You cannot deposit an Amazon gift card directly into a bank account

Amazon gift cards are store credit only—they live in your Amazon account and can only be spent on Amazon.com or through Amazon apps. Your bank will not accept them as a deposit, and no transfer service can convert them to cash in your checking account. If you want the money as actual cash or to use it outside Amazon, you need to spend the gift card on something you can then sell or return for a refund to your bank account.

The practical routes depend on what you own, what you're willing to sell, and how quickly you need the money. Some methods take days; others take weeks and involve fees.

Key Takeaways

  • Amazon gift cards cannot be transferred to a bank account—they are store credit that only works on Amazon's platform.
  • You can convert a gift card to cash by buying a resellable item and selling it on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or a local resale app, though you will lose money to fees and discounts.
  • Returning a physical item you bought with the gift card will refund the balance to your Amazon account, not to your bank, unless you used a bank card to pay the difference.
  • Some third-party sites claim to buy unused gift cards, but they pay significantly less than face value and carry fraud risk.
  • The fastest option is usually to spend the gift card on something you need anyway, freeing up money in your actual bank account for other uses.

Buying something to resell for cash

This is the most direct path if you need actual money. Buy an item with your Amazon gift card—something in demand, new condition, and easy to ship. Electronics, brand-name tools, and popular books resell fastest. Then list it on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Poshmark, or a local resale app.

The catch is the math. If your gift card is $100, you might buy a $100 item and resell it for $70 after eBay's 12.9% fee plus shipping costs. You lose 30% or more. The faster you need the money, the steeper the discount you'll accept. Local pickup (Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, Letgo) avoids shipping but limits your buyer pool and takes more time to arrange.

This method works best for gift cards under $50 or for items that hold value well—brand-name goods, unopened electronics, collectibles. Avoid clothing, books, and generic items; they resell at heavy losses.

Returning items you bought with the gift card

If you bought something with your gift card and return it, Amazon refunds the balance to your Amazon account as store credit, not to your bank. You're back where you started. The only exception is if you used a bank card or credit card to pay part of the purchase—that portion refunds to the card you used, but the gift card portion stays as Amazon credit.

This route does not work for converting to cash unless you're willing to buy something else and resell it, which brings you back to the resale method above.

Third-party gift card buyers and their risks

Websites like Raise, CardCash, and Gameflip buy unused gift cards from people. They pay 60 to 90 cents on the dollar—a $100 card might sell for $70 to $90. The money goes to your bank account via PayPal or direct deposit within a few days.

The downside is the discount and the fraud risk. These sites are targets for scammers who sell stolen or fake gift cards. If the card you're selling turns out to be fraudulent, the site will reverse the payment to your bank account and keep the card. You lose the money and the card. Only use this route if you're certain the gift card is legitimate and you received it directly from Amazon or a trusted source.

Read the site's terms carefully. Some hold your payout for days or weeks while they verify the card. Others charge fees on top of the discount.

Spending the gift card strategically instead

The simplest path is often to use the gift card on something you were going to buy anyway. If you need groceries, household items, or anything Amazon sells, the gift card frees up money in your bank account that you can then use elsewhere or save. You don't lose money to resale fees or third-party discounts.

This only works if you actually want something Amazon sells. If the gift card is truly unwanted and you need cash, you're choosing between a resale loss, a third-party discount, or keeping the money stuck in your Amazon account.

What not to do

Do not try to use the gift card to buy something and then request a refund to your bank account. Amazon will refund to the gift card, not your bank. Do not sell the gift card code to strangers online—you have no protection if they claim it doesn't work and you've already sent the code. Do not use services that ask you to log into your Amazon account; they are phishing scams designed to steal your account credentials.

Avoid any site promising to "unlock" or "convert" your gift card instantly. These are scams. Legitimate conversion always involves a loss—either to resale fees, third-party discounts, or the time it takes to sell an item.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer my Amazon gift card balance to someone else's bank account?

No. Gift card balances cannot be transferred between Amazon accounts or to external bank accounts. You can buy an item and send it as a gift, but the balance itself stays in your account. If you want to give someone money, you'd need to use a different method like Venmo, PayPal, or a bank transfer.

What if I have a partial gift card balance left over?

The remaining balance stays in your Amazon account indefinitely. Amazon gift cards do not expire. You can use it the next time you shop on Amazon, or hold it until you need something. If you want to convert it to cash, the same methods apply—resell an item or use a third-party buyer.

Do gift card resale sites actually pay what they promise?

Yes, but only after they verify the card is real and has the balance you claimed. The verification process can take several days. If the card is flagged as fraudulent or already used, they will not pay you. Always check recent reviews on the site before sending your card code.

Is it legal to resell items I bought with a gift card?

Yes. Once you own the item, you can resell it. Amazon's terms do not prohibit this. The only restriction is on the gift card itself—you cannot sell the gift card code to someone else, because Amazon considers that a violation of their terms and may cancel the card.

How much will I lose if I resell an item?

It depends on the item and the platform. eBay charges 12.9% plus shipping costs. Facebook Marketplace is free but requires local pickup or you pay shipping yourself. Poshmark charges 20% on sales over $15. Most items resell for 50 to 70% of what you paid, so a $100 gift card might net $50 to $70 in actual cash after fees and discounts.