How to Get Free Amazon Gift Cards: The Ultimate Deal Hunter’s Guide

April 30, 2025 Todd Articles 0

Are you a deal-savvy shopper on the hunt for free Amazon gift cards? You’re in the right place! From using reward apps that pay you in points, to trading in old gadgets, to capitalizing on special promos, there are legit ways to score Amazon credit without spending a dime out of pocket. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through a range of methods to help you earn free Amazon gift cards. Each method comes with clear instructions, realistic timeframes for earning a usable amount, and tips to maximize your rewards. Let’s dive in and start boosting your Amazon balance for free!

🎯 1. Trade In Old Devices to Amazon

Turn your clutter into credit! Amazon’s Trade-In Program lets you send in eligible devices like tablets, phones, Echos, Kindles, and more. Amazon will evaluate your items and, if accepted, you’ll receive gift card credit right into your account.

How it works:

  • Visit the Trade-In page

  • Search for eligible items

  • Print the free shipping label

  • Ship your items and get rewarded!

🎁 Tip: Watch for trade-in bonus events where you can get extra Amazon credit for eligible devices.

💳 2. Use an Amazon Rewards Credit Card

If you’re a regular Amazon shopper, using the Amazon Prime Visa can stack up 5% cashback on all Amazon and Whole Foods purchases.

Why it rocks:

  • Get an Amazon Gift Card upon approval (usually $100–$150)

  • 5% back on Amazon purchases

  • Rewards automatically show at checkout

🏆 Tip: Combine with other reward methods to double your free credit.

💸 3. Reload Your Amazon Balance (Sometimes Includes Free Credit)

Amazon sometimes runs reload promos like “Reload $100, get $10 free.”

To check if you’re eligible:

⏱️ Promotions are often targeted, so check frequently!

🎁 4. Buy Amazon Gift Cards (Sometimes With Bonus Credit)

Look out for promos where Amazon offers bonus credit when you buy a gift card. Example: “Buy $50, get $10 free.”

To check current offers, visit:

💡 Bonus tip: You can send the card to yourself and still get the bonus.

🔁 5. Use No-Rush Shipping for Digital Credits

When checking out, select No-Rush Shipping and you’ll often earn a small reward (like $1) toward digital products like movies or eBooks.

Choose slower shipping → Shop on Amazon

🎮 6. Earn Amazon Gift Cards Playing Games or Doing Tasks

Try platforms like:

  • Swagbucks – Earn points for watching videos, searching the web, playing games, and shopping online.

  • InboxDollars / MyPoints – Offers daily polls, games, and surveys for gift card points.

  • PrizeRebel, Survey Junkie, Toluna – Survey-focused platforms with Amazon gift card payouts.

  • Microsoft Rewards – Get points for using Bing, then redeem for Amazon cards.

🕐 Most gift cards are redeemable at 3,000–5,000 points = $3–$5 Amazon gift card.

💡 7. Use Microsoft Rewards Daily

Earn by:

  • Searching with Bing

  • Taking daily trivia

  • Completing bonus punch cards

Redeem points for Amazon credit here:

🎯 8. Use Amazon Coupons to Stretch Gift Card Value

Even with small Amazon balances, you can save more by stacking your credit with digital coupons.

See current coupons:

🎉 9. Look for Amazon App Promos

Amazon sometimes runs mobile app-only promos, like “Download the app, get $10 off your next purchase.”

Download or shop via the app:

🧾 10. Scan Receipts with Apps That Pay in Amazon Gift Cards

Apps like:

  • Fetch Rewards

  • Receipt Hog

  • Ibotta (you can convert cash to Amazon gift cards)

Take photos of your shopping receipts and earn points toward gift cards.

🔄 You can scan Amazon digital receipts too—bonus!

🏆 Final Tip: Stack Your Rewards

💥 Combine:

Every method adds up! 🛍️

Start now:
Use your Amazon account and try just ONE of these methods today. Stack enough, and your next Amazon haul could be 100% free.

Cashback and Reward Apps: Turn Daily Activities into Gift Cards

One of the easiest ways to earn free Amazon gift cards is by using cashback and reward apps. These apps give you points or cashback for everyday activities like shopping, answering surveys, or even scanning receipts. You can then redeem those points for Amazon gift cards. Here’s how they work and how to get started:

  • Swagbucks – Get paid for surveys, web searches, and more: Sign up for Swagbucks (it’s free, just use your email or Facebook to create an account) and start earning SB points by doing things like taking surveys, watching short videos, playing games, or even using their search engine instead of Google. Swagbucks also offers cashback for online shopping at hundreds of retailers. Points add up quickly – for example, 100 SB = $1. You can redeem as little as ~300 SB for a small Amazon gift card (or 500 SB for a $5 card, which is a popular choice). Many users report earning their first $5 Amazon gift card within a week or two of casual use. Tips to maximize Swagbucks: Take the higher-paying surveys first (check the SB reward before you start), do the daily poll for an easy point, and watch out for Swag Codes (promotional codes) that you can enter for bonus points. Also, refer friends if you can – Swagbucks gives you a referral bonus (usually you earn 10% of your referral’s future earnings), which can significantly boost your point income over time. Ready to earn? Sign up for Swagbucks and complete a survey or two each day – you’ll be surprised how quickly those points add up toward a free Amazon card.

  • Rakuten (formerly Ebates) – Cashback for online shopping: If you ever shop online (and who doesn’t?), Rakuten is a must. It’s a cashback portal: you start at Rakuten’s website or app, click through to your favorite store (from Walmart to Macy’s to thousands more), and then shop as usual. Rakuten will automatically credit you a percentage of what you spent as cashback. The best part: Rakuten pays out your cashback via check or PayPal quarterly, and that cash can be used for anything – including buying Amazon gift cards or just shopping on Amazon. In fact, sometimes Rakuten even offers to pay you in an Amazon gift card directly. Getting started is simple: create a free Rakuten account (you can even add their browser extension so you never forget to activate cashback). How fast can you earn? It depends on your shopping. For example, if you make a $100 purchase at a 5% cashback store, you’ll get $5 back. Rakuten often has a sign-up bonus too – commonly $30 for new members after you make your first purchase through them (above a certain amount, e.g. spend $30 to get $30 bonus). That bonus alone is essentially a free $30 Amazon gift card (since you can get the payout as cash). Tips to maximize Rakuten: Always activate Rakuten before checkout – the browser extension helps by pinging you to click it. Keep an eye out for “Double Cashback” promotions on Rakuten where stores might give 10% instead of 5%, etc. Also, Rakuten has a lucrative referral program: if you refer a friend, you often get $30 (and your friend gets $30) after they join and make a qualifying purchase. Share the love with fellow deal-hunters and you both win! In short, don’t shop online without that Rakuten cashback – it’s like leaving free money on the table. Combine it with a credit card that also gives rewards (more on that later), and you’re double-dipping on savings every time you buy something.

