Amazon gift card balances cannot be transferred directly to a bank account
Amazon does not allow you to move money from an Amazon gift card or account balance to a linked bank account, credit card, or external payment method. Once a gift card is redeemed into your Amazon account, that balance lives only in Amazon's system and can be spent only on Amazon purchases—including physical goods, digital content, and services like Prime memberships.
If you have an unused gift card code (the 16-character string you haven't entered yet), you have options. If the code has already been redeemed into your account balance, your only path forward is to spend it on Amazon or contact Amazon's support team to explore whether your specific situation qualifies for an exception.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon account balance from a redeemed gift card cannot be transferred to a bank account under normal circumstances.
- An unused gift card code can be sold on a third-party marketplace, but you will receive less than face value and must verify the buyer's legitimacy first.
- Amazon may issue a refund to the original payment method if the gift card was purchased in error or within a narrow return window, but this requires contacting Amazon directly.
- Spending the balance on Amazon purchases—including gift cards to other retailers—is the most straightforward use of the funds.
What happens when you redeem a gift card into your Amazon account
When you enter a gift card code into your Amazon account, the money converts to an account balance that Amazon calls "Amazon.com Store Credit." This balance appears in your account settings under "Gift Cards" and is tied permanently to that account. It cannot be withdrawn, transferred, or refunded to a bank account.
The balance can be used to pay for almost anything sold on Amazon.com, including physical products, Kindle books, Prime Video rentals, and subscriptions. It can also be used to purchase gift cards to other retailers—Target, Best Buy, Whole Foods, and others—which is one way to move the value outside Amazon if you need to spend it elsewhere.
Selling an unused gift card code on a secondary marketplace
If you have the gift card code itself and have not yet redeemed it, you can list it for sale on platforms like Raise, CardCash, or Declutify. These sites connect buyers and sellers of unused gift cards. You set a price (typically 70 to 95 percent of face value), and when a buyer purchases it, you receive payment via PayPal, direct deposit, or check.
The trade-off is significant: you will receive less than the card's face value, and the transaction takes time. Most platforms hold your payment for a period after the buyer confirms the code works, which can be 24 to 48 hours or longer. You also assume the risk that the buyer will dispute the transaction or claim the code does not work, which can result in a chargeback.
Before listing, verify that the code has not been used. Most secondary marketplaces require you to provide proof that the card is valid and unused, so you may need to check the balance on Amazon's website without redeeming it.
Purchasing gift cards to other retailers with your Amazon balance
Amazon sells digital gift cards for hundreds of retailers, including grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, and online shops. You can use your Amazon account balance to purchase these gift cards, which are then delivered to your email as codes you can redeem elsewhere.
This approach does not put cash in your bank account, but it does move the value to a place where you can spend it. If you need the funds for a specific purpose—groceries, gas, a purchase at another store—this can be faster than trying to sell the card on a secondary marketplace. The gift card codes are usually delivered within minutes.
The downside is that you may not find a gift card for exactly where you need to spend the money, and some retailers' gift cards sell at a premium on Amazon (meaning you pay slightly more than face value).
Contacting Amazon support if the card was purchased in error
If you received a gift card as a gift and want to return it, or if you purchased one by mistake, contact Amazon's customer service. Amazon has a limited window—typically 30 days from purchase—during which it may refund a gift card to the original payment method. This refund goes back to the card or account that was charged, not to you as a separate payment.
To start, go to Amazon.com, select "Account & Lists," then "Customer Service." Choose "Gift Cards" as the topic and describe your situation. Amazon's support team will review your case and let you know whether a refund is possible. If the card was purchased by someone else and sent to you, Amazon may ask for proof that you did not want it or that it was sent in error.
This option works only if the card has not been redeemed into an account balance yet. Once the code is entered, Amazon treats it as a completed transaction and is unlikely to reverse it.
Why Amazon does not allow balance transfers
Amazon's policy against transferring account balance to external accounts is designed to prevent fraud and keep money within its ecosystem. Gift card balances are non-transferable by design—they are meant to be spent on Amazon's platform, not converted to cash or moved elsewhere. This also protects Amazon from liability if a compromised account tries to drain its balance to an external bank account.
From a practical standpoint, Amazon also has no incentive to let customers convert store credit to cash. The company benefits when customers spend the balance on Amazon purchases, which is why the policy is unlikely to change.
Spending the balance on Amazon subscriptions or services
If you do not have an immediate need to spend the balance elsewhere, consider using it on Amazon services that would otherwise come out of pocket. Prime membership renewals, Prime Video rentals or purchases, Kindle Unlimited subscriptions, and Amazon Music Unlimited can all be paid with account balance. You can also pre-load the balance toward future purchases by simply leaving it in your account.
This approach does not move the money to your bank account, but it does preserve its value by covering expenses you would otherwise pay for separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer my Amazon gift card balance to PayPal or another payment app?
No. Amazon does not allow transfers to PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, or any external payment service. Once redeemed into your Amazon account, the balance can only be spent on Amazon or used to purchase gift cards to other retailers through Amazon's platform.
What if I sell my gift card code on a third-party site and the buyer claims it does not work?
Most secondary marketplaces hold your payment in escrow until the buyer confirms the code is valid. If a dispute arises, the platform investigates. If you provided an unused, working code and the buyer falsely claims otherwise, the platform may side with you—but this process can take weeks. To protect yourself, take a screenshot of the code's balance before listing it, and use only established platforms with buyer and seller protections.
Can I get a refund if I already redeemed the gift card into my account?
Refunds after redemption are rare. Amazon may make exceptions in cases of fraud or if the card was purchased with a stolen payment method, but you will need to contact Amazon support and provide documentation. In most cases, once the code is entered, the balance is final and non-refundable.
Is it legal to sell my unused gift card code online?
Yes, it is legal to sell an unused gift card code in most places, as long as you own it and are not misrepresenting its value or condition. However, some gift card terms of service prohibit resale—check Amazon's gift card terms before listing. Also be aware that you may owe income tax on any profit if you sell the card for more than you paid for it, though this is rarely enforced for small transactions.
Can I use my Amazon balance to pay someone else directly?
No. Amazon account balance cannot be sent to another person's account or used to pay someone outside the Amazon ecosystem. If you want to give money to someone else, you would need to purchase a gift card code and share that code with them, or use a different payment method entirely.