Amazon gift card balance cannot be transferred directly to a bank account
Amazon does not allow you to move gift card funds into a checking or savings account. Once a gift card is added to your Amazon account, the balance lives there permanently and can only be spent on Amazon purchases—including physical goods, digital content, and services like Prime membership or AWS credits.
If you have an Amazon gift card you do not plan to use, your options are limited to spending it on Amazon, giving it to someone else, or selling it to a third party. There is no official Amazon process to convert the balance to cash or move it elsewhere.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon gift card balances cannot be transferred to a bank account through any official Amazon process.
- Once redeemed, the balance is locked to your Amazon account and can only be used for Amazon purchases.
- Third-party gift card resale sites may buy your balance at a discount, but this involves selling to another person or company, not Amazon.
- If you received a gift card you cannot use, you can transfer it to another person's Amazon account before redeeming it.
- Unused physical gift cards can be sold on resale platforms, but digital gift card codes have no resale market.
What happens when you redeem an Amazon gift card
When you add a gift card to your Amazon account, the funds merge with your account balance. This balance is stored as Amazon account credit, not as money in a separate wallet. You can see your current balance under "Gift Cards" in your account settings, but it exists only within Amazon's system.
Amazon account credit can be used to pay for anything sold by Amazon or third-party sellers on the platform. It covers the full purchase price or a partial payment, and any remainder stays in your account for future purchases. There is no expiration date on Amazon gift card balances, so the money does not disappear if you do not spend it immediately.
Why Amazon does not allow transfers to bank accounts
Gift cards are designed to lock spending within a single retailer. Allowing transfers to bank accounts would defeat that purpose and would require Amazon to process refunds—something gift card programs are built to avoid. From Amazon's perspective, keeping the balance in your account increases the likelihood you will spend it on additional purchases.
This restriction is standard across major retailers. Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and most other chains do not allow gift card balances to be moved to external bank accounts either. The restriction is a business model, not a technical limitation.
Selling your Amazon gift card balance through third-party sites
If you have already redeemed the gift card to your Amazon account, you cannot sell the balance directly. However, if you still have the unredeemed gift card code, you can list it on resale platforms like CardCash, Raise, or Decluttr. These sites buy gift cards at a discount—typically 70 to 90 percent of face value—and pay you through PayPal, direct deposit, or check.
The discount varies based on demand. Popular retailers like Amazon command higher prices than niche stores. Payment usually arrives within one to five business days after the site confirms the code works. Keep in mind that selling a gift card code means you lose access to that balance, so only do this if you are certain you will not use it.
Once you have redeemed the code to your Amazon account, resale is no longer an option. The balance is tied to your account and cannot be separated.
Transferring an unredeemed gift card to someone else
If you have not yet added the gift card to your Amazon account, you can give the code to another person. They can redeem it to their own account and use the balance however they want. This works for both physical gift cards (which have a code on the back) and digital gift cards sent via email.
If the gift card was sent to your email address, you can forward the email to someone else, or you can provide them with the code directly. There is no registration or ownership verification—whoever has the code can redeem it. This makes it a simple way to pass along unused gift cards without involving a third party.
Using your Amazon balance for non-Amazon purchases
Amazon account credit cannot be used outside of Amazon's ecosystem. You cannot use it to pay bills, transfer money to another person, or make purchases on other websites. The only exception is AWS (Amazon Web Services), which is Amazon's cloud computing platform. If you have an AWS account linked to your Amazon account, you can use your gift card balance to pay for AWS services.
For most people, this means the balance is limited to shopping on Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh (grocery delivery), or Prime Video. If you do not use any of these services, the gift card balance will sit unused indefinitely.
What to do if you received a gift card you cannot use
Your best options depend on whether the card has been redeemed yet. If you still have the unredeemed code, sell it on a resale platform or give it to someone else. If it has already been added to your account, you can spend it on Amazon purchases you might not have made otherwise—household items, gifts for others, or subscriptions like Prime or Kindle Unlimited.
Some people use unwanted Amazon balances to buy discounted gift cards for other retailers, which are sometimes sold on Amazon by third-party sellers. This is not a direct conversion to cash, but it can redirect the balance toward something more useful. Check the seller ratings carefully, as gift card sales carry fraud risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I request a refund on an Amazon gift card?
Amazon does not refund gift cards once they have been redeemed to your account. If the card was purchased by mistake or as a gift you cannot use, your only option is to spend the balance on Amazon or sell the unredeemed code through a resale site. If the card was fraudulently charged to your credit card, contact your card issuer, not Amazon.
What if I have a very old Amazon gift card balance I forgot about?
Amazon gift card balances do not expire, so your old balance is still there. Log into your Amazon account and check your gift card balance under Account Settings. You can use it whenever you want, or sell the code if it has not been redeemed yet.
Can I transfer my Amazon balance to a family member's account?
No. Once redeemed, the balance is locked to your account and cannot be moved. If you want to give the balance to someone else, you must spend it on a purchase and send them the item, or sell the unredeemed code and give them the proceeds.
Do resale sites pay the full value of the gift card?
No. Resale platforms typically pay 70 to 90 percent of the card's face value, depending on demand and the retailer. Amazon cards usually sell closer to the higher end because they are popular, but you will never receive the full amount.
What happens if I try to return an Amazon purchase and get a refund?
Refunds for items purchased with gift card balance go back to your Amazon account as credit, not to your original payment method. The money stays in your Amazon account and can be used for future purchases.