  • Fetch Rewards – Snap receipts for points: Ever thought your grocery receipts could be worth money? Fetch Rewards makes it possible. Download the Fetch Rewards app (free on iOS/Android) and sign up (just an email or Facebook login). Whenever you finish shopping at any grocery store, convenience store, drugstore, or even wholesale clubs, just take a picture of your receipt using the app. Fetch will reward you with points for each receipt—usually a flat amount like 25 points per receipt, and bonus points if the receipt contains certain participating brands or products. For example, if you bought a brand that’s running a promo in Fetch, you might get 500 or 1000 points extra for that item. Those points can be redeemed for gift cards, including Amazon gift cards (one of Fetch’s most popular redemption options). How long to earn with Fetch? If you only get the base 25 points per receipt, it takes 1,000 points to equal roughly $1 (so 4 receipts = $1). A typical user might scan 5-10 receipts a week (don’t forget you can scan receipts from any store, even fast food or gas receipts sometimes count for base points). That’s maybe 250 points a week from base points, which would be $5 worth of points (~5,000) in about 20 weeks if you had no bonuses. But with bonus items and occasional special offers, you can earn much faster. Many users report getting enough for a $3 Amazon gift card (3,000 points) every month or two just by scanning all their receipts. And if you refer friends or family to Fetch, you typically get a few thousand points for each referral (and they get a welcome bonus too). Tips to maximize Fetch: Scan every receipt you get, even if it’s small – they all count. Check the Fetch app’s “Brands” or “Special Offers” section to see which products will give you extra points; if it’s something you need anyway, take advantage of those deals. Also, connect your email or Amazon account in the app to auto-receive points for your online purchases (Fetch can scan e-receipts for things like Amazon orders or email receipts from Walmart, etc., giving you credit for those as well). Finally, use a referral code when you first sign up (ask a friend who uses Fetch or find a code online) – this can instantly give you ~2,000 points to jump-start your earnings. Bottom line: Fetch is a no-brainer because it’s literally free money for receipts that would otherwise be trash. It might take a little while to cash out, but it’s zero extra work beyond snapping a photo.

Why we love reward apps: They let you earn gift cards during activities you already do (shopping, searching, watching TV, etc.). While each individual app might only yield a few dollars a month, using multiple apps together can really boost your earnings. For example, you might earn $10 from Swagbucks, $15 from Rakuten, and $5 from Fetch in a month – that’s $30 of Amazon credit to snag something on your wish list, essentially free. The key is consistency and making it a habit. Call to action: Pick one of the apps above and give it a try this week. You could be redeeming your first Amazon gift card before you know it. Every little bit adds up, and it feels great to get Amazon credit for doing almost nothing new!

Amazon’s Trade-In Program: Turn Clutter into Amazon Credit

Got old gadgets or games collecting dust? With Amazon’s Trade-In Program, you can exchange eligible used items for Amazon gift card credit. It’s a fantastic way to declutter your home and get paid for it! Here’s how it works and how to make the most of it:

How the Amazon Trade-In Program works: Amazon’s Trade-In accepts a variety of items, mainly electronics and media. Common trade-in items include: old smartphones, tablets, Amazon devices like Echo speakers or Kindle e-readers, video game consoles and games, and even streaming media players or home security devices. (They periodically adjust what categories are accepted, but electronics are the mainstay. In the past, video games and textbooks were accepted too; currently, the focus is on tech gadgets.) To get started, head over to the Amazon Trade-In page【22†】 (you’ll need to log in to your Amazon account). Search for the item you want to trade in, or browse by category. Amazon will ask a few questions about the item’s condition (e.g. does it power on, any screen cracks, etc.) and then give you an instant quote for how much they’ll pay if the item is as described. If you accept the trade-in offer, Amazon provides a free shipping label. You’ll box up the item, send it off, and a few days after Amazon receives it, they’ll inspect it. If everything checks out, the quoted amount is credited to your Amazon account as a gift card balance – simple as that!

How to sign up / requirements: There’s no special sign-up needed beyond having an Amazon account. The Trade-In page guides you through the process for each item. Just be honest about the condition of your item to ensure you get the quoted value. If Amazon finds the item is in better shape than you stated, they may even increase the credit. If it’s worse, they might downgrade the offer or reject it (in which case they’ll usually return the item to you for free, or offer to recycle it).

How long to earn a usable amount: The timeline for Amazon Trade-In can be quite short per transaction. If you have a qualifying item, you could go from offer to Amazon credit in as little as a week or two. For example, say you trade in an old tablet today – you get an offer of $40 Amazon credit. You ship it this week, by next week Amazon might approve it and boom, you have $40 in your Amazon gift card balance ready to spend. The amount you get varies by item value, of course. It could be $5 for an older video game or $200+ for a newer smartphone. The key is it’s often one of the faster ways to get a larger chunk of Amazon credit because you’re converting something you already have (but aren’t using) into spending power on Amazon. Even if you don’t currently have a trade-in item, it’s worth periodically checking – maybe when you upgrade your phone or declutter your electronics drawer, you’ll find something tradeable.

Tips to maximize your trade-in returns: First, gather all the unused tech around your house and check their trade-in values. Sometimes you’ll be pleasantly surprised – that old Kindle or last-gen gaming console could be worth significant credit. Make sure to include any required accessories if Amazon notes them (for example, if trading in a gaming console, they might require the power adapter). Wipe your devices (do a factory reset on phones/tablets and remove any memory cards) for security before sending them in. Pack items securely so they don’t get damaged in transit. Keep an eye out for promotional trade-in bonuses: occasionally, Amazon runs specials like “Get an extra 20% bonus on your trade-in value when you trade in a qualifying Amazon device and purchase a new model.” This means you’d not only get the gift card credit but also a discount on a new item if you plan to upgrade – double win! Even if you don’t use the upgrade discount, the gift card credit itself is yours to use on anything. Another tip: if your item isn’t eligible for trade-in or the offer is very low, consider other resale options like selling locally or on eBay – but remember those take more effort and time. Amazon Trade-In is about convenience and speed – no haggling or listing fees, just instant Amazon credit.

Call-to-action: Take a quick inventory of your old electronics. That drawer of forgotten gadgets could be a gold mine of Amazon gift cards waiting to happen. Visit Amazon’s Trade-In page【22†】, get some quotes, and send in whatever makes sense. It’s satisfying to clear out clutter and even more satisfying to see your Amazon balance climb. Don’t let old tech gather dust – trade it in and treat yourself to something new (for free) on Amazon!

