It might come as a surprise, but Amazon doesn’t directly accept Visa gift cards or Mastercard gift cards as a payment method during checkout. This can be frustrating when you’re looking to spend a gift card balance on your Amazon shopping spree. However, there’s a clever workaround that allows you to use these prepaid gift cards to buy almost anything on Amazon.
Amazon’s system is designed to primarily handle credit cards, debit cards, and their own Amazon Gift Cards. Trying to directly input a Visa or Mastercard gift card at checkout often leads to rejection. The trick is to treat your Visa or Mastercard gift card like a regular credit or debit card within your Amazon account settings. This method allows you to effectively “buy from Amazon with a gift card” by using it indirectly.
Getting Your Gift Card Ready for Amazon
Before you start shopping, there are a couple of essential steps to ensure your gift card is ready to use on Amazon:
1. Activation is Key: First and foremost, confirm that your Visa or Mastercard gift card is activated. Most gift cards are activated at the point of purchase, but if you’re unsure, check the packaging for instructions or call the customer service number usually found on the back of the card.
2. Know Your Balance: It’s crucial to know the exact remaining balance on your gift card. Gift cards can sometimes have activation fees, and if you’ve used it before, the balance will be less than the original amount. You’ll need to know the precise amount down to the cent to ensure a smooth transaction. You can usually check your balance online through a website listed on the card or by calling a provided phone number.
Step-by-Step Guide: Adding Your Gift Card to Your Amazon Account
To successfully buy from Amazon using your Visa or Mastercard gift card, you need to add it to your Amazon account as a payment method, just like you would with a regular credit or debit card. Here’s how:
1. Navigate to Your Account: Go to the Amazon website and hover over “Account & Lists” in the top right corner of the homepage. Click on “Your Account” from the dropdown menu.
2. Access Your Payments: On your Account page, find and click on the “Your Payments” option. This will take you to your Amazon Wallet.
3. Add a Credit or Debit Card: Under the “Payment methods” section, you’ll see options to add different payment methods. Click on “Add a credit or debit card.”
Click "Accounts and Lists"
4. Enter Gift Card Details: Now, carefully enter the information from your Visa or Mastercard gift card as if it were a credit or debit card. This includes:
- Card Number: Type in the long card number on the front of your gift card.
- Expiration Date: Enter the expiration date printed on the card.
- Cardholder Name: For the “Name on card,” you can enter “Gift Card Recipient,” “A Gift for You,” or simply “Gift Card.” Some cards may suggest a specific name to use.
Click "Your payments."
5. Billing Address: When prompted for a billing address, enter your own current billing address. Even though the gift card isn’t directly linked to an address, Amazon requires this field to be filled.
6. Using Your Gift Card at Checkout: During the checkout process for your Amazon purchase, you’ll be able to select your newly added gift card as your payment method. It will likely be identified by the last four digits of the card number. Ensure you select this gift card to use its balance for your purchase.
Click "Accounts and Lists"
Maximize Your Gift Card Balance: Alternative Amazon Gift Card Hack
One limitation of using Visa or Mastercard gift cards directly is that Amazon doesn’t allow you to split payments between a gift card added this way and another payment method in a single transaction. If your purchase exceeds the gift card balance, you’ll need to find a workaround.
A smart solution is to use your Visa or Mastercard gift card to buy an Amazon Gift Card for yourself. Here’s how this works to your advantage:
- Combine Payment Methods: Amazon Gift Card balances can be easily combined with other payment methods at checkout. So, if your purchase is more than the value of your Visa gift card, you can use the Amazon Gift Card balance and pay the remaining amount with a credit card or other payment method.
- Flexibility: Once you have an Amazon Gift Card balance, you can use it for any purchase on Amazon without the need to re-enter card details each time.
- Reload Balance: Amazon allows you to easily reload your Amazon Gift Card balance, making it convenient for future purchases. You can find the “Reload your Balance” option under “Gift Cards” in your “Account & Lists.”
Click "Your payments."
To buy an Amazon Gift Card with your Visa or Mastercard gift card, simply follow the steps above to add your Visa/Mastercard gift card as a payment method. Then, navigate to the Amazon Gift Card section, choose the desired amount (up to your Visa/Mastercard gift card balance), and use your added gift card to make the purchase. You will then receive an Amazon Gift Card (usually digitally) which is ready to use and can be combined with other payment options.
Click "Accounts and Lists"
Conclusion: Smart Shopping with Gift Cards on Amazon
While Amazon doesn’t directly advertise accepting Visa or Mastercard gift cards, by using this simple “credit card” trick, you can easily buy from Amazon with a gift card. And for even greater flexibility, converting your prepaid gift card balance into an Amazon Gift Card offers a seamless way to manage your spending and combine payment methods. So, dust off those Visa and Mastercard gift cards and enjoy shopping on Amazon!
