Wondering if you can pick up an Amazon gift card at your local CVS pharmacy? As a loyal CVS shopper and avid online shopper myself, I was curious about whether CVS sold gift cards for the everything store, Amazon.
After some research, I can confirm that yes, CVS does sell physical Amazon gift cards in all of their pharmacy locations as of 2023.
In this detailed guide, I‘ll share everything you need to know about buying Amazon gift cards at CVS. I‘ll cover:
- The denominations and prices of Amazon gift cards at CVS
- Fees and limitations (it‘s not all great news)
- Where to find the gift cards in store
- Return and reload policies
- Other popular gift card options CVS offers
Plus plenty of tips for getting the most out of Amazon gift cards from CVS as a savvy shopper.
Let‘s dive in!
An Overview of Buying Amazon Gift Cards at CVS
In a nutshell, here is the quick summary:
- Denominations available: $15, $25, $50, $100
- Purchase fees: No extra fees (just pay face value of gift card)
- Online ordering: Not available, in-store only
- Returns allowed?: No, all sales final
- Can gift cards be reloaded?: Yes, using Amazon Cash at checkout
It‘s always good to know the limitations upfront before you buy. But the good news is that CVS does sell physical Amazon gift cards in its stores without any hassles like activation fees or paperwork. Let‘s explore the details further.
What Denominations of Amazon Gift Cards Are Sold at CVS?
CVS sells Amazon gift cards in a few of the most popular denominations:
- $15
- $25
- $50
- $100
Based on my own experience, I most often see the $25 and $50 denominations on the gift card rack at my neighborhood CVS location.
But selections can vary. According to CVS customer service, all stores are supposed to carry Amazon gift cards in $15, $25, $50 and $100 amounts. However, individual locations may opt to stock more or fewer of certain denominations based on local customer demand.
For example, my CVS tends to stock more $50 cards because they sell the best during the holidays. Other stores may carry an abundance of $15 and $25 cards if those smaller amounts are hot items.
If you‘re looking for a denomination other than the standard options (ex: $75 or $200), unfortunately CVS does not offer customizable gift card amounts for Amazon. You‘ll have to choose among the fixed $15, $25, $50, and $100 denominations sold in each store.
According to Statista, the $50 gift card denomination made up 29% of all gift card sales in the United States in 2022, followed by the $25 denomination at 22% of sales. So it makes sense for retailers like CVS to heavily stock the $25 and $50 options. Gift cards priced at $100 or more only made up 11% of sales.
My advice is to call your local CVS ahead to check if they have the specific denomination you need in stock. It takes the guesswork out of it. And you can always ask the helpful pharmacists if they can hold one at the register for you if supplies are limited.
Does CVS Charge Any Fees for Purchasing Amazon Gift Cards?
This is one of the best parts about buying Amazon gift cards at CVS – no extra fees!
CVS does not charge any additional purchase fees, activation fees, or other hidden costs when you buy an Amazon gift card in stores. You‘ll just pay the full face value of the gift card.
For example, if you grab a $25 Amazon gift card off the rack to give as a birthday gift, you‘ll only pay $25 at checkout. With other retailers, you might pay $25.95 or more with annoying processing fees tacked on. But at CVS, what you see is what you get with no unexpected charges at the register.
I once made the mistake of purchasing a $100 restaurant gift card from a different retailer without checking first. You can imagine my frustration when I got to the register and was charged a $6.95 "activation fee" on top of the $100 gift card value. These sneaky fees are everywhere, but thankfully CVS keeps it transparent with their Amazon gift cards.
The only extra fee to watch out for is if you purchase reloadable prepaid Visa or Mastercard gift cards, which come with purchase fees around $4.95 to $6.95 typically. But for brand-name gift cards like Amazon, Starbucks, etc, you just pay face value with no CVS fees.
Are Amazon Gift Cards Available to Purchase on CVS.com?
This is one of the limitations of buying Amazon gift cards from CVS – they are only sold in physical retail locations. Amazon gift cards cannot be purchased online through the CVS website.
I was bummed to discover this, since I do a lot of my regular shopping through CVS.com for convenience. But when I searched for gift cards on the website, the only options available for digital purchase were CVS gift cards to be used at CVS Pharmacy and MinuteClinic locations.
