If you’ve received an Amazon gift card, you might be looking to find out its value without going through the process of redeeming it to your account right away. This is a common scenario for those who want to budget their spending or simply verify the amount on a newly received gift card. You might be wondering if there’s a straightforward way to check your Amazon gift card balance without redeeming it, and the short answer is: not through the typical methods on Amazon’s website or app.
Why is this the case? It wasn’t always this way. Amazon previously allowed direct balance checks on their site. However, this feature was exploited by scammers who used automated bots to guess gift card numbers and redeem them fraudulently. To combat this security issue, Amazon changed its system. Now, the standard process requires you to apply the gift card funds to your Amazon account to see the balance. Amazon clearly states on their website:
Once applied to your Amazon account, the entire gift card amount will be added to your gift card balance. Your gift card balance, including Amazon Reload, does not expire and can’t be transferred to other accounts, used to buy other gift cards, or, as except as required by law, redeemed for cash. If you recently paid for part of a purchase using a Gift Card, and that item has not yet shipped, then any new funds added to your Gift Card balance up to the full purchase amount will be applied to that order once it’s shipped. Review terms and conditions.
So, if the standard website function doesn’t allow checking without redeeming, what are your options? The most reliable method is to contact Amazon customer support. They are equipped to assist you with balance inquiries without requiring immediate redemption. Here’s how you can do it.
Contacting Customer Support to Check Your Balance
The only readily available method to view your Amazon gift card balance without redeeming it is to get in touch with Amazon’s customer support team. They have the tools to check the balance for you without you needing to apply the funds to your account. Here are the steps to reach out to them:
- Log into your Amazon account: Go to the Amazon website and log in to your account.
- Navigate to the Contact Us page: Visit https://www.amazon.com/hz/contact-us/ to access Amazon’s customer service portal.
- Choose “Something else”: In the contact options, select “Something else” to broaden your inquiry type.
- Select “I need more help”: This option will typically lead you to more direct support channels.
- Select “Start chatting now”: Initiate a live chat session with an Amazon representative.
- Request to speak to a representative: Once you’re in the chat with the initial bot, type something like “Speak to a representative” or “Connect me to a human agent”.
- Explain your request: Once connected to a representative, explain that you want to check your Amazon gift card balance without redeeming it and provide them with the gift card claim code when asked.
By following these steps and communicating with a customer service representative, you should be able to successfully inquire about your gift card balance without it being applied to your account.
Understanding the Redeeming Method (For Context)
While the focus is on checking the balance without redeeming, understanding the standard redemption process can be helpful for context and for those who ultimately decide to redeem their gift card. It’s also the typical way to view your balance after redemption.
NOTE: The following steps will REDEEM the card to your account.
Redeeming and Viewing Balance on the Amazon Website or Mobile App
How to Redeem the Gift Card:
To redeem your gift card, you will generally use the following link:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/css/gc/balance/
- Website: On the Amazon website, navigate to “Your Account” and then find “Redeem a Gift Card”.
- App: In the Amazon app, tap the menu icon, go to “Your Account,” and then select “Redeem a gift card.”
- Enter the claim code: Input the claim code, which is usually located on the back of a physical card (you might need to scratch off a protective layer) or in the email if it’s a digital gift card.
How to View Your Balance After Redeeming:
Once you have redeemed the gift card, viewing your balance is straightforward.
- Website: Go to “Your Account” and then “Gift Cards.”
- App: Tap the menu icon, then “Your Account,” and finally “Manage gift card balance.”
After redemption, your gift card balance will be displayed and is ready for use on future purchases.
Important Points to Keep in Mind
- Balance Longevity: Your Amazon gift card balance does not expire, so any unused funds will remain in your account for future purchases.
- Physical Card Codes: For physical gift cards, remember to scratch off the security coating on the back to reveal the claim code before attempting to redeem or check the balance with customer service.
- Third-Party Purchases: If you obtained your gift card from a third-party retailer (like a grocery or convenience store), there might be a slight delay before it’s active and ready to be checked or redeemed.
Key Takeaways
- Directly checking your Amazon gift card balance without redeeming it through the website or app isn’t possible due to security measures implemented by Amazon.
- The most effective way to view your Amazon gift card balance without redeeming is to contact Amazon customer service.
- By reaching out to customer support and providing the gift card claim code, they can inform you of the balance without requiring you to apply it to your account.
In conclusion, while Amazon prioritizes security by requiring redemption to view balances through standard methods, customer service provides a viable alternative for those needing to check their gift card value beforehand. This ensures you can manage your gift card effectively for your Amazon shopping needs.