Online Surveys and Micro-Task Sites: Get Paid for Your Opinion (and Time)

If you’re willing to dedicate a bit of your spare time, online survey websites and micro-task platforms can be a steady source of free Amazon gift cards. You won’t get rich doing surveys or small online tasks, but it’s an easy way to earn a few dollars here and there – perfect for funding your next Amazon purchase. Here’s how to get started, what to expect, and how to maximize your earnings:

How they work: Survey and “GPT” (get-paid-to) sites reward you for completing various simple activities. The most common is online surveys – businesses and researchers pay for consumer opinions, and these sites act as the middleman, giving you a cut for each survey you complete. Other tasks might include watching ads or videos, playing new mobile games and reaching a certain level, signing up for free trials, or testing websites. In return, you earn points or cash balance on the platform, which you can redeem for gift cards (Amazon is almost always an option) or PayPal cash.

Sign-up process: Typically, you just need to register with an email and create a password (make sure to use a strong, unique password, as you should with any money-related account). Many reputable survey sites will ask you to fill out a profile questionnaire after signing up – this isn’t a survey that pays you, but rather a way to collect your demographics and interests so they can match you with relevant surveys. It’s worth taking 10-15 minutes to complete your profile honestly; a complete profile increases your chances of getting survey invitations (and reduces the chance of being disqualified mid-survey because you’re not the target demographic).

Popular survey and task websites (and what you can earn):

  • Survey Junkie: A well-known survey-focused platform. You earn points for each survey (the points correspond to cash, e.g. 100 points = $1). A typical 10-minute survey might pay 50-100 points. Survey Junkie lets you cash out for Amazon gift cards (or PayPal) starting at just $5 (500 points). With regular use, some users manage to earn those 500 points within a week or two – say you do a couple of surveys each evening. The surveys are straightforward, and Survey Junkie has a decent supply of them if you check frequently. Tip: If you get disqualified from a survey (it happens, you might start a survey and then find out you’re not what they need), Survey Junkie often still gives you a few points as a consolation, so it’s not total wasted time.

  • InboxDollars / MyPoints: These are two separate platforms but both are part of the same parent company as Swagbucks, and offer a mix of surveys and other tasks. InboxDollars gives you actual dollars (not points) for tasks like reading promotional emails, taking surveys, playing scratch-off games, etc. It even gives a small $5 bonus just for activating your account. However, it has a higher payout threshold (typically you need $30 earned to request an Amazon gift card or a PayPal payout). This means it might take a month or more of casual use to cash out the first time. MyPoints is similar but uses points; one unique feature is you can earn points by shopping (like Rakuten) or printing coupons, in addition to surveys. Both allow converting points to Amazon gift cards. Tip: Don’t rely on a single site – sometimes one site won’t have a survey for you, but another will. It’s okay to be signed up for multiple and switch between them.

  • PrizeRebel, Toluna, Pinecone Research, etc.: There are dozens of legitimate survey sites out there. PrizeRebel and Toluna are more global and have varied rewards (Toluna sometimes offers product testing opportunities too). Pinecone Research is a bit exclusive (invite-only or limited sign-ups) but is highly regarded because each survey is a flat $3 (300 points) and you can redeem after just one survey for $3 Amazon gift cards – if you get in, it’s very efficient. Keep in mind some smaller sites might have fewer opportunities, so it’s good to use them as a supplement.

  • Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk): This one is actually run by Amazon itself. It’s a marketplace for small online tasks (called HITs – Human Intelligence Tasks) that are tough for computers but easy for humans, like tagging images, transcribing short audio clips, or participating in academic surveys. Requesters post tasks with a payment amount, you complete them, and get paid into your MTurk account. You can then transfer those earnings to your Amazon Payments balance, which can be used for Amazon.com gift card balance or to a bank account. MTurk can be a bit more “work-like” and less fun than other sites (some tasks pay only a few cents, others a dollar or two; the key is to find higher-paying HITs which usually means having good approval stats and maybe using browser extensions to grab good tasks). Earnings potential: Some dedicated “Turkers” earn $5-$10 a day or much more, but that’s with significant time and effort. For a more casual user, you might pop on, do a few quick tasks or surveys and make a couple of bucks in an hour. It’s something you can do while watching TV, for instance. The advantage is you directly accumulate cash that can go to Amazon, no minimum redemption threshold (aside from needing maybe $1+ to transfer). Tip: If you enjoy the idea of micro-tasking, MTurk can become a hobby where you learn which requesters are reliable and which tasks are worth your time – there’s a whole community (like the MTurk subreddit) that shares such info.

Timeframe: How long to earn a gift card via surveys? It really varies by how much time you put in and which site. For example, if you only have 10 minutes a day to spare, you might earn $10 in a month across a couple of survey sites. But if you dedicate an hour a day, you could be looking at $20-$50 a month (especially if you spread across multiple platforms). A site like Survey Junkie, as mentioned, could get you a $5 card in a week of light use. Something like InboxDollars might take longer due to the higher cashout requirement. The good news is you are in control – do as many or as few tasks as you want, when you want. And you can pause any time. Even just doing surveys during your lunch break or while commuting (if on public transit) can add up to a nice little Amazon balance over time.

Tips to maximize survey and task earnings:

  • Join multiple sites: Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Having 3-5 survey apps/sites means if one has no opportunities today, another might. It also increases the total number of offers you get. (Just keep track of your logins and maybe use one email address dedicated to survey accounts to manage communications.)

  • Check in daily: Many sites have daily opportunities. For instance, Swagbucks (from our first section) and InboxDollars have daily polls or trivia that take seconds. Survey sites often refresh with new surveys each day. The early bird gets the worm – if you can, do a quick check in the morning or different times of day to catch high-paying surveys before they fill up.

  • Be honest and consistent: Always provide truthful answers in surveys. Not only is it the right thing to do, but inconsistent answers can get you flagged and you’ll receive fewer surveys or even get banned. Also, some surveys have attention-check questions (“Select strongly agree for this statement” type things) – pay attention and you’ll be fine.

  • Cash out when you reach the minimum: It’s generally smart to redeem your points or cash as soon as you can for a gift card (unless you’re saving up for a larger amount on purpose). This is just in case anything happens (accounts rarely have issues if you follow rules, but say a site changed their rewards or, worst case, shut down – you don’t want to lose points). Plus, seeing the fruits of your labor (that free $10 Amazon code in your email) will motivate you to keep going!

  • Use downtime productively: Turn idle moments into earning moments. Waiting at the doctor’s office? Do a quick survey on your phone. Binge-watching a show? Click through some paid emails on InboxDollars during the ads or slow scenes. It feels great to know you earned a little something instead of just scrolling social media.

