How to Add an Amazon Gift Card to Your Account

The basic steps to add an Amazon gift card

To add an Amazon gift card to your account, you go to Amazon.com, sign in, and enter the claim code on the back of the card or from your email. Amazon then adds the balance to your account as store credit, which you can use when ready on anything Amazon sells. The process takes less than a minute and requires no payment information beyond the code itself.

You can redeem a gift card on any device — computer, phone, or tablet — as long as you have internet access and an Amazon account. If you don't have an account yet, you'll need to create one first with an email address and password. After you redeem the card, the balance stays in your account until you spend it, with no expiration date on most gift cards purchased after 2009.

Key Takeaways

• Sign in to your Amazon account, go to the gift card redemption page, and enter the claim code printed on the card or sent to your email.
• The balance appears in your account when ready and works like store credit for any purchase on Amazon.
• You can redeem a gift card on a computer, phone, or tablet without entering a separate payment method.
• If you receive a gift card by email, the claim code is in the message — you don't need to print or read anything.

Where to find the claim code

Physical gift cards have a claim code printed on the back, usually under a scratch-off panel or printed directly on the card. The code is a long string of letters and numbers. If the card is damaged or the code is hard to read, you can contact Amazon customer service with proof of purchase, and they can help you recover the balance.

Email gift cards arrive in your inbox with the claim code in the message itself. You don't need to do anything to the email — just copy the code and paste it into the redemption page. If you can't find the email, check your spam or promotions folder, or ask the sender to resend it.

How to redeem on a computer

On a computer, sign in to your Amazon account at Amazon.com. Hover over the "Accounts & Lists" menu in the top right corner and click "Your Account." Scroll down to find "Gift cards" in the left menu and click it. Then click the button that says "Redeem a gift card" and enter your claim code in the box that appears.

After you paste or type the code, click "explore to Your Balance." Amazon will confirm the amount and add it to your account. You'll see your new balance displayed on the same page. If the code doesn't work, double-check that you've entered it exactly as it appears — codes are case-sensitive and have no spaces.

How to redeem on a phone or tablet

On the Amazon mobile app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner. Tap "Your Account" and then scroll down to find "Gift cards." Tap "Redeem a gift card" and enter your claim code in the box. Tap "explore to Your Balance" to finish.

If you're using a mobile browser instead of the app, the steps are the same as on a computer — sign in, go to Your Account, find Gift cards, and enter your code. The mobile browser version works the same way as the app, just accessed through Safari, Chrome, or another browser.

What happens after you redeem

Once you redeem a gift card, the balance shows up in your account as "Amazon.com Gift Card Balance" or "Your Balance." This balance is separate from any credit card or payment method you have on file. When you make a purchase, Amazon automatically uses your gift card balance first before charging any other payment method.

If your purchase costs more than your gift card balance, Amazon will ask you to add another payment method for the difference. You can check your current balance anytime by going to Your Account and clicking Gift cards. The balance never expires on most gift cards, so you can use it whenever you want.

Troubleshooting a code that won't work

If you enter a code and Amazon says it's invalid, the most common reasons are a typo, a code that's already been used, or a code from a different country's Amazon site. Check that you've entered the code exactly as it appears — including capital letters and numbers — and try again. If the card is physical, make sure you're reading the code under the scratch-off panel correctly.

If the code has already been used, the balance is gone and can't be recovered. If you received the card as a gift and it was used without your permission, contact the person who gave it to you. If you bought the card yourself and it was used fraudulently, contact Amazon customer service with your receipt and they can investigate. Codes from Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.ca, or other regional sites won't work on Amazon.com — you need a code for the specific country's site.

Using your balance to make a purchase

After you redeem your gift card, you can use the balance on any item Amazon sells — books, electronics, groceries, clothing, and more. Add items to your cart as you normally would. At checkout, your gift card balance will show as a payment option and will be applied automatically unless you change it.

If your balance is less than the total cost, you'll need to add a credit card, debit card, or other payment method for the remaining amount. You can split a purchase between your gift card balance and another payment method. Some items like digital content, subscriptions, or items sold by third-party sellers may have restrictions, but most physical goods and Amazon-sold items work fine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I redeem a gift card if I don't have an Amazon account?

No, you need an Amazon account to redeem a gift card. If you don't have one, you can create an account for free at Amazon.com with an email address and password. After you create your account, you can sign in and redeem your code right away.

What if my gift card code has spaces or dashes in it?

Enter the code exactly as it appears, including any spaces or dashes. Amazon's redemption page will accept them. If it doesn't work, try removing the spaces and dashes and entering only the letters and numbers. Some codes are formatted differently depending on how they were issued.

Can I transfer my gift card balance to another person?

No, once you redeem a gift card to your account, the balance is tied to that account and can't be moved or transferred. If you want to give the balance to someone else, you would need to use it to buy them a physical item or an Amazon gift card, then send that to them instead.

Does my gift card balance expire?

Most Amazon gift cards purchased after 2009 don't expire. However, some older cards or cards from specific promotions may have an expiration date printed on them. Check the card or your email confirmation to see if an expiration date is listed. If it is, make sure to redeem before that date.

Can I use a gift card to buy another gift card?

Yes, you can use your gift card balance to purchase Amazon gift cards for other people. This works the same as any other purchase — add the gift card to your cart, proceed to checkout, and your balance will be applied automatically.