Have you ever received an Amazon gift card from a loved one and forgotten about it? Or suddenly realized your card‘s balance is unexpectedly low? We‘ve all been there!
Amazon gift cards may feel like "just another gift card" but they offer tremendous flexibility compared to traditional plastic gift certificates.
In this comprehensive guide, you‘ll learn everything about Amazon gift cards, including:
- Quickly finding and tracking your Amazon gift card balance
- Adding funds back to a low or expired gift card
- Redeeming new Amazon gift codes from gifts
- Creative and practical ways to spend gift card funds
- Maximizing savings with Amazon gift cards
And much more!
So let‘s get started with a brief history on the rise of Amazon gift cards over the past decade.
The Evolution of Amazon Gift Cards
Amazon gift cards have come a long way from their start in 2005 when they were only available for the US market.
| Year | Amazon Gift Card Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2005 | Launch of first Amazon gift cards |
| 2009 | Expansion to European markets |
| 2016 | Launch of eGift cards and printable gift cards |
| 2021 | Start of Amazon gift card reload program |
| 2022 | Estimated annual gift card sales cross $5 billion |
Today, Amazon sells both physical and digital gift cards in various designs across the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia.
You can also purchase Amazon gift cards at popular retail chains like Safeway, CVS Pharmacy, Office Depot and GameStop. This makes it easy to pick up a last-minute birthday gift on the run!
According to a Motley Fool report, Amazon‘s total gift card usage volume has grown a mind-boggling 500% from 2016 to 2021!
So don‘t throw away another Amazon gift card – it‘s time you learned how to easily keep tabs on your balance.
Check Amazon Gift Card Balance in 30 Seconds
Don‘t let unused gift card funds go to waste! You can conveniently view your Amazon gift card balance any time through their website or app.
Follow these simple steps:
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Visit Amazon.com and login using your email/phone and password. If you can‘t access the account, reset your password.
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Click "Accounts & Lists" on the top menu bar and select "Your Account" option.
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On left sidebar under "Payment options", click "Gift Cards".
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Here you can view your Total Balance Available and any Expired balances.
That‘s it! Now you can always track remaining funds on your Amazon gift card in under half a minute.
Pro Tip: Set a yearly reminder to check your balance before expiration. Amazon sends expiry warnings 1 month in advance.
Which Payment Methods Have More Flexibility Than Gift Cards?
Amazon gift cards offer excellent flexibility – you can easily reload balances anytime and use alongside bank cards in one transaction.
But some alternatives like PayPal and credit cards can give you extra features:
| Payment Method | Added Benefits |
|---|---|
| PayPal | Transfer money to others, make online purchases outside Amazon |
| Credit Cards | Earn rewards points and cashback |
Of course, the major catch is that you must make timely repayments with bank cards to avoid heavy interest charges or late fees.
Whereas gift card usage is guilt-free! There are no bills and you can only spend the amount you have loaded.
Now let‘s move on to dealing with missing gift cards and other common issues.
Troubleshooting Tips: Missing Gift Cards and Fraud
Sometimes you may encounter problems with Amazon gift cards such as:
- Misplaced physical gift card
- Error redeeming gift card claim code
- Suspicious gift card purchases on your account
What do you do in each case? Here‘s a quick checklist:
Can‘t find gift card
- Check old wallets, drawers, greeting cards for hidden gift cards. Also call the gift giver.
- If gift card still untraceable, purchase a replacement card.
Error applying claim code
- Double check the 16-digit code entered.
- Ensure code isn‘t already redeemed. Check your balance.
- Contact Amazon Customer Service if issues persist.
Unusual gift card charges
- Scan account Orders list to identify unknown purchases.
- Change Amazon password immediately and enable Two Factor Authentication.
- Report unauthorized charges to Amazon for refund or balance transfer.
So stay vigilant about missing or stolen gift cards. Thankfully, Amazon‘s world-class customer support is there to resolve legitimate issues promptly.
That covers the basics of tracking and troubleshooting Amazon gift cards. Now let‘s explore smart ways to redeem gift card funds…
5 Creative Ways to Use Amazon Gift Cards
Tired of just buying stuff with Amazon credit? Use that balance more creatively!
🔸 Donate the funds to a charity of your choice. Go through Amazon Smile.
🔸 Gift it to a bookworm friend as credit for Kindle books or Audible membership.
🔸 Use it to rent textbooks for college to save hundreds of dollars yearly.
🔸 Load the Fire TV stick for your parents to enjoy Prime Video.
🔸 Treat yourself to a monthly Amazon subscription box for some smiles.
See, with a little thought you can spark joy while spending gift card amounts.
Next up, let‘s talk about the best practices for budgeting effectively with Amazon credits.
Expert Tips: Budgeting With Gift Cards
Balancing gift cards alongside daily spending can get messy. Apply these professional tips shared by finance experts for smooth planning:
💡 Treat gift card cash same as your income earned. Assign and budget.
💡 Avoid unnecessary purchases just because you have gift credit.
💡 For big purchases, make a list of needs Vs wants and prioritize wisely.
💡 For excess funds, redirect towards long term goals like debt repayment.
💡 For expiring cards, use for utility bills if no major purchases lined up.
Follow this solid, goal-oriented approach to ensure Amazon gift cards provide value.
Now let‘s wrap up with some "awesome yet affordable" gift ideas.
Thoughtful Amazon Gift Card Ideas
Struggling for gift ideas to delight loved ones for their milestone event or the holidays?
Look beyond boring gifts, with these handpicked suggestions perfect for gifting $50 or $100 Amazon gift cards:
Birthdays 🎂
- For kids – STEM toys, bicycle, video games
- For teens – headphones, instant camera, skateboard
- For adults – scented candles, luxury robe, Echo Dot
Anniversary 💝
- First Anniversary – canvas prints of special memories
- 5th Anniversary – Alexa enabled photo album
- 10th Anniversary – Kindle e-Reader + Accessories
Christmas 🎄
- For kids – Lego sets, Play-doh variety pack
- For parents – essential oil diffuser, digital photo frame
- For couples – matching pajamas, cosy bedding
Hope this sparks gift ideas suited for every milestone!
So that sums up our guide on making the most of Amazon gift cards – right from checking balances to creative spending tips.
Stay on top of your Amazon credits so you can shop happily for yourself or others for years to come!