  • Avoid sketchy sites: Stick with well-reviewed, known platforms (the ones mentioned here are reputable). There are scams out there that promise too much (e.g. “$500 for a survey!!!”). If it sounds too good to be true, it is. Legit survey sites pay modestly but consistently. They also never ask you for money – you should never pay to join a “survey” site or to get a list of surveys.

Call-to-action: If you’ve got opinions (who doesn’t?) or a few minutes to spare, why not get paid for it? Sign up for a survey site like Survey Junkie or a task site like InboxDollars and complete just one task or survey today. You’ll see how easy it is. Make it a daily habit, and in a couple of weeks you could have enough for your next Amazon purchase – guilt-free, because it was paid for with your “extra” earnings. It can actually be pretty fun and satisfying to watch your points grow. Give it a shot and start turning your spare time into Amazon gift cards!

Leverage Credit Card Reward Points: Your Everyday Spending = Free Amazon Cash

Do you use a credit card for groceries, gas, or online shopping? If so, you might be sitting on an untapped goldmine of Amazon gift cards. Credit card reward programs are a fantastic (and often overlooked) way to score free Amazon credit. By using the right card for your regular spending – and redeeming your points wisely – you can essentially get Amazon gift cards as a free bonus for buying the things you needed to buy anyway. Here’s how to make it work:

How credit card rewards translate to Amazon gift cards: Many credit cards offer rewards in the form of points, miles, or cashback for each dollar you spend. Typically, 1% to 5% of your purchase amount comes back to you in rewards. These rewards can often be redeemed in various ways, including as Amazon gift cards or even directly applied to your Amazon orders. For example, a cashback card might let you redeem $25 of your cash rewards for a $25 Amazon gift card claim code. Some cards (like certain Chase or American Express cards) have online reward portals where you can choose from dozens of gift card options – Amazon usually included – and you exchange, say, 2,500 points for a $25 Amazon card. Additionally, there are cards (like the Amazon Prime Visa Card) that are tailored for Amazon shoppers: it gives you 5% back on all Amazon and Whole Foods purchases if you’re a Prime member, and the rewards you earn automatically appear as an available payment option on Amazon (so you can apply them at checkout like a gift card). Those rewards are essentially Amazon credits because you’re likely to spend them on Amazon.

Signing up / using credit card rewards: If you already have a rewards credit card, log into your card’s online account and look at the rewards section. Check your balance and redemption options. You might find you can redeem for an Amazon gift card right now with the points you’ve accumulated. If you don’t have a rewards card and your finances allow, consider getting one that aligns with your spending habits. A few strategies:

  • Cashback cards: Simple and straightforward, e.g. 2% back on everything (like Citi Double Cash), or 5% rotating categories (like Discover it or Chase Freedom Flex, which often include Amazon as a 5% category for one quarter of the year). The cashback can be converted to gift cards. In fact, Discover sometimes offers gift card redemption bonuses, e.g. you can redeem $45 cashback for a $50 gift card at select retailers (which could include Amazon at times).

  • Points/miles cards: Cards like Chase Sapphire or Citi ThankYou earn points that can be used for travel or other rewards, but if travel isn’t in your plan, those points can often be used for gift cards. Rate is usually 1 point = $0.01 for gift cards (so 2,500 points = $25). Keep an eye out for promos where they require fewer points for a gift card (occasionally a sale like “20% off points needed for Amazon gift card” happens).

  • Store-specific or Prime Visa card: The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card (Chase) is a powerhouse for Amazon aficionados. As mentioned, 5% back on Amazon spending is great, plus 2% at restaurants, gas, etc. The sign-up bonus is fantastic too – often $100 or more given instantly as an Amazon gift card upon approval. (At the time of writing, Prime members who get approved for the card receive a $150 Amazon gift card instantly – that’s truly free Amazon money for opening a credit card, with no annual fee for Prime members. This offer can change, but it’s usually substantial.) If you are okay with opening a new credit line and you’re a frequent Amazon shopper, that card basically feeds your Amazon account with rewards constantly.

  • Pay with Points on Amazon: Some card programs (Amex Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou, Discover cashback) allow you to link your card to Amazon and use your points at checkout. For instance, you could have 5,000 Chase points and directly use them to pay $50 of your Amazon cart. However, heads up: sometimes the conversion rate isn’t great when paying directly with points (e.g. some give 0.8 cents per point instead of 1 cent). A smarter move can be redeeming for a gift card code at full value and then using that. But once in a while, Amazon runs a promotion like “Use at least 1 point from your Amex/Citi/Chase card and get $10 or $20 off your purchase.” These are amazing limited-time deals (for example, “Use 1 Amex Membership Reward point, get $10 off $50 on Amazon” – essentially a free $10). They’re targeted, but always worth checking if you’re eligible. These promos fall under the previous “limited-time offers” category, but it’s specifically via credit card points, so keep an eye on email or on deal forums for those opportunities.

How long to earn a usable amount: If you use your credit card regularly for daily expenses and pay it off (important!), you can accrue rewards steadily. Let’s say you spend $1000/month on a 2% cashback card – that’s $20 a month in rewards, or $240 a year, which could all be Amazon gift cards. Even a more modest scenario: $500/month at 1% = $5/month in rewards. That’s still a $50-$60 Amazon gift card per year for doing nothing extra. If you leverage bonus categories or a 5% back card for specific purchases (like using the Amazon card for Amazon purchases, or a gas card for gas at 3% etc.), you accelerate your earnings. If you manage to snag a new card with a sign-up bonus (some have bonuses like “Spend $500 in 3 months and get $200 back”), that bonus can often be taken as straight cash or statement credit – which you could then use to buy Amazon gift cards, effectively making it free Amazon money. The key is, with responsible use, credit card rewards turn your normal spending into a slow but steady Amazon gift card generator.

Important tip – avoid interest: The golden rule: Only use this method if you pay off your credit cards in full each month. Interest and late fees will dwarf any rewards, making it not free at all. We want free gift cards, not costly debt. So treat your credit card like a debit card – never spend more than you have. If you do that, the bank is paying you, not the other way around.

Tips to maximize credit card reward points:

  • Match the card to the purchase: If you have multiple cards, use the one that gives the highest rewards for that purchase. For example, use your Amazon 5% card on Amazon, use your dining 3% card at restaurants, etc. This way you’re always getting the max rewards available.

  • Redeem for Amazon or cash, not frivolously: Some cards entice you to redeem points for merchandise or through their portal at poor rates. Generally, gift cards or cash back give you full value. Aim to redeem when you have enough for a decent Amazon gift card (like $25 or $50) to stay motivated.

