If you‘re an avid Amazon shopper, chances are you‘ve accumulated a gift card or two for the e-commerce site. Amazon gift cards are an incredibly popular present for birthdays, graduations, holidays and other gift-giving occasions. In fact, a recent survey by the National Retail Federation found that gift cards have been the most requested holiday gift for 15 years in a row, with Amazon cards topping many wishlists.
But what happens when you receive an Amazon gift card that you don‘t really want or need? Maybe you were hoping for a different type of gift, or the card balance is for an odd amount that doesn‘t cover the cost of the items in your cart. According to a 2022 report by CreditCards.com, a staggering 47% of U.S. adults currently have at least one unused gift card, voucher or store credit. The average person is sitting on $175 in unspent gift card funds.
So if you‘re stuck with an Amazon gift card that‘s collecting digital dust, what are your options? Can you sell it back to Amazon for cash? Exchange it for a different retailer‘s gift card? Regift it to some other lucky recipient? As a retail and consumer expert, I‘ll break down all the details of Amazon‘s gift card policies and share some tips for unloading those unwanted cards.
Amazon‘s Stance on Gift Card Refunds and Buybacks
Here‘s the most important thing you need to know right off the bat: Amazon does not buy back Amazon gift cards or offer refunds for gift card purchases. Per Amazon‘s Gift Card Terms and Conditions, "Amazon.com Gift Cards cannot be reloaded, resold, transferred for value or redeemed for cash, except to the extent required by law."
This policy applies to all Amazon gift cards, whether they are physical cards bought in a store, e-gift cards sent via email, or gift cards purchased with a prepaid Mastercard or Visa. Once an Amazon gift card has been bought and the claim code activated, the transaction is final and the funds cannot be returned to the purchaser.
Amazon‘s no-refund policy for gift cards is pretty standard among major retailers. Most companies view gift cards as a form of prepaid currency rather than a typical merchandise purchase. Refunding or buying back gift cards would basically be the equivalent of handing out free cash.
However, some retailers do allow limited gift card refunds in certain circumstances, such as:
- If the gift card was purchased with a stolen credit card or obtained fraudulently
- If the gift card is defective or damaged and can‘t be redeemed
- If the gift card was bought in a state that requires refundability by law (only a handful of states have these statutes)
But for the vast majority of gift card holders, once you‘ve taken possession of an Amazon gift card, there‘s no going back to the source for a refund or exchange. So what‘s a savvy consumer to do with an unwanted card? Let‘s explore some of the other options.
Selling Amazon Gift Cards on Gift Card Exchange Sites
Just because Amazon won‘t buy back gift cards doesn‘t mean you‘re totally out of luck. There‘s actually a thriving secondary market for unwanted gift cards on reseller websites and online exchanges. These sites allow you to sell your Amazon gift card to other individuals or companies that buy gift cards in bulk, usually for a slight discount off the face value.
Some of the most popular and reputable gift card exchange sites include:
1. Raise
Raise is one of the biggest names in the gift card resale game. The platform lets you name your own selling price for your card and then takes a 15% commission when the card sells. So if you list a $100 Amazon gift card for $90, you‘d net $76.50 after Raise‘s cut.
Raise offers several payout methods for sellers, including PayPal, direct deposit and mailed check. The site also provides seller protection and a one-year money-back guarantee for buyers. However, Raise primarily deals in e-gift cards rather than physical cards, so you may have trouble listing a plastic Amazon gift card.
2. CardCash
CardCash made its name in the gift card exchange world by offering instant payouts for unwanted cards. The site uses a proprietary algorithm to calculate how much your Amazon gift card is currently worth based on its resale value. Typically, CardCash pays between 75-80% of the card balance, depending on market demand.
After you enter the card details and confirm the balance, CardCash will make an offer and pay you via PayPal, direct deposit or mailed check. You also have the option to trade your Amazon gift card for a different retailer‘s card, which could be a good move if there‘s another store you prefer to shop at.
3. GiftCash
GiftCash is another major player in the gift card resale arena. Like CardCash, GiftCash makes instant offers on unwanted gift cards for up to 80% of the card‘s value.
To get a quote, you input the gift card balance and brand. GiftCash then verifies the card info and pays out via PayPal or check. One advantage of GiftCash is that the site sometimes runs promotions for bonus payouts on certain brands of gift cards.
Here‘s a quick comparison chart of the top gift card resale sites and their typical payout ranges for Amazon gift cards:
| Site | Amazon Gift Card Payout | Payment Methods |
|---|---|---|
| Raise | Up to 85% of card value | PayPal, direct deposit, check |
| CardCash | Up to 80% of card value | PayPal, direct deposit, check |
| GiftCash | Up to 80% of card value | PayPal, check |
| ClipKard | Up to 80% of card value | PayPal, direct deposit, check |
| CardSell | Up to 75% of card value | PayPal, direct deposit |
As you can see, most of these sites offer fairly similar payout rates for Amazon gift cards. The biggest differences come down to seller fees, payout speed and brand reputation. It‘s always a good idea to compare quotes from a few different sites to make sure you‘re getting the best deal.
