Smart & Simple Ways to Save Big on Amazon With Gift Cards

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Anyone who participates in online shopping in this day and age (and that includes a massive amount of people) is likely well acquainted with the e-commerce behemoth that is Amazon. As the largest online retailer and an innovative technology provider, Amazon has built up quite an impressive reputation over the decades since it was founded in the 90s. Beginning as an online bookstore providing customers with easy access to the titles they want, Amazon was originally meant to compete with local booksellers and other prominent book retailers. As it now stands, Amazon resembles nothing of its humble origins – it has evolved into so much more than the company that it once was, and has subsequently shaped the way we as consumers approach online shopping. 

When it comes to searching for a versatile online platform that sells everything from clothing and accessories to electronics, home decor, and even items for your pantry, you really won’t find much better than Amazon. There are plenty of online marketplaces packed with vendors offering unique and interesting products, but none are as all-encompassing as Amazon seems to be. Amazon caters to basically anyone and everyone, from kids to adults, from seasoned working professionals to folks in the early stages of their careers. So whether you are a stay-at-home parent, a teacher, a fun-loving teenager, or the manager of a small team of employees, you can bet on Amazon to have an extensive selection of products tailored for your exact needs. 

With so much to offer and so many shoppers to please, it only makes sense that gift cards for Amazon are equally as compelling as the platform itself. And the good news is: they are! 

Amazon gift cards make for a fantastic gift and shopping asset that can truly elevate your buying experience. They possess great shopping benefits, can assist folks in budgeting and keeping tabs on their spending habits, and are overall a much more secure way to go about making online purchases. There’s quite a lot to praise Amazon gift cards for, and even more to be learned about the mechanics behind Amazon gift cards, which is why we are taking the time to provide you with essential information concerning these nifty shopping tools. 

Some of the questions that will be addressed over the course of this article include the following:

  • How do Amazon gift cards work?
  • What are the various uses of Amazon gift cards?
  • How many gift cards can you use on Amazon at a time? 

Ready to get your answers? Continue reading the rest of this article and stay well-informed so you can make the most of your shopping experience on Amazon.

How Amazon Gift Cards Work

Amazon gift cards are not much different from most other retail gift cards. You can use an Amazon gift card to pay for all or a fraction of the cost of your transaction, depending on the value of the gift card itself. The value stored on the Amazon gift card can be applied toward purchases on both the Amazon website and the app, but not at other retailers that are unaffiliated with Amazon. There are many uses for an Amazon gift card, making it an extremely adaptable payment method that includes a variety of options such as buying products, streaming online content like music and shows, downloading books, or gifting to others. 

Using an Amazon gift card is relatively simple. First, make sure to add the products you wish to purchase to your online shopping cart and then proceed to the payment page. Once you are there, you will see a field where you can input the gift card code. After the gift card code is validated, the amount on the card will be applied toward the total cost of your purchase. If the cost of the purchase exceeds the amount of funds on your Amazon gift card, you will need to provide an alternate payment method to cover the remaining balance that you owe. 

You can also use an Amazon gift card to make partial payments, which enables shoppers to save the remaining gift card balance for future purchases. Amazon gift cards may also be combined with other gift cards, discounts, and exclusive offers to rack in even more savings. Once you understand the range of abilities associated with an Amazon gift card, you can empower yourself as a consumer and take full control of your shopping experience. 

Uses of Amazon gift cards

  • Online shopping
  • Digital content
  • Subscription services
  • Gift giving 
  • Charitable donations
  • Corporate rewards and incentives 

These are just several examples of the various uses possible with Amazon gift cards. Whether they are for personal use or to be gifted to another, using gift cards on Amazon is a fantastic way to elevate any shopping experience. 

Using a gift card on Amazon opens up a whole world of purchasing possibilities. You can use your gift card to essentially buy anything you want, from electronics to apparel and accessories. 

Can You Use Multiple Gift Cards on Amazon?

Haven’t gotten around to using your various reward cards and now they are beginning to pile up? While that’s not exactly a bad dilemma to have, we know that you’re probably itching to get rid of some of them. The good news is, you absolutely have the ability to use multiple Amazon gift cards to pay for a transaction on Amazon. 