  • Leverage sign-up bonuses carefully: If you need a new credit card and your credit score is good, going for a card with a fat welcome bonus can be the quickest route to a big chunk of Amazon credit. For example, a card with a $200 bonus (after spending requirement) is essentially $200 free, which you can turn into Amazon credit. Just ensure the required spend fits your normal budget (don’t buy unnecessary stuff just to hit it).

  • Refer friends for bonuses: Some credit cards, including the Amazon Visa, have referral programs. For instance, you refer a friend via a link, and if they get approved, you might get a $50 Amazon gift card and they might get one too. If you know someone interested in a card you have, that’s an easy win-win.

  • Keep an eye on special offers: Check your card’s offers or promotions section. Occasionally, they give targeted offers like extra points for spending at Amazon or other stores, or the earlier mentioned “pay with points” Amazon discounts. These can give you essentially free money (e.g. $10-$20 off) just by using a tiny bit of your points balance.

  • Stack with other methods: This is advanced deal-hunting, but you can often stack methods. For example: you click through Rakuten for 5% cashback on a purchase, and pay with a credit card that gives 5% back. You just earned 10% total back, and Rakuten’s portion can become an Amazon gift card while the card’s portion also becomes Amazon credit – nice! Or use your rewards card to buy groceries, scan the grocery receipt with Fetch, and you’ve earned credit card points + Fetch points on the same $$. Stacking is the deal hunter’s secret to supercharging value.

Call-to-action: Take a moment to check your wallet (or your latest credit card statement). Are you using a rewards credit card for your regular expenses? If yes, log in and see if you can redeem those hard-earned points for an Amazon gift card. You might have a pleasant surprise waiting. If no, and you’re financially comfortable doing so, consider applying for a no-annual-fee rewards card that suits you – it can literally pay you back every time you shop. Why not get a little free Amazon cash back on the groceries and gas you have to buy anyway? With responsible use, credit card rewards are truly free money. Start maximizing that today, and enjoy the Amazon freebies that follow!

Snag Limited-Time Amazon Promotions and Bonus Offers

Amazon loves to run special promotions – and if you’re alert, you can benefit from free Amazon credit through these limited-time offers. These promos are often seasonal (around Prime Day, Black Friday, holidays) or targeted to certain users, but when you catch one, it feels like hitting a little jackpot. The key is knowing they exist and grabbing them while they last. Here are some common types of Amazon promotions that yield free gift card credit, and tips on finding them:

  • Gift Card Reload Bonuses: Amazon sometimes offers a bonus if you reload your Amazon gift card balance (which is essentially adding funds to your own account). A classic promo is: “Reload $100 or more to your Amazon balance for the first time, get a $10 bonus credit.” Essentially, you move $100 from your credit/debit card into your Amazon account (money you can still spend on Amazon anytime), and Amazon gifts you an extra $10 on top. That’s $10 free for doing something you were likely going to do eventually (spend $100 on Amazon). These offers are usually only for first-time reloaders or people who haven’t reloaded in a long time, and they come and go. Check Amazon’s Gift Card section or occasional banners to see if you’re eligible. If you’ve never reloaded your balance, it’s worth a try to see if the promotion applies to you.

  • Buy Gift Card, Get Credit: During big sale events (Prime Day, Cyber Monday, Father’s Day, etc.), Amazon often runs a deal where if you buy an Amazon gift card (or sometimes select third-party gift cards) of a certain amount, you get extra Amazon credit. For example: “Buy $50 Amazon gift card, get a $10 Amazon promotional credit.” The $50 gift card can be emailed to yourself (so you’re basically converting $50 cash to $50 on Amazon – no loss there), and then you receive a separate $10 promo credit to use on a future purchase. It’s a no-brainer if you were going to spend money on Amazon anyway, because now you have $60 value for $50 cost. These deals typically have a promo code to enter at checkout or are targeted to certain accounts, and usually limit one per customer. They’re extremely popular and tend to have fixed timeframes (like during a specific week of sales). Pro tip: on deal forums like Slickdeals or on social media, people eagerly share when such gift card deals go live, since they’re essentially free money.

  • Promotional Credits for Trying Services: Amazon has a lot of services (Prime Video, Amazon Music, Amazon Photos, etc.) and they sometimes incentivize their use with credits. For instance, they’ve done: “Upload a photo to Amazon Photos (Prime members) and get a $15 Amazon credit.” Or “Sign in to the Amazon mobile app for the first time, get $10 off your next purchase.” Another example: “Activate Amazon One (palm payment) in a Whole Foods store and get $10 Amazon credit.” These are usually one-time offers and only for customers who haven’t tried that particular service. Keep an eye on Amazon’s emails or app notifications for these opportunities. They usually require a simple action on your part and reward you with Amazon credit that shows up in your account. Make sure to follow any instructions carefully (sometimes you need to claim the offer first on a promo page before doing the action).

  • Amazon Prime Rewards and Promotions: If you’re a Prime member, you often get first dibs or exclusive access to some promos. For example, around Prime Day, Amazon had a “Stampcard” where doing four small Prime-related tasks (like making a Prime-eligible purchase, streaming a show, listening to a song, and borrowing an eBook) earned a $10 credit. Another Prime-only perk: choosing no-rush shipping on orders can earn you small digital credits (like $1 towards digital movies or eBooks). While not directly an Amazon gift card, it’s still Amazon credit that can offset future purchases. Over time, if you always opt for no-rush when you don’t need the item immediately, those $1 credits might pay for your next Kindle book or movie rental.

  • Credit Card Point Promotions on Amazon: We touched on this in the credit card section, but it’s worth reiterating here as an Amazon-specific deal. Frequently, Amazon partners with major credit card reward programs (Amex, Chase, Citi, Discover) to offer targeted promotions like “Save $10 on an Amazon order of $50+ when you use at least 1 reward point”. This is effectively Amazon giving you $10 for free (you only burn maybe 1 cent worth of points). These promos typically can only be used once per account, and you have to activate them (usually via a link where you click “Activate now” if eligible). They are limited-time and often around big shopping seasons. Always check if you have one available – it’s one of the sweetest free money deals when it pops up.

How to find out about these promotions: Amazon doesn’t always shout about them from the rooftops (aside from on-site banners if you’re lucky). Here are some tips:

  • Check Amazon’s “Deals” and “Gift Cards” pages regularly. Sometimes a banner or small note about a promo is there. For example, the Gift Cards page might highlight “Special Offer: reload your balance and get a bonus” or similar.

  • Subscribe to deal newsletters or follow deal websites. Websites like Slickdeals, DealNews, or forums like r/Deals and r/AmazonPrime on Reddit often post as soon as they discover a new Amazon credit promotion. Deal-savvy communities will ensure you hear about it, even if Amazon’s algorithms didn’t target you with an email.

