What Stores Sell Amazon Gift Cards In 2022? (Fees + Other FAQs)
If you are looking to buy Amazon gift cards either for yourself or to give as gifts in 2022, you may be wondering – what stores actually sell Amazon gift cards? Unlike some more universally accepted gift cards, Amazon gift cards are not available at every retailer.
So where can you reliably find Amazon gift cards in stores? In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll overview the major retailers that sell Amazon gift cards, places you won‘t find them, online buying options, a cost comparison, and frequently asked questions.
Introduction – The Lowdown on Buying Amazon Gift Cards
First, let‘s quickly cover some key facts on the Amazon gift card landscape:
Amazon gift card sales reached $6 billion in 2021, making them one of the most popular gift card choices behind only Visa/Mastercard and Starbucks.
Amazon gift card sales have been growing over 15% annually over the past few years as Amazon‘s market share increases.
However, around one-third of recipients don‘t redeem their gift cards within the first year. This "breakage" totals nearly $3 billion in unspent funds.
For sellers, gift cards present opportunities to grow your business by reinvesting proceeds or through exchange and arbitrage.
So in short, Amazon gift cards are hugely popular but many end up going unused for long periods. As an ecommerce seller, you can capitalize on this with the right gift card purchase and utilization strategy.
But first, where can you actually buy the cards? Let‘s dive into the major retail options.
Stores That Reliably Sell Amazon Gift Cards
While availability varies by location, here are the major retail chains that typically stock and sell Amazon gift cards:
Convenience Stores
Convenience store chains like 7-Eleven, Wawa, Circle K, and others often sell Amazon gift cards right at the register. In fact, a 2021 survey found 96% of convenience stores sell gift cards, with open-loop options like Amazon among the top sellers.
Gas Stations
Your local Exxon, Shell, BP, Chevron and other branded gas stations generally offer Amazon cards behind the checkout counter. Around 92% of gas stations make gift card sales a regular part of their business.
Grocery Stores
Grocery chains like Kroger, Albertsons, Safeway, Publix, and Whole Foods usually stock Amazon cards in a variety of denominations. Look for them at the checkout lanes for easy one-stop shopping.
Drugstores
CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, and other pharmacy chains tend to carry Amazon gift cards near the registers, often promotively displayed. Their business doesn‘t compete with Amazon.
Big Box Stores
Target, Best Buy, Costco and other major retail chains frequently sell Amazon gift cards both in-store and online. They offer flexible multi-retailer gifting options.
Phone Carriers
Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile stores provide Amazon gift cards, especially promoting them with sign-up offers. Phones and Amazon offering complement each other.
| Store Type | % Selling Gift Cards |
|---|---|
| Convenience Stores | 96% |
| Grocery Stores | 94% |
| Gas Stations | 92% |
| Drug Stores | 89% |
In general, you‘ll have the most luck finding Amazon gift cards at the above types of retailers. Their product offerings tend not to directly compete with Amazon. Next, we‘ll cover the major stores that intentionally do not offer Amazon gift cards.
Stores That Don‘t Sell Amazon Gift Cards
The most notable exceptions you‘ll want to be aware of:
Walmart
As Amazon‘s biggest direct competitor, it makes sense that Walmart does not sell their gift cards in any location. Instead, Walmart concentrates on promoting its own gift cards.
Costco
Costco warehouse stores have a policy against offering any other retailer‘s gift cards – you‘ll only find Costco Shop Cards available.
Dollar Stores
Dollar General and Dollar Tree locations tend to only sell their own branded gift cards and not offer third party options like Amazon.
So when looking for Amazon gift cards in brick-and-mortar stores, avoided shopping at Walmart, Costco or dollar stores. Their business models directly conflict with selling competitor cards.
Buying Amazon Gift Cards Online
Beyond in-store options, buying Amazon gift cards through online channels offers convenience and potentially discounted pricing:
Amazon.com
Obviously Amazon allows you to buy their gift cards directly on Amazon.com. You can instantly get the claim code via email or printable PDF. Cards purchased on Amazon never expire.
Rewards Sites
Swagbucks, Rakuten, and other rewards platforms let you earn cash back or points when you buy Amazon gift cards through their sites. You can get up to 15% back on some purchases.
