Hey there! Have you ever received an Amazon gift card only to wonder – where‘s the claim code? If you need to redeem an Amazon gift card, either physical or digital, you‘ll need to locate its unique 14 or 15-digit claim code.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll walk you through exactly how to find the claim code on any Amazon gift card so you can redeem your balance and start shopping!
We‘ll also dive into the ins and outs of how to use Amazon gift cards, where to buy them, common gift card questions, and more. Let‘s get started!
Locating the Claim Code on a Physical Amazon Gift Card
If you‘ve received a plastic Amazon gift card, here are step-by-step instructions to find the claim code:
Step 1: Turn the Card Over
Be sure you‘re looking at the back of the card, not the front. The claim code will never be on the front.
Step 2: Look for the Scratch-Off Strip
At the very top of the back of the card, you‘ll see a silver or white scratch-off strip covering a 14-digit code. This strip protects the claim code until the recipient is ready to redeem the card.
Step 3: Find the "Claim Code" Arrows
To the right of the scratch-off strip, you‘ll see an icon of a camera and on the other side, an icon of a gift box. In between is the text "Claim Code" with two small arrows pointing up.
Step 4: Scratch Off the Strip and Reveal the Code
Use a coin to gently scratch off the strip and expose the 14 or 15-digit claim code underneath. This unique code will allow you to redeem the gift card.
Step 5: Record the Claim Code
Be sure to write down or take a photo of the now-revealed claim code on the back of the card. You‘ll need this code to redeem the gift card balance to your Amazon account.
And that‘s it – you‘ve found the claim code! Remember, on brand new unscratched physical Amazon gift cards, this unique 14 or 15-digit code will be hidden under a removable strip for protection until you‘re ready to redeem the card.
Finding the Claim Code on a Digital Amazon Gift Card
If you receive an Amazon gift card by email, the process is even easier. Here‘s how to find the claim code on digital gift cards:
Step 1: Open the Amazon Gift Card Email
Locate the email sent from Amazon with the subject line "Your Amazon.com Gift Card." Open the email.
Step 2: Look Under "Gift Card Claim Code"
Scroll down through the email until you see the section labeled Gift Card Claim Code.
Step 3: Record the 14 or 15-Digit Code
Under the Gift Card Claim Code header is the full claim code you‘ll use to redeem the gift card. Copy or take a screenshot of this code.
That‘s all there is to it! With digital gift cards, the claim code is right there in the email – no scratching required.
Whether your Amazon gift card is physical or digital, you now know exactly where to look to find the important 14 or 15-digit claim code you‘ll need.
How Many Amazon Gift Cards Were Sold Last Year?
To give you an idea of just how popular gift cards have become, let‘s look at some statistics:
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Over 6 billion gift cards were sold in the United States in 2022 alone.
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Sales of open-loop gift cards (redeemable at multiple merchants, like Amazon) grew 14% in 2022 to reach nearly $400 billion in the U.S.
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Amazon was ranked as the #1 most-purchased gift card among respondents in a 2022 survey.
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26% of gift card recipients redeemed their cards within 1 day of receiving them.
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21% of people immediately cashed out opened gift cards last year.
Clearly, gift cards like Amazon are hugely popular both to give and receive. By learning how to find your claim code, you can easily access and redeem the gift card balance to start shopping!
How Do I Redeem My Amazon Gift Card Balance?
Once you‘ve located the 14 or 15-digit claim code on your new Amazon gift card, you‘re ready to redeem your balance. Here are the two ways to redeem an Amazon gift card:
On Amazon‘s Website:
- Go to Amazon.com and click "Account & Lists" in the top right corner.
- Select "Gift Card Balance" under "Your Account."
- Click the button "Redeem a Gift Card" and enter your claim code.
- The balance will automatically be added to your Amazon account.
On the Amazon App:
- Open the app and tap the menu symbol ≡ in the top left.
- Tap "Payments" then select "Gift Cards."
- Tap "Redeem Gift Card" and enter or scan your claim code.
- The balance will show up in your account.
Once the value is redeemed, you can use your gift card just like cash for any purchase on Amazon!
Where Can I Buy Amazon Gift Cards?
Don‘t have an Amazon gift card yet? You can purchase gift cards with pre-loaded balances at the following major retailers:
| Retailer | Denominations Sold |
|---|---|
| Amazon.com | $25–$2,000 |
| Grocery stores | $25–$500 |
| Gas stations | $25–$100 |
| Drugstores | $25–$500 |
| Big box stores | $25–$500 |
Some specific stores where you can buy an Amazon gift card include:
- Amazon.com
- Walmart
- Target
- Whole Foods
- Safeway
- Kroger
- CVS
- Walgreens
- 7-Eleven
- Best Buy
You can buy Amazon gift cards with loads between $25 and $2,000 on Amazon‘s website. Brick-and-mortar retailers typically offer cards between $25 and $500.
So the next time you need a last-minute gift or want to treat yourself, grab an Amazon gift card from your local grocery store or big box retailer!
Do Amazon Gift Cards Expire?
Yes, Amazon gift cards do eventually expire. However, the expiration timeframe depends on which country your gift card was purchased in.