  • Watch your email and notifications: Amazon often sends targeted promo emails, like “A $5 credit just for you” or “Come back to Amazon Music, get $5.” These can easily land in Promotions or Spam folders, so keep an eye out. If you see an email mentioning an Amazon credit offer, read it – it might be legit and worth your time.

  • Visit Amazon’s “Coupons” or “Promotions” section: Under Account or the help section, sometimes they list “Deals and Promotions” or “Coupons”. Gift card deals might be listed there when active.

Timeframe and limitations: These promotions are usually short-lived or one-off. If you’re eligible for a promo, the reward (the free credit) typically is applied to your account immediately after you complete the required action and is often valid for a certain period (like “use your $10 credit by next month”). Make sure to use it before it expires! The “free” gift cards or credits from these promos are smaller amounts (commonly $5, $10, $15, $20), but they require very little effort and stack on top of all other methods. For example, you could use a $10 promo credit and pay the rest of an order with a gift card you earned from surveys. Stacking freebies = bigger freebies!

Tips to maximize promotional offers:

  • Act quickly: If you find out about a promo and you’re interested, do it sooner rather than later. Some offers (like gift card purchase bonuses) can be limited to a certain number of redemptions and may end early if they hit their cap.

  • Only do what makes sense: Don’t subscribe to something paid just for a credit (unless you wanted that service anyway). Many offers are for free trials or actions that cost nothing (like uploading a photo). But if an offer requires, say, a $10 purchase for a $5 credit, make sure that $10 purchase is something you actually need. We’re after free gift cards, not spending for the sake of it.

  • Stack whenever possible: Combine promotional credits with other rewards. For instance, if you got a $10 credit from a promo, and you also have a $5 from No-Rush shipping, that’s $15 off your next order automatically. Use them together on an order to maximize the freebie impact.

  • Keep a list or reminder: Because some credits might have expiration dates, jot down somewhere (or use the Amazon Wallet section which shows your promo balances) what credits you have and when they expire. It’d be a shame to earn a free $10 and then forget to use it.

  • Stay informed during big Amazon events: Prime Day (usually mid-year) and Black Friday/Cyber Monday (November) are hot times for these kinds of offers. Leading up to these events, Amazon throws out all sorts of fun bonuses to encourage engagement. Be on high alert around these times for easy credit opportunities.

Call-to-action: Make it a habit to check for Amazon’s special promotions. If you’re a frequent Amazon shopper, these deals are essentially Amazon’s way of thanking you with free credit – take advantage! Right now, go to Amazon’s gift card section or quickly search online for “Amazon reload bonus 2025” or similar, and see if there’s a current promo you might have missed. Claim that free $5 or $10 – it takes mere minutes. Over a year, catching a few of these promotions can easily net you $20-$50 in free Amazon gift cards, on top of everything else we’ve discussed. Stay alert and happy hunting for those bonus deals!

Use Microsoft Rewards: Bing Your Way to Amazon Bucks

What if you could earn Amazon gift cards just by searching the web and doing trivia quizzes? With Microsoft Rewards, you can! This is an often-underestimated program that essentially pays you for using Microsoft’s services, primarily the Bing search engine. If you’re a steadfast Google user, hear us out – switching your search habit (even partially) to Bing can translate into a steady stream of Amazon gift cards without spending any money. Here’s the scoop:

What is Microsoft Rewards? It’s a free loyalty program from Microsoft. Once you sign up (anyone with a Microsoft account can join – if you have an Outlook/Hotmail email, Xbox Live, or Windows PC login, you likely have one; if not, you can create an account free), you earn points for doing things like searching on Bing, taking daily quizzes/polls, and even playing around with Microsoft’s Edge browser or shopping in Microsoft Store. The tasks are simple and kind of fun – for instance, each day there’s a set of “daily activities” on the Microsoft Rewards dashboard: maybe a 3-question quiz about a fun fact (don’t worry, you can guess until you get it right), a poll (“What’s your favorite summer drink?” – click your choice, done), and a short news blurb you can click on. Each of these might give you 10, 30, 50 points, etc. Searching is the big one: you can earn points for a certain number of Bing searches per day (for example, up to 150 points a day on PC and maybe 100 on mobile, if you’re Level 2 in the program). All these points add up, and you can redeem them for Amazon gift cards.

How to sign up and get started: Go to bing.com or microsoftrewards.com and sign in with your Microsoft account, then accept to join the Rewards program. It’s instant and free. Once in, you’ll typically see your points total and the daily tasks. If you use a PC with Windows 10 or 11, they might even prompt you within the Start menu or Edge browser to join. After joining, just use Bing for your web searches (at least for the first however many searches each day that earn points – you can see a counter). You can also install the Microsoft Rewards app on mobile or use the Bing app, which has a section for Rewards, to easily do mobile searches and quizzes.

How long to earn a gift card with Microsoft Rewards: The points-to-dollar conversion for Amazon gift cards is roughly 5,250 points = $5 Amazon gift card (and 10,500 points = $10, etc., scaling up). When you first start, you’ll be Level 1 (earning points at a slightly lower rate and lower daily cap). Once you accumulate a certain amount (like 500 points and some searches across a few days), you’ll reach Level 2 which gives you the maximum earning rate per day. Let’s assume you’re Level 2: you might be able to earn around 270 points per day (e.g. ~150 from desktop searches, ~100 from mobile searches, and ~20 from daily set activities). At that rate, in 20 days you’d have 5,400 points, just over the 5,250 needed for a $5 gift card. So roughly 3 weeks for $5 if you hit the cap every day. More casually, if you only do half the available tasks, maybe it’s $5 in 4-6 weeks. It might not sound huge, but consider this: if you make Bing your primary search engine at work or on your phone, you’ll be earning points without even thinking about it. Searching the web is something you do anyway – now it’s generating little drips of money for you. Over a year, those drips can fill a bucket: for instance, ~$5 a month = $60/year. That’s a free Amazon Prime membership or a bunch of free goodies, just for searching and clicking some quizzes!

Tips to maximize Microsoft Rewards:

  • Make Bing your default for a while: Go to your browser settings and set the default search to Bing (you can always change back, but try it for a few weeks). This way, every time you search from your address bar or home screen, you’ll be getting points without effort. Bing’s search results these days are pretty decent for most common queries, and you might not notice much difference in quality for everyday searches. If you miss Google for certain things, you can always use it occasionally, but remember to do your quota of Bing searches daily for points.

  • Use multiple devices: Microsoft Rewards gives you points for PC and mobile searches separately. So do some on your computer and some on your phone. For mobile, either use the Bing app or just use the browser on your phone (while logged in to your Microsoft account) – but the app makes it easier to ensure you’re logged in and counting.

