Turning spare change into something valuable without fees is always a win. Coinstar kiosks have long been a go-to for converting loose coins into cash or, even better, eGift cards. For many, the ultimate goal is often an Amazon gift card to fuel their online shopping sprees. Like many, I assumed that Coinstar Gift Cards Amazon was a universally available option. Recently, after receiving a bag of coins from my grandfather, I headed to my local grocery store, Coinstar-bound, ready to convert that metal into digital Amazon currency. To my surprise, Amazon was nowhere to be found on the eGift card options. This experience led me down a rabbit hole to understand why, and what I discovered is crucial for anyone looking to get Coinstar gift cards Amazon.
Coinstar kiosk machine for converting coins to cash or gift cards
Coinstar and eGift Cards: A Smart Move for Your Spare Change
Coinstar kiosks are those bright green machines you often see in grocery stores and retail locations. They offer a convenient way to process your piles of coins. While you can get cash back for your coins, it usually comes with a processing fee. However, the savvy move is to opt for eGift cards. Coinstar waives the fees when you choose to convert your coins into gift cards from a variety of retailers, making it a fee-free way to spend your spare change. And for online shoppers, Amazon gift cards are often at the top of the wishlist.
The Unexpected Discovery: Amazon Isn’t Always Available at Coinstar
My recent trip to Coinstar was a wake-up call. Excited to snag an Amazon gift card, I was met with a screen that didn’t list the familiar Amazon logo among the eGift card choices. This wasn’t just a glitch. Further investigation revealed a key piece of information: not all Coinstar kiosks offer Amazon eGift cards. The availability of specific gift card brands, including the highly sought-after Amazon gift cards, varies significantly by kiosk location.
Step-by-Step: How to Check for Amazon Gift Cards at Your Coinstar Kiosk
Before hauling your heavy bag of coins to the nearest Coinstar, it’s wise to check if your desired Amazon gift card is even an option at that specific location. Here’s how you can check directly at the kiosk:
Once you approach the Coinstar kiosk, tap the screen to begin. You’ll be presented with the home screen.
First touchscreen option on a Coinstar kiosk: Coin Services
Select the green “Coin Services” option to proceed.
Second touchscreen option: Redeem coins for eGift Cards on Coinstar
Next, tap the orange “eGift Cards” button. This will take you to the selection of available eGift cards at that particular kiosk.
Now, you’ll be able to browse through the eGift card options. Use the left and right arrow buttons on the screen to navigate through all the pages of available brands.
Page 1 of eGift card options on Coinstar kiosk, showing various brands
Page 2 of eGift card options on Coinstar kiosk, further brand selections
Carefully look through all the pages of eGift card options to see if Amazon is listed. In my case, at this specific kiosk, it was not available.
Last page of eGift card options on Coinstar kiosk, Amazon Gift Card not visible
If you do find the Amazon gift card logo, you can select it to see the minimum and maximum value you can convert to that gift card. This screen will also inform you of any specific terms for that brand.
Coinstar screen showing minimum and maximum value for eGift cards after brand selection
If your chosen gift card, like Amazon, isn’t available, you might need to consider other options or find a different Coinstar location. Choosing cash instead will incur fees, diminishing the value of your converted coins.
Location, Location, Location: Amazon Gift Card Availability Varies Greatly
To further understand the inconsistent availability of Coinstar gift cards Amazon, I did some online sleuthing using the Coinstar website’s “Find a Kiosk” feature. My findings highlighted significant differences based on location.
For example, a Vons grocery store in Costa Mesa, California, showed a wide selection of 22 eGift card options, including the coveted Amazon gift card.
Coinstar eGift Card options at Vons in Costa Mesa, including Amazon Gift Card
However, a Walmart in Irvine, California, just a short distance away, presented a more limited selection of only 12 eGift card brands. Notably, this Walmart Coinstar kiosk lacked options for Amazon, Apple, Lowe’s, Nike, and The Home Depot.
Coinstar eGift Card options at Walmart in Irvine, excluding Amazon and other major brands
Even within the same city, availability can differ. A Safeway in San Francisco offered 21 eGift card options, but again, Amazon was missing from the list.
Coinstar eGift Card options at Safeway in San Francisco, missing Amazon Gift Card option
Searching specifically for Coinstar kiosks in San Francisco that offer Amazon gift cards on the Coinstar website confirmed the absence of this option in the entire city.
No Amazon eGift Card option for Coinstar kiosks in San Francisco area
Conversely, expanding the search to Los Angeles revealed 30 locations where Amazon gift cards are available through Coinstar.
Coinstar Kiosk Finder showing locations with Amazon eGift Card in Los Angeles
This clearly demonstrates that the availability of Coinstar gift cards Amazon is not consistent and depends heavily on the specific kiosk location.
Why Are Amazon Gift Cards Missing from Some Coinstar Kiosks?
The exact reasons behind the varying availability of Amazon gift cards at Coinstar kiosks are not explicitly stated by Coinstar. However, it appears that decisions on which eGift card brands to offer are likely made at a regional or even individual grocery chain level. It’s plausible that agreements between Coinstar and specific retailers or regional preferences influence the selection. While Amazon gift cards are incredibly popular, their inclusion in Coinstar kiosk offerings isn’t guaranteed.
Key Takeaway: Check Before You Convert for Amazon Gift Cards
If your goal is to convert your spare change into Amazon gift cards using Coinstar without incurring fees, the crucial step is to verify availability before you visit a kiosk. Utilize the Coinstar “Find a Kiosk” tool online to search for locations that specifically offer Amazon eGift cards. Alternatively, check directly at the kiosk screen upon arrival to confirm if Coinstar gift cards Amazon are indeed an option. This simple check can save you time and ensure you get the gift card you want, fee-free, for your coins.
