What Is an Amazon Gift Card? A Simple Guide to Amazon Balance and Digital Codes

If you asked what is an Amazon gift card, you’d probably answer with the first thing that comes to your mind: a present or a reward, maybe even as a way to temporarily store credit to your account. This is typically the case with Amazon Gift Cards, but what exactly does it mean to have your code redeemed?

An Amazon Gift Card is a type of store credit that is added to your account, however, it is not considered a bank card or any generic pre-paid card. Once the card is redeemed, the credit can then be used towards eligible purchases at the specified Amazon store.

While this does make it simpler for you, there are a few things that will certainly need to be taken into consideration before making the purchase. You’ll need to be sure that the account, country, store region, and claim code all match up. If not, it can turn a useful gift into a frustrating experience for the recipient.

What Is an Amazon Gift Card?

An Amazon Gift Card is a digital code or a prepaid card used to add funds to an Amazon account. The amount added can be used to purchase items on the platform once the card has been redeemed.

This balance can be used for buying things on Amazon. Most customers will use it for buying items from the website, However, depending on the country and Amazon marketplace, it may be used for tangible products, intangible things like digital content, certain services, or other acceptable items.

To put it simply, an Amazon gift card is essentially cash for the store. Instead of handing someone money or picking out a specific item, you give them a code and let them choose what they want.

This is one of the reasons why Amazon Gift Cards are extremely common for birthdays, holidays, employee rewards, and just general last minute presents. The purchaser does not have to pick out a specific thing for the recipient.

[Buy Amazon Gift Card Online]

What Can You Buy with an Amazon Gift Card?

The balance on an Amazon gift card can be spent on eligible items on the Amazon store that correspond to the card’s country or region.

For most people, everyday purchases are covered. Things like electronics, home goods, books, kitchen products, beauty supplies, toys, office materials, and other things that are sold on Amazon. This also can help when buying gifts and you’re unsure what the recipient requires.

Gift cards may apply to certain digital content or even services depending on the Amazon marketplace. However, not every product, subscription, seller in the marketplace, or payment situation will accept gift card balances. Check the checkout page to see which options can be paid with a gift card, as some may not be covered even if they are Amazon-related.

The best thing about gift cards is the options. With a gift card, the recipient has ultimate flexibility as they will not be forced to buy one thing. They can wait for an item to go on sale, use the gift card balance along with another payment method, or make a practical purchase down the road instead.

Amazon Gift Cards: Physical Cards vs Digital Codes

You can get an Amazon gift card in either a physical or digital format. The physical card generally has a claim code printed on the card, which is usually covered by a scratch-off area. According to Amazon’s help page, physical gift cards typically have the claim code on the card’s backside.

On the other hand, a digital Amazon gift card is delivered directly via email or another online delivery service. The receiver may see a button to automatically apply the gift card to their account or they will receive a claim code that can be copied and pasted to apply.

Digital gift cards are great for last minute gifts, remote gifting, reward situations, and any other situation where you don’t want to wait for a physical card to arrive in the mail.

Physical cards are great because they can feel personal and be great as an in-person gift. However, they can also easily be lost or damaged, especially if someone scratches the claim code too vigorously.

[Buy Digital Gift Cards Online]

How Does an Amazon Gift Card Code Work?

To start, an Amazon Gift Card code is also known as a claim code. Once the recipient has received the gift card code, they will need to sign in to the account, head over to the gift card redemption page, enter the claim code, and apply the code to the account.

The code will be accepted, and the balance will be saved to the Amazon account. Amazon states that the available gift card balance will be saved and can be used in the future. The balance can be found in the Gift Card Balance section.

The balance that is associated with the gift card claim code is tied to the account that redeemed the code. If your household has multiple Amazon accounts, the code should be entered on the account that the recipient wants to use the balance on.

If the claim code was sent via email, be careful with any “apply to account” buttons. If the sender clicks the button while logged into their Amazon account, the account will apply the gift card balance to the wrong account.

[Amazon Gift Card Code Not Working? Common Reasons and How to Fix It]

Amazon Balance and Store Region

Amazon Gift Cards can only be used on the respective Amazon marketplace. For example, the card will not work for Amazon.com.au, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.ca or any other country`s Amazon store.

People often make the mistake of assuming any gift card sent via email is an Amazon gift card. This is incorrect. If the recipient uses Amazon Australia, a US Amazon Gift Card is not going to work for them. The same goes for people who use Amazon UK.

It’s important to pay attention to the country, currency, and Amazon marketplace before purchasing a gift card. Ideally, the gift card should correspond with the store to where the recipient usually shops.

This applies to both gifting and self-use. When buying for yourself, make sure to select the Amazon store you actually use. When buying for someone, it is best to ask which Amazon country they shop at.

Is an Amazon Gift Card Good for Gifting?

Yes, an Amazon Gift Card is a good gift idea. You do not have to worry about finding the right size, favorite brand, or anything like that. The recipient has the freedom to decide what they want to purchase.

It is perfect for those people who prefer not to get another item that they will not use. The Amazon gift card balance allows them to purchase something that they actually need.

You can buy digital gift cards on Amazon, and they make a great last-minute gift as you can send the code without waiting for shipping. They also offer physical cards if you want something that can go inside a greeting card or to hand in person.

What is the Main Thing to Consider When Gifting an Amazon Gift Card?

The most important factor to consider when gifting an Amazon Gift Card is the region. Gift cards can only be used at the store that the recipient’s gift card is associated with. For international gifting, ensure that the Amazon gift card matches the proper region.

Can You Use Amazon Gift Cards on Yourself?

Amazon Gift Cards can be purchased for your own personal use. People also do this to help them self-regulate their online spending by creating a system of pre-purchasing credits.

Amazon gift cards are a good option if you want to create a strict budget with a spending limit. The gift card balance can be spent gradually over time.

In order to gain control over your online shopping, instead of making multiple payments, Amazon Gift Cards can be purchased to add a set amount of balance instead.

However, if you purchase an Amazon gift card for yourself, you should ensure you will be shopping on the Amazon marketplace for that specific region. If you buy the card for the wrong country, the balance will not be usable in the correct region.

[Buy Amazon Gift Cards From All Region]

What Should You Look For Before Buying an Amazon Gift Card?

Before purchasing an Amazon gift card, check to see which Amazon site applies to the region. Is it Amazon.com, Amazon.com.au, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.ca?

Also note what the card value is. For example, a $50 Amazon Gift Card across regions would mean different things if compared to USD, AUD, NZD, CAD, etc.

Lastly, check if the card is a physical card or a digital one. Digital cards are quicker and more accessible but physical ones can feel better when gifting.

When purchasing online, select a seller who provides a region, value, currency, method of delivery, and how to contact support. Do NOT buy vague listings that say “Amazon card” because these can be for any Amazon store.

Make sure to keep the order confirmation email until the code has been redeemed and the balance is visible.

Conclusion

What is an Amazon gift card? It’s a physical card or digital code that increases the value of an Amazon account. After an Amazon gift card is redeemed, it adds a certain amount to the account balance that can be spent on eligible products on that specific Amazon marketplace.

It also works for self-use if you want to have a prepaid Amazon balance or a limited budget for shopping.

Just be sure to purchase for the correct region. An Amazon gift card is among the easiest digital gift cards, so, make sure you’ve selected all the right things. Match the gift card to the Amazon store the recipient uses, keep the code private, and make sure it is redeemed on the correct account.

For anyone still asking what is an Amazon gift card, the easiest way to think about it is simple: it is Amazon store credit, but only for the correct Amazon marketplace and account.

[Browse All Gift Cards]