  • Hit your daily targets: There is a daily cap (it might be something like 30 searches on PC and 20 on mobile count for points, which is plenty). A trick: Bing lists trending topics and news on its homepage – you can click those or search those keywords to quickly rack up searches if you can’t think of things to search. Or search alphabetically (“apple”, “banana”, “carrot”… yes some people do this just to max points). It’s a bit tedious to do mindless searches, but usually in the course of your normal web browsing, you might naturally do 10-20 queries. It doesn’t have to be all at once; any search counts, even silly ones like “weather tomorrow” or “translate hello in Spanish”.

  • Do the Daily Set and more: The Microsoft Rewards dashboard (on Bing, click the Rewards icon or go to the Rewards page) updates with daily tasks. These often include a quiz (which might be a multiple-choice trivia – you still get points even if you answer wrong first, just try until correct), a poll (easy 10 points), and a news click (clicking an article about a fun fact or something). Those are quick and not only give points but streak bonuses. If you complete the daily set every day, you’ll build a streak, and after a certain number of days, you get a bonus points drop. That accelerates your earnings. They also have punch cards for more points: for example, “Complete 3 days of searches this week for 150 points bonus” or “Click through this gaming news slideshow for 100 points”. Always check the Rewards page for those extras.

  • Redeem points for Amazon gift cards (duh): When you’re ready to redeem, you can do so on the Rewards page. Choose Amazon gift card of the desired amount. They will email you a code or show it to you to input into Amazon. Note that sometimes, if you’re a new account, the very first redemption might take a little longer (like 48 hours) as a security precaution, but after that, redemptions are often instant or same-day.

  • Consistency pays off: Microsoft Rewards works best as a routine. Make it a small daily game – you spend 5-10 minutes doing all the available tasks, and voila, you’re done for the day. It can even be fun if you like trivia (the quizzes can be interesting, you might learn something random each day). If you break the habit, no worries, but then you’re leaving free points on the table.

  • Other Microsoft Rewards perks: If you have an Xbox, check the Xbox Game Pass quests – those give Rewards points too for playing games or unlocking achievements. Also, sometimes they have big sweepstakes entries (like for an Xbox console) which you can spend points on if you feel lucky, but personally, I prefer the guaranteed gift cards.

Call-to-action: Give Microsoft Rewards a try for one week. Make Bing your search buddy, do the fun quizzes, and watch your points meter climb. By the end of the week, you might have a few hundred points already. It’s actually a satisfying feeling knowing that your internet searches are earning you tangible rewards. Over a bit more time, you’ll have enough to cash in for that sweet Amazon gift card code. It’s free, it’s easy, and it turns your digital routine into real-world treats. Don’t let Google have all your searches – Bing it and bling it (with Amazon gift cards, that is)!

Enter Giveaways and Join Deal Forums: Luck and Community for Free Gift Cards

Sometimes, the fastest way to get a free Amazon gift card is to win one or be in the right place at the right time when someone is feeling generous. The internet is full of giveaways, contests, and community forums where free gift cards are shared. If you’re willing to put yourself out there and maybe test your luck, this method can be surprisingly fruitful (and fun!). Let’s break down how to leverage giveaways and online communities to snag Amazon gift cards:

Online Giveaways & Contests: Many companies, influencers, and websites run giveaways to engage their audience. Amazon gift cards are a common prize because everyone loves them and they’re easy to distribute digitally. You’ll often see things like “We’re giving away a $100 Amazon Gift Card – enter now!” on social media or blogs. The entry methods vary: it could be as simple as filling out a form with your email, or tasks like following an account, tagging a friend, retweeting a post, or leaving a comment. There are also dedicated sweepstakes platforms (like Gleam or Rafflecopter) where one action = one entry, and you can do multiple actions for more entries. How to find these giveaways? Follow brands and influencers that interest you on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, etc., and keep an eye out for their giveaway posts. You can also search hashtags like #AmazonGiftCard #Giveaway on Twitter/Instagram. Websites like Giveaway Listing or forums like Sweepstakes Advantage compile current giveaways across the web. There’s also r/Giveaways on Reddit and other communities where users share legit giveaway links.

Entering contests can be a bit of a numbers game – winning isn’t guaranteed. But it costs you nothing but a minute of time, so why not enter a bunch? Some people make a hobby out of entering sweepstakes daily (they’re called “compers”). If you enter, say, 100 giveaways that each have 1 winner, you might win one or two – and that could be you getting a $50 or $100 Amazon card for basically clicking a few buttons. The more local/small the contest (like a small blog or a new Twitter account), the higher your chances typically, since fewer people enter compared to huge national giveaways.

Tips for giveaways: Use a secondary email address if you’re worried about spam (but do check it, so you don’t miss a win notification!). Always ensure the giveaway is legit – if someone asks for sensitive info or any kind of payment, skip it. Legit giveaways will never ask you to pay to receive a prize. Also, prioritize giveaways from sources you trust – for example, an official company page or a known blogger is more reliable than a random stranger’s DM. And remember to actually claim your prize if you win – follow the instructions given (some require you to respond within a few days or they pick someone else).

Reddit & Online Deal Forums: The internet has vibrant communities of deal hunters and freebie sharers. By joining these communities, you can get insider knowledge on how to get free stuff (including Amazon gift cards) and sometimes even direct freebies. Here are a few examples:

  • r/beermoney: This Reddit community is all about small ways to earn extra cash or gift cards online. Members discuss the latest apps or websites paying out (like the ones we’ve covered: surveys, reward apps, etc.), and they often alert others when there’s a high-paying survey or a new legit platform. It’s a great way to discover new methods and get advice on maximizing them. Sometimes, people will share referral codes that give bonus points to both of you, or tips on flash promotions. If a new site is giving a $10 Amazon card to the first 1,000 sign-ups, chances are someone on r/beermoney will post about it quickly.

  • r/freebies: This Reddit community shares all sorts of freebies – samples, coupons, and occasionally gift card offers. If Amazon or another company is doing a promotion (“first 500 people to do X get a $5 Amazon card”), it could show up here. Also, people sometimes share free Amazon product promo codes (not exactly gift cards, but free stuff).

  • r/GiftCardExchange & r/GiftCardGiveaway: r/GiftCardExchange is mainly for trading or selling unwanted gift cards, but sometimes people offer trades like “I have a $10 Starbucks, will trade for $10 Amazon”. If you happen to have some other gift card you don’t need (maybe from a rebate or gift), you could swap it for Amazon this way (make sure to follow the sub rules and use middlemen or safe methods to avoid scams). r/GiftCardGiveaway is a smaller subreddit where users host giveaways for various gift cards. Keep an eye on it; occasionally someone might say “I have a small Amazon balance left, first to comment gets it” or similar.