Gift Card Marketplaces
On sites like Raise and CardCash you can often find discounted Amazon gift cards for around 5-15% off face value. The discounts may come with quicker expiration dates.
International Options
If you need to buy Amazon gift cards for other countries like Canada, Mexico or the UK, sites like GiftCards.com sell international options. Some may charge foreign transaction fees.
Purchasing Amazon gift cards online provides flexibility if you can‘t easily access a convenient brick-and-mortar retailer. You can also take advantage of rewards programs and discounted pricing through reseller marketplaces.
Next let‘s compare the potential fees and costs associated with various purchase options.
Amazon Gift Card Cost Comparison
Here is a breakdown of the typical fees and net costs you can expect from different channels when buying a $100 Amazon gift card:
| Purchase Method | Face Value | Fees | Effective Discount | Net Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon.com | $100 | $0 | 0% | $100 |
| Retail Stores | $100 | $0 | 0% | $100 |
| Rewards Sites | $100 | $3-5 | 8-10% back | $90-92 |
| Gift Card Sites | $100 | $0 | 5-15% off | $85-95 |
| Convenience Stores | $100 | $2-5 activation fee | 0% | $102-105 |
As you can see, buying direct from Amazon or major chains like grocery and drug stores will get you no fee purchases. while sites like Raise provide an easy way to save 5-15% off face value prices.
Convenience store activation fees add a couple dollars in costs. And rewards sites effectively give discounts in the form of cashback or points on purchases.
So if maximizing your cost savings as a seller, discounted gift card marketplaces provide the best value. But weigh this against the quicker expiration dates they may impose.
Tips for Sellers to Maximize Amazon Gift Cards
As an ecommerce seller, here are some tips to make the most of buying and redeeming Amazon gift cards:
Buy discounted gift cards to save on your Amazon purchases for supplies and inventory. Time purchases before expiration.
Reinvest proceeds from sales by buying more inventory. The gift card discounts improve your margins.
Participate in arbitrage – buy gift cards at a discount then resell at higher price for profit.
Create an automated process to check gift card balances and integrate into your accounting.
Use gift cards strategically for giveaways and promotions to attract customers.
Leverage gift card cashback and rewards to offset other business expenses.
With the right strategy, you can utilize Amazon gift cards to grow your ecommerce business‘s bottom line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Now let‘s answer some of the most common questions buyers have about purchasing Amazon gift cards:
What stores sell Amazon gift cards in-store?
You can reliably find Amazon gift cards at convenience stores, grocers, drugstores, gas stations, phone stores, and big box retailers like Best Buy and Target. Exceptions are Costco, Walmart and dollar stores.
What fees or discounts apply to Amazon gift cards?
Most major retails sell gift cards at full face value with no fees. But some convenience stores charge small activation fees around $2-5. Online resellers offer 5-15% discounts but may impose shorter expiration dates.
Can I buy Amazon gift cards internationally?
Yes, sites like GiftCards.com sell international Amazon gift card options from Canada, Mexico, UK, Germany and more. Some foreign transaction fees may apply.
How do I check the balance on an Amazon gift card?
You can check the balance of an Amazon gift card by entering the code at Amazon.com or calling 1-888-282-6060 for the automated phone balance.
How do I redeem an Amazon gift card?
Redeeming is easy – just apply the gift card code at checkout when making a purchase on Amazon.com. The funds can only be spent on Amazon, not in external stores.
What are the pros and cons of store vs online gift card buying?
In-store allows you to obtain cards immediately. Online offers convenience and potential discounts. Weigh factors like urgency, cost, expiration policies and more.
Conclusion
Finding Amazon gift cards in retail stores is just a matter of knowing where to look – convenience stores, grocers, gas stations and drug stores almost always carry them. Avoid Walmart, Costco and dollar stores.
Buying gift cards online unlocks discounts, rewards and convenience. For sellers, gift cards present great opportunities to reinvest, promote and arbitrage if you use the right strategies.
Wherever you choose to acquire Amazon gift cards, you‘ll have a flexible and valuable gift giving option that also can benefit your ecommerce business on Amazon.
