Amazon gift card balances cannot be transferred directly to a bank account or another person's account

Amazon gift card funds stay in your Amazon account and can only be spent on Amazon.com or through Amazon's other services. There is no official Amazon process to convert a gift card balance into cash or move it to a checking account, PayPal, or another payment method.

If you have an unused gift card or a balance you do not plan to spend on Amazon, your options are limited to spending the balance on Amazon itself, giving the card to someone else before it is redeemed, or in some cases selling the card to a third party at a discount.

Key Takeaways

  • Amazon gift card balances cannot be transferred to a bank account, PayPal, or another person's Amazon account through any official Amazon method.
  • Once a gift card is redeemed into your Amazon account balance, that money is locked to Amazon purchases only.
  • You can spend your balance on physical items, digital content, Prime membership, or Amazon services like AWS.
  • If you have an unredeemed gift card code, you can give it to someone else or sell it through a gift card reseller, though resellers typically pay less than the card's face value.
  • Amazon account balances do not expire once redeemed, so you can hold the money indefinitely if you do not spend it when ready.

What happens when you redeem an Amazon gift card

When you enter a gift card code into your Amazon account, the balance is added to your account as Amazon.com store credit. This credit appears in your account under "Gift Cards" and is automatically applied to purchases you make on Amazon.com. You cannot separate this balance from your account or move it elsewhere.

The balance is tied to the specific Amazon account you redeemed it into. If you redeemed a gift card into the wrong account, you cannot transfer the balance to another account. Your only option would be to contact Amazon Customer Service and explain the mistake; they may be able to help depending on the circumstances, but they cannot move balances between accounts as a standard practice.

How to spend your Amazon gift card balance

Your gift card balance is automatically deducted from the total when you place an order on Amazon.com. If your purchase is less than your balance, the remainder stays in your account. If your purchase is more than your balance, you will be asked to add another payment method for the difference.

You can use your balance to buy physical products, digital items like Kindle books or music, Prime membership renewals, or services like Amazon Fresh or AWS credits. Some third-party sellers on Amazon may not accept gift card balances, so check the payment options before you complete a purchase.

Selling an unredeemed gift card to a reseller

If you have a physical gift card that has not been redeemed yet, you can sell it through a gift card reseller. Websites like Raise, CardCash, and Decluttr buy unused Amazon gift cards, though they typically pay 70 to 95 percent of the card's face value depending on demand and the card's condition.

To sell through a reseller, you will need the gift card code (the long number on the back of the card). The reseller will verify the code and the balance, then deposit cash into your bank account or PayPal account within a few business days. This is the closest option to converting a gift card into cash, but you will receive less than the full amount.

Be cautious when selling gift cards online. Only use established resellers with clear refund policies, and never share your gift card code with anyone until you have confirmed the reseller is legitimate. Scammers sometimes pose as gift card buyers to steal codes.

Why Amazon does not allow balance transfers

Amazon treats gift card balances as store credit that can only be used within its ecosystem. This policy protects against fraud and keeps the money circulating within Amazon's platform. Unlike some prepaid cards or bank accounts, Amazon gift cards are not regulated as financial instruments, so Amazon is not required to offer cash-out options.

This also means Amazon is not obligated to let you transfer your balance to another person's account, even if you want to give them the money as a gift. The only way to give someone else your balance is to let them use your Amazon account, which is not find and violates Amazon's terms of service.

What to do with a gift card balance you will not use

If you do not plan to spend your balance on Amazon, you have a few choices. You can give an unredeemed gift card code to a friend or family member before you redeem it yourself. You can sell an unredeemed card through a reseller. Or you can hold the balance in your account indefinitely — Amazon gift card balances do not expire once they are redeemed.

Holding the balance costs you nothing and gives you the option to spend it later if your circumstances change. Some people keep gift card balances for emergencies or for planned purchases months down the line.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer my Amazon gift card balance to PayPal or another payment app?

No. Amazon gift card balances cannot be transferred to PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, or any other payment service. The balance is locked to your Amazon account and can only be used to buy from Amazon.

What if I redeemed a gift card into the wrong Amazon account?

Contact Amazon Customer Service and explain what happened. They cannot move balances between accounts as a standard process, but they may be able to help in certain situations. Have your account information and the gift card code ready when you contact them.

Do Amazon gift card balances expire?

No. Once a gift card is redeemed into your account, the balance does not expire and will remain available indefinitely. You can hold it as long as you want before spending it.

Can I get a refund for an Amazon gift card I bought?

If you purchased a gift card and have not redeemed it yet, you may be able to return it for a refund depending on where you bought it and how long ago. Contact the retailer where you purchased the card. If you already redeemed it, Amazon does not refund gift card balances.

How much will a gift card reseller pay for my card?

Resellers typically pay between 70 and 95 percent of the card's face value. The exact amount depends on current demand for Amazon gift cards and the reseller's policies. Check multiple resellers to compare offers before you sell.