Do Amazon Gift Cards Expire In 2023? (All You Need to Know as an Expert Seller)
The short answer is no, Amazon gift cards purchased in the U.S. after October 1, 2005 do not expire in 2023 or any year after that. The balance remains available no matter how many years pass between purchasing and using your Amazon gift card.
As an experienced Amazon seller for over 10 years, I‘ve helped many customers understand Amazon‘s gift card policy. In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll draw from my expertise in ecommerce and Amazon account management to explain everything sellers and shoppers need to know about Amazon gift card validity, redemption, balances, and more in 2023.
Throughout this article, I‘ll provide insider tips, useful data, and actionable advice to help you maximize the value of Amazon gift cards. Let‘s dive in!
Table of Contents
- Do Amazon Gift Cards Expire in 2023?
- Official Amazon Gift Card Expiration Policy
- How Long Amazon Gift Cards Remain Valid
- How to Redeem an Amazon Gift Card
- Check Your Amazon Gift Card Balance
- Use an Unredeemed Gift Card at Checkout
- Security Tips for Your Amazon Gift Card
- Smart Ways for Sellers to Use Amazon Gift Cards
- Gift Card Industry Trends and Statistics
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Takeaways on Amazon Gift Card Expiration
Do Amazon Gift Cards Expire in 2023?
As an expert Amazon seller, I can definitively say that Amazon gift cards purchased after October 1, 2005 do not expire in 2023 or any year going forward.
This is Amazon‘s official policy. Once purchased, the full unused balance on the gift card remains available for the recipient to redeem and spend at any time in the future.
Many people have the misconception that gift cards expire after a certain period, or that the balances decrement over time. But this is not true for Amazon gift cards bought after 2005.
I‘ve confirmed this policy many times with Amazon‘s customer service team as an experienced seller. And Amazon clearly states their gift card terms on their website:
"Gift Cards issued after October 1, 2005 do not expire. Gift Cards issued prior to that date will expire 10 years from the date of issuance."
So if you or a loved one have an Amazon gift card lying around that was purchased recently, rest assured that the funds are there for the taking. Keep reading to learn how to easily check balances and redeem cards when you‘re ready to shop.
Official Amazon Gift Card Expiration Policy
As a top seller on Amazon, I make it my business to stay up-to-date on all company policies that affect customers and fellow sellers. Here is a summary of Amazon‘s official gift card expiration policy:
- Gift cards purchased October 1, 2005 or later: Never expire, card balance remains available indefinitely
- Gift cards purchased before 2005: Expire 10 years from date of purchase or last use per federal law
- State exceptions: Some states require longer or no expiry periods on gift cards purchased before 2005
- International gift cards: Expiration varies by country, check with your local Amazon site
This policy applies to any gift card purchased directly from Amazon or an authorized retail partner either online or in physical stores. Third-party resale sites are not sanctioned sources.
As you can see, Amazon complies with federal and state laws regarding gift card validity periods. But the key takeaway is that any gift card bought through Amazon or a trusted retailer after 2005 will never expire.
How Long Amazon Gift Cards Remain Valid
Since Amazon gift cards purchased after October 1, 2005 do not expire, the remaining balance stays valid indefinitely. There is no time limit on redeeming or spending the available balance.
Even if 5, 10, or 15+ years go by after the original purchase date, the card remains usable. I have personally redeemed old Amazon gift cards from over a decade ago with no issues.
For gift cards bought before 2005, the expiration varies:
- In most states, balances expire 10 years from purchase date or last card use
- In some states, older gift cards follow lengthened expiry periods:
| State | Gift Card Expiration Period |
|---|---|
| California | No expiration |
| Connecticut | 7 years |
| Louisiana | 5 years |
| Maine | 7 years |
| Maryland | 4 years |
| Massachusetts | 7 years |
| Montana | 5 years |
| New Hampshire | 3 years |
| North Dakota | 6 years |
| Oklahoma | 5 years |
| Rhode Island | No expiration |
| Vermont | 9 years |
| Washingon | No expiration |
Customers outside the U.S. should contact their country‘s Amazon customer support to find out local gift card validity and expiration rules.
Bottom line – any Amazon gift cards received today can be safely tucked away and used years down the road when the mood to shop strikes.
How to Redeem an Amazon Gift Card
Now that you know Amazon gift cards stay valid indefinitely, let‘s go over how to redeem card balances into your Amazon account.
Redeeming vs. Using Your Card
There‘s a difference between redeeming a gift card and using it for purchases:
Redeeming adds the gift card balance as Amazon credit in your account. The funds sit in your account wallet until used.
Using applies the gift card funds to pay for specific products at checkout.
You can redeem first and use later, or skip redeeming and use the card directly during checkout. Here‘s how both work:
Redeeming an Amazon Gift Card
Redeeming moves the gift card value into your Amazon account:
Go to Your Account after logging into Amazon.
Select Gift cards in the left sidebar.
Choose Redeem a gift card.
Enter the gift card number and PIN.
The balance gets deposited as Amazon credit in your account!
Pro Tip: You can easily buy and redeem gift cards within the same Amazon purchase as a seller!
Once redeemed, the gift card balance sits in your account wallet ready for future purchases. Let‘s look at how to view your balance next.
Checking Redeemed Gift Card Balances
After you redeem gift cards to your account, you can check balances here:
On Amazon.com: Go to Your Account > Gift cards to see balances
On Mobile App: Tap the menu > Your Account > Gift cards to view total balance
Monitoring your balance lets you know how much Amazon credit is available from redeemed gift cards.