There are a few ways to go about using gift cards on Amazon, but if you wish to use multiple gift cards then the best way to do that to make the shopping process easy on yourself is to 

Apply your gift card balance as a payment method

This is a direct way to apply your gift card funds to the total cost of your Amazon transaction. 

  1. Once on Amazon’s website, navigate to your shopping cart and select ‘Add a gift card or promotion code.’
  2. Enter the card number of the gift card that you wish to use and ensure that it is accurate. 
  3. After entering your gift card codes, click ‘Apply’ to add it to your order. Once finished, you will be returned to your shopping cart page where you may continue to buy items from Amazon with your new gift card. 

Combine multiple gift cards into one balance

Rather than waiting to use your gift card balance at checkout, you can add gift cards directly to your Amazon account and combine them into one balance that is super easy to use. 

  1. Log onto your Amazon account and navigate to the ‘Gift Cards’ section.
  2. Click on ‘Redeem a gift card’ and enter each individual gift card code. 
  3. Once all of the codes are added, the balance will be consolidated into one account, making it extremely easy to keep track of. 

As far as it seems to be on Amazon, there is no limit on the amount of gift cards an individual can choose to add to their account. That means if you have one gift card or twenty, you can utilize all of those funds to purchase the items or services you want from Amazon.  

                  

Adding Amazon gift card funds to your account to redeem on your purchases provides an excellent way to use leftover funds. You also have the option to add more than just Amazon gift card codes to your account. Other gift cards, such as Visa gift cards and Mastercard gift cards, may be applied to your Amazon purchases and/or directly to your account. This can be incredibly useful when you intend to use the funds of multiple gift cards alongside another payment method like a credit or debit card. Amazon states that users have the ability to split payments between accepted credit or debit cards and Amazon gift cards, but you cannot split payments among multiple cards. 

Tips and Tricks for Using Gift Cards on Amazon

You can maximize the value of your gift cards by implementing smart shopping tools that will help you to save on the everyday essentials you need. Even though you’re already saving on your purchase by using a gift card to begin with, that shouldn’t prevent you from gaining even more savings. Let’s talk about the various tips and tricks you should consider the next time you shop on Amazon. 

Combine gift cards with promotions

Amazon regularly offers a slew of deals to entice shoppers of all types, and it is in your best interest to seek out these offers in order to maximize your potential savings. Try to keep an eye out for special deals or discounts on specific products, categories, or during festive seasons when sales are the most prominent. Combining your gift card value with promotions allows you to get the most value of your Amazon gift cards. 

Purchase discounted gift cards

If you can find gift cards on sale for less than the amount of their total value, then you’re already going to come out on top. Look for trusted sellers or reputable gift card exchange platforms to locate gift cards at a lower value than their face value, regardless of their denominations. Taking this approach enables you to stretch your budget and increase your purchasing power, which makes your shopping experience on Amazon cost-effective and rewarding. 

Monitor the expiration date 

Some gift cards expire or begin to collect inactivity fees after a prolonged period of time. Amazon gift cards typically do not expire, but it is in your best interest to monitor the status of your gift cards to ensure that you use them in a timely manner. Some promotional or special-use gift cards may occasionally expire or have certain restrictions. As long as you pay attention to the terms and conditions associated with your gift card, you can make sure that you do not miss out on using the full value of your gift card. 

This article originally appeared on GiftCardGranny.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.

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8 Gifts Cards That Are Way Better Gifts Than Cash

8 Gifts Cards That Are Way Better Gifts Than Cash

When it comes to giving someone you know a gift, whether it be out of the colossal kindness inside of your heart or because of a celebratory occasion like a birthday or graduation ceremony, it generally pays off to let them pick out their own present. That’s why straight cash has been a long-time favorite of gift recipients everywhere; even young children understand the value of money and are usually excited to receive it as a gift, so long as their parents let them spend it on something they want. 

