Amazon gift cards cannot be transferred directly to a bank account
An Amazon gift card balance stays in your Amazon account and can only be spent on Amazon.com or through Amazon's app. Amazon does not offer a way to convert that balance into cash or move it to a checking or savings account. If you have an unused gift card code, you can redeem it to your account, but the money never leaves Amazon's system.
The only exception is if you have an Amazon Business account with a corporate purchasing card tied to it — that card can transfer funds to a linked bank account, but that is a different product from a consumer gift card. For a standard Amazon gift card, your options are limited to spending it on Amazon or, in some cases, requesting a refund under specific circumstances.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon gift card balances cannot be transferred to a bank account under any circumstances through Amazon's official system.
- You can only spend the balance on Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods, or other Amazon-owned services.
- If you received a gift card you cannot use, you may request a refund from the person who sent it or from Amazon if the card was purchased in error.
- Third-party services that claim to convert gift cards to cash often charge high fees and carry fraud risk.
- Selling an unused gift card code to another person is legal but carries the risk that the code may have already been redeemed.
What you can actually do with an Amazon gift card balance
Once you redeem a gift card code to your Amazon account, that balance becomes part of your account credit. You can use it to buy physical items, digital content like Kindle books or music, Prime Video rentals, or groceries through Amazon Fresh. The balance also works at Whole Foods if you pay with your Amazon account at checkout.
If you have a balance you do not want to use, you have a few legitimate paths. If the gift card was sent to you by someone and you genuinely cannot use it, you can ask that person to request a refund from Amazon — Amazon will refund gift cards purchased within 90 days if they have not been redeemed. If you purchased the gift card yourself by mistake, contact Amazon customer service with your order number and they may issue a refund depending on how long ago you bought it.
Why Amazon does not allow balance transfers
Amazon's gift card system is designed to keep money within its ecosystem. Allowing transfers to bank accounts would create liability for Amazon, expose the company to money laundering concerns, and reduce the likelihood that customers spend the full balance on Amazon's platform. From a business standpoint, gift cards are a tool to drive sales — once the money leaves Amazon, that incentive disappears.
This restriction is standard across most major retailers. Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Apple all operate the same way: gift card balances stay within their systems. The restriction exists partly for fraud prevention — if balances could be moved to bank accounts, stolen gift cards would be far more attractive to criminals.
Third-party gift card conversion services and their risks
Several websites and apps claim they will buy your Amazon gift card balance or convert it to cash. These services typically work by purchasing items from your Amazon account and reselling them, or by buying the gift card code from you at a discount. Common platforms include Raise, CardCash, and Decluttr, though many others exist.
The main risks are significant. First, these services charge fees — you will receive less than the full value of your card, often 10 to 30 percent less. Second, if you sell a gift card code that has already been redeemed or used, you may face a dispute or chargeback. Third, some of these services have been associated with fraud or account compromise. If you use one, you are trusting a third party with your Amazon account login or with a gift card code that could be intercepted. Amazon's terms of service prohibit selling gift cards, so if Amazon detects this activity, your account could be suspended.
Selling or giving away an unredeemed gift card code
If you have a physical gift card or an unredeemed code, you can sell it to another person directly or through a marketplace. Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or eBay allow private sales of gift cards. You can also give it to a friend or family member who will use it.
The legal risk falls on the buyer, not the seller — if the code has already been redeemed or is invalid, the buyer has no recourse from you. To protect yourself as a seller, do not accept payment until the buyer confirms the code works. If you are buying a gift card from someone else, test the code immediately and dispute the transaction if it does not work. Never send money first for an unredeemed code.
What to do if you received a gift card you cannot use
Start by contacting the person who gave you the card. If it was a recent purchase, they can request a refund from Amazon directly — Amazon refunds unused gift cards purchased within 90 days. They will need the order confirmation email and the gift card code.
If the card was purchased more than 90 days ago or you do not know who sent it, contact Amazon customer service. Explain that you received the card and cannot use it. Amazon's policy on older cards is less flexible, but customer service representatives sometimes issue refunds or account credits as a courtesy, especially if the card was a gift and you have a legitimate reason for not using it.
Using your Amazon balance for someone else
If you want to give your Amazon gift card balance to another person, the only way is to buy something they want and have it shipped to them, or to purchase a digital gift like a Kindle book or Prime Video rental in their name. You cannot transfer the balance itself to another Amazon account.
If you want to give cash to someone instead, you would need to use a separate payment method — a bank transfer, PayPal, Venmo, or another money transfer service. Your Amazon balance cannot be part of that transaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer my Amazon gift card balance to someone else's Amazon account?
No. Amazon does not allow balance transfers between accounts. The only way to give your balance to someone else is to purchase items or digital content in their name and have it sent to them.
What happens if I try to sell my gift card code online?
You can legally sell an unredeemed code to another person, but Amazon's terms of service prohibit it. If Amazon detects this activity, your account may be suspended. Additionally, if the code has already been used, the buyer will have no recourse against you.
Will Amazon refund a gift card if I never used it?
Amazon refunds unused gift cards purchased within 90 days if the original buyer requests it. After 90 days, refunds are at Amazon's discretion. Contact customer service with your order number or the gift card code to request one.
Are there any legitimate services that convert Amazon gift cards to cash?
Third-party services exist, but they charge significant fees (often 10 to 30 percent) and carry fraud risk. Using them violates Amazon's terms of service and could result in account suspension. They are not a reliable option.
Can I use my Amazon gift card balance to pay a bill or loan?
No. Your Amazon balance can only be used to purchase items or services on Amazon's platform. It cannot be applied to external bills, loan payments, or any transaction outside Amazon.