It might sound too good to be true, but numerous legitimate companies offer free Amazon gift cards. Considering how widely Amazon is used for online shopping, a free Amazon gift card is practically as good as cash in today’s economy.
free amazon gift cards
This article will explore genuine methods for acquiring free Amazon credit, many of which can be implemented with minimal effort, often on autopilot.
So, what are the most effective strategies to earn free Amazon gift cards? Let’s dive into the best options available.
Best Overall | – UserInterviews.com – 4.1 – Get paid $50-$150 per hour for participating in research studies, with payouts in Amazon gift cards. | |
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Most Versatile Earning Methods | – Swagbucks – 4.4 – Swagbucks has rewarded its users with over $550 million in the past decade. | |
Best for Passive Income | – Nielsen Computer and Mobile Panel – 4.0 – Earn up to $60 annually in free Amazon gift cards passively. |
Best Overall
UserInterviews.com
4.1
Earn $50-150/hr for research studies, payable in Amazon gift cards.
Join for Free
Most Versatile Earning Methods
Swagbucks
Swagbucks
4.4
Swagbucks has paid out over $550 million to users over the last 10+ years.
Sign Up Here
Best for Passive Income
Nielsen Computer and Mobile Panel
4.0
Earn up to $60 in free Amazon gift cards every year.
Join for Free
1. Participate in User Research Studies with User Interviews
User Interviews stands out as an excellent platform for connecting individuals with various online and in-person consumer research studies. The majority of these studies offer compensation in the form of Amazon gift cards, often ranging from $50 to $200 per hour for your participation.
user interviews
Personal experience shows that earning free Amazon gift cards through User Interviews is quite feasible. For example, approximately $105 in Amazon gift cards were earned in about 90 minutes of participation. More details can be found in a comprehensive User Interviews review.
2. Leverage Credit Card Rewards Programs
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a prime example of how credit card rewards can translate into free Amazon credit. This card offers “double miles” on every purchase made. These accumulated miles can be redeemed for various options, including statement credits, travel purchases, and importantly, gift cards.
Interestingly, redeeming miles for Amazon gift cards offers a greater value compared to statement credits. While 2,000 miles might only reduce your statement balance by $10, the same 1,250 miles can be exchanged for a $10 Amazon gift card. This represents a 60% increase in value when opting for Amazon credit.
Currently, Capital One is offering a substantial 75,000 bonus miles to new cardholders who spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. This bonus alone is equivalent to $600 in Amazon gift cards.
Furthermore, cardholders also receive a $250 credit to use on Capital One Travel within their first year.
While the card does come with a $95 annual fee, the flexibility of rewards and benefits, particularly on non-Amazon spending, makes it a worthwhile consideration.
Best Value Credit Card for Amazon Rewards
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card 4.9
$95 Annual Fee
Earn a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. (Equivalent to $600 in Amazon credit.) Plus, receive a $250 credit for Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Learn More
Disclaimer: We earn a commission if your application is approved, at no additional cost to you.
Click here to explore this card and other reward credit card options.
Over time, utilizing rewards credit cards like the Venture card can accumulate hundreds of dollars worth of free Amazon purchases.
Related Reading: Credit Card Rewards 101: Maximize Cash and Travel by Spending Smarter
3. Utilize Survey Apps in Your Downtime
Survey apps, while not high-paying on an hourly basis, can accumulate earnings over time, especially during moments of downtime like watching television or waiting in lines. These small increments can add up to a significant amount of free Amazon gift card balance.
Here are some highly recommended survey apps to consider for earning free Amazon gift cards:
- Swagbucks: A versatile platform offering various ways to earn points redeemable for Amazon gift cards, including surveys, watching videos, and cashback shopping.
- Survey Junkie: Specifically focused on surveys, Survey Junkie is known for its user-friendly interface and consistent survey opportunities.
- MyPoints: Similar to Swagbucks, MyPoints offers points for surveys, online shopping, and other online activities, which can be converted to Amazon gift cards.
YouTube video
4. Scan Receipts with Fetch Rewards
Easiest Receipt Scanning App
Fetch 4.8
Free to Use
Earn cashback on every receipt you scan, with bonus payouts for purchasing featured products and brands. Use referral code FETCH1000 for 1000 bonus points upon signup.
Pros:
- Extremely user-friendly interface
- Wide array of cash-out options
- Enhanced earnings on popular brands
Cons:
- Minimum receipt value of $0.02 can be low
- Certain rewards have high redemption minimums
Download Fetch Now
Read Our Fetch Rewards Review
Looking for a simple way to monetize your grocery shopping?
Fetch makes it easy: simply snap a photo of your grocery receipt. You’ll earn points for purchasing items from over 250 participating popular brands within the app.
These points can then be redeemed for gift cards to Amazon and a variety of other retailers.
