Amazon gift card question/rant

[wurm]

My in-laws gave me an Amazon gift card for Christmas. Excellent choice, and I'm grateful to have received it. But last year when they did this, I discovered a particular quirk when using the card. I figured I'd redeem the card right away (mostly so I wouldn't lose it or forget about it), and then as I found something I wanted, I'd apply the balance to the purchase.

Unfortunately, Amazon applies the balance first to whatever you buy. Well, we buy a fair amount of household supplies, etc. from Amazon, and I wanted to keep this gift card balance for something for myself that I might need or want later on. Sort of makes the gift a "gift", y'know? But evidently, the only way I can do that is to wait until I find something I want, and then redeem the card and then buy the item. And what's worse is that if I don't spend it all at that time, then of course the next time we buy coffee or whatever for the household, they'll hit my gift card balance for the payment.

(I know, I know, as I'm writing this, I'm feeling like an ungrateful, grinchy, surly old man who bitches about the littlest things, but I don't really need or want anything right now, and when I do want something, it may cost only $20, and I don't want the rest of my gift being spent on "Subscribe and Save" dog treats!)

Does anyone know any way around this? I may still call Amazon and see if they've changed their policy, but asking here is easier than waiting on hold.

[cbelt3]

Create a separate Amazon account for the gift card ?

[wurm]

I actually thought of that the other day. Seems like a strange way to have to deal with it, but it may be the only answer.

On a side note, I figured I'd do a little searching after I posted the question. I don't know what the hell goes on behind the scenes at this forum, but this thread already comes up in a google search...five minutes after I posted it!

[cbelt3]

OWC Larry has major google-fu. Hence the search optimization.

[jardster]

When I use Amazon Gift "cards" (which I get often in small amounts for consumer surveys), I only want to apply them to personal stuff, not work. I get the choice at the payment screen to apply the gift amount, or put the whole thing on CC.

[rgG]

jardster wrote:
When I use Amazon Gift "cards" (which I get often in small amounts for consumer surveys), I only want to apply them to personal stuff, not work. I get the choice at the payment screen to apply the gift amount, or put the whole thing on CC.

:agree:


Yep, I believe you can opt out of applying the gift card at one of the stages of checkout.

[$tevie]

I've never had that problem, I've always had the opportunity to choose the payment method. Do you use one-click? Could that be why it is happening?

[wurm]

That's interesting. I thought I tried that last year and ended up having a long discussion with customer service. They ended up having to re-issue me a number which I then didn't redeem until I needed it. Maybe they changed their policy. But I just checked their website again.
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4. Your gift card funds will automatically be applied to your next order.
Your gift card balance will be stored in Your Account. We will automatically apply any available balance towards future orders.
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If there was an option to select a different method last time I guess I didn't see it. Might be worth my time to confirm this with a phone call before I redeem this one. Thanks.

[NewtonMP2100]

....opt out....?

....this is also something I find annoying especially when you qualify for a credit, so Amazon adds it to your account for you. If it is a large amount like $100 and you buy small items.....it subtracts and leaves odd remaining balances (which you have to keep track of)....never saw an 'opt out' option though.....

[DewGuy]

If I remember correctly you can choose your payment method and if you don't want to use the gift card balance, you just choose your credit card, etc.