Can I Transfer My Amazon Gift Card to Another Account in 2023?
As an experienced Amazon seller, this is one of the most common questions I get asked:
"I received an Amazon gift card from a family member/friend/employer, but I can‘t use it. Can I just transfer the balance over to someone else‘s account instead?"
I fully understand not wanting a gift card to go to waste. But the short answer is:
No, Amazon does not allow you to directly transfer gift card balances between accounts.
Attempting to do so actually violates their policy and can result in your gift card being deactivated or even get your Amazon account suspended. It‘s not worth the risk!
However, that doesn‘t mean you can‘t find creative ways to put an unwanted Amazon gift card to good use or pass the value along to someone else. Let me share the safe options I recommend to clients:
Indirect Balance Transfers
While you can‘t do a direct account transfer, purchasing physical gift cards sold on Amazon with your balance is a legitimate way to indirectly pass the value to someone else.
For example, you could use a $100 Amazon credit to buy a $100 Starbucks, Target, or Best Buy gift card, then give that new gift card to a friend. It requires an extra step, but safely transfers the balance.
Just double check the gift card you‘re purchasing meets all of Amazon‘s policies. Some prepaid Visa cards and reloadable options are restricted. Stick with single retailer gift cards and you‘ll be fine.
Trade the Card Online
Another smart option is to trade your unwanted Amazon card for a different retailer on gift card exchange sites.
The /r/giftcardexchange subreddit is a good place to start. There are also dedicated trading sites like CardSwap that let you securely swap gift cards.
I‘ve seen clients trade Amazon cards for desired ones from Target, Home Depot, restaurants, and more. Just be sure to safely meet up for cash.
Resell at a Discount
If trading doesn‘t work out, my clients have had success reselling Amazon gift cards through sites like CardCash. While you won‘t get the full value back, it‘s better than letting it sit unused!
Here‘s how the gift card resale process works:
Enter your Amazon gift card information on the reseller site
They verify the balance is correct
You get paid via check, direct deposit, etc for a percentage of the balance
According to CardCash, over $1 billion in gift cards were resold last year alone. So it‘s extremely common to exchange cards you won‘t use.
Buy and Resell Products
This next tip takes a bit more effort, but I‘ve seen clients earn close to the full gift card value back:
Use the balance to buy popular products on Amazon that can easily be resold locally for cash. Top-selling electronics, video games, toys that are in high demand make ideal choices.
Then resell those items through Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, auction sites, etc. Price competitively and you‘ll recoup cash quickly.
Just be smart about what you buy to avoid getting stuck with inventory. And make sure to factor in Amazon‘s fees and shipping costs.
Donate Items to Charity
Rather than reselling for cash, you could also use the gift card balance to buy much-needed items for local charities supporting families in need.
Diapers, clothing, school supplies, and non-perishable foods are great Amazon purchases that give back. I know clients who‘ve donated boxes of supplies bought with unused gift cards. Such a rewarding option!
Amazon Services Usage
Here are some of the many services that accept Amazon gift cards for payment:
- Prime membership – $139 annually
- Kindle Unlimited – $9.99 monthly
- Amazon Music Unlimited – $7.99 to $14.99 monthly
- Audible membership – $14.95 monthly
- Amazon Fresh grocery delivery
- Renting movies/shows
- eBooks
So before looking to offload your card, see if you can use the balance towards one of these popular Amazon services first.
Important Reminders
I want to re-emphasize a few key Amazon gift card policies I see clients overlook:
Gift cards can only be redeemed on the account they were purchased for – Attempting to use elsewhere just won‘t work.
No returns or exchanges – Unless required by law, Amazon gift cards can‘t be returned or exchanged according to their policy.
Don‘t Assume Balances Carry Over – If you end up with a partially used gift card, hold on to the physical card & receipt showing remainder balance. Contact Amazon CS to redeem the rest later.
Avoid Scams – Only meet locally and accept cash when direct selling to prevent gift card fraud. Beware of "transfer fees".
Following Amazon‘s guidelines prevents account issues down the road. I know it‘s tempting to find shortcuts, but it just isn‘t worth the risk of a suspension.
Bottom Line
As an Amazon seller, I know how frustrating unused gift card balances can be. But with creative thinking, you can often find ways to indirectly transfer or sell the balance while following Amazon‘s rules.
The options I‘ve shared here allow you to safely pass along gift card value without jeopardizing your account status.
Hope this insider advice helps provide clarity on what is (and isn‘t) possible with Amazon gift cards these days. Don‘t hesitate to reach out if any other questions come up!