CoinOut is another receipt-scanning app that operates similarly to Fetch and can be used in conjunction for maximizing rewards. More information is available in our comprehensive CoinOut review.
5. Join the Nielsen Computer and Mobile Panel for Passive Earnings
Nielsen, a well-known name in market research, rewards you for contributing to their Internet usage data collection. By participating in the Nielsen Computer and Mobile Panel, you can earn up to $60 in Amazon gift cards annually through passive data sharing. This is the same Nielsen company that has been a long-standing provider of TV ratings.
earn free amazon gift cards passively with nielsen panel
After installing the Nielsen app on your devices, it operates in the background, tracking your internet usage. This data collection earns you points, which are redeemable for Amazon gift cards or cash via PayPal.
Best Passive Income App
Nielsen Computer and Mobile Panel 4.0
Earn up to $60 per year in free Amazon gift cards.
Join Nielsen for Free
6. Instant Amazon Gift Card with Amazon Rewards Credit Card
At the time of writing, new applicants for the Amazon Prime Visa Card could receive a $100 Amazon gift card instantly upon approval. This offer can vary, so it’s always worth checking the latest terms.
amazon prime visa card
This card has no annual fee and provides 5% cash back on all purchases made on Amazon. For frequent Amazon shoppers, this card is a valuable addition to maximize rewards.
7. Earn Weekly with MobileXpression Data Sharing
MobileXpression operates as a market research panel that compensates you for sharing data from your smartphone.
make money sharing mobile data with mobilexpression
By downloading the MobileXpression app and allowing it to run in the background, it tracks your browsing behavior on your phone. In return for your participation, MobileXpression awards weekly credits that can be redeemed for Amazon gift cards.
New users in the US can get a free $5 Amazon gift card after the first week of participation. Availability and bonus amounts may vary by region.
8. Grocery Cashback with Ibotta
Ibotta is a useful app for finding cashback offers on everyday grocery purchases. It requires a bit more active involvement as you need to browse through each store’s offers and select the products you’ve purchased. After shopping, simply take a photo of your receipt, and the cashback will be credited to your account.
ibotta app earnings screenshot
Regular users of Ibotta, a popular receipt scanning app, can earn over $130 per year on average. The earnings can be cashed out as gift cards to Amazon and other retailers, or via PayPal.
9. Redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards Points for Amazon Credit
Chase Ultimate Rewards points offer a convenient option to pay for Amazon purchases directly. This allows you to utilize your existing points balance to cover your Amazon shopping expenses seamlessly.
However, while convenient, redeeming points directly through Amazon typically yields a value of approximately 0.8 cents per point, or $80 for 10,000 points. While this provides an easy way to get “free” Amazon purchases, it’s not the most efficient way to use Chase Ultimate Rewards.
A more valuable redemption option is to exchange your points for Amazon gift cards through the Ultimate Rewards portal. Redeeming 10,000 points this way will get you a $100 Amazon gift card – a better return than direct payment.
chase ultimate rewards amazon gift card redemption
Furthermore, Chase credit cards frequently offer attractive sign-up bonuses for new cardholders, often worth between $200 and $1,000. Check CreditCards.com for the latest card offers and bonus promotions.
For example, the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card often features a $200 sign-up bonus after spending $500 within the first three months, with no annual fee. This equates to a significant 40% cash back on initial spending.
Learn more about maximizing credit card rewards here.
If you anticipate spending $500 in the next three months, leveraging such sign-up bonuses is essentially free money. This card also provides a solid ongoing reward rate of unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
10. Trade-In Old Items with Amazon’s Trade-In Program
Do you have used electronics, video games, books, or other items gathering dust?
Amazon’s Trade-In Program provides a less publicized but effective way to earn Amazon credit by trading in your eligible items.
amazon trade-in program for gift cards
While you might potentially get more money selling items privately, Amazon’s program offers a streamlined and hassle-free process. Amazon also covers the shipping costs for trade-ins.
11. Review Software on Platforms Like G2 and Capterra
G2 and Capterra are prominent software review platforms that occasionally offer Amazon gift cards as incentives for submitting genuine product reviews.
Personal experience includes receiving over $100 in Amazon gift cards from these platforms for writing reviews on software used for professional purposes.
To start earning, begin by submitting your initial software review without expecting immediate compensation. During the review process, these platforms typically inquire about other software tools you use.
Avoid reviewing these additional tools right away. Instead, wait for a follow-up email that may include an offer of a gift card incentive for reviewing specific software.
earn amazon gift cards by reviewing software on capterra
Overall, reviewing software can be a relatively straightforward method to earn free Amazon gift cards.
12. Walk and Earn with CashWalk
CashWalk is a mobile app that utilizes your phone’s pedometer to track your daily steps.
