Amazon gift cards cannot be transferred directly to a bank account
Amazon does not allow you to move gift card balance into a checking or savings account. Once a gift card is added to your Amazon account, that balance lives only in Amazon's system and can be spent only on Amazon purchases — including items sold by third parties through Amazon's marketplace.
This is different from some other gift cards. A Visa or Mastercard gift card can often be used anywhere those cards are accepted, including ATMs. An Amazon gift card is locked to Amazon spending only, and Amazon's terms of service do not permit transfers out.
If you have an Amazon gift card balance you do not plan to use, your realistic options are limited. You can spend it on Amazon purchases, give it to someone else, or in some cases request a refund if the card was purchased recently and unopened.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon gift card balances cannot be moved to a bank account under any circumstances — the balance stays in your Amazon account only.
- You can spend the balance on any item Amazon sells, including third-party marketplace items, but not on anything outside Amazon.
- If you received a physical gift card that has never been redeemed, the retailer or original purchaser may refund it depending on their return policy.
- Websites claiming to convert gift cards to cash are either scams or offer rates so low (often 50 to 70 cents per dollar) that they are not worth using.
Why Amazon does not allow transfers out
Gift card balances are stored as account credit, not as money in a traditional sense. When you add a gift card to your Amazon account, you are loading a balance that Amazon holds and controls. Transferring that balance to your bank would mean Amazon sending you actual money, which creates tax and accounting complications for the company.
More importantly, gift cards are designed to lock spending into a specific retailer. That is the entire business model — Amazon benefits when you have $50 sitting in your account because you are likely to spend it on Amazon rather than a competitor. Allowing transfers would defeat that purpose.
What you can actually do with unused Amazon balance
If you have gift card balance in your Amazon account, your straightforward options are to spend it or give it away. You can purchase anything Amazon sells — books, electronics, groceries through Amazon Fresh, or items from third-party sellers. The balance will be applied automatically at checkout before any payment method is charged.
You can also transfer the balance to another person by purchasing an Amazon gift card with your account balance and sending it to them. Go to Amazon's gift cards page, select "Email delivery," enter the recipient's email address, and choose the amount. The recipient will receive a code they can redeem.
If you received a physical gift card that you have not yet scratched or redeemed, contact the retailer where it was purchased. Many stores will refund unopened gift cards within a certain window — often 30 to 90 days, though policies vary. You will need your receipt or proof of purchase.
Beware of gift card conversion websites
You may see websites advertising that they will buy your Amazon gift card balance for cash. These services do exist, but they operate at rates far below the card's face value. You might receive 50 to 70 cents for every dollar of balance, meaning a $100 gift card could net you only $50 to $70 in actual money.
Some of these sites are legitimate resellers who then sell the codes to other buyers at a markup. Others are outright scams designed to steal your gift card code without paying you. Unless you are in a genuine financial emergency and have no other option, these services are not worth the loss.
If you do decide to use a reseller, research the company's reputation first. Look for reviews on independent sites, check how long they have been in business, and never send your gift card code before receiving payment confirmation.
If you received a gift card as a refund or return
Sometimes Amazon issues a refund as a gift card balance instead of returning money to your original payment method. This happens most often when the original payment method is no longer valid or when Amazon's system defaults to store credit.
If this happened to you, contact Amazon's customer service and explain that you would prefer a refund to your bank account or credit card instead. They can sometimes reverse the gift card credit and process a traditional refund, though this depends on how long ago the return was processed and your account history.
Have your order number ready when you contact them. Amazon's customer service chat is usually faster than phone support for this type of request.
Checking your gift card balance
If you are unsure how much balance you have, you can see it in your Amazon account. Sign in, go to "Account & Lists," select "Your Account," then look for "Gift cards" or "Gift card balance." The balance will be displayed in dollars and cents.
You can also check the balance on a physical gift card without redeeming it by visiting Amazon's gift card balance checker page and entering the code on the back of the card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my Amazon gift card balance to pay for Amazon Prime membership?
Yes. When you renew your Prime membership, Amazon will explore your gift card balance first before charging any payment method on file. This is one of the few non-product purchases you can make with gift card credit.
What happens to my gift card balance if I close my Amazon account?
If you close your account, any unused gift card balance is forfeited. Before closing your account, spend or transfer your balance to another person. Once the account is closed, Amazon does not refund unused balances.
Can I transfer my Amazon gift card balance to someone else's account?
Not directly. You cannot move balance from your account to another person's account. However, you can purchase a new gift card using your balance and send it to them via email or physical delivery.
Is there a way to convert my gift card to cryptocurrency or PayPal?
No official method exists. Third-party sites may claim to offer this, but they are either scams or charge such high fees that you lose most of the value. Stick with spending the balance on Amazon or transferring it as a gift card to someone else.
What if my gift card code was never activated?
If you have an unopened physical gift card, contact the retailer where it was purchased with your receipt. Most retailers will refund unopened cards within their return window. If it was purchased online, contact the seller directly.