How to Redeem an Amazon Gift Card: A Real-World Guide

Got an Amazon gift card sitting around? Whether it’s from a birthday, a promo, or you bought it for yourself (no judgment), redeeming it is quick once you know where to look. That said, Amazon doesn’t always make the process feel obvious, especially if you’re flipping between desktop and the app.

In this guide, we’ll walk through exactly how to redeem your Amazon gift card, whether you’re on a laptop, tablet, or phone. No fluff, no confusing steps – just clear directions so you can apply that balance and start using it right away. Let’s get into it.

What Happens When You Redeem a Gift Card

First, quick context. When you redeem an Amazon gift card, the value gets added to your account as credit. It doesn’t sit on the card anymore – it becomes part of your account balance.

Once that money is there, you can use it toward just about anything on Amazon: physical products, Kindle books, Prime membership, even some digital content like rentals or subscriptions. But there are limits.

You can’t:

• Use it to buy other Amazon gift cards.
• Transfer the credit to another Amazon account.
• Get a cash payout (unless required by law in your region).

If your gift card is for a different country’s Amazon site, it usually won’t work on your local one. In that case, you’d have to shop through that region’s version of Amazon.

Where to Find the Claim Code

Every Amazon gift card comes with a unique claim code. This is what you’ll need to redeem it.

• Physical cards: Flip it over. You’ll usually find the code under a scratch-off or peel-off sticker.
• Digital cards: The code is in your email (look for something like “Claim Code: XXXX-XXXXXX-XXXX”) or in your Amazon messages if you sent it to yourself.
• Unreadable or damaged cards: If the code is smudged or scratched off completely, Amazon might be able to help. More on that in the troubleshooting section below.

How to Redeem Your Amazon Gift Card: 3 Easy Ways

You’ve got the gift card, now it’s just a matter of turning that code into credit. Depending on how you shop – desktop, app, or somewhere in between – there are a few ways to redeem it. Each one is straightforward once you know where to tap or click. Here’s how to get it done without the usual guesswork.

1. Redeem on Desktop or Laptop

If you’re on your computer, this is probably the most direct method.

The fastest route:

• Head to amazon.com/redeem.
• Log into your Amazon account.
• Type in your claim code.
• Click “Apply to your balance”.

Done. The funds are now part of your Amazon account and will automatically get used the next time you buy something.

Alternate path if you’re already signed in:

• Hover over “Account & Lists” in the top right corner.
• Click “Account” from the dropdown.
• Select “Gift Cards”.
• Click “Redeem a Gift Card”.
• Enter your code and confirm.

Both routes get you to the same place. Use whichever one’s quicker for how you browse.

2. Redeem on the Amazon App

If you mostly shop on your phone (which, let’s be honest, a lot of us do), the app has a built-in option that’s just as easy and maybe even faster.

Here’s what to do:

• Open the Amazon app on iOS or Android.
• Tap the person icon at the bottom to access your account info.
• Scroll down to Gift Card Balance.
• Tap “Redeem another gift card”.
• Either enter the code manually or use your phone’s camera to scan it.
• Tap “Apply to your balance”.

Scanning is especially handy if you’ve got a physical card. It saves time and avoids typos, which can be frustrating when you’re trying to enter 14 random letters and numbers correctly.

Once the balance is applied, it’s ready to use just like it would be if you were on a computer.

3. Redeem During Checkout (Web or App)

Let’s say you’re already placing an order and haven’t redeemed your card yet. No need to back out – there’s a quick option to handle it right from the checkout screen.

Here’s how it works:

• When you reach the payment step during checkout, look for a box labeled “Add a gift card, voucher, or promo code”.
• Paste or type your claim code into the box.
• Click or tap “Apply”.

Amazon will immediately subtract the card amount from your order total. If your gift card doesn’t cover the whole cost, it’ll just use up the balance and charge the rest to your default payment method.

This option works seamlessly whether you’re on the website or using the mobile app.

How to Check Your Amazon Gift Card Balance

Once you redeem a gift card, the money doesn’t just float somewhere in the void – it gets added directly to your Amazon balance. From there, it sits quietly in your account until you make a purchase. If you’re ever wondering how much is left, checking your balance is quick, no matter what device you’re using.

On a desktop, you’ll find it by heading into your account settings. Just hover over “Account & Lists” in the top-right corner, click into your account, and then select “Gift Cards.” Everything you need to know will be right there: your remaining balance, a breakdown of any recent redemptions or deductions, and options to reload funds or even set up auto-reloads if you’d rather not think about it again.