Third party brand gift cards like Amazon, Target, etc are not available for online ordering on CVS.com. You have to go to the store in-person and buy them off the rack like the good old days.
The reason comes down to logistics. When you buy a gift card online, it needs to be shipped to you in physical or digital form. Amazon gift cards purchased on Amazon.com are delivered by email for instant online redemption. But since CVS doesn‘t actually issue or distribute the Amazon gift cards (they simply retail third-party ones in stores), they don‘t have a way fulfill online orders.
Just something to be aware of if you were hoping to add an Amazon gift card to your CVS curbside pickup or delivery order – it‘s a no go. Physical in-store purchases only when it comes to Amazon and other third-party gift cards at CVS.
Where Can I Find Amazon Gift Cards In CVS Stores?
Once you‘re in a CVS store looking for an Amazon gift card, head towards the checkout area near the registers.
Look for the gift card displays, which are typically located right beside the checkout lanes or on a rack nearby. This prime location makes sense, since gift cards are a popular impulse buy item that stores want you to see.
The gift card selection is usually together on one or two revolving racks. You‘ll see names like Amazon, Target, Sephora, Starbucks, etc. branded on the gift cards. Amazon is always one of the most visible brands.
If you don‘t immediately see the Amazon gift cards, try checking the smaller gift card racks on the ends of aisles too. And the friendly cashier or customer service can point you in the right direction if you ask.
Pro tip: To save time, I always scope out the gift card section near the front when I first walk into CVS. That way I know right where to grab one on my way to checkout. The employees don‘t mind if you take a gift card off the rack early and bring it with the rest of your items to purchase.
Can Amazon Gift Cards Be Returned or Exchanged at CVS?
Now for some bad news. If you purchase an Amazon gift card from CVS but later change your mind, you will not be able to return or exchange it.
Once those gift cards are activated at the register, all sales are final according to CVS policy. Unused gift cards cannot be refunded or exchanged even if you have the receipt.
This is standard policy for most major retailers when it comes to gift cards. Once the cashier swipes the card to activate it, the full value is loaded on and associated with that gift card number. For security reasons, they can‘t be undone.
Of course if the gift card is faulty, damaged, or fails to activate correctly, CVS can issue a replacement. But otherwise exchanges and returns are not allowed on gift cards that have been successfully activated, even if they are untouched.
So be absolutely sure you are buying the right design and denomination before purchasing an Amazon gift card at the register! Double check before the cashier activates it.
I made this mistake once during the holidays – I accidentally grabbed a $50 CVS gift card instead of a $50 Amazon gift card in my frenzied shopping rush. By the time I realized the mix up, the cashier had already activated it so I was stuck with a gift card I couldn‘t use. Lesson learned – inspect closely before you buy!
Can You Reload an Amazon Gift Card at CVS?
Luckily, even though Amazon gift cards can‘t be returned at CVS, you can reload and add funds to existing Amazon gift cards in their stores.
Here are quick steps for reloading your Amazon gift card using Amazon Cash at CVS:
- Open up the Amazon app on your phone and find the "Reload Your Balance" option under Amazon Cash
- Choose the amount you want to add and scan the barcode displayed
- Present the barcode to the CVS cashier when checking out
- Pay the reload amount with any payment method
- The cashier will scan the barcode, and funds will instantly be added to your gift card!
This makes the Amazon reloading process quick and convenient at checkout.
I take advantage of the reload option whenever I have a balance left on an Amazon gift card and want to put it towards a bigger purchase. For example, recently I had a $15 Amazon credit left from a gift card. When buying a $40 item, instead of paying the extra $25 out of pocket, I simply reloaded the $15 card with an additional $25 at CVS.
Thanks to the Amazon Cash barcode, the clerk scanned my phone and instantly added the $25 so I could pay for my full purchase with the reloaded card. Super easy!
What Other Gift Card Brands Does CVS Sell?
