Amazon gift card balances cannot be transferred directly to a bank account
Amazon does not offer a way to move gift card money into your bank account. Once a gift card is added to your Amazon account, the balance lives there and can only be spent on Amazon purchases—including physical goods, digital content, and services like Prime Video or Kindle Unlimited. There is no official Amazon feature that converts that balance to cash or moves it to a linked bank account.
If you have an Amazon gift card you do not plan to use, your options are limited to spending it on Amazon or selling the card itself to someone else. Neither path puts money directly into your bank account.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon gift card balances stay in your Amazon account and cannot be transferred to a bank account through any official Amazon process.
- You can spend the balance on any Amazon purchase, including items you buy and then resell elsewhere, but this requires finding a buyer for those items.
- Third-party sites and apps that claim to convert gift cards to cash often charge high fees, may not pay out, or violate Amazon's terms of service.
- Selling an unused gift card on a resale platform like CardCash or Raise is faster than trying to convert it, though you will receive less than the card's face value.
- If someone gave you a gift card fraudulently or you believe the transaction was unauthorized, contact Amazon directly rather than attempting workarounds.
What you can actually do with an Amazon gift card balance
The straightforward path is to spend the balance on Amazon. You can buy physical items, digital goods, or services. If you buy something you do not want to keep, you can return it for a refund—but the refund goes back to your Amazon balance, not to your bank account. You are still stuck with Amazon credit.
Some people buy items on Amazon and resell them on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or other platforms to convert the gift card to cash. This works, but it requires finding buyers, handling shipping, and absorbing any fees or losses from resale. The time and effort often make this impractical for small balances.
Why third-party conversion services do not work
You may see websites or apps claiming they can convert your Amazon gift card to cash. These services typically work by asking you to provide your gift card code, then they either buy items on your behalf or attempt to resell the card. Most charge fees between 5 and 20 percent of the balance.
Many of these services violate Amazon's terms of service, which prohibit selling or transferring gift card codes. Amazon regularly closes accounts that use these workarounds, and you may lose both the gift card balance and access to your account. Additionally, some of these services are scams that take your gift card code and never pay out.
Selling your gift card on a resale platform
If you genuinely do not want to use the balance, you can sell the unused gift card itself on platforms like CardCash, Raise, or Decluttr. These sites connect buyers and sellers of gift cards. You list your card, set a price (usually 70 to 90 percent of face value), and once a buyer purchases it, you receive payment via bank transfer, PayPal, or check.
The process typically takes a few days to a week. You will receive less than the card's full value—the discount is how these platforms make money—but you do get actual cash. This is legal and does not violate Amazon's terms because you are selling the card itself, not the balance after it has been added to an account.
Before listing, confirm the card has not been used and that you have the original code. Some platforms verify the balance before paying you.
If the gift card was given to you fraudulently
If someone sent you an Amazon gift card as part of a scam, or if you believe the transaction was unauthorized, do not attempt to spend it or convert it. Contact Amazon directly through your account or by phone. Explain that you received the card fraudulently and ask them to investigate.
Amazon can reverse fraudulent gift card transactions and may refund the original payment method. This is faster and safer than trying to work around the system yourself. If the card was purchased with a stolen credit card, Amazon's fraud team will handle that separately.
What happens if you ignore the balance
Amazon gift card balances do not expire. You can leave the money in your account indefinitely and use it whenever you make a purchase. There is no penalty for letting it sit unused. However, if your Amazon account is closed for any reason, you will lose access to that balance.
If you have a very small balance—a few dollars—it may not be worth the effort to sell or convert. You can simply hold it until you make your next Amazon purchase and use it then.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I request a refund of my Amazon gift card balance to my bank account?
No. Amazon does not refund gift card balances to bank accounts. If you used a gift card to make a purchase and then returned that purchase, the refund goes back to your Amazon balance, not your original payment method. The only way to get cash is to sell the unused card on a resale platform or spend it on Amazon and resell the items you buy.
Is it safe to use a gift card conversion website?
Most conversion services violate Amazon's terms of service and carry a high risk of account closure. Some are also scams. Selling your card on an established resale platform like CardCash or Raise is safer and legal, though you will receive less than face value.
What if I have a very small balance left over?
Small balances do not expire and can sit in your account indefinitely. You can use them on your next Amazon purchase. If the amount is only a dollar or two, the effort to sell or convert it usually is not worth it.
Can I transfer my Amazon gift card balance to someone else's account?
No. Once a gift card is added to your Amazon account, it is tied to that account permanently. You cannot move it to another person's account. If you want to give the balance to someone else, you would need to buy items and send them as gifts, or sell the unused card on a resale platform and give them the cash.