Learn About Transferring Amazon Gift Card Balances

Understanding Amazon Gift Card Basics and Transfer Limitations

Amazon gift cards come in several forms, each with different rules about what you can do with the balance. Physical gift cards, digital gift cards sent via email, and gift card codes all work similarly once redeemed into your Amazon account. However, Amazon's current policies place significant restrictions on moving balances between accounts or converting them to cash.

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When you redeem a gift card code into your Amazon account, that balance becomes part of your Amazon.com store credit. This is different from a prepaid card or bank account. Store credit can only be used to purchase items from Amazon or its affiliated services like Prime Video or Audible. According to Amazon's terms of service, once a gift card is redeemed to an account, the balance cannot be transferred to another person's account, converted to a different form of currency, or moved to a bank account.

The key limitation to understand is that Amazon gift card balances are non-transferable after redemption. This means if someone redeems a $50 gift card to their account and later wants to give that money to a family member, they cannot directly move the $50 balance to the other person's account. This policy exists across all Amazon regions and account types, including business accounts and Prime member accounts.

Before redemption, however, an unredeemed gift card code can be given to another person. The recipient can then redeem it into their own account. This is the primary way to "transfer" a gift card value—by sharing the code itself rather than the redeemed balance.

Practical Takeaway: Understand the difference between an unredeemed gift card code (which can be shared) and a redeemed balance (which cannot be transferred). Plan accordingly if you receive a gift card intended for someone else.

Methods for Sharing Unredeemed Gift Card Codes

If you have an unredeemed Amazon gift card code that you want to pass along to another person, there are several straightforward methods to share it. The code itself—typically a 14-character alphanumeric string—is what holds the value, not the physical card or email message.

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Physical gift cards contain a code on the back, usually hidden under a scratch-off panel or printed on the card itself. You can photograph this code, write it down, or simply hand the card to the intended recipient. The person receiving it can then visit Amazon.com, go to their account settings, and select "Redeem a Gift Card." They enter the code, and the balance appears in their account immediately. This method works for cards purchased from retailers or Amazon directly.

Digital gift cards sent via email contain a code within the message. If Amazon sent you a gift card email and you want to forward it to someone else, you can copy the code from the email and send it separately, or forward the entire email message. The recipient simply needs access to the code to redeem it into their own account.

Mobile gift card codes work the same way. If you received a gift card through Amazon's app or as a digital file, the code can be shared by screenshot, text message, email, or any other digital method. There is no registration or personal information attached to an unredeemed code—whoever has access to it can redeem it.

Security consideration: treat unredeemed gift card codes like cash. Once someone has the code, they can redeem it. Do not share codes through unsecured channels or with people you don't trust. If you photograph a code to send to someone, delete the photo after confirming they have successfully redeemed it.

Practical Takeaway: Share unredeemed gift card codes through direct communication with the intended recipient. Verify they have successfully redeemed it before deleting any records of the code.

What Happens When You Redeem a Gift Card to Your Account

Once you enter a gift card code into your Amazon account, the balance converts into Amazon.com store credit. This credit appears in your account settings under "Gift Card Balance" and can be viewed at any time. The credit is now permanently tied to that specific Amazon account and cannot be separated from it.

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Redeemed balances appear as a payment option during checkout. When you purchase something on Amazon, the system automatically applies available store credit to reduce the total price. If your balance is $50 and you buy a $35 item, your new balance becomes $15. If you buy something that costs more than your balance, you pay the difference with another payment method like a credit card or debit card.

The balance does not expire under normal circumstances. Amazon store credit remains available indefinitely, though the specific terms state that balances may expire if an account remains inactive for an extended period (typically measured in years, not months). Using your account for any purchase, login, or account activity resets this timer.

Redeemed balances work across different Amazon services. If you have store credit in your Amazon account, you can use it to purchase Kindle books, subscribe to Prime Video, buy music through Amazon Music, or purchase items from third-party sellers on Amazon.com. The balance is flexible within the Amazon ecosystem but cannot leave it.

There is no way to convert redeemed balance back into a gift card code, nor can you remove it as cash to a bank account. Amazon does not offer refunds on gift card balances except in specific situations covered by consumer protection laws, such as unused, unopened digital content purchases or items purchased in error that meet return policies.

Practical Takeaway: After redeeming a gift card, treat the balance as store credit tied to that account. Plan how you will use it within Amazon's services, knowing it cannot be converted to cash or moved elsewhere.

Workarounds and Alternative Approaches When Transfer Isn't Possible

Because direct balance transfers are not an option through Amazon's system, people in situations where they need to share value sometimes use indirect methods. These approaches involve purchasing items or services and transferring the physical goods or access rather than the credit itself.

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One common approach is purchasing items from your Amazon balance and giving the physical product to someone else. If you have a $100 Amazon balance and want to benefit another person, you could buy something they need or want, then give them the product. This accomplishes the goal of transferring value, though not the balance itself. This method works well for physical items, books, electronics, or household goods.

Another method involves purchasing digital services or gift cards from other companies using your Amazon balance. Some retailers sell digital gift cards through Amazon—cards for restaurants, stores, or entertainment services. You can buy one of these with your Amazon balance and give the resulting gift card to another person. This effectively converts Amazon credit into another form of credit that the recipient can use elsewhere. Common examples include restaurant gift cards, gaming platform credits, or retail store cards.

Some people purchase Amazon Prime memberships or Prime Video subscriptions for others as a gift using their balance. While this doesn't transfer money directly, it provides the recipient with a specific service they can use.

It is important to note that these workarounds involve spending your balance on purchases. They are not the same as transferring the balance itself—you are purchasing something and then providing it to another person. Amazon's terms do not prohibit this activity, as you are simply making purchases from your account, which is the intended use of gift card credit.

Practical Takeaway: If you need to share the value of Amazon credit with someone else, consider purchasing items or services they would use, then giving those items to them. This achieves the goal of sharing value within Amazon's policies.

Regional Differences and Account-Specific Restrictions

Amazon operates in multiple countries and regions, each with its own gift card system and policies. Gift card balances earned or redeemed on Amazon.com (United States) cannot be transferred to Amazon.co.uk (United Kingdom), Amazon.ca (Canada), Amazon.de (Germany), or other regional Amazon sites. Each country's Amazon store operates independently with separate accounts and separate credit systems.

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If you have a balance on Amazon.com and travel to another country, that balance remains on the US site. You cannot access it through the local Amazon site, nor can you transfer it. You would need to either use a VPN or access Amazon.com directly from outside the US to use your US balance. This applies to all regional differences—UK balances stay on UK Amazon, Canadian balances on Canadian Amazon, and so forth.

Gift cards purchased in one country are typically coded to work only on