How do I use an Amazon gift card as my default payment?

Making Amazon Life Easier: Setting a Gift Card as Your Default Payment

We’ve all been there: that delightful Amazon gift card burning a hole in our virtual pocket, just waiting to be spent. But wouldn’t it be great if you didn’t have to manually enter the code every single time you wanted to treat yourself? The good news is, you can effectively use your Amazon gift card as your “go-to” payment method, making your online shopping experience smoother and more convenient.

While you can’t directly designate a gift card as your sole default payment method, you can strategically leverage it to ensure it’s used first for every purchase, minimizing the charges to your credit card or bank account. Here’s how to make your Amazon gift card your preferred payment option:

The Wallet Holds the Key:

Amazon houses all your payment information in a centralized location called “Your Wallet.” This is where you’ll manage your cards, bank accounts, and, importantly, your gift card balance. Accessing Your Wallet is usually found under the “Your Account” section.

Leveraging the Edit Option:

Within Your Wallet, you’ll see a list of your stored payment methods. This is where the slight workaround comes in. Here’s the strategy:

1. Locate a Valid Credit/Debit Card or Bank Account: You must have a valid credit or debit card, or bank account, linked to your Amazon account. This acts as the eventual fallback payment method.

2. Edit the Fallback Payment Method: Select the credit card, debit card, or bank account you want to be charged after your gift card balance is depleted. Click the “Edit” option associated with that payment method.

3. The “Set as default payment method” Checkbox: This is the crucial step. Within the edit options, you should find a checkbox labeled “Set as default payment method.” Make sure this checkbox is marked for the fallback payment method you selected.

4. Confirm Your Selection: Save your changes. Amazon will now prioritize this card if your gift card balance is insufficient to cover the total purchase.

Why This Works & Important Considerations:

This method doesn’t technically make the gift card your default. Amazon automatically applies your gift card balance to your purchases first. By setting a backup payment method as the default, you ensure that after your gift card balance is exhausted, the specified credit card or bank account is charged automatically.

• Sufficient Balance is Key: This strategy only works if your gift card balance is sufficient to cover at least a portion of your purchase. If your purchase exceeds your gift card balance, the remaining amount will be charged to your default payment method.
• Monitor Your Balance: Regularly check your gift card balance in Your Wallet. This prevents unexpected charges to your backup payment method if you thought you had more credit available.
• Not a True “Default” for Everything: Some Amazon services, like Prime memberships or recurring subscriptions, might have their own dedicated payment settings. You might need to manage those subscriptions separately.

In Conclusion:

While you can’t officially designate an Amazon gift card as the primary default payment method, this workaround effectively uses your gift card balance first. By strategically assigning a backup payment method as the default, you ensure that your gift card gets used first, making the most of that digital bounty. This simple trick can streamline your Amazon shopping experience and help you enjoy those hard-earned (or gifted!) savings with minimal hassle. Now go ahead and treat yourself – you deserve it!