Check your balance online through your Amazon account

The fastest way to see how much money is on your Amazon gift card is to log into your Amazon account and look at your gift card balance directly. Go to amazon.com, sign in with your email and password, and click on "Account & Lists" in the top right corner. From there, select "Your Account," then scroll down and click "Gift cards" under the "Payment" section. You'll see your total balance displayed at the top of the page.

This method works whether you've already added the card to your account or not. If you haven't redeemed the card yet, you can enter the claim code (the long number on the back of the physical card or in the email) on this same page, and Amazon will add the balance to your account immediately. The balance never expires once it's added to your account, though unredeemed gift card codes themselves may have expiration dates printed on them.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Amazon account shows your total gift card balance under Account & Lists > Your Account > Gift cards, and this is the most reliable way to check.
  • You can check a balance before redeeming it by entering the claim code on the gift cards page, which also adds the money to your account at the same time.
  • Amazon's customer service can look up a balance if you have the claim code but can't access your account.
  • The balance you see in your account is what you can spend on anything Amazon sells, including physical items, digital content, and third-party seller products.

Check the balance without an Amazon account

If you don't have an Amazon account yet or prefer not to log in, you can still see what's on the card. Amazon's website has a balance checker tool at amazon.com/gc/redeem. Enter the claim code from the back of your gift card or from the email you received, and Amazon will show you the remaining balance without requiring you to sign in or create an account.

This method is useful if you're checking a card someone else gave you and you're not sure whether you want to add it to an account yet. The balance shown is accurate as of that moment, though if you've already redeemed the card into an account, this tool won't show anything — you'll need to check your account balance instead.

Contact Amazon customer service with your claim code

If you've lost access to your account or can't locate the claim code, Amazon's customer service team can look up the balance for you. Call Amazon at 1-888-280-4331 (the number for gift card and account issues) or use the chat feature in your Amazon account under "Contact Us." Have your claim code ready if you have it, or be prepared to describe the card or email where you received it.

Customer service can also help if you believe there's an error in your balance or if your gift card was damaged or lost. Response times vary — phone lines can have wait times during peak hours, while chat support often connects faster. Amazon doesn't charge for this service.

What happens after you check your balance

Once you know how much is on the card, you can use it to buy anything on Amazon.com — physical products, Kindle books, Prime Video rentals, or items from third-party sellers. The balance applies to your entire account, so if you have multiple gift cards, they all add together into one total. You don't need to do anything special to use the balance; it's automatically applied when you check out.

If your balance is lower than the item you want to buy, you can pay the difference with a credit card, debit card, or another payment method on file. Amazon will deduct the full gift card balance first, then charge your other payment method for the rest.

Unredeemed gift card codes and expiration

A gift card code that hasn't been redeemed yet may have an expiration date printed on the card or in the email. Once you redeem the code into your Amazon account, the balance itself never expires — you can use it whenever you want. However, if the code expires before you redeem it, you won't be able to add it to your account, and the money will be lost.

Check the expiration date on any gift card you receive, and redeem it promptly if one is listed. If a code has already expired and you haven't redeemed it, contact Amazon customer service with proof of purchase or the original email — they may be able to help depending on the circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check an Amazon gift card balance without the claim code?

Not through the online balance checker tool — you need the claim code. However, Amazon customer service can look up a balance if you have the original email receipt, the physical card, or other proof of purchase. Call 1-888-280-4331 or use the chat feature in your account.

What if I see a different balance than I expected?

If you've already used part of the card, the balance will be lower. If the balance seems wrong, check whether you've made any purchases since receiving the card. If you haven't used it and the balance is still incorrect, contact Amazon customer service with your claim code and the original receipt or email.

Can I transfer my Amazon gift card balance to someone else?

No, once a gift card is redeemed into your account, the balance is tied to that account and can't be transferred or refunded. If you want to give the balance to someone else, don't redeem the code — give them the unredeemed claim code instead, and they can redeem it into their own account.

Does my gift card balance work on Amazon Fresh or Whole Foods?

Your Amazon account balance works on amazon.com and most Amazon services, but not on Amazon Fresh or Whole Foods purchases made in-store. Some third-party sellers on Amazon.com accept gift card balances, but policies vary by seller.