One thing to keep in mind is that these resale sites make money by buying gift cards at a discount and then reselling them to other shoppers. So you‘ll always get less than the full value of your gift card when selling it secondhand.
For example, if you have a $100 Amazon gift card, a resale site may offer you $80 for it. The site then turns around and sells that same $100 gift card to another customer for $90. The $10 markup is how the company profits off the transaction.
Risks and Precautions When Selling Amazon Gift Cards Online
While selling an Amazon gift card on an exchange site can be a relatively easy way to convert it into cash, there are also some inherent risks involved. Gift card fraud is a growing problem, with scammers increasingly targeting resale sites to unload stolen or counterfeit gift cards.
To protect yourself when selling an Amazon gift card online, follow these best practices:
1. Only sell e-gift cards, not physical cards.
Digital gift cards are much easier to verify and transfer instantly to the buyer. Physical gift cards can be lost or stolen in the mail, and it‘s harder to prove legitimate ownership.
2. Check the balance before listing the card.
Most resale sites require you to input the exact gift card balance when creating a listing. If the balance is even a few cents off, the sale could be delayed or canceled. Double check the balance and make sure you haven‘t used any of the funds.
3. Use a secure payment method.
Whenever possible, opt to be paid via a method that offers some level of seller protection, such as PayPal Goods & Services. Avoid deals that propose paying by gift card swap or non-trackable methods like Venmo or Cash App.
4. Confirm the buyer‘s identity.
Before transferring the gift card code, make sure you have the buyer‘s verified contact information in case any issues arise. If a buyer refuses to provide basic identity verification, that‘s a big red flag.
5. Document everything.
Keep records of all communications with the buyer and save screenshots of the gift card balance and transfer. The more documentation you have, the better your chances of resolving any disputes in your favor.
While there will always be some element of risk when selling gift cards online, sticking to well-known resale sites and following these safety guidelines can help minimize your chances of falling victim to gift card scams.
Other Options for Using Unwanted Amazon Gift Cards
If selling your Amazon gift card sounds like too much of a headache, there are plenty of other ways to put that unwanted card balance to good use. Here are a few creative options to consider:
1. Regift it.
We‘ve all been guilty of regifting a present that missed the mark. If you have an Amazon gift card that you know you won‘t use, consider passing it on to someone else who would appreciate it. Just make sure to give them the gift receipt and packaging so they know how much is on the card.
2. Donate it to charity.
Many non-profit organizations accept donated gift cards, including Amazon cards. You can use sites like GiftCards4Change and CharityChoice to find vetted charities that will put your gift card funds to good use. Donating gift cards to qualifying charities may also be tax deductible.
3. Use it to buy gifts for others.
If you have an Amazon gift card burning a hole in your digital wallet, consider using it to knock out some upcoming gift purchases. Chances are you probably have at least a few friends or family members with birthdays or other celebrations on the horizon.
4. Stock up on everyday essentials.
Amazon sells just about everything under the sun, including household staples like toilet paper, cleaning supplies, and pantry items. Use your gift card to buy in bulk and save yourself some trips to the store. You can even set up Subscribe & Save orders to get additional discounts and recurring deliveries.
5. Treat yourself to something special.
If you‘ve been eyeing a big ticket item on Amazon but couldn‘t quite justify the splurge, an unexpected gift card windfall is the perfect excuse to treat yourself. Whether it‘s a new gadget, a luxe beauty product, or that designer purse you‘ve been coveting, go ahead and indulge a little. Gift cards are meant to be enjoyed, after all.
The Bottom Line on Amazon Gift Card Exchanges
To sum things up, Amazon does not directly buy back gift cards or offer refunds for gift card purchases except in very limited circumstances. The company‘s gift card terms prohibit reselling or redeeming Amazon gift cards for cash.
However, there is a thriving secondary market for buying and selling unwanted gift cards online. Popular gift card exchanges like Raise, CardCash and GiftCash will pay up to 80% of the face value for Amazon gift cards, depending on the resale demand.
If you do decide to sell an Amazon gift card through a reseller site, be sure to take precautions to avoid falling victim to gift card scams. Stick to reputable platforms, only sell digital gift card codes, and always use a secure tracked payment method.
But selling isn‘t your only option for unloading an unwanted Amazon gift card. You can also regift it to someone else, donate it to charity, use it to buy presents for others, or treat yourself to something special. With a little creativity, you can easily turn that gift card into something much more valuable.
What‘s your experience with Amazon gift cards? Have you ever sold or exchanged one online? Share your gift card hacks in the comments below!
