Hey there! Have you ever noticed an extra "promotional balance" when checking out on Amazon but weren‘t sure what it was? If so, you‘re not alone – this balance can be confusing if you don‘t know how it works. But it‘s actually a great perk that can save you money!
In this complete guide, I‘ll explain everything you need to know about Amazon promotional balance for 2024. I‘ll go over how it works, where to find it, and all the ways you can maximize it as a savvy Amazon shopper.
Let‘s start with the basics…
What Is Amazon Promotional Balance?
Amazon promotional balance refers to any discounts, gift card amounts, or credits you have available that can be applied to purchases on Amazon. It includes:
- Amazon gift card balances – the remaining funds on any Amazon gift cards you‘ve redeemed
- Amazon credits – discounts given out by Amazon for promotions, returning items, etc.
- Seller discount codes – promo codes offered by third-party sellers on Amazon
This balance shows up in your Amazon account and is automatically applied at checkout to save you money on eligible items. It‘s essentially free money!
According to a Pollfish survey, 82% of US Amazon shoppers have received an Amazon gift card. And Experian found that 48% of millennials prefer gift cards over any other type of gift.
So chances are high that you have some promotional balance available. Let‘s look at how to find it…
Where to Find Your Amazon Promotional Balance
It‘s easy to view your current promotional balance in your Amazon account. Just follow these quick steps:
- Login to your Amazon account
- Go to "Accounts & Lists" and select "Your Account"
- Click on "Gift cards, promotional credit, and coupons"
- View the total balance under "Promotional balance"
This section also lists any individual gift cards and valid promo codes associated with your account.
Bookmark this page and check it regularly for updates on credits that may expire soon and new promotions added.
How to Redeem an Amazon Gift Card
Gift cards are one of the most common ways to get promotional balance on Amazon. Here‘s how easy it is to redeem one:
- Go to “Gift Cards” in Your Account and select “Redeem a gift card”
- Enter the gift card claim code (from the back of a physical card or gift card email)
- Follow the instructions to add it to your balance
Once redeemed, the gift card value is applied to your promotional balance automatically. According to Amazon, their gift cards never expire.
Tip: You can redeem gift cards right during checkout too. On the “Review Your Order” page, click “Gift Cards & Promotional Codes” to enter a claim code.
Pro Tip: Buy discounted Amazon gift cards from sellers like CardCash and save up to 20% off! The full face value still gets added to your promotional balance.
How to Use an Amazon Promo Code
In addition to gift cards, Amazon offers promo codes and discounts:
- As part of promotions – check Amazon coupons page
- From third-party sellers – check seller listings
- Influencers and bloggers – may provide codes
Here are the steps to redeem a code:
- Find and copy a valid, working promo code
- Add eligible item(s) to your Amazon cart
- Go to checkout and enter shipping details
- Click “Add gift card or promotion code”
- Paste in the promo code and click “Apply”
- The discount will show beneath the order total
Tip: You can typically only apply one promo code per order, so choose the best discount available.
Pro Tip: Use a cashback site like Rakuten to get up to 10% cashback on purchases with promo codes for maximum savings.
What You Can Buy with Promotional Balance
You have lots of options for spending promotional balance, with just a few exceptions:
| Can Purchase with Promotional Balance | Cannot Purchase with Promotional Balance |
|---|---|
| Almost any item sold directly by Amazon | Other Amazon gift cards |
| Amazon Prime membership | Amazon Prime Video Channel subscriptions |
| Kindle books | Audible memberships |
| Amazon Fresh groceries | Alcohol delivery |
| Digital apps, games, movies | Prime Now restaurant delivery tips |
| Subscribe & Save items | Whole Foods groceries |
Key Tips:
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Promo code discounts only work on eligible items, so check terms before ordering.
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For Amazon Fresh and Subscribe & Save, only gift cards can be used, not promo codes.
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You can‘t return items and get promotional balance back – refunds go back to original payment method.
As you can see, you have lots of great options for spending any promotional balance you have!
Pros and Cons of Amazon Promotional Balance
Using your promotional balance on Amazon offers some nice perks:
Pros
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It allows you to save extra money on Amazon purchases
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Gift cards and promos offer savings without requiring you to spend more
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Promotional balance never expires so no need to rush to use it
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Can be combined with other discounts like coupons for maximum savings
Cons
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Promotional balance can‘t be withdrawn as cash
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Returns deduct refund from original payment method, not promotions
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May encourage some users to overspend on impulse purchases
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Can only be used on Amazon, not other retailers
Overall, the pros seem to outweigh the cons for most Amazon shoppers. Just be aware of the limitations and avoid impulse buying with your promotional funds.
Maximizing Your Promotional Balance in 2024
If you want to maximize savings with your Amazon promotional balance, here are some smart tips:
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Check daily for new account credits and exclusive promo codes
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Set up alerts for coupons related to items you buy often
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Buy discounted Amazon gift cards to get more value
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Stack discounts/promos when possible for bigger savings
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Use Rakuten and other cashback sites to double up savings
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Don’t let promotional credits expire – use within validity period
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Follow blogs and influencers for the latest promo codes
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Use gift cards on higher value purchases to save more
Being proactive is key – seek out all the Amazon promos you can to grow your balance.
Amazon Promotional Balance FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
How do I check my Amazon promotional balance?
Go to Your Account > Gift cards, promotional credit, and coupons to see your total balance.
Where do Amazon promo codes come from?
Amazon directly, third-party sellers, influencers, cashback sites, and deal blogs.
How long do Amazon promotional credits last?
Most expire within 1 year. Gift cards don‘t expire.
Can I transfer my promotional balance to someone else?
No, it can only be used by the account holder.
Can I use promotional balance on Amazon Prime purchases?
You can pay for a Prime membership with gift cards but not promo codes.
Do I forfeit unused promotional balance when I cancel Prime?
No, your promotional balance remains in your account and can still be used.
Conclusion
Hopefully this guide gave you a thorough understanding of Amazon promotional balance and how you can maximize it!
The key takeaways are:
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Check your account regularly for new promos and credits
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Stack discounts from promo codes, gift cards, and cashback sites
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Redeem gift cards and codes during checkout
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Use your promotional funds strategically before they expire
Put these tips into action and your Amazon promotional balance can help you save big in 2024 without spending any extra money from your own pocket!