In conjunction with receiving cash to commemorate special events and in recognition of achieving impressive accomplishments, many folks receive gift cards as an alternative, somewhat more formal way of gifting money. Gift cards don’t entail any specific item or product, but they do give the recipient access to merchandise, services, and related amenities from specific brands and retailers. This can be a great gift when you know the kind of retailers the person you are buying for frequently shops at, since it allows you to avoid making any major decision regarding gift-giving outside of choosing the gift card itself. 

If you aren’t sure what stores someone prefers, then you may want to avoid giving them a gift card that locks them into shopping at a particular retailer. In this scenario it may be better to go with a cash gift that can be used any way they please, though there are gift card options such as Visa or Mastercard gift cards that can be used for purchases at a variety of different retailers. 

There’s a lot to like about gift cards and, in terms of gift-giving, the presentation of a gift card is much more pleasant than cash. Gift cards make paying for things way more convenient and saves you room in your wallet, sparing you from the pain of too many dollar bills jumbled up inside. It’s rather embarrassing to be digging around in your wallet for money while you hold up the checkout line; pay quickly and hassle-free with a gift card!

Related: Unlocking the Magic: How Gift Cards Breathe New Life into Gifting Traditions

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For when you want to eat restaurant-grade food without leaving the house

Get food delivered on-demand right to your front door when you use DoorDash for all of your mobile ordering needs. This food delivery service is one of many that has changed the way we dine out (or rather, dine in) at our favorite restaurants and eating establishments. 

Many of us live for the full restaurant experience – being waited on by an attentive server, snacking on delicious appetizers, and relishing in the laid-back ambiance of casual dining. However, sometimes we simply want to dine on high-quality restaurant fare without having to leave the house and deal with other people, traffic, wait times, and all that jazz. DoorDash allows customers to bypass the bad stuff and enjoy great cuisine from the comfort of your living room couch. Choose from local food joints in your area and order a variety of tasty dishes from all kinds of different cultures including Mexican, Indian, Chinese, Greek, and much more. 

Pick up a DoorDash gift card and earn cash back! 

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Shop hot designs for fashion-forward young men and women 

New clothes are always a gift to be excited over, but when you don’t know someone’s size or fashion preferences there’s a lot of room for error. That’s why a gift card to a clothing retailer is much better than gifting new apparel on its own, and Rue21 certainly has an impressive legion of fashionable finds to transform your wardrobe into a dimension of style. 

Rue21 serves as one of the leading fast-fashion brands in the nation, operating more than six hundred stores to deliver you the latest fashion trends without the hefty price tag. Fresh, affordable new trends are Rue21’s speciality; from new jeans you can wear everyday to go-to graphic tees, fabulous footwear, smart dresses, and an army of must-have accessories and beauty products, you can shop and stock up on all of your favorite finds for the season. 

Earn cash back on a Rue21 gift card!

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Enhance the style of your space with timeless furnishings 

Having a home to decorate and furnish is definitely something to be grateful for, but the cost of household necessities can put a huge dent in your bank account before long. A gift card to Pottery Barn can make all the difference for folks who want to add a little lavish pizzazz to their household. 

Pottery Barn is an upscale home furnishing retailer that provides furniture, bedding, bath, rugs, decor, window accessories, drinkware, and more. Their collections are inspired by the seasons, such as floral-print bedsheets in anticipation of spring, setting your household up just in time for the changing weather. Pottery Barn also provides design resources with a lookbook featuring styles for the season, along with bedding looks, pillow pairings, and table settings. 

There’s a lot to be smitten with at Pottery Barn, from the expertly crafted furniture pieces to timeless and long-lasting decor. Be sure to pick up a Pottery Barn gift card so you can save with cash back. 

Related: Treat Yourself With These Gift Card Ideas

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Fill up on the best handcrafted cuisine this side of the Mason-Dixon line

Give the gift of a delicious night out at one of the most loved steakhouse chains in the country with a Texas Roadhouse gift card. Serving American fare with a Southwestern spin amidst a dining environment filled with Texas-themed decor, this legendary steak restaurant is always serving something to write home about. 

