In general, you cannot use an Amazon gift-card balance at unrelated stores or websites. Amazon Pay is a separate payment service: a merchant may accept Amazon Pay without accepting Amazon gift-card funds. Whole Foods Market stores do not accept Amazon gift cards either.
Where Amazon gift-card balance can be used
Amazon says its gift cards can be used for eligible goods and services on Amazon.com and certain related sites, subject to the applicable card terms. “Certain related sites” is not a blanket list of outside retailers; check the terms for your card and the payment options at the specific checkout. Amazon Pay’s shopper FAQ describes this scope.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Amazon eGift Card - Amazon Logo | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Amazon eGift Card - Happy Birthday | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Amazon eGift Card - Birthday Wishes | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Amazon Physical Gift Card in a Gift Box - Better than Gold - Black | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Amazon Physical Gift Card in a Mini Envelope - Candlelight Celebration | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
Amazon Pay is not the same as an Amazon gift card
Some third-party websites accept Amazon Pay. At those checkouts, you use payment methods associated with your Amazon account, such as a credit or debit card on file. Amazon states that gift-card balance cannot be used for purchases directly with third-party merchants through Amazon Pay. An Amazon Pay button or Amazon account sign-in therefore does not mean you can spend your gift-card balance there. Amazon Pay’s “Using Amazon Pay” page explains the distinction.
Can you use an Amazon gift card at Whole Foods?
No. Whole Foods Market says Amazon gift cards are not accepted at its stores. Whole Foods Market gift cards are a separate product and can be used at Whole Foods Market stores; the company says they cannot be used for online purchases such as catering or meals on wholefoodsmarket.com, or grocery delivery through Amazon.com and other third-party partners. See Whole Foods Market’s gift-card FAQ for its rules.
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- Amazon.com Gift Cards never expire and carry no fees.
- Multiple gift card designs and denominations to choose from.
- Redeemable towards millions of items store-wide at Amazon.com or certain affiliated websites.
- Available for immediate delivery. Gift cards sent by email can be scheduled up to a year in advance.
- No returns and no refunds on Gift Cards.
How to check whether a specific retailer accepts your balance
- Read the applicable terms for your Amazon gift card to confirm where its balance is eligible.
- Check the retailer’s own checkout for the payment methods it accepts.
- Do not infer gift-card acceptance from Amazon ownership, an Amazon account sign-in option, or an Amazon Pay logo.
The official sources cited here do not establish that unrelated retailers accept Amazon gift-card balances. Acceptance of Amazon Pay is not evidence that a retailer can take those funds.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Be cautious if someone asks for a gift-card claim code
Amazon Pay warns that a third-party website or seller suggesting payment with an Amazon Gift Card is not a legitimate Amazon Pay merchant. It also says Amazon Pay will not send an invoice asking you to pay with Amazon gift cards and identifies requests for claim codes as a common scam warning. Do not give a claim code to someone who says it will pay an outside bill, fee, service, or purchase. Amazon Pay’s guidance covers these warnings; Whole Foods Market likewise advises using gift cards only at the retailer specified on the card.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Gift Card is redeemable towards millions of items storewide at Amazon.com
- Gift Card has no fees and no expiration date
- Gift Card is affixed inside a mini envelope
- Free One-Day Shipping (where available)
- Scan and redeem any Gift Card with a mobile or tablet device via the Amazon App
Rank #4
- Gift Card is redeemable towards millions of items storewide at Amazon.com
- Gift Card has no fees and no expiration date
- Gift Card is nested inside a specialty gift box
- Free One-Day Shipping (where available)
- Scan and redeem any Gift Card with a mobile or tablet device via the Amazon App
Rank #3
- Amazon.com Gift Cards never expire and carry no fees.
- Multiple gift card designs and denominations to choose from.
- Redeemable towards millions of items store-wide at Amazon.com or certain affiliated websites.
- Available for immediate delivery. Gift cards sent by email can be scheduled up to a year in advance.
- No returns and no refunds on Gift Cards.
Rank #2
- Amazon.com Gift Cards never expire and carry no fees.
- Multiple gift card designs and denominations to choose from.
- Redeemable towards millions of items store-wide at Amazon.com or certain affiliated websites.
- Available for immediate delivery. Gift cards sent by email can be scheduled up to a year in advance.
- No returns and no refunds on Gift Cards.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
