You can transfer money from Amazon to your bank account, but only if you have Amazon balance to move
Amazon does not let you transfer money directly from a linked bank account or credit card into your Amazon balance. What you can do is move money out of Amazon balance—the account credit that sits in your Amazon wallet—back to a bank account you have registered with Amazon. This works if you have a refund pending, store credit, or balance from a returned item.
The transfer itself takes 1 to 3 business days once you initiate it. Amazon sends the money via ACH, the same system used for direct deposit and bill payments. You cannot transfer partial amounts; Amazon moves your entire available balance in one transaction.
If you are trying to move money into Amazon to pay for purchases, you do that by linking a debit card, credit card, or bank account at checkout—not by transferring funds first. Amazon charges the payment method directly when you buy.
Key Takeaways
- You can only transfer Amazon balance (store credit or refunds) to a bank account, not money from an external source into Amazon.
- The transfer uses ACH and takes 1 to 3 business days to reach your bank account.
- Amazon transfers your entire available balance at once; you cannot split it across multiple transfers.
- You must have a bank account registered with Amazon and confirmed as valid before you can initiate a transfer.
- Refunds from Amazon purchases go to your original payment method by default, not to Amazon balance.
How to transfer Amazon balance to your bank account
Log into your Amazon account and go to Account > Your Account > Gift Cards. Look for the section labeled "Your Balance" or "Amazon Balance." If you have available balance, you will see a button or link to transfer it. Click Transfer to Bank Account.
Amazon will show you the amount available and ask you to confirm the bank account where the money should go. If you have multiple bank accounts linked to your Amazon account, select the one you want to use. Review the amount one more time—once you confirm, the transfer cannot be stopped or reversed.
After you submit, Amazon sends a confirmation email. The money typically arrives within 1 to 3 business days. Some banks post ACH transfers overnight; others take the full three days. Check your bank's transaction history to confirm receipt.
When Amazon balance appears in your account
Amazon balance accumulates in a few specific situations. The most common is a refund: if you return an item or Amazon cancels an order, the money goes back to your original payment method unless you paid with a gift card or store credit. In that case, the refund lands in your Amazon balance instead.
You also build Amazon balance if someone sends you an Amazon gift card and you redeem it but do not spend the full amount. Promotional credits—like cashback offers or rewards from Amazon Prime—also sit in your balance until you use them.
If you received a refund to your bank account or credit card already, that money is not in your Amazon balance; it went directly to the payment method you used. You cannot transfer it again.
What you need before you can transfer
You must have a bank account linked and verified in your Amazon account. Go to Account > Your Account > Login & Security and scroll to "Payment options." If you have not added a bank account yet, click Add bank account and enter your routing number and account number. Amazon will verify the account by depositing two small amounts (usually under $1 each) into it within 1 to 2 business days.
Once those deposits arrive, go back to the same section and confirm the amounts. Amazon will then mark the account as verified and you can use it for transfers. This verification step is required even if you have used the same bank account to pay for Amazon purchases before.
You also need a positive Amazon balance—at least $0.01 available. If your balance is zero, there is nothing to transfer.
Why a refund might not go to Amazon balance
Most refunds go back to the payment method you used to buy the item. If you paid with a debit card, the refund goes to your debit card. If you paid with a credit card, it goes to the credit card company. These refunds bypass your Amazon balance entirely.
The exception is gift cards and store credit. If you bought an item using an Amazon gift card or promotional credit, the refund lands in your Amazon balance instead of going back to a bank account. This is also true if you used a combination of payment methods—say, a gift card plus a debit card. The refund splits the same way: the gift card portion goes back to balance, and the debit card portion goes back to your card.
If you want a refund to go to your bank account instead of sitting in Amazon balance, you have to request it manually. Contact Amazon Customer Service and explain that you want the refund sent to your bank account rather than held as store credit. They can sometimes process this, though it depends on how long ago the refund was issued.
Timing and what to expect
The transfer itself is fast—you initiate it in seconds. But the money does not arrive instantly. Amazon processes the transfer as an ACH payment, which means it goes through the banking system like a direct deposit or bill payment would.
Most banks post ACH transfers the next business day. Some post them the same day if you initiate the transfer early in the morning. A few banks take the full 3 business days. Weekends and bank holidays do not count as business days, so a transfer initiated on Friday may not arrive until Tuesday.
Once the money reaches your bank, it is yours to use. Your bank does not hold it or place any restrictions on it. If the transfer does not arrive within 3 business days, contact Amazon Customer Service with your confirmation email and the date you initiated the transfer. They can investigate whether the transfer was sent correctly.
If you cannot find the transfer option
The transfer option only appears if you have Amazon balance available. If you do not see it, check whether your balance is actually zero. Go to Account > Your Account > Gift Cards and look at the balance displayed at the top of the page.
If you have balance but still do not see a transfer button, your account may not have a verified bank account linked. Go to Account > Your Account > Login & Security > Payment options and confirm that at least one bank account shows a "Verified" status. If all your bank accounts show "Pending verification," wait 1 to 2 business days for Amazon's verification deposits to arrive, then confirm them.
Some older Amazon accounts or accounts in certain regions may not have the transfer feature available yet. If you have confirmed you have balance and a verified bank account but the option still does not appear, contact Amazon Customer Service to ask whether your account supports transfers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer money from my bank account into Amazon balance?
No. You can only transfer money out of Amazon balance to a bank account. To add money to Amazon, you link a payment method at checkout and Amazon charges it when you buy something. You cannot pre-load money into Amazon.
How long does it take for the money to show up in my bank account?
Usually 1 to 3 business days. Most banks post ACH transfers overnight or the next business day. Weekends and holidays do not count as business days, so a Friday transfer may not arrive until Tuesday.
What if I transfer the money by mistake?
Once you confirm a transfer, Amazon cannot stop it or reverse it. The money will reach your bank account within 3 business days. If you need to return it to Amazon, you would have to spend it on Amazon purchases or contact Amazon Customer Service to discuss your options.
Do I have to transfer my entire balance, or can I move just part of it?
Amazon transfers your entire available balance in one transaction. You cannot split it or transfer a partial amount. If you want to keep some balance in your Amazon account, do not initiate a transfer.
Will Amazon charge me a fee to transfer money to my bank account?
No. Amazon does not charge a fee for transferring your balance to a linked bank account. Your bank may charge a fee for incoming ACH transfers, but most banks do not.