If you’re using the app, it’s just as simple. Tap the little person icon on the bottom of the screen to open your account menu, scroll until you see “Gift Card Balance,” and tap it. You’ll land on a similar page showing your current balance and transaction history, along with the option to add more funds or automate it entirely.

Whether you’re checking out of curiosity or making sure you’ve got enough to cover your next order, the info’s easy to find and always up to date.

If You’re Missing the Full Code

This happens more often than you’d think. Sometimes the code gets scratched too hard, is misprinted, or gets cut off in a digital message. If that’s the case:

Contact Amazon Customer Support. Be ready to provide:

• The 16- or 30-digit serial number on the back of the card (not the claim code).
• Your order number if you bought the card yourself.
• The name and email of the sender and recipient (if applicable).
• The physical or email address where the gift card was delivered.

Amazon may be able to issue a replacement or credit after verifying your claim.

Using Multiple Gift Cards

Yes, you can redeem more than one card. In fact, there’s no official limit. You just add them one at a time using the steps above, and the combined value stacks into your account balance.

At checkout, Amazon will automatically pull from your gift card funds first. If it doesn’t cover the full order, the rest comes from your credit card or other payment method on file.

A Few Things Worth Knowing Before You Spend

Redeeming your gift card is one thing, but actually using the balance comes with a few details that are easy to overlook, especially if it’s your first time or you’re shopping across borders. Here are a few things that might save you a bit of confusion later.

Gift Cards Don’t Usually Expire, But Double-Check

If you’re in the U.S., most Amazon gift cards don’t come with an expiration date. You can redeem one now and use the balance six months – or even six years – down the line. That said, not every country plays by the same rules. If your card was purchased internationally or you’re redeeming it on a different country’s version of Amazon, it’s worth checking the fine print just to be sure.

You Can Combine Payments, But Not All Ways

Amazon does let you mix payment methods, so if your gift card doesn’t quite cover your full order, the rest can go on your credit or debit card. The one limitation to note is that you can’t split a single purchase across multiple gift cards at checkout – unless you’ve already redeemed them to your account. Once they’re redeemed, though, the combined balance just gets used automatically in the background.

Gift Cards Aren’t Just for Products

It’s not all about buying socks and kitchen gadgets. Your Amazon balance can also be used for digital purchases like Kindle books, video rentals, and even a Prime membership. But be careful with subscriptions. Your Amazon gift card balance can generally be used for digital purchases like Kindle books, video rentals, and subscriptions such as Audible, as long as the purchase is made on the Amazon site matching the card’s region..

Be Mindful of Where the Card Was Issued

This one trips up a lot of people: Amazon gift cards are regional. A card purchased in the U.S. usually won’t work on Amazon UK or Germany, for example. So if someone sends you a gift card from another country or you’re trying to redeem one you bought abroad, make sure it matches the region of the Amazon account you’re using. Otherwise, it’s just going to sit there unused and that’s the opposite of helpful.

Pro Tips for Managing Gift Cards

If you use Amazon regularly or manage purchases across multiple accounts or teams, here are a few extra ways to stay on top of things:

• Auto-reload settings: You can set your balance to top up automatically when it drops below a certain amount.
• Bulk gifting: If you buy gift cards in bulk for employees or clients, Amazon has a corporate gifting portal where you can track delivery and usage.
• Email delivery: Always double-check the recipient’s email address when sending digital cards. One typo, and it’s a mess to fix.
• Archived orders: If you can’t find your own digital gift card in your inbox, go to your Archived Orders – some users accidentally hide them.

WisePPC: Built for Sellers Who Live on Amazon

If you’re reading this because you’re getting familiar with Amazon as a shopper, there’s a good chance you’re also using it as a seller or planning to. That’s where we come in.

At WisePPC, we help marketplace businesses get the clarity they need to grow smarter. As an Amazon Ads Verified Partner, we’ve built a platform that gives you full visibility into your ad performance, product sales, and profitability – all in one place. Whether you’re tracking metrics, optimizing bids, or trying to make sense of which ads are actually driving results, we make it easier to turn insights into action. So while you’re learning how to use your Amazon gift card, we’re focused on helping you make the most of what you sell behind the scenes.

Final Thoughts

Redeeming an Amazon gift card should be simple, and honestly, once you know where to look, it is. The trick is just getting familiar with the flow on whichever device you’re using.

Whether you’re shopping from your laptop or phone, planning to save the balance for later, or using it on the spot, you’ve got options. And now, hopefully, you’ve also got the clarity.

So go ahead, redeem that card and pick out something good. You earned it (or at least someone thinks you did).

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