These steps are converted into CashWalk coins, up to a daily maximum of 100 coins. These coins can then be exchanged for gift cards to Amazon and other retailers.
For those who walk regularly, this can translate to approximately $5 in Amazon gift cards every 6 to 8 weeks.
cashwalk step tracking app
The primary requirement is to open the app daily to claim your accumulated coins. This daily interaction is how CashWalk generates revenue through ad views, which in turn funds the gift card rewards.
Use referral code MR9W5 to get 100 bonus coins upon sign-up.
For a more detailed overview, check out our full CashWalk review.
13. Complete Micro-Tasks on Amazon Mechanical Turk
Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (MTurk) is a platform where you can perform small, often repetitive tasks, typically for minimal payment per task usually pennies per task.
While the hourly earnings are generally low, MTurk offers a simple entry point for making money online, especially for beginners.
You have the option to withdraw your earnings to your bank account or deposit them directly as credit into your Amazon account.
Exploring Alternatives to “Free” Amazon Gift Cards
It’s important to acknowledge that the term “free” Amazon gift cards might be slightly misleading.
While these methods don’t require a direct monetary investment, they do necessitate some form of action, whether it’s signing up for services, completing surveys, or engaging in other tasks. Nothing is truly 100% free, and earning Amazon gift cards is no exception.
Getting free money to spend on Amazon is appealing, especially if the process is relatively passive.
However, if your primary goal is to make extra money and you find yourself spending excessive time for minimal Amazon gift card earnings, exploring more efficient income-generating methods might be beneficial.
Here are some alternative side hustle ideas that require low initial investment and have low barriers to entry.
Participate in Higher-Paying Research Studies with Respondent
Similar to User Interviews, Respondent connects individuals with one-on-one consumer research studies and focus groups, but often with higher compensation rates. With an average payout exceeding $100 per hour, Respondent is among the highest-paying online research platforms available.
respondent research participant homepage
Product Flipping for Profit
The principle of “buy low, sell high” remains a viable income strategy, and opportunities for profitable product flipping are widespread.
For instance, Stacy Gallego successfully transitioned from nursing to focus on her flipping business, achieving earnings of up to $7,000 per month.
Side Hustle Nation Approved Flipping Course
Free Flipping Workshop 4.5
Pros:
- Low startup costs
- Straightforward business model
- Potential for rapid profit multiplication
Cons:
- Time investment in sourcing inventory
- Challenges in storing and shipping larger items
Join the Free Workshop
Become a Virtual Assistant or Freelancer
Virtual assistants offer administrative, technical, or creative assistance to clients remotely. If this type of work appeals to you, you can establish your own virtual assistant business or join an existing virtual assistant agency.
To learn more about starting a virtual assistant business, consider this free video training from Abbey Ashley, who built a successful VA business and shares insights on:
- Identifying thousands of potential clients.
- Achieving a full-time income working from home.
- Understanding the key skills clients seek in a VA (hint: it’s not necessarily prior VA experience).
Abbey’s starting rate was $20-$30 per hour, which grew to $75 per hour and higher as she specialized her services.
Mobile Notary Loan Signing Agent
Notary certification is typically state-regulated and involves a minimal cost, often under $100.
Once certified, you can charge fees for notarizing documents, or become a loan signing agent like Brian and potentially earn $1500-$2000 per month by overseeing mortgage signings in your spare time.
Build an Online Business
While the initial payoff may be slower, building a blog or online business offers substantial long-term earning potential compared to many of the short-term Amazon gift card earning methods.
Instead of dedicating time to surveys or video watching, consider investing that time in creating a valuable online asset.
Develop content around a topic you are passionate about and build an audience within your niche. As your content library expands, you’ll attract more website traffic and revenue.
Content-based websites generate income through affiliate marketing, advertising revenue, and selling their own products or services.
For inspiring examples, explore the archives of The Side Hustle Show podcast.
Interested in launching your own website? Check out my free 6-part video course on website creation.
Pros of Building an Online Business:
Low startup costs
Significant long-term income potential
Possibility of selling the business in the future
Cons of Building an Online Business:
Results take time to materialize
Requires learning diverse skills
Start Your Website!
Free Blogging Playlist on Spotify
Your Next Steps
Evaluate your personal circumstances and time availability.
Does actively pursuing rewards programs for free Amazon gift cards align with your goals? Or would investing your time in developing skills for higher-earning side hustles be a more strategic approach?
Fun fact: In 2005, I interviewed at Amazon for a position in gift card marketing. While I didn’t get the job, in retrospect, I’m content with how things unfolded. (Though the potential stock options are a thought!)
However, the individual who did secure that role clearly excelled. Today, Amazon gift cards are ubiquitous.
Pin this for future reference:
various amazon gift cards
Stock photos by Dean Drobot and 9dream studio via Shutterstock