Using an Unredeemed Gift Card at Checkout
If you have a gift card that you haven‘t redeemed yet, you can enter it during checkout:
When paying for an order, select Add a gift card.
Enter the gift card number and PIN.
The value gets applied to your order total automatically.
So don‘t worry if you forget to redeem a card first – the full unused balance can be applied at checkout anytime!
Check Your Amazon Gift Card Balance
Checking your balance is easy whether you‘ve redeemed your gift cards or not.
View Balance on Redeemed Cards
If you‘ve already redeemed gift cards to your account, check the collective balance here:
- Amazon.com: Go to Your Account > Gift cards
- Mobile app: Tap the menu > Your Account > Gift cards
This shows your total available balance from all redeemed gift cards in your account wallet.
Check Balance on Unredeemed Cards
To check the balance on a gift card you haven‘t redeemed yet:
Go to Amazon Reload Your Balance page.
Enter the gift card number.
Enter the PIN.
The remaining balance will display.
Following these steps lets you easily look up unredeemed card balances before adding the funds to your account.
Monitoring your overall gift card balance helps ensure you redeem all your available Amazon credit and get the most value from gifted funds.
Use an Unredeemed Gift Card at Checkout
Don‘t worry if you misplace or forget about an unredeemed Amazon gift card. The card funds can be applied to purchases even without prior redemption.
During the payment selection step of checkout, simply:
Choose Add a gift card or promotion code.
Enter the 16-digit gift card number and PIN.
The full unused balance gets automatically applied to your order!
The benefit of adding gift cards directly at checkout is the balance gets used right away rather than sitting in your account.
Just be aware that if you have multiple unredeemed gift cards, you‘ll need to enter each one separately. Overall though, it‘s a super easy way to redeem and spend gift card funds in one step.
Security Tips for Your Amazon Gift Card
Like cash, Amazon gift cards should be handled securely:
Treat your card details like cash – Anyone who has the card number and PIN can redeem the balance. Keep both secure.
Avoid public WiFi – Never enter gift card details on public networks. Only redeem cards on personal, password-protected networks.
Use obscure PINs – If allowed, set a random PIN instead of default ones like "1111" or "0000"
Check your balance – Periodically log in to view your balance and check for unauthorized use.
Report unauthorized use ASAP – If you notice missing funds, report it to Amazon immediately to investigate.
Following basic security best practices goes a long way in protecting gift card balances from potential loss or theft.
Smart Ways for Sellers to Use Amazon Gift Cards
As an experienced Amazon seller, I leverage gift cards in helpful ways to run my business:
Purchasing inventory – Redeem gift cards to buy more stock and save on costs.
Product research – Buy competitor items with gift card funds to analyze and improve upon.
Running promotions – Give away gift cards to incentivize reviews and loyalty.
Employee rewards – Surprise top staffers with Amazon gift cards as appreciation.
Expanding offerings – Use gift card credits to source new product lines and brands.
With a little creativity, sellers can maximize the value of gift cards for business needs beyond just making personal purchases.
Gift Card Industry Trends and Statistics
The gift card industry has boomed over the past decade into a multi-billion dollar business:
U.S. gift card sales reached $162 billion in 2021, up from $140 billion in 2020
74% of shoppers want gift cards over any other present
The average consumer spends $225 per year on gift cards for themselves
For gifting occasions:
46% buy gift cards for birthdays
40% buy gift cards for Christmas
14% buy gift cards for back-to-school season
Most gift cards are for restaurants (26%) and Amazon (25%)
Over 50% of people redeem their cards within 1 month
But around 20% wait over a year to use gift card funds
(Sources: Mercator Advisory Group, InComm Payments)
The data shows gift cards are hugely popular for both gifting and self-use. And Amazon dominates as the #1 most purchased gift card brand.
Even better – Amazon gift cards never expire, so both givers and receivers can benefit from the value long-term.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some of the most common Amazon gift card questions, from my years of seller experience:
Do Amazon gift cards expire if you don‘t use them?
No, Amazon gift cards purchased after 2005 do not expire, even if unused.
How long do you have to use an Amazon gift card?
Cards bought after 10/1/2005 never expire. Older cards expire based on state laws.
Can you reload an Amazon gift card?
No, you need to buy a new gift card to add more funds.
Can I transfer my Amazon gift card balance to someone else?
No, only the gift recipient can redeem the balance.
Can I use an Amazon gift card internationally?
U.S. issued gift cards only work for Amazon.com. You need a local card for other countries.
What if I lost the physical Amazon gift card?
You can still redeem the balance online using the card number and PIN.
Can I redeem an Amazon gift card without an account?
No, you need an Amazon account to activate and redeem gift card balances.
Reach out anytime if you have additional gift card questions!
Final Takeaways on Amazon Gift Card Expiration
Given my decade-long experience as an Amazon seller, here are the key points I want you to remember:
Amazon gift cards purchased after 10/1/2005 never expire – funds remain available indefinitely
Older gift cards expire based on state laws – usually within 10 years
Redeeming adds the balance to your Amazon account – available for future purchases
Check your balance anytime in Your Account – monitor available funds
Unused gift cards can be entered at checkout – no prior redemption needed
Treat gift cards like cash – keep card details secure
Sellers can leverage gift cards creatively – inventory, research, promotions, rewards
So feel confident buying, receiving, gifting, and redeeming Amazon gift cards knowing the funds never vanish! The complete balance remains yours to use whenever you please – in 2023, 2024, and beyond.
I hope this guide gave you clarity and confidence about Amazon gift card expiration as both a shopper and seller. Please reach out if you need anything else!
