Amazon gift card balance is stored in your Amazon account — not on the card itself.
Once redeemed, the balance lives in your Amazon Gift Card balance and is applied automatically at checkout.
What Is an Amazon Gift Card?
Amazon gift cards are closed-loop store gift cards — they can only be used on Amazon.com (and select Amazon-owned services like Whole Foods and Audible, depending on the card type). They are not Visa or Mastercard cards and cannot be used anywhere else.
Amazon gift cards are available as physical cards, e-gift cards (sent by email), and digital codes. All types are redeemed the same way — by entering the claim code into your Amazon account.
Quick Reference
| Feature | Details |
|---|
| Card type | Closed-loop — Amazon.com and select Amazon services only |
| Expiration | No expiration date on the gift card value — balance never expires once redeemed to account |
| Fees | No dormancy fees, no service fees on standard Amazon gift cards |
| Cash out | Not redeemable for cash. Cannot be transferred between accounts. |
| Where to use | Amazon.com, Whole Foods Market (select cards), Prime subscription, digital content |
| Official support | amazon.com/giftcards (enter redemption code) | Amazon customer service |
How to Check Your Amazon Gift Card Balance
1
Sign in to your Amazon account
Go directly to amazon.com and sign in. Do not use third-party sites claiming to check Amazon gift card balances.
2
Go to Account > Gift Cards
Click your name in the top right → Account & Lists → Gift Cards. Your current gift card balance is shown at the top of this page.
3
The balance applies automatically at checkout
When you check out, Amazon applies your gift card balance first. You can see the breakdown on the order review screen.
How to Redeem an Amazon Gift Card
- Locate the claim code on the physical card (scratch off if needed) or in the email
- Sign in to amazon.com and go to Account > Gift Cards > Redeem a Gift Card
- Enter the claim code exactly as shown (case-sensitive)
- The balance is added to your Amazon account immediately
- Verify by checking your Gift Card balance page
Common Problems and Solutions
"This gift card has already been applied to an account"
Someone else may have redeemed your code. If you received the card sealed and unused, this likely indicates fraud or a tampered card. Contact Amazon customer service immediately with your receipt.
Claim code not working
Check for typos — codes are case-sensitive. Try entering manually rather than copy-paste. If the code still fails, contact Amazon gift card support with your receipt.
Balance not applied at checkout
Make sure you are signed into the Amazon account where the card was redeemed. Gift card balance does not transfer between accounts and cannot be used by a guest.
Safety Warnings
- ⚠ Amazon will never contact you asking to pay a fee, fine, or tax with Amazon gift cards
- ⚠ Scammers impersonate Amazon customer service — always initiate contact through amazon.com, not from numbers that contact you first
- ⚠ Do not share your claim code with anyone — once redeemed, the balance cannot be reversed
- ⚠ Never buy Amazon gift cards from unauthorized resellers at a "discount" — these are often scam or stolen cards
About this guide
This page is an educational overview of Amazon gift cards as of March 2026. Terms may change — always verify on amazon.com. MyGiftInfo is not affiliated with Amazon. This is not official Amazon guidance.