Redeeming an Amazon gift card takes three steps: find your claim code, sign into your Amazon account, and enter the code on the gift card page
The claim code is either printed on a physical card or sent to you in an email. Once you have it, you go to amazon.com/gc/redeem, sign in with your Amazon account, paste or type the code, and the balance adds to your account when ready. The money stays in your account as store credit until you spend it — there is no separate step to "set up" it after you redeem the code.
The process works the same whether the card came as a physical gift, an email delivery, or a promotional offer. Once the code is redeemed, the balance is yours to use on anything Amazon sells, including physical items, digital content, and subscriptions.
Key Takeaways
- The claim code on a physical card is usually on the back, under a scratch-off panel, or printed on the front depending on the card design.
- Email gift cards include the claim code in the message body or as a link you click to go straight to the redemption page.
- You must be signed into your Amazon account before you redeem — the balance attaches to that account only.
- After you redeem, the balance appears in your account within seconds and you can use it when ready on your next purchase.
Finding your claim code on a physical card
Physical Amazon gift cards have the claim code printed on the back or under a scratch-off panel on the front. The code is a long string of letters and numbers, usually 16 to 20 characters. If the card came in a gift box or envelope, check both sides and look for any text that says "Claim Code" or "Gift Card Number."
Some cards have the code visible from the start. Others have a silver or gold scratch-off layer you need to rub away to reveal it. Be careful not to scratch off the code itself — you only need to remove the protective layer on top.
If you cannot find the code or the card is damaged, you can contact Amazon Customer Service with the card number (usually printed separately from the claim code) and they can help you recover the balance.
Locating the code in an email gift card
Email gift cards arrive in your inbox with the subject line "Your Amazon.com Gift Card" or similar. The claim code appears in the email body, usually as a long alphanumeric string. Some emails also include a clickable button that says "Redeem Your Gift Card" — clicking it takes you directly to the redemption page with the code already filled in.
If you cannot find the code in the email, check your spam or promotions folder. Amazon gift card emails sometimes get filtered away from your main inbox. You can also search your email for "amazon.com/gc/redeem" to find the message quickly.
How to redeem the code on Amazon
Go to amazon.com/gc/redeem in your web browser or open the Amazon app and navigate to the gift card redemption page. Sign in with the Amazon account where you want the balance to appear. This is important — the balance will attach to whichever account you are signed into when you redeem.
Paste or type the claim code into the text box and click "explore to Your Balance" or "Redeem." The page will confirm the amount and show it added to your account. The whole process takes less than a minute.
If you get an error message, double-check that you copied the code correctly — spaces and special characters matter. If the code still does not work, it may have already been redeemed, or there may be a technical issue. Contact Amazon Customer Service with the code and they can investigate.
What happens after you redeem
Once the code is redeemed, the balance shows in your account under "Your Account" > "Gift Cards" or in the payment method section when you check out. You can see the exact amount and use it on any purchase. The balance never expires as long as your account remains active.
When you make a purchase, Amazon automatically applies your gift card balance first before charging any other payment method. If your purchase is more than the gift card balance, you pay the difference with a credit card, debit card, or other method on file. If the purchase is less, the remaining balance stays in your account for future use.
Redeeming a card on a mobile device
The process is the same on a phone or tablet. Open the Amazon app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), scroll to "Your Account," and look for "Gift Cards" or "Redeem a Gift Card." Tap that option, sign in if needed, and enter the claim code. The balance appears in your account when ready.
If you are using the app and the redemption page does not load, try opening amazon.com/gc/redeem in your phone's web browser instead. Some older app versions have trouble with the redemption feature, but the website version works on any device.
What to do if the code does not work
If you get an error when you try to redeem, check these things first: make sure you are signed into the correct Amazon account, verify that you typed or pasted the code exactly as it appears (including any hyphens), and confirm that the code has not already been redeemed by someone else.
If the code is damaged or unreadable on a physical card, take a photo of the card and contact Amazon Customer Service. They can look up the balance using the card number and help you redeem it manually. If the email gift card never arrived, ask the sender to resend it or provide the claim code directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I redeem a gift card to someone else's account?
No. You must redeem the code to your own account. Once it is redeemed, the balance belongs to that account and cannot be transferred. If you want to give the balance to someone else, you would need to use it to buy them a gift or item they want, or purchase a new gift card in their name.
What if I redeem the code twice by accident?
Amazon will reject the second attempt with an error message saying the code has already been redeemed. You cannot accidentally charge yourself twice. If you are unsure whether a code was redeemed, check your gift card balance in your account — if the balance is there, the code worked.
Does the gift card balance expire?
No. Once you redeem the code, the balance stays in your account indefinitely as long as your account is active. Amazon does not expire gift card balances. However, if your account is closed or inactive for an extended period, Amazon may close it, which would make the balance inaccessible.
Can I use a gift card to pay for a subscription or Prime membership?
Yes. Gift card balance can be used for Amazon Prime membership, Prime Video subscriptions, Kindle Unlimited, and other Amazon subscriptions. The balance is treated like any other payment method and is charged automatically when the subscription renews.
What if the physical card is lost or stolen after I redeem it?
Once the code is redeemed, the physical card itself has no value — the balance is in your account, not on the card. If the card is lost or stolen, there is nothing to worry about. The code cannot be used again, and the balance is safe in your account.