The Complete Guide to Buying Amazon Gift Cards

Amazon gift cards have become the perfect gift for anyone. Offering both convenience and incredible choice of items available on Amazon, it‘s no wonder they are so universally popular. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about buying Amazon gift cards – from understanding the benefits to where to buy them, popular gifting ideas, and more.

What Are Amazon Gift Cards and How Do They Work?

For those unfamiliar, Amazon gift cards function as store credit on Amazon.com. They come in both physical and virtual formats with unique claim codes used to redeem the balance to an Amazon account. The funds can then be spent on eligible products or services on Amazon.

Gift cards are available in denominations from $10 to $2,000. You can also opt for custom amounts. There are no fees or expiration dates associated with use of the cards.

Once redeemed to an account, the gift card balance will automatically apply at checkout on Amazon. So whenever recipients shop, they don‘t need to worry about entering codes or keeping track of balances. The available balance shows right in their account.

Why Are Amazon Gift Cards Such Popular Gifts?

Amazon gift cards make excellent gifts for friends, family, employees, and virtually anyone for many reasons:

Endless Possibilities on Amazon

With over 12 million products available across every category imaginable, an Amazon gift card lets recipients choose what they truly want or need. From laptops and toys to books, gardening tools, beauty products, and beyond – the options are virtually endless.

That makes gift cards perfect for:

• Picky or hard-to-shop for recipients
• New acquaintances when you don‘t know their preferences
• Coworkers, employees, and clients during the holidays

Flexibility and Convenience

Other advantages making Amazon gift cards so useful include:

• No fees or expiration dates – balances never disappear
• Convenient scheduling and delivery of eGifts and physical cards
• Mobile redemption through the Amazon app
• Instant access to funds for eGift recipients

Plus with free returns on most Amazon items, recipients can easily exchange or return anything they don‘t want.

Research shows 75% of gift card recipients spent 38% over the initial value of gift cards like Amazon. So not only are they guaranteed to use your gift, they often use it quickly and spend more in the process!

Customization Options

With so many design choices and personalization options, Amazon gift cards feel tailor-made for recipients:

• Select festive designs based on occasion or holiday
• Add custom recipient names or messages
• Choose delivery dates to align with birthdays, Christmas, etc.
• Bundle with other small gifts or gift wrap

With all these benefits, Amazon gift cards make picking gifts a breeze!

Where To Buy Amazon Gift Cards

Amazon gift cards can be purchased easily both online and in-store across over a thousand retailer locations nationally. Here are the most popular places to get Amazon gift cards:

Online Purchase Options

Amazon.com

The easiest way to buy Amazon gift cards is on Amazon itself. Benefits include:

• Huge selection of designs and denominations
• Instant delivery of eGift cards to recipient emails
• Scheduled delivery dates for physical gift cards
• Custom recipient names and personal messages

Retailers like Target, Best Buy, Starbucks, and more

Many major chains sell Amazon cards through their websites. Pros and cons:

Pros

• Often discounted rates or bonus promotional offers
• Points/rewards programs may apply

Cons

• Limited design choices
• May charge for expedited shipping
• Restrictions around customization

Check retailer terms before purchasing.

Brick and Mortar Retail Options

You can also easily find Amazon cards at the following nationwide retail outlets:

Grocery Stores – Safeway, Kroger, Publix, Albertsons

Drug stores – CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid

Warehouse clubs – Costco, Sam‘s Club

Misc. chains – 7-Eleven, Casey‘s, Circle K, Kum & Go

Physical cards typically range from $10 to $500. Be sure to grab any promotional offers or coupons when buying in-person!

Breakdown of Amazon Gift Card Shoppers

Industry analysis shows gift card popularity growing across all demographics, but some data indicates who buys the most and why:

• Women purchase 2x as many gift cards compared to men
• Millennials and Gen Z lead gift card spending by generation
• Holidays like birthdays and Christmas see biggest spikes
• Many companies buy cards to incentivize employees

Convenience and wide appeal are the main drivers behind growth. Amazon gift cards in particular continue gaining favor for their flexibility.

Types of Amazon Gift Cards Available

Amazon offers both digital and physical gift cards to suit different gifting needs:

Let‘s explore the perks around each type more closely:

Physical Gift Cards

As the name suggests, physical gift cards are plastic cards similar to other retailer gift cards. Unique advantages include:

Tangibility – Physical mementos feel more special for gifting momenets like birthdays, holidays, employee incentives.

Customization – Most physical cards allow you to add custom names, messages, and select festive designs.

Gift delivery – Cards ship directly to recipient addresses in tasteful envelopes, or to your address for personal delivery.

The one downside is requiring 1-2 weeks for standard delivery. So order with some lead time in mind.

eGift Cards

Prefer instant gift gratification? Amazon eGift Cards deliver to recipient emails within minutes, redeemable on Amazon instantly.

