Amazon gift cards cannot move directly to a bank account

An Amazon gift card balance lives in your Amazon account only. Amazon does not offer a feature to transfer that balance to a linked bank account, debit card, or external payment service. The balance exists as store credit—it can only be spent on Amazon.com or through Amazon's owned services like Whole Foods or Amazon Fresh.

If you have an unused physical gift card or a digital code, you can add it to your Amazon account and then spend it there. But the money itself does not leave Amazon's system. This is different from a prepaid debit card, which holds actual funds that can be withdrawn or transferred.

There are workarounds, but each one involves spending the balance on something you can then convert to cash or bank transfer. None of them move the Amazon credit directly.

Key Takeaways

  • Amazon gift card balances cannot be transferred directly to a bank account—they only work as store credit on Amazon.
  • You can spend the balance on physical goods and resell them, but you will receive less than the card's face value.
  • Some third-party resale platforms buy Amazon gift cards at a discount, typically 70 to 90 percent of the card's value.
  • The fastest option is usually to spend the balance on something you actually need rather than trying to convert it.

Spending the balance on goods you can resell

The most common workaround is to buy something on Amazon, then sell it elsewhere for cash. You lose money in the process—resale platforms and marketplaces take a cut, and used items sell for less than retail—but you do end up with cash you can deposit.

Popular items to resell include electronics (phones, tablets, headphones), books, video games, and brand-name household goods. The item needs to be new or in near-new condition, and you need a way to ship it. Platforms like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Mercari all accept these items, though each takes a percentage of the sale price. On eBay, that cut is typically 12 to 15 percent. On Mercari, it is 10 percent plus shipping.

The math matters: if your Amazon gift card is worth $100 and you buy a $100 item and resell it for $70 (a realistic used price), then pay 10 percent to the resale platform, you end up with roughly $63 in your bank account. You have lost $37 of the original value.

Selling the gift card itself to a reseller

Several platforms buy unused Amazon gift cards directly. These are not scams, but they are not generous either. They buy at a discount because they will resell the cards or use them for their own purchases.

Common platforms include Raise, CardCash, and Gameflip. Each one works similarly: you enter the card's balance and code, they verify it, and they send you cash via bank transfer or PayPal. The payout is typically 70 to 90 percent of the card's face value, depending on current demand and the platform's fees.

For example, a $100 Amazon gift card might sell for $75 to $85 on these platforms. The transaction usually takes a few business days. You will need to verify your identity and link a bank account or PayPal to receive the money.

The downside is that you lose 10 to 30 percent of the card's value when ready. The upside is speed and simplicity—no shipping, no waiting for an item to sell, no haggling with a buyer.

Using the balance to pay bills or subscriptions

If you have recurring expenses that accept Amazon Pay, you can use the gift card balance to cover them. Amazon Pay is Amazon's payment service, and some utilities, phone providers, and subscription services accept it. This does not put money in your bank account, but it frees up cash there by covering an expense you would otherwise pay from your checking account.

Check whether your regular bills—internet, phone, insurance, streaming services—accept Amazon Pay. If they do, you can link your Amazon account as a payment method and use your gift card balance to pay. This is not a direct transfer, but it has the same practical effect: your gift card balance reduces what you need to withdraw from your bank.

What not to do: third-party transfer services

Avoid services that claim to transfer Amazon gift cards to your bank account directly. These are typically scams. They ask you to provide the gift card code, promise a transfer, and then disappear with the code. Once someone has the code, they can spend the balance when ready, and you have no way to recover it.

Legitimate payment services—PayPal, Venmo, Square Cash—do not accept Amazon gift cards as a funding source. If a service claims it does, it is not legitimate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer an Amazon gift card to someone else's bank account?

No. You can transfer the gift card code itself to another person, and they can add it to their Amazon account. But the balance still cannot leave Amazon's system. The recipient would face the same limitations you do.

What if I have a physical gift card I have never used?

Physical cards work the same way as digital codes. You enter the card number on Amazon.com under "Redeem a Gift Card," and the balance is added to your account. From there, the same options explore: spend it on Amazon, resell items, or sell the card itself to a reseller platform.

Do resale platforms like Raise charge a fee to sell my gift card?

Yes. Raise, CardCash, and similar platforms take a percentage of the sale price or charge an upfront fee. The exact amount varies by platform and current market conditions. Check the platform's fee structure before you list the card.

Is it faster to resell items or sell the gift card directly?

Selling the gift card directly is faster. You get paid within a few business days. Reselling items takes longer because you have to list, wait for a buyer, ship the item, and wait for payment. You also lose more money overall.

Can I use an Amazon gift card to fund a PayPal account?

No. PayPal does not accept Amazon gift cards as a funding source. You would need to spend the Amazon balance on something you can resell, then deposit the cash from that sale into PayPal.