How to find your Amazon gift card balance

Your Amazon gift card balance appears in your account as Amazon.com store credit. You can see it in two places: on the Your Account page under "Gift cards" or at checkout, where it shows as an available payment method before you complete a purchase.

To check your balance, sign into your Amazon account, go to "Your Account" in the top right, then select "Gift cards" from the menu. The page displays your current balance in US dollars (or your local currency if you use Amazon in another country). This balance updates when ready when you add a new gift card or make a purchase.

If you have not yet added the gift card to your account, you can enter the claim code on the back of a physical card or in the email for a digital gift card. Amazon will show you the amount before you confirm, so you know exactly what you are adding.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Amazon gift card balance shows in your account under "Gift cards" and updates when ready after you add a card or complete a purchase.
  • You can use your balance to buy anything sold by Amazon directly, but third-party seller items may have restrictions depending on your payment method.
  • Amazon gift card balance does not expire as long as your account remains active, but the balance belongs to the account, not to you personally if someone else has access.
  • If your balance shows less than you expect, check your purchase history to see recent transactions, or contact Amazon if you believe an error occurred.

What you can and cannot buy with your balance

Amazon store credit works on almost everything Amazon sells directly: physical products, digital content like Kindle books and movies, Prime membership renewals, and even AWS (Amazon Web Services) charges if you use them. The balance applies automatically at checkout before any other payment method.

Some purchases have limits or restrictions. You cannot use Amazon gift card balance to buy other gift cards, to pay for certain third-party seller items (though most accept it), or to cover fees like late payment charges on an Amazon credit card account. Digital content such as Kindle Unlimited subscriptions and some video rentals may also exclude gift card payments depending on your region.

If you try to buy something and your balance does not appear as a payment option, the item or seller may not accept store credit. In that case, you would need to add another payment method to complete the purchase.

When your balance expires and what happens to unused credit

Amazon gift card balance does not have an expiration date. As long as your account is active, you can use the credit whenever you want, even years after you add it. The only exception is if Amazon closes your account due to violation of their terms of service — in that case, any remaining balance is forfeited.

If your account becomes inactive (you have not logged in or made a purchase for an extended period), Amazon may close it, but they will send you a notice before doing so. You can reactivate an inactive account by logging in and making a purchase.

Unused balance also stays in your account if you change your address, payment methods, or other account details. The credit is tied to your account login, not to a physical card or email address.

How to use your balance when you shop

At checkout, Amazon automatically applies your gift card balance to your order before asking for another payment method. You will see a line that says "Gift card balance" with the amount being subtracted from your total. If your balance covers the entire purchase, you are done — no other payment is needed.

If your balance is less than the total, Amazon will ask you to add a credit card, debit card, or other payment method for the remaining amount. You can split a single purchase between your gift card balance and another payment method.

You cannot choose to save your balance for a future purchase or explore it only to certain items in your cart. Amazon uses it automatically on every order until it runs out.

Checking your purchase history to track spending

If your balance seems lower than expected, your purchase history shows exactly what was charged. Go to "Your Account," select "Returns, orders, and accounts," then "Your orders." This page lists every transaction, the date, the amount, and the item or service purchased.

Some charges may not appear as obvious purchases. Kindle book rentals, Prime membership renewals, and AWS usage all draw from your gift card balance and show up in your order history. Subscriptions like Kindle Unlimited renew automatically and charge your balance monthly.

If you see a charge you do not recognize or believe is an error, you can contact Amazon's customer service through the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of any Amazon page. They can review the transaction and issue a refund to your account balance if something went wrong.

Protecting your balance from unauthorized use

Your gift card balance is part of your Amazon account, so anyone with access to your login credentials can spend it. If you share your account with family members or have given someone your password, they can make purchases using your balance without your permission.

To protect your balance, use a strong, unique password for your Amazon account and enable two-factor authentication. Go to "Your Account," select "Login & security," and turn on "Two-Step Verification." This requires a code from your phone or email before anyone can log in, even if they have your password.

If you believe someone has used your balance without permission, contact Amazon when ready. They can review the transactions and may refund the balance if fraud is confirmed.

Transferring or gifting your balance to someone else

Amazon does not allow you to transfer your gift card balance to another person's account or to convert it back to cash. The balance stays in your account and can only be spent by someone with access to your login.

If you want to give someone money to spend on Amazon, you can buy them a new Amazon gift card instead. Physical cards and digital codes are available in amounts from $1 to $500 and can be sent directly to their email or printed as a physical card.

You cannot split your existing balance into a new gift card or send part of it to another account. Your only option is to spend the balance yourself or let it remain in your account indefinitely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my Amazon gift card balance on my phone?

Yes. Open the Amazon app, tap the menu icon, go to "Your Account," then "Gift cards." Your balance appears the same way as on a computer. You can also check it at checkout before you complete a purchase.

What happens if I return something I bought with my gift card balance?

The refund goes back to your Amazon account as store credit, not to the original gift card or payment method. You can then use that credit on any future purchase, just like your original balance.

Do I lose my balance if I change my Amazon password?

No. Your balance is tied to your account, not your password. Changing your password does not affect your gift card balance or your ability to use it.

Can I use my Amazon gift card balance to pay for Amazon Prime membership?

Yes. When you renew your Prime membership, Amazon automatically applies your gift card balance to the renewal fee. If your balance does not cover the full cost, you will need to add another payment method for the difference.

What if my gift card balance shows $0 but I never spent it?

Check your order history to see if charges were made. If you see unauthorized transactions, contact Amazon customer service. If your account was closed or compromised, they can investigate and may restore your balance.