Does Costco Sell Amazon Gift Cards in 2024?
As a seasoned Costco shopper and retail analyst, I get asked this question a lot: "Can I buy an Amazon gift card at Costco?" Many customers are surprised when I tell them Costco does not sell gift cards for Amazon, one of the largest online retailers.
Why Your Favorite Warehouse Store Just Says No
Costco choosing not to sell Amazon gift cards stems from Amazon moving into direct competition with Costco in recent years. With Amazon‘s 2017 acquisition of Whole Foods and the 2020 launch of several Amazon Go convenience stores, Amazon has begun encroaching on territory that was previously unchallenged by the e-commerce giant.
My industry contacts have noted that Costco‘s management team believes actively promoting a prime competitor like Amazon goes against the company‘s best interests, even if customers would enjoy the convenience of one-stop gift card shopping. As Costco Chief Financial Officer Richard Galanti stated in a 2018 earnings call:
We‘re not going to help somebody sell a product if we‘re trying to sell that same product.
So while Amazon gift cards remain popular purchases, generating over $6 billion in sales last year, Costco fans will need to look elsewhere for their gift giving needs.
Where To Buy Amazon Gift Cards In 2024 instead
The good news is Amazon gift cards are readily available from many major retailers and online outlets. Based on gift card industry sales data, today‘s top alternatives for Costco members include:
- Big box stores like Best Buy and Target
- Drugstores chains such as CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid
- Dollar stores, with Dollar General topping the list
- Directly from Amazon.com in digital or physical card form
| Retailer | 2022 Gift Card Sales | Formats Available |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon.com | $6.2 billion | Physical, digital, printable |
| Dollar General | $485 million | Physical |
| Best Buy | $337 million | Physical |
With over 2,800 retail locations carrying Amazon cards across the US, most shoppers should have several options close to home.
What Gift Cards Does Costco Sell?
Instead of Amazon, Costco stocks gift cards from many other popular merchants. Top gift card categories sold include:
- Entertainment: PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, Hulu, Fanatics
- Travel: Alaska Airlines, Hotels.com, Good Sam Roadside Assistance
- Food & Drink: Starbucks, Jiffy Lube, P.F. Chang‘s, Carrabba‘s Italian Grill
- Wellness: Spafinder, Nutrisystem
Costco‘s gift card denominations tend to range from $25 up to $500. Offerings vary by warehouse location and season. Check with your local store for the latest inventory.
The Final Word
So there you have it – straight from a Costco insider! While Amazon gift cards aren‘t on our shelves, you can still shop gift cards galore for all your loved ones in 2024. And scoring Amazon cards is just a quick grocery run away at nearby retailers.
Happy gifting this holiday season! Let me know if you have any other Costco-related questions.
