Amazon gift cards activate automatically when you receive them, but you need to add the balance to your account before you can spend it
An Amazon gift card doesn't require a separate activation step the way some retail cards do. The card itself is already active when it reaches you — either as a physical card in the mail, an email code, or a printed card from a store. What you actually need to do is redeem the card, which means entering the code into your Amazon account so the dollar amount shows up as your account balance.
The process takes about two minutes and works the same way whether the card came as a gift, you bought it yourself, or you received it as a promotional offer. You'll need an Amazon account (free to create if you don't have one) and either the physical card or the email with your code.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon gift cards are already active when you get them; you just need to redeem the code to add the balance to your account.
- You can redeem a card on any device — computer, phone, or tablet — by going to your account settings and selecting "Redeem a Gift Card".
- The code is a 14 or 15-character string on the back of a physical card or in the body of an email; entering it wrong is the most common reason redemption fails.
- Once redeemed, the balance stays in your account until you spend it, with no expiration date as long as your account remains active.
- If redemption fails, check that you're logged into the correct account and that you've entered the code exactly as printed, including hyphens.
Where to find your gift card code
The code you need is printed on the back of a physical Amazon gift card, usually in a silver or white box below a scratch-off panel. Scratch off the panel gently to reveal the 14 or 15-character code underneath. The code includes both letters and numbers and may have hyphens between groups of characters.
If you received the card by email, the code appears in the body of the message, usually formatted as a long string or displayed prominently near the top. Email gift cards sometimes include a direct link that takes you straight to the redemption page, which is faster than copying the code manually.
For printed cards purchased at a store (like Target, Walmart, or Best Buy), the code is on the back of the card in the same format as mailed cards. Do not scratch anything off a printed card — the code is visible without scratching.
How to redeem the code on a computer
Go to amazon.com and sign into your account. If you don't have an account, create one using your email address and a password you choose. Once you're logged in, look for the account menu in the top right corner (usually your name or "Account & Lists") and click it.
From the dropdown menu, select "Redeem a Gift Card". You'll see a text box labeled "Claim Code" or "Gift Card Code". Type or paste your code exactly as it appears on the card or in the email, including any hyphens. Do not add spaces or change the order of characters.
Click the "Redeem" or "Claim Now" button. If the code is valid and hasn't been used before, you'll see a confirmation message showing the dollar amount added to your account. The balance is now available to use on any purchase.
How to redeem the code on a phone or tablet
Open the Amazon app or go to amazon.com in your phone's web browser. Sign into your account. In the app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner, then scroll down and tap "Account". On the website, tap the menu icon in the top left and select "Account".
Look for "Redeem a Gift Card" or "Gift Cards" in the account menu. Tap it to open the redemption page. Enter your code in the text box exactly as printed, then tap "Redeem" or "Claim Now". You'll see a confirmation that the balance has been added.
If you received an email gift card with a direct link, tapping that link will take you straight to the redemption page with the code pre-filled, so you only need to tap "Redeem".
What happens after you redeem the card
The dollar amount shows up immediately in your account as "Gift Card Balance" or "Account Balance". You can see it on your account page or at checkout when you're ready to buy something. Amazon automatically uses your gift card balance first when you make a purchase, then charges any remaining amount to a credit card or other payment method on file.
The balance stays in your account indefinitely as long as your Amazon account is active. There is no expiration date. If you don't spend the full amount right away, it will be there whenever you're ready to use it.
If you want to check your remaining balance at any time, go to your account page and look for "Gift Card Balance" or "Your Account" settings. The current balance is displayed there.
Why redemption might fail and how to fix it
The most common reason a code won't redeem is a typing error. Codes are case-sensitive and must include hyphens in the exact spots they appear on the card. If you're copying and pasting, make sure you didn't accidentally include extra spaces before or after the code. Try entering it again slowly, character by character.
The second most common reason is trying to redeem on the wrong account. If you have multiple Amazon accounts (for example, one personal and one for a business), make sure you're logged into the account where you want the balance to appear. Log out completely and log back in to the correct account, then try again.
If the code still won't work after you've checked both of these, the code may have already been redeemed by someone else, or it may be damaged or invalid. Contact Amazon Customer Service through your account page — they can verify whether the code is valid and help you resolve the issue.
Using your gift card balance to make a purchase
Once the balance is in your account, you don't need to do anything special to use it. When you add items to your cart and go to checkout, Amazon automatically applies your gift card balance to the order. If your purchase is less than your balance, the remainder stays in your account. If your purchase is more than your balance, you'll be asked to add another payment method for the difference.
Gift card balance works on almost everything Amazon sells, including physical items, digital content, and subscriptions. The main exceptions are certain third-party seller items and some services, but these are rare. At checkout, you'll see a note if an item can't be purchased with gift card balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use an Amazon gift card on a different website or store?
No. Amazon gift cards only work on Amazon.com and the Amazon apps. They cannot be used at physical Amazon bookstores, Whole Foods, or any other retailer. If you received a card that says it works at another store, it's a different type of gift card, not an Amazon gift card.
What if I lost the physical card but still have the code written down?
You can still redeem it as long as you have the code. The physical card itself doesn't matter — only the code matters. Enter it into your account the same way you would if you had the card in front of you.
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 the balance to someone else, you need to give them the code before you redeem it, so they can redeem it into their own account instead.
Does my gift card balance expire?
No expiration date applies to Amazon gift card balances as long as your account remains active. If your account is closed or inactive for an extended period, Amazon may remove the balance, but this is rare and Amazon typically sends a notice before doing so.
What if the code on my physical card is scratched off or unreadable?
Contact Amazon Customer Service and provide proof of purchase or the card itself if you still have it. They can verify the code and help you redeem the balance. Have your order confirmation or receipt ready if you bought the card yourself.