You cannot transfer an Amazon gift card balance directly to a bank account
Amazon gift card funds live inside your Amazon account only. They do not connect to the banking system, and Amazon does not offer a way to move that balance into a checking or savings account. If you have an Amazon gift card balance and need cash, you have to spend it on something you can convert to money — or use a workaround that involves selling or trading the balance.
The distinction matters because it shapes what you can actually do. You are not looking for a transfer feature that does not exist. You are looking for a way to turn Amazon credit into something with cash value.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon gift card balances cannot be transferred directly to a bank account under any circumstances.
- The most straightforward path is to buy physical items on Amazon and resell them, though you will lose money to the resale platform's fees.
- Some third-party sites buy Amazon gift card balances at a discount, typically paying 70 to 90 cents per dollar, and deposit the cash to your bank account.
- Buying discounted gift cards from other retailers and reselling them is slower but sometimes yields better rates than selling Amazon credit directly.
- If you have a small balance, spending it on items you need or use is often simpler than trying to convert it.
Why Amazon will not let you cash out a gift card balance
Amazon treats gift card funds as store credit, not as money. The balance is tied to your Amazon account and can only be spent on items sold through Amazon's marketplace. This is by design — gift cards are a revenue tool for Amazon, and allowing cash-outs would defeat that purpose. The company has no financial incentive to let you move the money elsewhere, and no legal requirement to do so.
This is different from a debit card or a bank account, where you own the money and can move it freely. With an Amazon gift card, you own the right to buy things from Amazon. That right has no cash value outside Amazon's system.
Selling items you buy with your Amazon balance
The most direct conversion path is to buy something on Amazon with your gift card balance, then resell it. This works best if you buy items in high demand that hold their value — electronics, brand-name tools, popular books, or new-condition items from major manufacturers.
You can resell through eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Poshmark (for clothing), or specialized resale sites depending on what you bought. The catch is the math: if you buy a $50 item and resell it for $50, you lose money to the resale platform's fees (typically 10 to 15 percent) and shipping costs. You come out with roughly $35 to $40 in actual cash. The item also has to sell, which takes time.
This method works better if you can buy items at a discount on Amazon — items marked down, or items you find cheaper than retail. The wider the gap between what you pay and what you can resell for, the more cash you recover.
Using a gift card resale marketplace
Several websites buy Amazon gift card balances directly and pay your bank account. The most established are Raise, CardCash, and Decluttr. These sites act as middlemen: they buy your Amazon balance at a discount, then resell it to other customers at a higher price. Your cut is the difference.
The discount varies by how much balance you have and current demand. Most sites pay between 70 and 90 cents per dollar of Amazon credit. A $100 Amazon balance might net you $70 to $90 in cash. The payment goes to your bank account via ACH transfer, usually within 1 to 3 business days.
The process is straightforward: you create an account, enter your Amazon gift card balance or upload a screenshot of your account, and the site makes an offer. If you accept, you authorize Amazon to transfer the balance to the resale site's account, and they deposit cash to your bank. The whole transaction takes a few minutes, though the bank deposit takes a few days.
The downside is the discount. You are paying for the convenience of when ready cash and the site's ability to resell your balance. If you have time to resell items yourself, you might recover more money, but you also take on the work and the risk that items do not sell.
Buying and reselling discounted gift cards from other retailers
A less direct but sometimes more profitable route: use your Amazon balance to buy discounted gift cards from other retailers, then resell those cards. Sites like Raise and CardCash also sell gift cards at a discount — you might find a $100 Target card for $85, or a $100 Walmart card for $88.
You buy the discounted card with your Amazon balance, then resell it on the same site (or a competitor) for closer to face value. If you bought a $100 card for $85 and resell it for $92, you pocket $7 profit per card. The math is tighter than direct resale, but it avoids the hassle of shipping physical items.
This method is slower — you are waiting for buyers for both the card you are selling and the card you bought. It also requires more account management. But if you have patience and can find good discount rates, it can yield better returns than selling your Amazon balance directly.
What does not work: scams and dead ends
Do not trust sites that promise to "unlock" your Amazon balance or transfer it to your bank account for a fee. These are scams. No legitimate service charges you money upfront to access your own gift card balance. If a site asks for payment before converting your balance, it is taking your money and disappearing.
Similarly, do not give your Amazon login credentials to any third-party site, even ones that look professional. Legitimate resale sites do not need your password. They use Amazon's API or a find authorization process that never exposes your credentials.
Peer-to-peer payment apps like Venmo or PayPal do not help here either. You cannot move Amazon credit through those systems. If someone offers to buy your Amazon balance through Venmo and send you cash, you are vulnerable to being scammed — they can reverse the payment after you transfer your balance.
When it makes sense to just spend the balance
If your Amazon balance is small — under $25 — the effort and the discount often are not worth it. You will spend time listing items or negotiating with a resale site and end up with $15 to $20 in actual cash. If you have something you need or use regularly, buying it with your Amazon balance is simpler and gets you something of value.
The same logic applies if you are in a hurry. Resale sites process transfers in a few days, but reselling items yourself takes weeks. If you need cash today, neither path works. If you need it in a week, a resale site is faster than listing items on eBay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Amazon close my account if I try to sell my gift card balance?
Amazon's terms of service prohibit selling gift card balances, but enforcement is rare for individual users. Resale sites handle the transaction on their end, not yours. The real risk is that Amazon could refuse to honor the transfer or freeze your account if they detect unusual activity. This is uncommon, but it is a possibility.
What if I have a very large Amazon balance?
Resale sites typically handle balances up to several thousand dollars, but they may require verification or split the transaction into multiple sales. Contact the site directly if your balance is over $500. For very large amounts, you might negotiate a better rate by reaching out to their customer service rather than using the automated offer.
Do I have to pay taxes on the cash I get from selling my gift card balance?
Technically, if you sell a gift card balance for less than you received it, you have a loss, not income. If you bought items with the balance and resold them for a profit, that profit may be taxable depending on the amount and your local tax laws. For small transactions, this is rarely an issue, but keep records in case.
Is there a faster way to get cash than resale sites?
No. Resale sites are the fastest direct path to cash from an Amazon balance. Reselling items yourself takes longer. The only faster option is to not convert the balance at all — spend it on something you need.
What happens if the resale site goes out of business after I sell them my balance?
Established sites like Raise and CardCash have been operating for years and are unlikely to disappear overnight. If a site does close, you would lose access to any balance you had not yet sold. Use well-known, established resale platforms, and do not leave large balances sitting in an account you do not actively monitor.