Amazon gift cards cannot be redeemed directly to a bank account
Amazon gift card balances live in your Amazon account only. You cannot transfer the balance itself to a checking or savings account, no matter which bank you use. Amazon does not offer a direct redemption path from gift card to bank.
What you can do instead: spend the balance on Amazon purchases, convert it to cash through a third party (which carries risk), or use workarounds like buying a money order or gift card to another service. Each method has different costs, timing, and fraud exposure.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon gift card balances stay in your Amazon account and cannot be transferred directly to any bank account.
- The safest option is to spend the balance on Amazon purchases, which takes effect immediately when you check out.
- Third-party cash-out services exist but often charge fees, require personal information, and carry fraud risk — use only if you trust the service.
- Selling the gift card code to another person or through a resale site is legal but exposes you to chargebacks and scams.
- If someone sent you a fraudulent gift card, contact Amazon support within 30 days of receipt to report it.
Spending the balance on Amazon purchases (the direct route)
The fastest and safest way to use an Amazon gift card balance is to buy something on Amazon. The balance applies automatically at checkout when you have an active gift card in your account. There are no fees, no waiting, and no third parties involved.
Log into your Amazon account, go to "Your Account" and then "Gift cards," and you will see your current balance. Add items to your cart and proceed to checkout. Amazon will deduct the gift card balance first, then charge any remaining amount to your payment method on file. If you have no other purchases to make, you can buy a physical Amazon gift card for someone else, or purchase a digital code for a service Amazon sells (like Kindle books or Prime Video rentals).
This method has no downside except that the money stays within the Amazon ecosystem. If you genuinely need cash in your bank account and have no use for Amazon purchases, you will need to explore other options.
Selling the gift card code to another person
You can sell an unused Amazon gift card code to someone else, either in person or through an online marketplace. Websites like CardCash, Raise, and Decluttr buy gift cards at a discount (typically 70 to 95 percent of face value) and pay you by bank transfer, PayPal, or check.
The trade-off is the discount you take. A $100 Amazon gift card might sell for $75 to $90 depending on demand and the platform's fees. The payment method varies by site — some transfer to your bank account within a few business days, others use PayPal or send a check. Read the site's terms before you list, because some require you to provide proof that the code is unused (a screenshot of your Amazon account balance).
The risk: if the buyer claims the code does not work or was already redeemed, the platform may reverse the payment. Some sites hold your funds for 30 to 60 days to protect against this. Selling to a stranger also means the code is no longer in your control, so if the buyer later disputes the transaction with their bank, you have limited recourse.
Third-party cash-out services and their risks
Some websites and apps claim to convert Amazon gift card balances to cash by purchasing items on your behalf and reselling them, or by other methods. These services are not affiliated with Amazon and operate in a legal gray area. They typically charge 10 to 30 percent in fees and require you to provide your Amazon login credentials or the gift card code.
The dangers are significant. Giving a third party your Amazon login puts your entire account at risk, including your payment methods, order history, and any other gift cards you have added. If the service is a scam, your credentials can be used to make unauthorized purchases or sold to other criminals. Even legitimate services may violate Amazon's terms of service, which prohibit selling or transferring gift card balances. Amazon can close your account if it detects this activity.
If you use a cash-out service and something goes wrong — the service disappears, the payment never arrives, or your account is compromised — you have almost no recourse. Amazon will not reverse the transaction or refund the balance, because the transfer itself violated their terms. Avoid these services unless you have thoroughly researched the company and are willing to accept the risk.
Buying a money order or other payment method with the balance
Some people buy a money order, prepaid debit card, or wire transfer service through Amazon using their gift card balance, then cash or deposit that into their bank account. This works in theory but has practical limits.
Amazon does not sell money orders directly. However, you can purchase a prepaid debit card (like a Visa or Mastercard gift card) through Amazon using your gift card balance, then deposit that card into your bank account if your bank accepts mobile check deposit of prepaid cards — most do not. Alternatively, you can buy a money order from a third-party seller on Amazon, but you will pay a markup and still need to physically deposit it at a bank or check-cashing service.
This route is slow, adds fees, and defeats the purpose of wanting quick access to cash. It is worth considering only if you have a specific reason to buy one of these items anyway.
What to do if the gift card is fraudulent or not working
If someone sent you an Amazon gift card code and it does not work, or if you suspect it was obtained fraudulently, contact Amazon support within 30 days of receiving it. Go to Amazon's "Contact Us" page, select "Gift Cards" as the topic, and describe the problem. Amazon can investigate whether the code was purchased with a stolen payment method or already redeemed.
If Amazon confirms the code is fraudulent, they will issue you a replacement gift card or refund to the original payment method (if you purchased it yourself). If someone else sent it to you as a gift and it turns out to be fraudulent, Amazon may not be able to help, because the original purchaser is responsible for the charge. In that case, you have no recourse unless you can contact the person who sent it.
Do not attempt to use a gift card you suspect is fraudulent, because doing so may trigger a dispute with Amazon or the original payment method, which can complicate the investigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer my Amazon gift card balance to someone else's account?
No. Amazon gift card balances are tied to the account that redeemed them and cannot be transferred, gifted, or moved to another account. If you want to give the balance to someone else, you must spend it on a physical or digital gift card and send them the code.
What if I have a very small balance left over?
Small balances (under $5) are common after purchases. You can let it sit in your account indefinitely — Amazon gift card balances do not expire. Spend it on a future purchase, or buy a digital item like a Kindle book or app credit to use it up.
Do I have to pay taxes if I sell my gift card?
If you sell a gift card you received as a gift, the proceeds are generally not taxable income. If you purchased the gift card yourself and are selling it at a loss, you cannot deduct the loss. If you are selling gift cards as a business, consult a tax professional, because business income is taxable.
Is it safe to sell my gift card code online?
It is legal but carries risk. Once you share the code, you no longer control it. If the buyer claims it does not work or was already used, the platform may reverse your payment. Use only established resale sites with buyer and seller protections, and keep screenshots of your Amazon account balance as proof the code was unused.
What happens if I try to use a gift card after reporting it as fraudulent?
If Amazon has flagged the code as fraudulent and issued you a replacement, using the original code will likely fail or trigger a dispute. Use only the replacement code Amazon provides. If you use the original code before reporting it, you may complicate the investigation.