  • Slickdeals Forums: Outside of Reddit, Slickdeals.net has a forum section for Contests & Freebies. This is a treasure trove of info on current sweepstakes (with user discussions on odds and tips) and free sample offers. They also have a Hot Deals section where if an Amazon gift card promotion pops up (like the reload or gift card bonus deals we discussed), it will likely be posted and made front-page if it’s good.

  • Facebook Groups and Other Forums: There are Facebook groups dedicated to giveaways or to frugal living, where members might share opportunities. Forums like MyMoneyForum, FatWallet (though it merged with Rakuten forums), or even niche communities like MSE (in the UK, but they talk about Amazon tricks that sometimes apply in the US) can provide leads on freebies.

Community sharing and goodwill: Sometimes, generosity just strikes. It’s not unheard of for someone to randomly post a code for a small Amazon gift card in a forum saying “first come, first serve” – maybe they got it and don’t need it, or just as a kind gesture. If you’re active in these communities, you might be in the right place when that happens. Conversely, you might one day have an extra small gift card and share it forward. It’s a nice spirit of giving.

Using deal forums effectively: Make sure to engage respectfully. Read the rules of each community so you don’t accidentally break them (for example, some forums ban referral links in public posts, or have specific threads for certain topics). Contribute if you can – even asking questions or thanking people is good engagement. The more you immerse yourself, the more you’ll learn about new angles to get free gift cards that we might not have covered here. Members often come up with creative “stacking” techniques or find obscure promotions. It’s like having a network of deal-spotting friends.

Caution: While chasing giveaways and forum leads, always be cautious of scams. If someone contacts you out of the blue claiming you won something you didn’t knowingly enter, or asks for personal info beyond an email, be skeptical. Stick to public, transparent giveaway processes and trades.

Timeframe and expectations: Giveaways are a bit of a wildcard. You could win one your first week of trying (hey, someone’s gotta win!), or you might enter 50 and win nothing. Think of it as a fun extra activity – like playing the lottery but with no money involved. The more you put yourself out there, eventually something might hit. Some hardcore freebie hunters win multiple contests a year. Even if you only win one $25 Amazon card in a year, that’s a nice bonus for very little effort. And the real value of joining deal forums is the knowledge and camaraderie, which can indirectly lead you to more savings and earnings beyond just contests.

Call-to-action: Why not enter a giveaway or join a community today? Go on Twitter and find a current Amazon gift card giveaway and throw your hat in the ring – it takes a minute. Then, check out a forum like r/beermoney or Slickdeals’ freebies section and see what’s buzzing. Engage with fellow deal lovers. Not only might you stumble upon an Amazon gift card freebie, but you’ll learn tons of tips to stretch your dollar and find other freebies too. Luck and community go hand in hand – the more chances you take and the more you connect with others, the more likely you’ll score something awesome. Who knows, your next Amazon purchase could be on the house because you won a random drawing or jumped on a posted deal. You can’t win if you don’t play, so get out there and be an active deal hunter!

Start Earning Free Amazon Gift Cards Today!

We’ve covered a bounty of methods to help you fill your Amazon cart without emptying your wallet. From snapping pictures of receipts to swapping out your search engine, from doing a quick survey in your PJs to trading in that old tablet, there are opportunities all around you to earn free Amazon gift cards. The best part? Most of these methods cost you nothing but a bit of time – and some don’t even cost time, they just reward you for shifting your habits.

A quick recap of our arsenal:

  • Reward apps and cashback programs turn everyday actions into points and cash (hello, Swagbucks, Rakuten, Fetch).

  • Amazon’s own trade-in gives you instant credit for stuff lying around your house.

  • Surveys and micro-tasks let you monetize your opinion and idle moments.

  • Credit card rewards transform your normal spending into Amazon gold (just use them wisely).

  • Special promos drop free credits in your lap when you least expect it – if you stay alert.

  • Microsoft Rewards pays you for searches and trivia – a truly set-and-forget trickle of gift cards.

  • Giveaways and communities add that element of luck and discovery, with fellow bargain-hunters cheering you on.

Now, you don’t have to do all of these, especially not all at once. Pick a couple that fit your lifestyle and interests, and start there. Maybe you love the idea of getting paid to watch videos and search the web – focus on Swagbucks and Microsoft Rewards. Maybe you’re an avid shopper – make sure you’re using Rakuten and a good rewards card to double-dip on cashback. Perhaps you’re a social media butterfly – enter those giveaways for a shot at something big. It’s your personalized road to free gift cards.

Set a goal: It helps to have a fun goal in mind. For example, tell yourself, “I’m going to earn enough in gift cards to cover my holiday gifts this year,” or “I want a new gadget from Amazon, and I’ll use these methods to subsidize it.” With a goal, the small actions feel purposeful, and hitting that goal feels amazing. You’ll realize that all those $5 and $10 rewards you earned add up to something substantial.

Stay consistent and patient: Some methods pay off quickly (a trade-in or a sign-up bonus can give you a chunk of credit in days), while others are slow burns (a survey here, a quiz there, perhaps a win once in a while). But the key is consistency. Little habits—daily searches, weekly surveys, monthly cashback payouts—will yield a steady stream of Amazon credit. It’s like planting seeds; you won’t have a full garden overnight, but soon enough you’ll be harvesting the fruits (or in this case, unwrapping Amazon boxes paid with free gift cards!).

Be savvy and safe: As a deal hunter, always keep your common sense. Use legitimate platforms, avoid anything fishy, and protect your personal information. All the methods outlined here are well-trodden paths by many frugal folks and are considered safe. We’ve also shared tips to eke out the most value from each—we want you to succeed and trust this process.

Share the knowledge: Once you get the hang of it, share your success and tips with friends or family. Maybe you can even refer them to an app and both of you earn a bonus. It’s fun to compare notes (“I earned $50 in Amazon cards this summer!” “Wow, I traded in my old phone and got $80, bought a new coffee maker for free!”). Turning it into a friendly challenge can motivate everyone to save more.

Finally, enjoy the journey! There’s a special satisfaction in getting something for free—especially from a giant like Amazon where you can buy practically anything. Every time you check out on Amazon and see that gift card balance applied, you’ll get a little thrill knowing you worked the system to your advantage.

So, what are you waiting for? Pick a method and start right now. Maybe install a rewards app and earn a few points, or do a quick Bing search spree, or find one item in your house to trade in. The sooner you start, the sooner that free Amazon credit will start rolling in. Happy deal hunting, and may your Amazon balance always be abundant with free funds!

Now go forth and earn those free gift cards – your future self unboxing that awesome Amazon find will thank you!