How to Activate and Use an Amazon Gift Card

Amazon gift cards activate automatically when you add the code to your account

When you receive an Amazon gift card—whether as a physical card, an email, or a printed code—you don't need to do anything special to "activate" it in the way you might with a credit card. Instead, you add the code to your Amazon account, and the balance becomes available to spend right away. The process takes about two minutes and works the same whether the card came from a store, was emailed to you, or arrived in a gift box.

The key difference between Amazon gift cards and other payment cards is that Amazon gift cards don't require activation through a separate phone line or website. You simply enter the code into your account, and it's ready to use on your next purchase. The balance stays in your account until you spend it, and it doesn't expire as long as your Amazon account remains active.

Key Takeaways

• You add an Amazon gift card code to your account through the "Redeem a Gift Card" page on Amazon.com or through the Amazon app, and the balance appears immediately.
• Physical gift cards have a 16-digit code on the back; email gift cards come with a code in the message; printed codes can be entered the same way as any other.
• Your gift card balance shows in your account under "Gift Cards" and is used automatically when you check out, before any other payment method is charged.
• Amazon gift card balances don't expire as long as your account is active, but you should add the code to your account as soon as you receive it to avoid losing a physical card.

How to add a gift card code on Amazon.com

Go to Amazon.com and sign into your account. At the top of the page, hover over "Account & Lists" and select "Your Account" from the dropdown menu. On the left side of the page, look for a section labeled "Gift Cards" and click on "Redeem a Gift Card." This takes you to a page with a text box where you can enter the code.

Type or paste the 16-digit code from the back of your physical card, or copy the code from your email gift card message. Make sure you enter it exactly as it appears—Amazon's system is strict about spacing and capitalization. Once you've entered the code, click the "Redeem" button. Within seconds, your balance will appear in your account under "Gift Cards," and you're done.

If you receive an error message saying the code is invalid, double-check that you've entered every character correctly. Common mistakes include confusing the letter O with the number 0, or the letter I with the number 1. If the code still doesn't work after you've checked it twice, contact Amazon customer service with the code and the receipt or email confirmation showing you received the card.

How to add a gift card code through the Amazon app

Open the Amazon app on your phone and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap "Your Account," then look for "Gift Cards" in the menu. Tap "Redeem a Gift Card" to open the code entry screen.

Enter the 16-digit code the same way you would on the website—carefully, with no extra spaces. Tap "Redeem," and your balance will show up in your account immediately. The app process is identical to the website, so use whichever is more convenient for you at the moment.

Where your gift card balance appears and how it's used

Once you've added a code, your balance shows up in two places. First, it appears under "Gift Cards" in your account settings, where you can see the exact amount available. Second, when you're checking out on any purchase, Amazon automatically applies your gift card balance before asking for another payment method. You don't have to do anything—Amazon uses gift card money first, then charges your credit card or other payment method for anything left over.

If you have multiple gift cards in your account, Amazon combines them into one total balance and draws from that pool as you shop. You can see your running balance anytime by going to your account settings and checking the "Gift Cards" section.

What to do if you lose the physical card or code

If you lose a physical gift card before you've added the code to your account, contact Amazon customer service with your receipt or proof of purchase. Amazon can sometimes look up the code using the purchase information, though this depends on where you bought the card and whether you have documentation.

If you've already added the code to your account and then lose the physical card, there's nothing to worry about—the balance is stored in your account, not on the card itself. If someone else finds the card, they can't use it because the code has already been redeemed to your account.

For email gift cards, save the email message or forward it to yourself so you have a backup copy of the code. If you accidentally delete the email, you can contact Amazon with the sender's information and your account details, and they can help you recover the code.

Gift card balance expiration and account closure

Amazon gift card balances don't expire as long as your account is active. This means you can hold onto the balance for years without it disappearing. However, if your Amazon account is closed for any reason—whether by you or by Amazon—any remaining gift card balance is forfeited and cannot be recovered.

If you're planning to close your account, make sure you've spent any gift card balance first, or transfer it to someone else by purchasing items as gifts and having them shipped to that person. Once your account is gone, the balance is gone with it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone else use my gift card code if they see it?

Yes, if someone has your code before you add it to your account, they can redeem it to their own Amazon account. This is why you should add the code to your account as soon as you receive it, especially with physical cards. Once the code is added to your account, only you can use that balance.

What if the code on my physical card is scratched off or unreadable?

Contact Amazon customer service with your receipt or proof of purchase. If you bought the card from a store, bring your receipt back to that store—many retailers will replace a card with an unreadable code. If you bought it online, Amazon can often look up the code using your order information.

Can I transfer my gift card balance to someone else?

No, once you've added a code to your account, that balance is locked to your account and can't be transferred. However, you can use your balance to buy items and send them as gifts to other people, or you can purchase an Amazon gift card with your balance and give that card to someone else.

Do I need to add the code every time I want to use the gift card?

No. You add the code once, and the balance stays in your account permanently. Every time you make a purchase, Amazon automatically uses your gift card balance first, so you never have to enter the code again.

What happens if I add a code that's already been used?

Amazon will reject the code and show an error message saying it's invalid or already redeemed. This usually means someone else added that code to their account first. Contact Amazon customer service with your receipt to report the issue.