Amazon gift card balance cannot move directly to a bank account
Amazon does not allow you to transfer an unused gift card balance to a linked bank account, debit card, or external payment method. Once a gift card is added to your Amazon account, the balance stays there and can only be spent on Amazon purchases—including physical goods, digital content, and Amazon services like Prime membership or Kindle Unlimited.
If you have an Amazon gift card you do not plan to use, your options are limited to spending it on Amazon, selling it to a third party, or requesting a refund under specific circumstances. There is no official Amazon process to convert the balance to cash in your bank account.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon gift card balances cannot be transferred to a bank account through any official Amazon process.
- You can spend the balance on any may be able to access Amazon purchase, including items shipped to you or digital products.
- Third-party gift card resale sites will buy unused Amazon gift cards at a discount, typically 70 to 92 percent of face value.
- If the gift card was purchased with a stolen payment method or obtained through fraud, Amazon may reverse the balance, but this does not put money in your bank account.
- Refunds for Amazon purchases go back to your original payment method, not to a separate bank account you link later.
What happens when you spend your Amazon gift card balance
When you add a gift card to your Amazon account, it becomes a stored balance in your Amazon wallet. Any purchase you make on Amazon—whether it is a physical item, an e-book, a movie rental, or a subscription—will draw from that balance first, before charging any linked credit card or debit card.
If your purchase costs less than your gift card balance, the remainder stays in your account. If your purchase costs more, Amazon charges your linked payment method for the difference. You can check your current balance by going to Your Account > Gift Cards on Amazon.com.
Once you spend the balance, it is gone. There is no way to reverse a purchase and have the money sent to your bank account instead of back to your Amazon wallet.
Selling your Amazon gift card to a third party
If you do not want to spend the balance on Amazon, you can sell the gift card to a resale platform. Sites like Raise, CardCash, and Decluttr buy unused Amazon gift cards and pay you through bank transfer, PayPal, or check. The amount you receive is typically 70 to 92 percent of the card's face value, depending on current demand and the platform's fees.
To sell through these platforms, you will need the gift card code (a 14 or 16-digit number on the back of a physical card, or in your email confirmation for a digital card). You provide the code to the platform, they verify it has not been used, and they send you payment. The buyer then receives the code and adds it to their own Amazon account.
This process usually takes one to three business days from the time the platform confirms the code is valid. Be aware that these platforms take a cut—typically 8 to 30 percent—so a $100 gift card might net you $70 to $92 depending on the site and current market conditions.
When Amazon will refund a gift card balance
Amazon will reverse a gift card balance in only two situations: if the card was purchased with a stolen or fraudulent payment method, or if the card itself was obtained through fraud. In these cases, Amazon removes the balance from your account to prevent the fraudster from spending it.
However, this reversal does not send money to your bank account. It straightforward deletes the balance. If you purchased the gift card legitimately with your own payment method and now want a refund, Amazon does not offer one—the card is treated as a final sale.
If you received a gift card as a gift and the sender used a stolen payment method, you will lose the balance when Amazon detects the fraud. There is no recourse for you in this situation, even though you did nothing wrong.
How refunds from Amazon purchases return to your payment method
If you buy something on Amazon using your gift card balance and later return it, the refund goes back to your gift card balance, not to a separate bank account. The money reappears in your Amazon wallet within three to five business days.
The only exception is if you used a combination of gift card balance and a credit or debit card to pay for the item. In that case, the refund is split: the gift card portion goes back to your balance, and the credit card portion goes back to that card's issuer (which may take five to ten business days to appear).
This means you cannot use returns as a workaround to move gift card money to your bank account. The refund will always land back on Amazon.
Why Amazon does not allow balance transfers
Amazon treats gift cards as a closed-loop payment system. Once the balance enters your Amazon account, it is locked to that ecosystem. This protects Amazon from fraud and chargebacks—if someone obtained a gift card through theft or fraud, Amazon can freeze or reverse the balance before it leaves the platform.
Allowing direct transfers to bank accounts would create a path for stolen gift cards to be converted to cash, which would increase fraud losses. It would also complicate refund processes and create disputes about whether a transfer was authorized.
From Amazon's perspective, keeping the balance on the platform ensures they can recover it if fraud is discovered, and it keeps the money in their ecosystem where it might be spent on additional purchases.
Alternatives if you cannot spend the balance on Amazon
If you have an Amazon gift card balance but cannot or will not use it on Amazon, your realistic options are limited. You can sell it to a resale platform at a discount, give it to someone else who will use it, or let it sit in your account indefinitely (Amazon gift cards do not expire).
Some people use their balance to buy Amazon gift cards for others as a workaround, but this does not help you get cash—it just moves the balance to someone else's account. Similarly, buying physical gift cards from other retailers using Amazon does not convert the balance to cash; it just trades one form of store credit for another.
If the gift card was a promotional credit issued by Amazon (not a purchased gift card), the rules may differ slightly. Promotional credits are usually non-transferable and expire after a set period. Check the terms in your Amazon account under Your Account > Gift Cards to see if any balance is promotional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer my Amazon gift card balance to someone else's account?
No. Once a gift card code is added to an account, the balance cannot be transferred to another person's Amazon account. If you want to give the balance to someone else, you must give them an unused gift card code before you add it to your account. Once it is added, it is locked to your account.
What if I have a refund pending—will it go to my bank account or my gift card balance?
It depends on how you paid. If you used only your gift card balance, the refund goes back to your balance. If you used a combination of gift card and a credit or debit card, the refund is split between them. Refunds never go to a bank account you link after the purchase.
Do Amazon gift cards expire?
No, Amazon gift cards do not expire. Your balance will remain in your account indefinitely. However, if the gift card was a promotional credit issued by Amazon (not a purchased card), it may have an expiration date—check your account to confirm.
Can I use my Amazon gift card balance to pay for something outside Amazon?
No. Amazon gift card balances can only be used for purchases on Amazon.com and its affiliated services. You cannot use it to pay bills, buy from other retailers, or withdraw cash.
What percentage of my gift card value will I get if I sell it?
Resale platforms typically pay 70 to 92 percent of face value, though the exact amount varies by platform, current demand, and the card's denomination. Smaller denominations often sell for a lower percentage. Check multiple platforms to compare their current rates before selling.