Here are the expiration policies for Amazon gift cards by country:
| Country | Expiration Policy |
|---|---|
| United States | Expires 10 years from issuance |
| Canada | Expires 10 years from issuance |
| United Kingdom | No expiration |
| France | Expires 10 years from issuance |
| Italy | Expires 10 years from issuance |
| Spain | Expires 10 years from issuance |
| Australia | No expiration |
| Mexico | No expiration |
| Japan | No expiration |
As you can see, in the U.S. you have 10 years to redeem your Amazon gift card before it expires. Cards purchased in the UK, Mexico, Japan, and Australia never expire.
To check the balance and expiration date of your own Amazon gift card, visit Amazon‘s website and enter your claim code without completing the redemption. This will display the card‘s balance and expiration date.
So be sure to redeem your Amazon gift cards sooner rather than later! Set a reminder on your calendar if you have gift cards you‘re saving for a special occasion.
What Can I Buy With an Amazon Gift Card?
Once redeemed to your Amazon account, your gift card can be used to purchase almost anything on Amazon‘s platform:
- Millions of products available on Amazon.com
- Kindle ebooks
- Kindle Unlimited subscriptions
- Prime Video rentals and purchases
- Prime Video Channel subscriptions
- Amazon Prime membership
- Amazon Music streaming and downloads
- Audible audiobooks and memberships
- Alexa devices and accessories
- Amazon Fresh grocery delivery
- Electronics, household items, clothes, toys, and more!
However, there are a few exceptions where Amazon gift cards cannot be used:
- Amazon Warehouse Deals
- Audible Channels subscription
- Amazon Fresh delivery tip
- Amazon Prime Now and Ultrafast delivery tips
- Whole Foods Market (in-store or online)
- Temporary Alexa Skills
But overall, the possibilities are nearly endless with an Amazon gift card! Books, movies, clothes, kitchen gadgets – you can buy almost anything you want.
Can I Use Amazon Gift Cards for Prime Membership?
Yes! A great way to use Amazon gift cards is to pay for an Amazon Prime membership or to extend your current membership.
You can redeem gift card balances toward any of the following Prime plans:
- Monthly Prime membership – $14.99 per month
- Annual Prime membership – $139 per year
- Prime Student monthly – $7.49 per month
- Prime Student annual – $69 per year
By applying gift card funds to your Prime membership, you can enjoy free fast shipping, movies and TV with Prime Video, books with Prime Reading eBooks, and music with Amazon Music Prime.
So if you receive Amazon gift cards frequently, put them toward your next Prime renewal!
Pros and Cons of Amazon Gift Cards
Let‘s explore some of the key pros and cons of Amazon gift cards:
Pros:
- Redeemable on millions of products on Amazon
- No expiration date for some countries
- Reloadable – you can add more funds anytime
- Easy to purchase at many major retailers
- Delivered quickly by email if sent digitally
Cons:
- Must have an Amazon account to redeem
- Only usable on Amazon‘s platforms, not other stores
- Physical gift cards eventually expire
- Possible to lose or misplace physical gift cards
- Digital gift cards may go to spam folder
Overall, the flexibility and convenience of Amazon gift cards outweigh the downsides for most shoppers. But it‘s helpful to know the limitations before you buy or redeem a card.
Should I Buy an Amazon Gift Card for Myself or Someone Else?
For the Comparison Shopper:
Buying an Amazon gift card for yourself or someone else has definite pros and cons. For the frugal comparison shopper, a gift card locks you into shopping on Amazon only. You lose the ability to compare prices against other stores.
However, if you frequently shop on Amazon anyway for the convenience, or if you want to buy a simple gift for a friend, the benefits of an Amazon gift card likely outweigh the downside of restricted shopping. Overall, Amazon gift cards offer flexibility and are easy to redeem once you find the claim code.
For the Consumer Addict:
For those whose favorite pastime is online shopping, Amazon gift cards are extremely enticing! For the consumer addict, a gift card provides a guilt-free spending limit since it‘s not coming directly out of your bank account.
Amazon‘s vast selection means endless possibilities to satisfy that shopping itch. And who doesn‘t love presents – even when you buy them for yourself! While the responsible thing is to save gift cards for necessities, sometimes you‘ve just gotta treat yourself to something fun.
So whether you‘re buying a last-minute gift or indulging your own inner shopper, Amazon gift cards let you redeem deals across Amazon‘s platforms once you locate that claim code.
Locating Amazon Gift Card Claim Codes Made Simple
As you can see, redeeming an Amazon gift card is easy and rewarding when you follow these tips:
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On physical cards, find the 14 or 15-digit claim code under the scratch-off strip on the back.
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For digital gift cards, look in the gift card email under "Gift Card Claim Code."
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Redeem your claim code at Amazon.com or in the Amazon app.
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Use your gift card balance for millions of items, Prime membership, Kindle books, Prime Video, Amazon Music, Audible, groceries, and more!
So the next time to receive an Amazon gift card in your inbox or mailbox, you‘ll know exactly where to look for the all-important claim code. Happy shopping!
