Amazon is used by millions of Canadians to shop online for products. Not only does their platform offer fast and convenient service, but Amazon Prime members can also access a variety of free services, like e-books, videos, music and cheaper shipping. Plus, there are plenty of ways to score discounts on Amazon, including coupons, promo days and gift cards. If you’re a frequent Amazon shopper, finding out how to get free Amazon gift cards may be well worth your time.
How To Get A Free Amazon Gift Card From Amazon
There are 3 main ways to get free gift cards through your Amazon account:
Amazon Promo Offers
During the year, Amazon gives out regular promotional offers and discounts. For example, last year, Prime members who downloaded the Amazon app on Prime Day received a $10 credit and another $10 if they made their first purchase on it. That said, their promos can change every year.
Amazon Exchanges
If you have unwanted electronic items, like Kindles, video games, tablets or e-books, Amazon may allow you to trade them in for Amazon gift cards via a partner website called Phobio. Just enter some information about the device and, if it qualifies, Amazon will cover all shipping and handling costs and provide you with an Amazon gift card in exchange for your device.
Amazon Gift Card Reload Bonus
If you’ve already used an Amazon gift card, don’t throw it away, because you can reload it with funds whenever you want. While they’re not always available, Amazon sometimes offers promotions that provide a $5 or $10 bonus after you reload your gift card with at least $100.
How To Get Free Amazon Gift Cards From Cash Back Platforms
Cash back platforms are websites and apps that reward you to shop at their partner retailers. Some platforms pay you in actual cash (which you can use to buy Amazon gift cards), others will give you points that you can redeem for a range of gift cards. Since Amazon is a big company, they work with many popular cash back platforms, including:
Rakuten
Rakuten is one of the oldest cash back apps. They work with over 750 other retailers, like Sephora, Walmart and Canadian Tire. The average cash back rate is 0.50% – 30%, depending on the retailer. You can accept payment by cheque or Paypal, which you can then use to purchase Amazon gift cards.
Drop
Drop is a North American cash back app that lets you earn points to buy or get Amazon gift cards by shopping with a debit or credit card. 1,000 points equals $1. Once you earn 20,000 points ($20), you can redeem them for an Amazon gift card. Plus, you get a $5 bonus to download the app and link a card.
Checkout 51
This cash back app rewards you for buying groceries or supplies from brands like Kellogg’s, Johnson & Johnson and L’Oréal. New discounts are available weekly with rates going as high as 30%. Just send them a photo of your receipt and once you earn at least $20, Checkout 51 will mail you a cheque.
How To Get Free Amazon Cards From Rewards Platforms
There are also many entertainment-based rewards platforms that you can use to get free Amazon gift cards in Canada, including but not limited to:
Opinion Outpost
With an Opinion Outpost account, you earn up to $5 per survey you finish, as well as $0.50 for each person you refer. Once you have $5 or more in your account you can redeem that cash for free Amazon gift cards. Alternatively, you can collect your cash via PayPal once you have at least $10.
Prize Rebel
Since 2019, Prize Rebel has gained more than 9 million users globally and paid out over $18 million amongst them. Their platform is available in multiple countries, allowing users to earn points by watching videos, taking surveys among other tasks. You can redeem your points for Amazon gift cards with $2 or more.
Swagbucks
When it comes to cash back apps, Swagbucks is surely at the top of the list for anyone who wants free Amazon gift cards. You can earn different amounts of points by doing surveys, watching videos, referring new clients and more. Then, simply redeem your points for Amazon gift cards or PayPal cash.
Survey Junkie
As their name suggests, Survey Junkie offers a huge range of online surveys that you can complete for cash. Their platform has over 10 million members and points can be redeemed for cash through PayPal and e-gift cards to Amazon and other popular retailers. If you live in the US, you have the option to directly transfer your points into your bank account.
Ipsos i-Say
Managed by a global market research firm called Ipsos. i-Say is a rewards platform that lets you participate in surveys, polls and a loyalty program to generate points. You only need a minimum of 500 points ($5) to redeem them for PayPal cash, Prepaid Visa cards, Amazon, Starbucks or iTunes gift cards.