Beyond just Amazon, what other gift card options can you find at CVS locations? Here is a sampling of some of the most popular gift card brands I‘ve personally seen available in my local stores:
- Target
- Starbucks
- Walmart
- Apple / iTunes
- Sephora
- Nordstrom
- Home Depot
- Southwest Airlines
- Marriott
- Hulu
- Netflix
- Disney
- PlayStation
- Xbox
- Google Play
- Nintendo eShop
- Visa / Mastercard prepaid cards
- AMC Theatres
- Regal Cinemas
- Dave & Buster‘s
- The Cheesecake Factory
- TGI Fridays
- Buffalo Wild Wings
- Dunkin‘ Donuts
- Starbucks
- Panera Bread
And there are usually dozens more options for clothing stores, restaurants, gaming, hotels, rental cars, and other major brands to cover all gifting occasions.
The denominations and prices will vary depending on the brand, but tend to range from $10 up to $500 at the high end. Some of the prepaid Visa cards can even go up to $1000.
So whether you need a gift for the coffee lover, frequent flyer, movie buff, or gamer in your life, CVS likely has you covered with their vast selection. You can save time and money by grabbing a gift card along with your other regular CVS purchases.
Just be sure to also check the gift card rack for any current sales or specials. I often come across offers like buy one Starbucks gift card, get one 50% off or other seasonal promotions.
What Other Retailers Sell Amazon Gift Cards?
Beyond CVS, where else can you pick up Amazon gift cards in stores? Here are some of the top options:
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Walgreens – Like CVS, Walgreens sells Amazon gift cards at the checkout lanes in denominations from $15 to $500. No purchase fees either.
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Target – You‘ll find Amazon cards on the gift card rack in Target stores, usually the first display you see up front. Denominations from $15 to $200.
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Costco – In Costco warehouses, look for the Amazon gift cards by the books and magazines section. Options range from $50 to $500.
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Sam‘s Club – Visit the gift card center near the front of Sam‘s Club for Amazon cards from $25 up to $500.
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Best Buy – Best Buy carries lots of Amazon gift cards near registers with a huge selection of amounts from $10 to $1,000.
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7-Eleven – Checkout counters at 7-Eleven have $15 and $25 Amazon gift cards for convenience.
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Kroger – The gift card section of Kroger has lots of Amazon cards typically right up front in the store.
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Rite Aid – Rite Aid locations stock Amazon gift cards at the front on their gift card display walls.
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Walmart – Amazon gift cards in various amounts can be found at the front by the checkout lanes.
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Safeway – Look for the gift card rack in Safeway stores to find Amazon cards in different denominations.
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Albertsons – Amazon gift cards are also stocked at most Albertsons locations on the gift card racks.
So as you can see, Amazon makes their gift cards widely available at all the major pharmacy, grocery, warehouse, and convenience chains. Wherever you normally shop, you shouldn‘t have a hard time tracking down an Amazon gift card when needed as a gift.
Key Tips for Buying Amazon Gift Cards at CVS
Here are my top tips for shoppers purchasing Amazon gift cards at CVS:
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Call ahead to check availability of a certain denomination if needed for your gift. That way you don‘t waste a trip if they‘re sold out.
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Look up front for the gift card racks which are usually conveniently located by the registers.
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Check for deals like buy one, get one half off that can save you money.
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Buy early if giving for a gift, since supplies can dwindle during busy holidays.
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Inspect carefully before purchase to ensure you‘re buying the right design and amount.
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Save receipts as proof of purchase in case you need to exchange a defective card later.
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Take advantage of reloading at checkout to add leftover balances to new cards.
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Avoid fees on prepaid Visa/Mastercards by sticking to retailer gift cards.
Using these tips will ensure your CVS Amazon gift card experience is smooth, convenient, and affordable.
The Bottom Line: Yes, CVS Sells Physical Amazon Gift Cards!
In summary, the answer is yes – as of 2023, Amazon gift cards can be purchased in person at CVS pharmacy store locations across the country. They offer a variety of convenient denominations from $15 up to $100.
The benefits include no purchase fees beyond the card‘s face value and the ability to seamlessly reload gift card balances at checkout through Amazon Cash. Just keep in mind that Amazon gift cards cannot be ordered online or returned to CVS once activated and used.
Armed with all the insider tips in this guide, you can shop for Amazon gift cards at CVS with confidence and avoid any surprises. Happy gifting!
