Amazon is currently the largest e-commerce platform in the world. They usually reward loyal customers with perks and incentives. One of such perks is the Amazon gift card.
Amazon gift cards are prepaid cards funded with a specific amount of money. You can use them to initiate purchases in the future on the Amazon platform. Gift cards may be physical or virtual.
Gift cards are big business. You can buy and sell Amazon gift cards on several gift card merchant platforms.
One popular question among online shoppers is, can you see who redeemed an Amazon gift card?
You cannot see who redeemed an Amazon gift card?
The answer is no. Amazon’s privacy policy prevents this. So, Amazon does not release client information. If you notice that someone has used your Amazon gift card, it is best to ask those close to you who may have access to it.
If you purchased the gift card from a merchant, you should contact their support team and issue a complaint.
Continue reading to learn more about gift cards.
Things To Know About Gift Cards
Gift cards resemble credit cards. They often are identified by a serial number or code. The latter makes them largely anonymous, as they do not bear names. As such, anyone can redeem them.
You cannot cash out gift cards. These days a fair amount of exchange businesses exist that purchase them from holders, usually at a rate that allows for profit.
Gift cards from merchant sources sometimes do not have value until you purchase them. In that instance, the customer decides the value linked with the card ID.
You can customize or personalize gift cards. This customization feature is handy if you want to gift them to a friend, or perhaps a loved one. These customizations can include a name or custom message.
Gift cards expire. However, they can remain valid for up to 5 years after redemption or purchase. Also, if you do not use your Amazon gift cards for more than 12 months, the value can depreciate in the form of monthly charges.
What are the different types of gift cards? Continue reading to learn more.
Categories Of Gift Cards
Single store gift cards
Single store gift cards are exclusive to a particular brand. You cannot use them in any other store except the one designated on the card.
An example is an Amazon gift card. They are not as flexible as other gift cards. You can only purchase goods and services from that particular brand using that gift card.
Family of stores gift cards
Family of stores gift cards are more flexible than single store gift cards. You can use them at merchants that belong to a family of stores. An example is a gap gift card. Fees and expiration dates depending on the brand and location of use.
Multiple store gift cards
Multiple gift cards are not exclusive to a particular brand because you can use them at several stores. The listed stores do not have to be related to one another.
Redemption of these gift cards would differ from store to store. You may have to swap them for other gift cards at the store. Multiple store gift cards allow the user to choose from a variety of shopping experiences.
Category gift cards
These types of gift cards are category-specific. You can use them with different brands that fit into a particular category. These are gifted to users who want to have access to a service without brand restriction.
Any store gift card
You can use any store gift cards in any store. Banks usually issue this type of gift card, as either MasterCard or VISA cards. MasterCard and VISA cards are accepted almost anywhere. They incur activation fees and have expiration dates.
Problems Associated with Gift Cards
Gift cards allow the purchaser to set limits that may affect the end-user adversely. For example, gift cards could be subject to an expiration date, fees, and use restriction. These fees can devalue the gift card over time.
Gift cards have also felt impersonal to the end-users. However, the introduction of certain levels of customization has helped address this issue.
Another problem associated with gift cards is the fact that they are easy pickings for fraudsters. The anonymity of gift cards makes them easy to use or resell by scammers.
How To Transfer Your Amazon Gift Card Balance To Your Amazon Account
On Desktop:
- Open your browser.
- Go to amazon.com
- log in to your account.
- Locate the upper right corner, click “Accounts & Lists.”
- Select “Accounts.”
- Select “Gift Cards.”
On Mobile:
- Download the Amazon store app from Google Playstore or Apple app store.
- Launch the app.
- Log in to your account.
- Find the menu button. It is a panel with 3 bars.
- Swipe down to “Payments.”
- Select “Manage gift cards.”
- Select “Redeem another gift card.”
- Input your gift card number in “Enter claim box.”
- Select “Apply to balance.”
Can You Transfer Funds From Your Amazon Account To Your Bank Account?
Yes, you can. To transfer funds from your Amazon account to your bank account, follow the steps below.
Log in to your Amazon account.
Search for the Amazon pay payment option.
Select “Shoppers.”
Select “Withdraw funds.”
Choose the receiving bank account.
Select “Continue.”
You should see the balance in your bank account within 5-7 working days.
What Would Happen If You Lose Your Amazon Gift Card?
If you lose your Amazon gift card, contact Amazon with details of the misplaced card. They will cancel the card and credit your Amazon account balance with the value of the card.
Amazon Gift Card Offers For Businesses
You can purchase Amazon gift cards in bulk for use as incentives for your clients or customers.
Amazon offers this service via a platform called Amazon Incentives. With Amazon Incentives, you can make bulk orders for physical cards, virtual cards and even claim codes.
These cards are customizable and are available in various denominations ranging from $1 – $1000.
You can use Amazon’s standard design for your gift cards. You may also customize them using your logo or any image you desire. According to Amazon, you will receive your orders within one to three days after placement.
You can also send digital cards to your customers via email. The option to customize your template using your desired image or logo is also available for digital cards. Amazon delivers orders for digital cards within one business day.
You can also receive claim codes for your Amazon gift cards. Usually, Amazon sends them to you in a batch via a CSV file. You can then deliver them to your recipients via text messages, emails, or any other means you desire. Delivery of claim codes takes place within one business day.
SwiftClaim is another gift card offer from Amazon. With SwiftClaim, Amazon can deposit gift card balances directly to your recipients Amazon accounts. During the ordering process, Amazon will require the email addresses of your recipients.
The next time your recipients log in to their Amazon accounts, they will receive the value of the gift cards in their account balance. Delivery takes place within one business day.
History Of Gift Cards
Neiman Marcus introduced the first known gift card using payments infrastructure in 1994. But then, Blockbuster Entertainment was the first company to use them on a large scale.
Blockbuster tested gift cards in the market in 1995 and fully launched them in 1996. Gift cards replaced gift certificates at that time as gift certificates were becoming easier to counterfeit. The advent of colored copiers and printers made it easier to perpetrate counterfeiting fraud.
Mobil gas later joined in making and gifting credit cards, initially offering prepaid phone value provided by MCI. Then Kmart followed with the Kmart Cash card, which at inception provided prepaid AT&T phone time.
Mobil and Kmart eventually dropped the prepaid phone time package due to the lack of profits. Kmart turned their cash cards into a replacement for cash returns when the shopper failed to have a receipt for a gift.
The above practice remains common amongst merchants today. From these early conceptions, retailers began to change their gift certificates to gift card programs.
Conclusion
You cannot see who redeemed an Amazon card because of Amazon privacy policies. You can only use Amazon gift cards on the Amazon platform.
You can check the balance left in your Amazon gift card using the steps outlined in this article. If you suspect that someone has used your gift card, you can check and inquire from the merchant and those who have had access to it.
Gift cards have replaced what was known as gift certificates as those were easy to counterfeit. They are a way for retailers to reward and keep customers and employees.
Gift cards offer a new way to gift friends and family members. It can be flexible and allow them to choose between multiple experiences.
Because of gift cards’ anonymity, they have become vulnerable to fraudsters. We recommend that you guard your gift cards against prying eyes.
