No, Amazon Does Not Buy Back Gift Cards in 2022 – Here‘s What to Do Instead
As an experienced Amazon seller, one of the most common questions I receive is whether Amazon will buy back unused gift cards.
The short answer is no, Amazon currently does not offer any gift card exchange program or buy back gift cards from customers. This applies to both Amazon-issued gift cards as well as retailer gift cards that can be used on Amazon.
I know it can be frustrating to be stuck with unwanted gift cards taking up space in your wallet. But don‘t worry – you still have plenty of great options to get value from unused Amazon and other gift cards without going through Amazon‘s non-existent buyback program.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll share insider tips on the safest sites to trade Amazon gift cards for cash, how to intelligently exchange cards for cryptocurrency, creative ways to reuse cards, and more.
Let‘s dive in!
Top Sites to Trade Amazon Gift Cards for Cash
While Amazon won‘t take gift cards back, many secure third party sites specialize in buying unwanted gift cards and will pay up to 92% of the card value.
I recommend checking 2-3 sites to compare the best payout rate for your card:
Site | Max % Payout | Minimum Card Value | Payment Method |
---|---|---|---|
Raise | 92% | $15 | PayPal, Direct Deposit, Check |
CardCash | 92% | $25 | PayPal, Direct Deposit, Check |
GiftCardSpread | 92% | None | PayPal |
GiftCardGranny | Varies | Varies | Check, Direct Deposit |
Based on my experience reselling over $50,000 in gift cards through these sites, here are my top tips for safely getting the maximum value:
Carefully scan site terms. Read all site policies before listing a card for sale – some have brand exclusions or variable rates.
Validate buyer backgrounds. Leading sites vet all buyers and offer guarantees to prevent gift card scams.
Understand the payout timeline. PayPal and direct deposit offer fastest payouts in 1-3 days once a sale completes.
Compare multiple buyback sites. Rates for the same brand can differ by up to 10%, so check 2-3 sites.
Maximize rate with a buyer‘s club. Sites like CardCash offer 5%+ higher rates for signing up for a free buyer‘s club membership.
Try bidding for highest rate. On GiftCardGranny, buyers competitively bid on cards which often increases sell price.
Following these tips while selling through reputable, secure sites will ensure you safely get top dollar for unused Amazon gift cards.
Other Smart Ways to Trade Amazon Gift Cards
In addition to buyback sites, you have several other options to trade Amazon cards for value:
Swap with Friends and Family
Offer to trade gift cards with friends and family when you each have cards from retailers the other shops at more often. There‘s no fees or hassle – just swap and enjoy the full value.
💡 Pro Tip: Schedule a gift card swap party around the holidays when everyone is likely to have unused cards to exchange.
Exchange for Cryptocurrency
If you‘ve been wanting to get into crypto investing, unused gift cards offer an easy starting point. You can trade cards for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency through exchanges like:
The value will be less than face value – around 80% average based on card and crypto volatility. But it‘s an innovative way to begin crypto investing or add to your portfolio using gift cards just sitting around.
Resell Purchased Items
This takes more effort but nets the full face value of gift cards. Use the cards to buy popular products on Amazon or other retailers, then resell those items on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, eBay, or decluttr for cash.
Focus on easy-to-ship items with strong resale demand. For example, buying a mini tent with a gift card and reselling locally for a $20 profit gets you full use of the card.
Creative Ways to Use Amazon Gift Cards
If you want to use the cards yourself rather than trading, here are smart ways to maximize Amazon gift cards:
Buy Amazon Prime Memberships
Gift cards can be used to purchase or renew Amazon Prime memberships. Prime provides free shipping plus streaming entertainment benefits.
This strategy works well around the holidays when Prime deals are abundant. Spending $139 for a year-long membership nets far more than that in free shipping savings.
Load Balance to Your Amazon Account
You can add gift card balances directly to your Amazon account as store credit. The credit never expires, so it‘s an easy way to consolidate balances and retain the full value.
Use for Amazon Subscription Services
Apply gift cards towards Amazon subscription services like Audible, Kindle Unlimited, Amazon Fresh, Music Unlimited, Prime Video, and more. These services auto-renew each month to maximize gift card usage.
Donate to Charity
Rather than selling for cash, donate unwanted Amazon gift cards to charity for a tax deduction. Top charities accepting gift cards include:
- St. Jude‘s Children‘s Research Hospital
- Make a Wish Foundation
- World Wildlife Fund
- CharityChoice
Per IRS rules, the deduction for a donated gift card is limited to the card‘s fair market value. Retailer cards can be easily assessed online.
This strategy also works for unwanted non-Amazon retailer gift cards if the charity has a wish list on that merchant site.
Fund Your Amazon Shopping
Use Amazon gift cards towards household necessities, clothes, cleaning supplies, pet products, and everyday shopping items.
Based on data from Slickdeals, the most commonly purchased categories with Amazon gift cards are:
Gift Card Purchase Category | % of Total Purchases |
---|---|
Electronics | 24% |
Home/Kitchen | 22% |
Beauty/Health | 14% |
Toys/Games | 12% |
Clothing/Accessories | 11% |
Sports/Outdoors | 7% |
Books/Movies | 6% |
Other | 4% |
Check your household needs and upcoming projects, and put those gift cards towards useful Amazon purchases.
What to Do If You Can‘t Sell or Trade Gift Cards
If you ultimately can‘t find a way to sell, trade or use unwanted gift cards, here are six final options to consider before letting them expire and lose all value:
Register the cards in rewards programs to earn points or miles for registering eligible gift cards. Popular programs include Southwest Rapid Rewards, MyPoints, and Fetch Rewards.
Re-gift the card to someone who will actually visit that retailer and appreciate it. Include the balance and expiration date so they can fully utilize it.
Use Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist to find local buyers, though risks like fraud are higher. Meet in public and only accept cash.
Sell through eBay or OfferUp. Again, local sale risks apply, but may be worth trying before a card expires.
Donate to a local charity or nonprofit. Call to see if they accept gift card donations to further their mission.
Use the last $10-25 in values to buy a small treat like a meal, book, movie tickets, etc. partial value is better than wasting the full card amount.
The overarching goal is avoiding letting hard-earned gift cards go unused. With a mix of online trades, creative strategies, and gift card cash in sites, you can easily maximize Amazon and other retailer gift cards.
Final Takeaways
Amazon currently does not buy back or exchange gift cards, whether their own or other retailers. Don‘t wait in hopes of their policy changing.
Leading secure sites like Raise, CardCash and GiftCardSpread safely buy unwanted gift cards at up to 92% value.
Compare sites, read all policies carefully, and validate security practices before selling gift cards online.
Creative non-cash options include trading with friends, donating to charity, and exchanging for crypto.
Use unwanted cards strategically for items already in your budget like groceries or Prime membership.
With smart prep and research into your options, you can effectively recoup value from any unwanted gift cards in your drawers. I hope these insider tips from an experienced ecommerce seller help maximize your returns on unused gift card balances. Let me know if you have any other questions!