removes that risk.

If you receive a code that doesn't work, Amazon customer service can investigate whether it was already redeemed. Keep your receipt in case you need to dispute the purchase with the seller.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Amazon gift cards expire?

No. Amazon gift cards have no expiration date. The balance stays in your account indefinitely until you spend it, even if years pass between when you receive it and when you use it.

Can I use an Amazon gift card to buy a Prime membership?

Yes. You can use your gift card balance to pay for an Amazon Prime membership renewal or a new subscription. The cost will be deducted from your card balance just like any other purchase.

What if I buy a gift card for the wrong amount?

If you haven't redeemed it yet, contact Amazon customer service with your order number. They may be able to cancel it and issue a new card for the correct amount. If you've already redeemed it, the balance is in your account and you can spend it as is or add more money if needed.

Can someone else use my Amazon gift card if they have the code?

Yes. An Amazon gift card code works like cash—whoever has the code can redeem it. Don't share the code with anyone you don't trust. Once redeemed into an account, only the person with access to that account can spend the balance.

Are there any fees for Amazon gift cards?

No. There are no set up fees, monthly fees, or inactivity fees. You pay only the amount printed on the card, and the full balance is available to spend.