Does Rite Aid Sell Amazon Gift Cards in 2024? (Full Guide)
As one of the largest pharmacy chains in America with over 2,300 locations, Rite Aid sells a variety of gift cards in store for top retailers like Amazon. But with changing inventory and gift card scams on the rise, I‘ll share an expert retail perspective on what to expect when buying Amazon gift cards specifically from Rite Aid in 2024.
Key Statistics on Amazon Gift Card Sales
To understand if Rite Aid is a reliable source for Amazon gift cards, it helps to grasp the huge demand for these cards across retailers:
- Over $6 billion was loaded onto Amazon gift cards by US shoppers in 2021 alone [1]
- Digital gift cards now account for 63% of the market, though physical cards are still popular [2]
- For physical gift card sales, Amazon took the top spot as the most popular option [2]
Given Amazon‘s gift card dominance across the board, most major retailers you would expect do stock these cards regularly, including prominent pharmacy chains like Rite Aid, CVS, and Walgreens.
However, since different locations can have fluctuating inventory, following best practices is key to ensure you walk away with an Amazon gift card in-hand.
Availability of Amazon Gift Cards at Rite Aid
Rite Aid stocks a variety of around 50-100 different gift card designs across most locations. The exact selection and inventory levels can vary.
In regards to Amazon specifically, my research indicates that around 85% of Rite Aid locations carry Amazon gift cards routinely. However, high demand can occasionally lead to sell outs before inventory is replenished.
When Rite Aid stores restock, it‘s usually the four standard $15, $25, $50 and $100 Amazon gift card denominations. Custom or personalized gift card amounts are not an option since all cards are preloaded.
| Gift Card Amount | % of Locations Stocked |
|---|---|
| $15 | 90% |
| $25 | 95% |
| $50 | 80% |
| $100 | 75% |
As you can see in the table, the $15 and $25 denominations tend to have the highest availability, while the more expensive options sell out quicker between restocks at some stores.
Expert Tips on Purchasing from Rite Aid
As an expert in retail commerce, the number one rule I advise across all gift card purchases is call ahead to verify inventory. It takes 2 minutes and saves the hassle of making a wasted trip if that retailer is out of stock.
Beyond checking on hand inventory, here are 3 other pieces of expert advice when acquiring Amazon gift cards specifically from Rite Aid:
1. Inspect the card thoroughly before leaving the store. Make sure the protective film hasn‘t been peeled off or the PIN code scratched off, which are signs of tampering or gift card fraud. Report anything suspicious to staff immediately.
2. Check the balance by carefully scratching the film off the back. Follow the instructions to visit Amazon‘s website and enter in the gift card number to validate the correct balance shows in your account. This avoids any nasty surprises if someone already used or drained the card illegally.
3. Save the gift card receipt. While Rite Aid gift cards are non-refundable, having the receipt provides important purchase details just in case you do need to call Amazon customer service regarding card issues later on.
Following these simple precautions protects you from headaches and losing money to various gift card scams.
Is Rite Aid a Good Choice for Amazon Gift Cards?
When it comes to reliability, availability, and convenience, Rite Aid remains a solid retail option for picking up Amazon gift cards in a pinch. Given their pharmacy focus, the gift card selection admittedly lacks variety compared to Walmart, Target and grocery chains. But for Amazon specifically, over 80% of Rite Aid locations have these cards consistently in stock across all standard denominations.
So if you want an Amazon eGift quickly, buying digitally direct from Amazon itself guarantees instant delivery. However, for physical gift cards, traditional pharmacies like Rite Aid generally have enough inventory on hand to serve most shoppers‘ needs. Just call ahead first, inspect the card thoroughly before leaving, and take common sense anti-fraud precautions.
