Amazon gift cards don't connect to bank accounts
You cannot add an Amazon gift card directly to your bank account. An Amazon gift card is a prepaid balance that lives only in your Amazon account — it has no routing number, account number, or connection to the banking system. Your bank has no way to receive or recognize it.
What you can do instead depends on what you're trying to accomplish. If you want to move money from an Amazon gift card to your actual bank account, you'll need to spend the balance on Amazon first, then request a refund to your original payment method. If you want to use an Amazon gift card to make purchases, you add it to your Amazon account and it automatically applies at checkout.
The confusion usually comes from mixing up two different things: adding a payment method to Amazon (which you do need to do), and adding an Amazon gift card to a bank account (which isn't possible).
Key Takeaways
- Amazon gift cards are prepaid balances that exist only within Amazon's system and cannot be transferred to a bank account.
- To add an Amazon gift card to your Amazon account, you enter the code during checkout or in your account settings, and the balance applies automatically to future purchases.
- If you need cash instead of an Amazon balance, you must spend the gift card on Amazon first, then request a refund to your original payment method.
- You can add a bank account or debit card to your Amazon account as a payment method, but this is separate from redeeming a gift card.
How to redeem an Amazon gift card in your account
When you have an Amazon gift card code, you add it to your Amazon account through your account settings. Sign in to Amazon, go to "Your Account," then find "Gift cards" or "Redeem a gift card." Enter the code exactly as it appears on the card or email, and the balance will show up in your account immediately.
Once the balance is in your account, it stays there until you spend it. Amazon will automatically use your gift card balance first when you make a purchase, before charging any other payment method. You don't need to do anything else — the balance just sits in your account and applies at checkout.
If you received the gift card by email, the code is usually in the email body or in a link you click. Physical gift cards have the code on the back under a scratch-off panel. Make sure you have the full code before you try to redeem it.
Converting an Amazon gift card to cash
There is no direct way to turn an Amazon gift card into cash in your bank account. However, you can get money back if you buy something and then return it. When you return an item purchased with a gift card balance, Amazon refunds the money to the original payment method — which means if you used a debit card or bank account to pay for the item (and the gift card covered part of it), the refund goes back to that account.
This only works if you actually make a purchase. You cannot simply "cash out" an unused gift card balance. Some third-party sites claim they will buy unused Amazon gift cards from you for cash, but these services typically pay significantly less than the card's face value and carry fraud risk.
If you received an Amazon gift card you don't want to use, your best option is to give it to someone else or sell it through a legitimate gift card resale platform. Do not share the code with anyone you don't trust, since whoever has the code can redeem it.
Adding a bank account as a payment method on Amazon
This is different from adding a gift card, but it's what many people actually need to do. To add a bank account to your Amazon account for future purchases, go to "Your Account," then "Your payments," then "Add a payment method." You can add a debit card, credit card, or bank account directly.
If you add a bank account, Amazon will make two small test deposits to verify it's yours. You'll see these deposits in your bank account within a few business days, and you'll need to confirm the amounts in your Amazon account settings. Once confirmed, you can use that bank account to pay for purchases on Amazon.
This payment method is separate from any gift card balance you have. Amazon will use your gift card balance first, then charge your bank account or card for anything over that amount.
What happens if your gift card code doesn't work
If you try to redeem a code and Amazon says it's invalid, the code may be damaged, already used, or entered incorrectly. Check that you're typing it exactly as it appears — codes are case-sensitive and include both letters and numbers.
If the code looks correct but still doesn't work, contact Amazon customer service with the code and the receipt or email that came with the card. Amazon can verify whether the code was ever activated and can sometimes manually add the balance to your account if there was an error on their end.
Do not share your gift card code with anyone claiming they can "fix" it or activate it for you. If someone asks for the code, it's a scam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer an Amazon gift card balance to someone else's account?
No. Once you redeem a gift card code into your Amazon account, the balance is locked to that account and cannot be moved. If you want to give the balance to someone else, you need to give them the code before you redeem it, so they can redeem it into their own account instead.
What if I have a gift card but no Amazon account yet?
You'll need to create an Amazon account first. Go to Amazon.com, click "Account & Lists," then "Start here," and follow the steps to set up an account with an email and password. Once your account is active, you can redeem the gift card code.
Does Amazon charge a fee to redeem a gift card?
No. Redeeming an Amazon gift card is free. There are no fees, expiration dates, or hidden charges. The full value of the card becomes available in your account immediately.
Can I use an Amazon gift card to pay bills outside of Amazon?
No. Amazon gift card balances work only on Amazon.com and affiliated Amazon services. You cannot use the balance to pay utility bills, credit cards, or any other bills outside the Amazon platform.