How Amazon Gift Cards Work and When You Can Use Them
Amazon gift cards work immediately after you add the balance to your account
When you receive an Amazon gift card — whether as a code in an email, printed on a physical card, or as a QR code — you add it to your Amazon account by entering the code on Amazon's website or app. Once you do, the balance appears in your account and you can spend it right away on anything Amazon sells. There is no separate activation step, no waiting period, and no phone call required.
The confusion usually comes from the word "activation" itself. Amazon does not activate gift cards the way some credit card companies do. Instead, you simply redeem the code, and the money is yours to use immediately. If you have not yet created an Amazon account, you will need to do that first — but the gift card code itself does not need anything beyond being entered into your account.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon gift card codes are ready to use the moment you enter them into your account — there is no activation process or waiting time.
- You can redeem a code on Amazon.com, the Amazon app, or through Alexa by saying "Alexa, redeem my gift card."
- Once the balance is added to your account, it stays there until you spend it, with no expiration date.
- If a code does not work, check that you typed it correctly, that the card has not already been redeemed, and that you are in the correct country's Amazon store.
Where to enter your Amazon gift card code
On a computer or phone browser, go to Amazon.com, sign in to your account, and look for "Redeem a Gift Card" in the top navigation menu or search for it directly. Click the link, paste or type your code into the box, and select "Apply to Your Balance." The money appears in your account immediately.
If you use the Amazon app on your phone, open it, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), scroll down to "Your Account," and select "Redeem a Gift Card." Enter your code the same way. You can also use an Alexa device by saying "Alexa, redeem my gift card" and then reading the code aloud or entering it on your phone when prompted.
What happens after you redeem the code
The balance goes into your Amazon account as store credit. When you buy something, Amazon automatically deducts the purchase from your gift card balance first, then charges any remaining amount to your default payment method. You do not need to do anything else — the balance just sits there waiting to be spent.
Amazon gift card balances do not expire. You can use them immediately or wait months or years; the money will still be there. If you have multiple gift cards, you can redeem as many codes as you want, and they all add together in your account.
Why a code might not work
The most common reason is a typing error. Gift card codes are long and include both letters and numbers, so check that you entered it exactly as it appears — uppercase and lowercase matter. If you are copying and pasting, make sure you did not accidentally include a space at the beginning or end.
A code might also not work if it has already been redeemed by someone else, if it was damaged or printed incorrectly, or if you are trying to use it in the wrong country's Amazon store. An Amazon gift card bought in the United States, for example, only works on Amazon.com, not on Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.ca. If you are certain the code is correct and you are in the right store, contact Amazon customer service with the code and the receipt or email where you received it.
Physical cards versus email codes
A physical Amazon gift card works exactly the same way as an emailed code. On the back of the card, you will find a long code under a scratch-off panel or printed directly on the card. Scratch off the panel if there is one, then enter that code into your account using the same steps as an email code.
Email codes arrive as a link or as text in the message. Click the link and you will be taken to Amazon's redeem page with the code already filled in, or copy the code from the email and paste it into the redeem box yourself. Either way, the result is the same — the balance appears in your account immediately.
Using your gift card balance across Amazon services
Your Amazon gift card balance works on Amazon.com for physical products, digital items, and subscriptions. It also works on Amazon Prime Video purchases, Kindle books, and Amazon Music if you buy individual songs or albums. However, it does not work for Amazon Prime membership fees, AWS (Amazon Web Services), or third-party seller services like Amazon Business.
If you have a balance and you want to use it on a service that does not accept gift cards, you will need to use a different payment method. Your gift card balance will remain in your account untouched.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check my Amazon gift card balance?
Yes. Sign into your Amazon account, go to "Your Account," and select "Gift Cards." You will see your current balance and a history of when you redeemed codes. You can also see your balance at checkout before you complete a purchase.
What if I lose the gift card code before I redeem it?
If you received it by email, search your email for the message or check your spam folder. If it was a physical card, contact the person or store that gave it to you. If you have a receipt, Amazon customer service may be able to help you recover the code, though this depends on how the card was purchased.
Can I transfer my gift card balance to someone else?
No. Once you redeem a code into your account, the balance is tied to that account and cannot be moved or transferred. If you want to give money to someone else, you would need to purchase a new gift card in their name instead.
Does my gift card balance expire?
No. Amazon gift card balances do not expire and can be used anytime. You can redeem a code today and use the balance a year from now without any penalty or loss of value.
Can I use a gift card from another country on my US Amazon account?
No. Gift cards are region-specific. A code purchased for Amazon.com only works on the US store, and codes from other countries' Amazon stores cannot be used in the United States. Make sure your code matches the Amazon store you are signed into.