Check your balance directly on Amazon.com
The fastest way to see what you have left on an Amazon gift card is to go to Amazon.com, sign into your account, and look at your gift card balance in your account settings. Amazon shows your total balance in one place, and the process takes less than a minute.
Go to Your Account (the menu in the top right), then select Gift cards. You'll see a section labeled Your Gift Card Balance with the total amount available to spend. If you've added multiple gift cards to your account over time, Amazon combines them into one balance.
If you haven't created an Amazon account yet, you'll need to do that first. You can sign up with an email address and password, and Amazon will let you add the gift card to your account during checkout if you prefer to wait.
Key Takeaways
- Your Amazon gift card balance appears in Your Account under the Gift Cards section once you're signed in.
- Amazon combines multiple gift cards into a single balance that you can see in one place.
- You don't need to enter the gift card code every time you shop — once it's added to your account, the balance is automatically deducted from purchases.
- If you haven't used the card yet, you can add it to your account anytime before or during checkout.
Add a new gift card to your account
When you first receive an Amazon gift card, you can add it to your account right away or wait until you're ready to shop. Either way, the process is the same: go to Your Account, select Gift cards, then choose Redeem a Gift Card.
Enter the code from the back of the physical card or from your email if it was sent digitally. Amazon will verify the code and add the amount to your balance. The balance is then available for any purchase you make on Amazon.com or through the Amazon app.
Keep the original code or email in case you need to reference it later, though once it's added to your account, you won't need it to spend the balance.
What happens when you use your balance
Once a gift card is added to your account, Amazon automatically applies the balance to your orders. When you check out, you'll see the gift card balance listed as a payment method, and Amazon will use it before charging any other payment method you have on file.
If your purchase is less than your gift card balance, only the amount of the purchase is deducted. If your purchase is more than your balance, Amazon will use the full gift card amount and ask you to pay the difference with a credit card, debit card, or another payment method.
You can also use your gift card balance for subscriptions like Amazon Prime or Kindle Unlimited, though some services may require a credit card on file as a backup.
Gift card balance doesn't expire
Amazon gift cards have no expiration date, so you can use your balance whenever you want. There's no rush to spend it, and you won't lose the money if you don't use it right away.
This is different from some retail gift cards that expire after a set period. Amazon's policy is that the balance stays in your account indefinitely until you spend it.
Troubleshooting a missing or incorrect balance
If you added a gift card but don't see the balance in your account, check that you're signed into the correct Amazon account. Some people have multiple accounts, and a gift card added to one account won't show up in another.
If the code didn't work when you tried to redeem it, the code may have been entered incorrectly, or the card may have already been redeemed by someone else. Physical gift cards can sometimes have printing errors on the code — if that's the case, contact Amazon customer service with the card and receipt, and they can help you recover the balance.
If you see a balance but it's lower than expected, check your order history to see if purchases were already deducted. Amazon applies the gift card balance automatically at checkout, so it's easy to forget that a purchase went through.
Using your balance across Amazon services
Your gift card balance works on Amazon.com for physical products, digital items like Kindle books and music, and services like Prime Video rentals. The balance also covers purchases on Amazon Fresh (grocery delivery in select areas) and Amazon Business if you have that account type.
The balance does not work on third-party marketplaces or services outside of Amazon's own ecosystem. For example, you can't use it to pay for services from other companies that happen to be sold through Amazon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer my Amazon gift card balance to someone else?
No, once a gift card is redeemed to your account, the balance is tied to that account and can't be transferred or sent to another person. If you want to give someone money to spend on Amazon, you need to purchase a new gift card and give them the code before it's redeemed.
What if I lose my gift card before I redeem it?
If you lose a physical gift card before adding it to your account, contact Amazon with the card number and receipt if you have it. Amazon may be able to help recover the balance, but this depends on whether the card has already been used by someone else.
Does my gift card balance show up on my credit card statement?
No, your gift card balance is separate from your credit card. Once you redeem the card to your Amazon account, purchases are deducted from the gift card balance, not charged to your credit card statement.
Can I use a gift card balance to buy another gift card?
Yes, you can use your gift card balance to purchase Amazon gift cards for other people. The new gift card will be a separate code that you can give to someone else.
What if my gift card code isn't working?
Check that you've entered the code exactly as it appears, including all numbers and letters. If it still doesn't work, the code may be invalid, already used, or damaged. Contact Amazon with the card and any receipt you have, and provide the code if you can read it.