How to Use a Visa Gift Card on Amazon: A Small Business Guide

As a small business owner, making purchases on Amazon with a Visa gift card can provide additional financial flexibility compared to standard payment methods. However, effectively navigating Amazon‘s gift card system requires an understanding of key policies, limitations, and best practices.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything a small business needs to know to successfully pay with a Visa gift card on Amazon, including:

Sections:

  1. Check Your Visa Gift Card Balance
  2. Add the Gift Card to Your Amazon Account
  3. Use the Gift Card for Purchases and Partial Payments
  4. Troubleshoot Gift Card Issues
  5. Understand Tax Implications
  6. Check Expirations and Refunds
  7. Compare to Amazon Store Cards

Section 1 – Check Your Visa Gift Card Balance

Before using your Visa gift card on Amazon, confirm the available balance by:

  • Checking online through the gift card provider‘s website
  • Calling the phone number listed on the back of the physical card
  • Verifying in-person at the retailer where it was purchased

Recording your gift card‘s balance and expiration date for future reference can prevent payment issues during checkout.

For example:

Gift Card Provider Balance Expiration
Visa Reward Card $75 12/2025

Knowing you have $75 available ensures your intended Amazon purchase will go through.

Section 2 – Add the Gift Card to Your Amazon Account

Adding your gift card to Amazon‘s payment system is a one-time process:

  1. Go to Your AccountPayment Options
  2. Select Add a Gift Card or Promotional Code
  3. Enter your 16-digit gift card number and 4-digit PIN
  4. Click Apply to Your Balance to register the card

Once added, Amazon will automatically apply any gift card balance towards eligible purchases before charging another payment method on file.

Section 3 – Use the Gift Card for Purchases and Partial Payments

During checkout, Amazon allows you to redeem any amount of your gift card balance towards an order:

  1. With items in your cart, proceed to Checkout
  2. Under payment options, click Enter a Gift Card
  3. Specify amount from gift card balance to apply
  4. Click Apply to complete order

If your gift card balance can‘t cover the full total, Amazon enables easy partial payment by splitting across multiple methods like another card.

However, you can‘t split payment directly between a gift card and other source. The full gift card balance must be applied before charging the remaining amount to a different method.

Section 4 – Troubleshoot Gift Card Issues

Despite following all the proper steps, you may occasionally encounter problems using a Visa gift card on Amazon such as:

  • Errors adding gift card to account
  • Inability to apply funds towards purchases
  • Rejected cards at checkout

If any issues arise, common troubleshooting methods include:

  • Reloading webpage/logging back into Amazon
  • Trying a different web browser
  • Clearing cookies and cached data
  • Double-checking card number entered
  • Verifying card balance and expiration date

Checking for user errors first before contacting Amazon customer support can often resolve gift card problems quickly.

Section 5 – Understand Tax Implications

While convenient for purchases, using Visa gift cards on Amazon does carry tax considerations:

  • Purchases made with a gift card accrue sales tax normally
  • For business purchases, gift cards alter how input and use taxes are handled
  • Keep detailed records of gift card use for proper income tax reporting

Consult a qualified tax advisor or accountant if you have concerns over how gift card payments may impact your overall small business tax obligations.

Section 6 – Check Expirations and Refunds

To avoid losing any balance on unused gift cards:

  • Record your card‘s expiration date
  • Set annual reminders to use unused cards
  • Review retailer and issuer policies on refunding expired cards

Visa allows issuers to set their own terms for expiration and inactive card fees. Checking specifics in advance helps prevent any gift card balance from going to waste.

Section 7 – Compare to Amazon Store Cards

How do Visa gift cards differ from Amazon‘s retailer credit cards for financing business purchases?

Visa Gift Cards

  • Prepaid balance for one-time flexible spending
  • No credit checks or eligibility requirements
  • Expire and lose unused funds per issuer policy

Amazon Store Cards

  • 0% APR financing lines of credit
  • Requires business credit approval
  • No expiration, can carry perpetual balances

For occasional or seasonal expenses, Visa gift cards offer a pay-as-you-go benefit compared to credit accounts. Weigh your purchasing habits and financing needs to decide which works better.

Final Thoughts

Picking the right payment method plays an important role in effectively managing small business finances on Amazon. By understanding policies and best practices for gift card use, you can access additional flexibility tailored to common purchasing scenarios.

As your dedicated small business advisor, feel free to ask any other questions on maximizing Amazon gift cards or other payment strategies.