Benefits include:

• Instant delivery – Delivers directly to recipient emails in minutes
• Easy self-printing – Downloadable card to handout personally
• Impromptu gifting – Order online quickly for last minute gifts
• Bulk gifting – Great for distributing to large groups easily

For the busy and ultra-convenient shopper, eGifts can‘t be beat!

Printable Gift Cards

For DIY gifting fans, printable Amazon gift cards offer flexibility similar to eGift cards with the added ability to hand it directly to recipients.

Perks around printable cards:

• Instant accessible – Download directly from your Amazon account
• Budget-friendly – Skip shipping costs of physical cards
• Eco-conscious – No wasted materials if not redeemed
• Creative customizable – Print and include in homemade greeting cards, gift baskets

As long as you don‘t mind printing yourself, digital printable cards maximize convenience.

Comparing Key Gift Card Differences

How do you choose amongst the options? This cheat sheet sums up need-to-know gift card differences:

Now that you understand the various Amazon card types available, you can tailor your pick to gifting needs!

Creative Ways to Gift Amazon Gift Cards

While simply handing over an envelope or forwarding an eGift email always works, creative presentation ideas make Amazon gifts extra special:

Themed gift baskets – Bundle cards with related treats like movies and popcorn or bath bombs with a candle.

DIY craft projects – Print and paste eGift codes into homemade greeting cards or ornaments.

Office holiday gestures – Place cards in small stockings at employee work stations or desks during Christmas.

Wedding table gifts – Designate cards for attendees by table decorated with bows or other flourishes.

Thank you packages – Combine cards with flowers, balloons, or wine to delight any recipient.

Dress up gift cards with small surprises recipients won‘t expect to delight anyone lucky to receive an Amazon present from you!

How To Redeem Amazon Gift Cards

Wondering how card recipients load funds to use towards fun Amazon purchases? The steps are quick and easy:

Online Redemption

On Amazon.com:

1. Login to Amazon account
2. Select "Redeem a Gift Card" under Accounts & Lists
3. Enter gift card claim code
4. Click "Apply to Your Balance"

Funds now show in account and apply automatically to purchases.

Via Mobile App:

1. Open Amazon app and tap main menu ≡ symbol
2. Tap "Accounts and Lists"
3. Choose “Your Gift Cards”
4. Enter code and tap "Redeem"

Equally simple either way!

In-Store Redemption

To use gift card balances at Amazon‘s brick-and-mortar outlets like Amazon Go, Amazon Books, or Amazon 4-star:

1. Inform cashier you will use gift card
2. Provide physical gift card or gift code
3. Cashier applies balance towards in-store purchase

Do double check if your gift card permits in-store usage first in the terms and conditions.

Redemption made simple for however recipients prefer to shop Amazon!

Corporate Use Cases for Amazon Gift Cards

Amazon gift cards make excellent incentives, rewards, or gestures for corporate teams or clients. Some popular business uses:

• Sales team perks – Reward top monthly performers
• Referral or partner bonuses – Motivate channel partnerships
• Customer and employee gifts – Show appreciation at the holidays
• Client entertainment – Include as part of corporate event swag bags

Companies spent over $95 billion on gift cards in 2021 up 10% over 2020. Amazon cards ranked as the most requested.

Benefits like customization, bulk order discounts, no fees or expiration dates make Amazon gift cards the first choice for corporate gifting.

Plus research by Deloitte shows gift card recipients have 38% higher spend value than the face value of cards received. That means if a company gifts a $25 Amazon card, the average additional spend is $9.50. Talk about ROI!

Expert Tips for Buying Amazon Gift Cards

Ready to surprise someone special in your life or incentive top employees with the perfect virtual or tangible gift? Use these pro tips to guide your Amazon gift card purchase:

• Check promotional offers before buying cards online or in stores
• Buy seasonally or bulk to prep for gifting occasions through the year
• Order eGifts for instant delivery anytime you need a last minute gift
• Customize designs, messages, and delivery dates for personalization
• Schedule physical card delivery 1-2 weeks out to ensure on-time arrival
• Review gift card terms especially for recipients wanting in-store use

By planning ahead and understanding all available options, you can make the gift card buying process quick and seamless.

Key Takeaways on Amazon Gift Cards

To recap everything important about purchasing, personalizing, and gifting Amazon gift cards:

• Available digitally or tangible cards from $10 up to $2,000
• Accepted online towards millions of eligible Amazon purchases
• Also redeemable in Amazon‘s physical retail stores
• No fees or expiration dates associated with use
• Purchase via Amazon.com or 1,000+ national retailers online and in-store
• Customizable designs, messages, and delivery date options
• Perfect gifts offering flexibility and endless item possibilities on Amazon!

The gifting possibilities are endless with Amazon gift cards in hand thanks to Amazon‘s selection of over 12 million items. Whether you need a birthday, holiday, employee incentive or anytime gesture to delight someone, Amazon gift cards check all the boxes.

Follow this guide to easily buy online, choose the best personalization features, and even prep fun presentation ideas. Most importantly, sit back and know your recipient can choose their perfect something thanks to the flexibility and wide appeal these cards provide.

Happy gifting!