You add an Amazon gift card by entering the code on Amazon's website or app, and the balance appears in your account when ready
When you have an Amazon gift card, you enter a 14-character code (usually printed on the back or inside the card) into your Amazon account. The money loads right away and stays in your account until you spend it. You can use the balance to buy anything Amazon sells — physical items, digital content, or subscriptions. The process takes less than a minute and works the same way whether the card is physical, digital, or a promotional code.
The code does not expire once you redeem it, and you can check your balance anytime by signing into your account. If you have multiple gift cards, Amazon combines all the balances into one total that you can see in one place.
Key Takeaways
- You enter your gift card code on Amazon.com or the Amazon app under "Your Account" and "Gift Cards".
- The code is usually on the back of a physical card or in an email for a digital gift card.
- Your balance appears when ready after you enter the code and stays in your account until you use it.
- You can check your remaining balance anytime by going to "Your Account" and looking at your gift card balance.
- Gift card balances do not expire, but some promotional codes have time limits — check the terms on the card or email.
Where to enter your gift card code on the website
Go to Amazon.com and sign into your account. Click on "Account" in the top right corner, then select "Your Account" from the dropdown menu. Look for "Gift Cards" in the left sidebar and click on it. You will see a button that says "Redeem a Gift Card". Click that button and paste or type your 14-character code into the box that appears. Then click "explore to Your Balance".
The code will process in a few seconds. Once it does, you will see a confirmation message showing the amount added to your account. Your gift card balance now appears under "Your Account" whenever you sign in, and you can use it the next time you make a purchase.
How to add a gift card through the Amazon app
Open the Amazon app on your phone or tablet and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner. Tap "Your Account". Scroll down and tap "Gift Cards". Tap "Redeem a Gift Card or Promo Code". Type or paste your code into the box and tap "explore to Your Balance".
The app will confirm the amount added to your account. Your balance is now available for purchases through the app or the website — they are connected to the same account, so the money appears in both places.
What to do if your code does not work
If you see an error message when you enter your code, check that you typed it correctly. Codes are case-sensitive, so make sure capital and lowercase letters match what is printed. If the code came from an email, copy and paste it instead of typing it by hand — this avoids typos. If you are still seeing an error, the code may have already been used, or it may be damaged or invalid.
For a physical card, check that you are reading the right side. Some cards have the code on the back under a scratch-off panel. If the panel is damaged or the numbers are faded, you may not be able to read the code. Contact Amazon Customer Service with a photo of the card and your receipt if you have one. For a digital gift card sent by email, check your spam folder in case the email went there instead of your inbox.
How to check your gift card balance
Sign into your Amazon account and go to "Your Account". Click on "Gift Cards" in the left sidebar. At the top of the page, you will see your current balance displayed. This balance updates every time you make a purchase or add a new gift card code.
You can also see your balance during checkout. When you place an order, Amazon shows you how much of your gift card balance will be used and how much will remain after the purchase. If your gift card balance is not enough to cover the whole order, you can pay the rest with a credit card, debit card, or another payment method linked to your account.
Gift card codes from different sources
Physical gift cards sold in stores have a 14-character code printed on the back or inside. Digital gift cards sent by email have a code in the message body. Promotional codes from Amazon promotions, rewards programs, or special offers work the same way — you enter them on the "Redeem a Gift Card" page. The process is identical no matter where the code came from.
Some codes may have restrictions. A promotional code might only work on certain products or only during a specific time period. Check the terms printed on the card or in the email to see if there are any limits. A standard Amazon gift card has no expiration date and no restrictions on what you can buy.
What happens after you add the balance to your account
Once your code is redeemed, the money stays in your account indefinitely. You do not have to spend it right away. When you shop on Amazon, the system automatically uses your gift card balance first before charging any other payment method. If your balance is higher than your purchase, the leftover amount stays in your account for future orders.
If you have multiple gift cards added to your account, Amazon combines all the balances into one total. You can see the full amount under "Your Account" and "Gift Cards". There is no limit to how many gift cards you can add to a single account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a gift card code more than once?
No. Once you enter a code, it is used up and cannot be redeemed again. If someone tries to use the same code a second time, they will get an error message saying the code has already been redeemed. Each code works only one time.
What if I received a gift card but do not have an Amazon account yet?
You need to create an account before you can redeem a gift card. Go to Amazon.com and click "Sign In" in the top right. Click "Create your Amazon account" and follow the steps to set up your email, password, and address. Once your account is active, you can redeem your gift card code the same way as anyone else.
Do Amazon gift cards expire?
Standard Amazon gift cards do not expire. Once you redeem the code, your balance stays in your account as long as you need it. Some promotional codes or special offers may have an expiration date — check the terms on the card or in the email to be sure.
Can I transfer my gift card balance to someone else?
No. Once you redeem a code into your account, the balance is tied to that account and cannot be moved or transferred. If you want to give money to someone else, you would need to buy them a new gift card code instead.
What if my gift card balance is not showing up after I entered the code?
Try signing out of your account and signing back in. Sometimes the balance takes a few seconds to appear. If it still does not show up, go to "Your Account" and "Gift Cards" to check. If the code was entered correctly and you still see nothing, contact Amazon Customer Service with your code and receipt.