How To Redeem An Amazon Gift Card
Once you redeem an Amazon gift card, the information and balance will be stored in Your Account, where you can access it at any time. Then, whenever you buy something from Amazon.ca, your remaining gift card balance will be automatically applied to your order, unless you select an alternate payment method, such as your credit or debit card.
There are 2 ways to redeem an Amazon gift card online or in-app:
- Gift Card
- Locate your claim code
- Click on “Redeem a Gift Card”
- Enter the claim code and choose “Apply to Your Balance”
- E-Gift Card
- Click on the link provided by email or text message (email deliveries do not feature a claim code, but may be redeemed via the link you’re given).
- Sign in to Your Account or choose “Apply to Your Balance”
If you haven’t redeemed your Amazon gift card yet, you can also enter your claim code in the “Gift Cards & Promotional Codes” field, on the “Review Your Order” page during checkout. If your purchase is more expensive than your Amazon gift card balance, the remaining amount will be automatically charged to your default payment method.
How To Check Your Amazon Gift Card Balance
Before you can check your gift card balance, you must make an Amazon account online or by downloading their mobile app. Afterward, you can easily add Amazon gift cards to your account with the 16-digit serial number/claim. The gift amount will be displayed next to it once you add the card.
To check your Amazon gift card balance, just follow these steps:
- Log into your Amazon account
- Choose “Gift Cards” to see your total balance
Where Can You Buy Amazon Gift Cards?
Buying Amazon gift cards is just as easy as using them. Simply go online to Amazon.ca or buy one from a participating retail store. Here are some popular authorized resellers of Amazon gift cards in Canada (remember that their full list may change on occasion):
- Jean-Coutu
- Shopper Drug Mart
- Loblaws
- Couche-Tard
- Safeway
- 7-Eleven
- Canada Post
- Metro
- Shell Canada
- London Drugs
Credit Cards You Can Use To Redeem Free Amazon Gift Cards
You can get free Amazon gift cards by regularly using special credit cards too:
Credit Card | Points Needed For a Free Amazon Gift Card |
Amazon.ca Rewards | 2,000 points = $20 gift card |
MBNA Rewards Points | 5,000 points = $25 gift card |
SCENE+ | 100 points = ~$1 Amazon credit |
Amex Membership Rewards | 1,000 points = $7 Amazon credit |
BMO Rewards | 23,300 points = $100 gift card |
Amazon.ca Rewards Mastercard
The Amazon.ca Rewards Mastercard offers you 5% cash back at Amazon and Whole Foods, for the first 6 months of your newly activated card. Points are also attainable when dining at restaurants and shopping at grocery stores. Afterwards, the standard rate is 1.5% back at Amazon and Whole Foods (or 2.5% as a Prime member). Every 2,000 points gets you a $20 Amazon gift card.
MBNA Rewards Points
There are several credit cards offered through the MBNA Rewards Program. Once you earn enough points, you can redeem them for travel benefits, statement credits, merchandise and gift cards to a variety of stores; including Amazon. The amount of points or cash back you earn depends on the level of card you choose.
Scene+
You can earn Scene+ points if you have a Scotiabank account or certain types of Scotiabank credit cards. Points can then be redeemed for merchandise, travel rewards, Cineplex movie tickets and other items; including Amazon gift cards. As of 2022, 100 Scotia Rewards is equal to approximately $1 depending on what you redeem it for.
Amex Membership Rewards
Amex Membership Rewards points can be redeemed for gift cards or statement credits. Alternatively, you can cash in your Amex Membership for travel, various merchandise or transfer to other customer loyalty programs. However, rather than getting Amazon gift cards, you would use the Amazon Shop With Points program to apply as many points as you want directly to your purchases.
BMO Rewards
The BMO Rewards program allows BMO customers to earn points on eligible purchases. Points are redeemable at hotels, plane tickets and for merchandise like gift cards from dozens of retailers; including Amazon. In this case, it would cost you 20,300 BMO Rewards Points to get a $100 Amazon gift card.
Trying To Score Free Amazon Gift Cards?
Luckily, there are plenty of online platforms, credit cards and rewards programs that offer free Amazon gift cards in Canada. Just do research, compare your options and find a method that won’t harm your finances. Amazon may be a cost effective way to shop online but there are always things you can do to save more money!
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