The safest way to get Amazon gift cards is to buy them from Amazon.com or from a trusted store. You can also earn them free through reward apps, Amazon Trade-In or the Amazon Associates program. Anything that promises free codes for nothing is a scam.
This guide covers every legitimate option, with the honest limits of each. It also explains how readers outside the US can get a US Amazon gift card without losing money to fraud.
6 Safe Ways to Get Amazon Gift Cards
There are six legitimate ways to get Amazon gift cards: buy online from Amazon, buy in a store, earn them in reward apps, trade in old devices, take affiliate earnings as gift cards, or receive one as a gift.
- Buy online at Amazon.com as an eGift card, a printable card or a mailed card.
- Buy in a US store such as a supermarket, pharmacy or convenience store.
- Earn them in reward apps such as Swagbucks or Fetch.
- Trade in old devices through Amazon Trade-In.
- Take Amazon Associates earnings as a gift certificate.
- Receive one from a friend, family member or employer.
Buy Amazon Gift Cards Online From Amazon
Buying direct from Amazon is the safest option, because the card comes straight from the source. Go to amazon.com, search for “gift cards” and pick a design and amount.
eGift cards by email or text
An eGift card arrives by email or text, usually within minutes. You can also schedule it for a birthday or holiday. It is the best choice when the person lives far away, including outside the US.
Print at home cards
A printable card lets you print the claim code on a page and hand it over in person. It suits last minute gifts.
Physical cards by mail
Amazon also mails plastic cards in boxes, envelopes or tins. These take longer to arrive, so order early for holidays.
Whichever type you choose, the gift card order stays in Your Orders. If an eGift card goes missing, you can resend it from there before anyone redeems it.
Where to Buy Amazon Gift Cards in Stores
Many US supermarkets, pharmacies and convenience stores sell Amazon gift cards near the checkout, including CVS, Walgreens, Kroger, Safeway, Publix and 7 Eleven.
Stock changes by store, so call ahead if you need a specific amount. Amazon also keeps a list of participating stores on its help pages.
Tips for buying in a store
- Check the packaging: do not buy a card if the back is scratched or the packaging looks opened. Fraudsters sometimes copy codes from cards on the rack.
- Keep the receipt: it proves the value and helps if the card is lost or does not work.
- Pick variable cards carefully: with some cards, the cashier loads the amount you choose. Check the receipt shows the right figure.
How to Get Free Amazon Gift Cards the Legit Way
You can earn free Amazon gift cards, but only slowly. Legitimate apps pay you in points for shopping, scanning receipts or completing offers. Expect a few dollars a month, not hundreds.
Swagbucks
Swagbucks pays points for surveys, shopping through its links and other small tasks. You can swap the points for Amazon.com gift cards in its rewards store, starting from small amounts. It is open in the US and several other countries.
Fetch
Fetch gives points for scanning shopping receipts in the US. In the app, tap your points balance and choose an Amazon gift card. It works best if you already shop at supermarkets every week.
Amazon Trade-In
Amazon Trade-In pays you in Amazon gift card credit for old devices. Eligible items include Kindles, tablets, phones, Echo speakers, streaming players and game consoles. You get a quote, send the item free, and Amazon adds the credit after checking it.
Amazon Associates earnings
If you run a website or social page, Amazon Associates pays commission on sales you refer. Associates can choose payment as an Amazon gift certificate, with a $10 minimum and no fee. This option is open to associates outside the US too.
What about Microsoft Rewards?
Microsoft Rewards used to offer Amazon gift cards in the US. However, users have reported the option missing since 2025, and Microsoft has not said when it will return. So check the Rewards store before you collect points for it.
Are Free Amazon Gift Card Generators Real?
No. Websites and videos promising “free Amazon gift card codes” or “code generators” are scams. Only Amazon can create valid codes. These sites want your personal details, want you to install apps, or want you to pay a “fee” first.
The same goes for anyone selling a “list of unused codes”. If a code were real and unused, nobody would give it away. So close the page and never enter your Amazon password on it.
How to Get a US Amazon Gift Card From Outside the US
An Amazon.com gift card only works on Amazon.com. It cannot be used on Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.ca or other country stores. So if you live in Nigeria, Ghana or elsewhere, make sure the card is for the store you shop at.
Ask the sender to buy an eGift card
The easiest route is for a friend or client in the US to send you an Amazon.com eGift card by email. It arrives in minutes and goes straight into your Amazon.com account once you redeem it.
Buy one yourself on Amazon.com
You can try buying an eGift card on Amazon.com with your own debit or credit card. Some international cards are declined for online payments, though. If that happens, ask your bank whether your card allows international online purchases.
Earn one as an Amazon associate
Bloggers and creators outside the US can join Amazon Associates and take earnings as a gift certificate. It is one of the few ways to earn Amazon credit from abroad without middlemen.
A warning about selling cards for cash
In some countries, people trade Amazon gift cards for local currency on chat apps. Amazon’s terms say gift cards cannot be resold or exchanged for cash. Buyers often take the code and disappear. So only use a card on Amazon itself.
If you want to shop on Amazon from abroad, our guide to getting Amazon orders shipped to Nigeria explains delivery options and costs.
Which Way to Get Amazon Gift Cards Is Best for You?
Each option suits a different situation. Use this quick guide to choose.
| Your situation | Best option | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Sending a gift to someone far away | eGift card from Amazon.com | Arrives in minutes, can be scheduled |
| Need a card to hand over today | Store card or print at home card | No waiting for delivery |
| Want Amazon credit without spending | Reward apps or Trade-In | Earn from shopping or old devices |
| Run a blog or social page | Amazon Associates | Commission paid as a gift certificate |
| Live outside the US | eGift card from a US sender | Safest way to receive an Amazon.com card |
In short, buying online is the most flexible choice, while stores are best when you need a card in hand. Reward apps and Trade-In cost nothing but take time. For readers abroad, an eGift card from someone you trust is the safest route.
Amazon Gift Card Scams to Avoid
Gift cards are one of the most common ways scammers ask to be paid, because the money is hard to trace. The US Federal Trade Commission lists these warning signs:
- Someone says it is urgent and you must pay right now.
- You are told exactly which card to buy and where.
- The caller wants the card number or a photo of the back.
- The person claims to be from a government office, a utility or your boss.
Real businesses and government agencies do not ask for payment in gift cards. If you already paid a scammer, call Amazon on 1 (888) 280 4331, keep the card and receipt, and report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Common Questions About Getting Amazon Gift Cards
Do Amazon gift cards expire?
No. Amazon’s terms say gift cards issued after October 1, 2005 do not expire, and there are no fees.
Can I turn an Amazon gift card into cash?
No. Amazon’s terms say gift cards cannot be redeemed for cash, resold or transferred for value. Once redeemed, the balance stays in that Amazon account.
Can I use an Amazon gift card in other stores?
No. It only works for eligible items on Amazon.com, including items from third party sellers there.
How do I check how much is on my card?
Redeem it to your account, then view your balance. Our guide to checking an Amazon gift card balance covers every method, including options for unredeemed cards.
What if I lose a gift card?
An eGift card can often be resent if nobody has redeemed it. See our guide on recovering a lost Amazon gift card for the full steps.
The Best Way to Get Amazon Gift Cards
To get Amazon gift cards, buy them from Amazon.com or a trusted store, or earn them slowly through reward apps, Trade-In or Associates. Skip every “free code” offer. Before you buy or accept a card, read the US Federal Trade Commission’s guide to avoiding gift card scams.
Frenzy valentine is a passionate blogger, developer, and entrepreneur. He is the founder and author of myfreshgists.com.