Texas Roadhouse is celebrated for its premium hand-cut steaks and mouthwatering tender ribs, which are enough to make any carnivore drool. In addition to made-from-scratch sides like buttery mashed potatoes and fresh-baked rolls served with sweet cinnamon butter, Texas Roadhouse offers an impressive selection of strong cocktails and margaritas to enhance your evening out. To top it all off, the portions at Texas Roadhouse are large and in charge so you’ll always get more bang for your buck. 

Score cash back on a Texas Roadhouse gift card

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For the beauty connoisseurs and fearless creatives looking to make a mark

Makeup opens up many doorways for folks to express themselves and experiment with the countless possible looks out there. Whether it’s time to prep for prom or because you simply want to touch up your appearance before going out with some friends, having the right makeup on hand can make all the difference. 

Shop all of the cosmetics brands you love at Sephora, your multinational retailer of personal care and beauty products. Sephora carries over three hundred beloved brands along with their own private label, Sephora Collection. Some of the beauty products sold at your local Sephora include products for skincare, cosmetics, body, fragrance, nail color, lotions, haircare, and beauty tools. Browse stunning eyeshadow palettes, makeup blenders, nail polish, perfume and cologne, face oils, foundation, shower gel, exfoliants and scrubs, dry shampoo, and many more must-have items. 

Give the everlasting gift of beauty with a Sephora gift card and earn easy cash back!

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Create something wonderful after you shop at this retailer 

This specialty retail company provides everything under the sun for crafts and personal projects. Joann Fabrics carries one of the largest selections of fabric of any retailer, including fabric for apparel, flannel, fleece, and cotton. All of their fabric can be cut by the yard or may be purchased pre-cut to suit the needs of your project. 

For folks not looking for fabric, Joann offers a lot more in terms of crafting materials and artistic supplies. They have sewing supplies, home decor, storage accessories, yarn, knitting and crochet supplies, embroidery and cross stitch materials, paper crafts, bakeware, art kits, and so much more lining the shelves of their stores. Any creative-minded individual with a passion for making what they love is sure to love stocking up on everything Joann Fabrics has to offer. 

Pick up a gift card to Joann Fabrics for an easy way to earn cash back!

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Browse thousands of titles for modern and classic video games

Need a gift card for a major video game retailer? GameStop operates thousands of locations across the country and exists as the world’s largest retailer for video games and top trade-in destination for Xbox, Playstation, and Nintendo games, consoles, systems, and accessories. 

The average GameStop location has a massive inventory of games for a range of video game systems. You can find many titles for the PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Switch, and older consoles available at your local GameStop. Games can be purchased new or used, which can end up saving you a fair bit of money. GameStop also sells other consumer electronics and loads of pop culture merchandise, typically from franchises popular in the video game industry. It’s a great place for both serious gamers and casual enjoyers to indulge in their shared love of video games. 

Earn cash back when you buy a GameStop gift card

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Shop at any retailer you want with this versatile gift card

A Visa gift card can be used at many different retailers to purchase a variety of things. It is not bound by brand or location, which is true of most retail gift cards. Whether you want to eat out at your favorite restaurant, shop a local boutique for fashionable finds, or spend an evening at the movie theater with your friends, a Visa gift card can help you purchase it all. 

Pick up a Visa gift card!

This article originally appeared on GiftCardGranny.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.

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Featured Image Credit: Jorge Villalba/istockphoto.

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Trae Bodge

Trae Bodge is an accomplished lifestyle journalist and TV commentator who specializes in smart shopping, personal finance, parenting, and retail. Trae has been named a Top Voice in Retail by LinkedIn and a top personal finance expert by GoBankingRates and Flexjobs. She is a contributor at Millie Magazine and CNN Underscored, and her writing and expert commentary have appeared in Newsweek, Woman's Day, Forbes, USNews.com, Kiplinger, Marketwatch, MSN.com, Yahoo Finance and numerous others. She has also appeared on TV hundreds of times; including Good Morning America's GMA3: What You Need to Know, NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt, Inside Edition, CNBC and local network affiliates nationwide.