Amazon gift cards are a popular and versatile way to shop for millions of items online. Whether you received one as a gift or purchased it yourself, understanding how to redeem and use your Amazon gift card is key to unlocking its value. This guide will walk you through the simple steps to use your Amazon gift card and maximize your shopping experience on the world’s largest online retailer.
Using your Amazon gift card is a straightforward process, primarily done through the Amazon website or app. Here’s how you can redeem and apply your gift card balance:
Redeeming Your Amazon Gift Card:
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Find Your Gift Card Code: Locate your gift card and find the claim code. For physical gift cards, this is usually on the back and you may need to scratch off a protective layer. For e-gift cards, the code is typically in the email you received.
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Go to “Your Account”: Sign in to your Amazon account. If you don’t have one, you’ll need to create one. Once logged in, navigate to “Account & Lists” and then select “Your Account”.
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Access “Gift Cards”: In your account dashboard, find and click on the “Gift cards” option. This will take you to the Amazon Gift Card center.
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Redeem a Gift Card: Click on the button that says “Redeem a gift card”. You’ll be prompted to enter your claim code.
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Enter Your Claim Code: Carefully type in the claim code you found on your gift card. Double-check that you’ve entered it correctly.
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Apply to Your Account: Click “Apply to Your Balance.” The gift card amount will be immediately added to your Amazon Gift Card balance, ready for use on your next purchase.
Using Your Amazon Gift Card During Checkout:
Once your gift card balance is redeemed, it’s automatically applied to eligible orders during the checkout process.
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Shop as Usual: Add the items you wish to purchase to your Amazon shopping cart and proceed to checkout.
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Payment Method Selection: On the payment method selection screen, you will see your Amazon Gift Card balance listed as a payment option. If your gift card balance is sufficient to cover the entire order, it will be automatically selected.
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Applying Gift Card Balance: If your gift card balance doesn’t cover the full amount, the remaining balance will be due via another payment method, such as a credit or debit card. You can choose to apply your gift card balance fully or partially if you prefer to save some for later.
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Complete Your Purchase: Review your order and payment details, and then click “Place your order”. Your gift card balance will be deducted from the total purchase amount.
Checking Your Amazon Gift Card Balance:
You can easily check your remaining gift card balance at any time:
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Return to “Your Account”: Go back to “Account & Lists” and “Your Account”.
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Access “Gift cards”: Navigate to the “Gift cards” section again.
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View Your Balance: Your current Amazon Gift Card balance will be displayed prominently.
Important Considerations:
- Amazon.com Only: Amazon Gift Cards are primarily designed for use on Amazon.com and related Amazon websites in your region.
- Not Universally Accepted: Unlike general-purpose gift cards (like Visa or Mastercard gift cards), Amazon Gift Cards cannot be used at other retailers or websites outside of the Amazon ecosystem.
- No Reload Option: Currently, you cannot reload or add more value to an existing Amazon Gift Card.
- Expiration: Amazon Gift Cards generally do not have expiration dates, but it’s always wise to use them within a reasonable timeframe.
Conclusion:
Amazon gift cards are a convenient and valuable currency within the Amazon marketplace. By following these simple steps, you can easily redeem and use your gift card to purchase a wide array of products. Understanding how to manage your gift card balance ensures you can take full advantage of your gift and enjoy a seamless shopping experience on Amazon.
