Why Won’t Amazon Let Me Use My Gift Card Balance?

Sometimes, problems can arise when you’re trying to order from Amazon. For example, have you been having trouble with your gift card balance? Wondering why your Amazon gift card isn’t working correctly? Below, we solve this problem for you!

Why Won’t Amazon Let Me Use My Gift Card Balance?

Amazon may be blocking your purchase with a gift card balance because they need a credit or debit card added to the order, you have an invalid gift card code, you have used too many gift cards, or you are trying to order an item from another country.

Keep reading below, where we’ll go into detail about why Amazon doesn’t let you use your gift card balance from time to time!

1. You Need to Add a Credit or Debit Card

Sometimes, fixing this problem is easy. All you need to do is add a credit or debit card!

Occasionally, Amazon will want to have a debit or credit card attached to your account in case tax or shipping costs are slightly more than estimated (as this can change sometimes). Other times, your balance may not be enough to pay for the order, so you need a card added.

You might also need to add a debit or credit card to your order as a backup. In this way, your cards will not be charged. They’re just there, just in case.

If you don’t want a debit or credit card saved to your account, you can remove your information from your account after you are officially charged — or after your package ships!

2. You Have an Invalid Gift Card Code

Amazon may also refuse to let you use your gift card balance if you have added a gift card with an invalid gift card code. This may have been an accident. Try to add your gift card again, ensuring that you’re putting the code right.

If the code is right and Amazon is still refusing to accept it, this could be because something is wrong with the gift card. Have you purchased the card in a secure way?

Unfortunately, problematic gift cards — or gift cards boughten with stolen funds, etc. — will be denied by Amazon. You will not be able to use these cards at all if this is the case.

If you know that your gift card was bought securely, then you can get in contact with Amazon Support to see if they can help you with this issue.

3. You Have Used Too Many Gift Cards In a Short Time Span

Amazon could keep you from using your gift card balance if you have purchased and used too many gift cards in a short time span. As we mentioned above, problematic gift cards have floated around for a while. This is Amazon’s attempt to try to stop this.

They don’t like people using too many gift cards in a short time span. So, they may keep you from being able to use your balance if you have used a lot of cards recently.

If the reason you are using so many gift cards is that you don’t want to add your debit or credit card online, then consider using Amazon Cash. All you have to do is go to a participating store and add Amazon Cash to your account using your own debit or credit card at the store.

This will then be added to your balance. Amazon won’t flag this, as you won’t be purchasing a gift card — you’ll just be adding Cash to your account!

4. You Are Trying to Order an Item From Another Country

Every now and then, Amazon won’t allow you to use your balance on specific items. This tends to have to do with if you’re trying to buy an item from another country.

If you’ve just added an Amazon gift card to your account and are trying to buy an item from another country, yet you’re having issues, this could be why. The card is only for use in the United States.

This happens rarely, and it’s not clear if it happens in all countries or not. However, it does happen enough for past customers to talk about it — and so this might be the reason why you’re struggling to buy items using your gift card balance on Amazon!

Conclusion

Amazon may not allow you to use your gift card balance if you need to add a credit or debit card to your account, if you have an invalid gift card, if you have used too many gift cards, or if you are trying to order from another country.