Who doesn’t love free stuff? And when that “free stuff” happens to be Amazon gift cards – which are as good as cash these days. Whether you’re saving for a big purchase or just want to treat yourself without dipping into your budget, free Amazon gift cards can be your secret weapon. I’ve tested dozens of methods over the years and am excited to share the ones that deliver results. There are no scams, no wasting hours for pennies—just legitimate ways to earn Amazon credit that you can use for everything from everyday essentials to those wish-list splurges.
Survey Apps
These platforms pay you for sharing your thoughts on products, services, and brands – something we all have opinions about, anyway! Some of the most reliable survey apps for earning Amazon gift cards include Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, and InboxDollars. Each works slightly differently, but the basic premise is the same: complete surveys, earn points, and cash out for Amazon gift cards.
Last summer, I made it a habit to complete surveys while watching TV in the evenings—nothing intense, just casual multitasking during commercial breaks. By the end of three months, I had earned enough Amazon credit to completely cover my back-to-school shopping for my kids. The key was consistency rather than marathon sessions.
When using survey apps, remember these tips:
- Create a separate email account to manage survey notifications.
- Complete your profile fully to receive better-matched surveys.
- Check in daily, as some apps offer login bonuses.
- Don’t get discouraged if you don’t qualify for every survey.
MobileXpression
MobileXpression takes a different approach than most reward apps. Instead of actively completing tasks, you simply install their research app on your smartphone. The app runs in the background, collecting anonymous data about your mobile device use. In exchange for this access, MobileXpression rewards you with points that can be redeemed for – you guessed it – Amazon gift cards. Most users report earning a $5 Amazon gift card every 2-3 weeks, up to around $80-$100 annually. The main benefit here is that it’s entirely passive. Once you set it up, there’s nothing else you need to do beyond redeeming your rewards when they become available. While it won’t make you rich, it’s free money for doing nothing beyond the initial setup.
Ibotta
Ibotta has revolutionized how I shop for groceries. This app gives you cash back on items you’d buy anyway, from everyday essentials to specialty products. The process is simple:
- Browse available offers before shopping.
- Purchase qualifying items at participating stores.
- Submit your receipt as proof of purchase.
- Earn cash back that can be converted to Amazon gift cards.
Ibotta is particularly effective because it works with items you need to buy regardless. Everyone needs groceries, household supplies, and personal care items. Ibotta just ensures you get some money back on these necessary expenses. The app regularly features cash back on produce, meat, dairy, and other staples – not just processed foods or specialty items. I’ve earned over $15 in a single grocery trip by planning my shopping around available offers. You can cash out for an Amazon gift card once you reach the minimum payout threshold (usually $20). Since its launch, Ibotta has paid over $1 billion to users, making it one of the most reliable cash-back platforms.
Amazon’s Trade-In Program
Did you know Amazon will give you gift cards for your old stuff? Their Trade-In program accepts a variety of items, including:
- Kindle e-readers
- Tablets
- Streaming media players
- Echo devices
- Cell phones
- Gaming consoles and accessories
- Books (in select cases)
The process couldn’t be simpler. Visit the Amazon Trade-In store, select your items, answer a few questions about their condition, and ship them to Amazon (for free). Once Amazon receives and verifies your items, it will credit your account with an Amazon gift card. Beyond the financial benefit, the Trade-In program is environmentally responsible. Your unused electronics get refurbished or properly recycled rather than dumped in a landfill.
Chase Ultimate Rewards
If you already have a Chase credit card that earns Ultimate Rewards points, you’re sitting on a potential gold mine of Amazon gift cards. Cards like the Chase Freedom Flex, Freedom Unlimited, and Sapphire Preferred all earn points that can be redeemed directly for Amazon gift cards. The redemption rate is typically 1 cent per point, meaning 5,000 points equals a $50 Amazon gift card. While this isn’t technically “free” since you earned these points through spending, it’s a way to extract additional value from purchases you’d make. The strategic approach here is to use your Chase card for categories that earn bonus points.
CashWalk
This pedometer app tracks your daily steps and rewards you with points that can be exchanged for Amazon gift cards and other rewards. The concept is beautifully simple: The more you walk, the more you earn. The app sets daily step goals, and reaching these targets earns you coins. Accumulate enough coins to cash out for an Amazon gift card. CashWalk is particularly appealing because it transforms an activity you should be doing anyway (staying active) into a rewarding opportunity. Users report earning $5-10 monthly Amazon gift cards with consistent daily activity. Beyond the financial incentive, CashWalk creates a positive feedback loop for healthy habits. You’ll likely find yourself taking the stairs instead of the elevator or parking farther from store entrances to get those extra steps – benefiting your wallet and health.
Amazon Rewards Credit Card
The Amazon Rewards Visa and the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa are powerful tools for generating Amazon credit through regular spending. While these aren’t “free” in the strictest sense, they allow you to earn rebates on purchases you’d make regardless.
The Prime Rewards card offers:
- 5% back at Amazon and Whole Foods (for Prime members)
- 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores
- 1% back on all other purchases
These rewards accumulate as points that can be applied directly to Amazon purchases or redeemed for statement credits and gift cards. For regular Amazon shoppers, this can translate to significant savings over time.
Consider this: if you spend $500 monthly at Amazon and Whole Foods combined, you’ll receive $25 back every month—or $300 annually—just on those purchases. Add in your other spending categories, and the rewards grow even more substantial.
The standard Amazon Rewards card (available to non-Prime members) offers slightly lower rates but still provides excellent value for Amazon shoppers.
Nielsen Computer and Mobile Panel
Similar to MobileXpression but more comprehensive, the Nielsen Computer and Mobile Panel rewards you for sharing information about your internet usage across devices. This research helps companies understand online consumer behavior. After installing the Nielsen app on your computer and mobile devices, it runs quietly in the background, collecting anonymous data about browsing habits and app usage. In exchange, you earn points redeemable for Amazon gift cards and other rewards.
Most participants report earning $50-100 in Amazon gift cards annually. The exact amount depends on how many devices you register and how consistently you keep the app running. Like with MobileXpression, the significant advantage is that earning is entirely passive after the initial setup. The app doesn’t slow your devices or interfere with your normal usage.
Conclusion
The greatest thing about these Amazon gift card options is that they’re not mutually exclusive. You can combine a number of methods simultaneously to accelerate your earnings. Employing a combination of a few methods may net you hundreds of dollars in Amazon gift cards annually. That’s sufficient to cover holiday shopping costs, purchase expensive items, or enjoy frequent “free” shopping throughout the year. Remember that consistency is the key with most of these methods. Small steps taken often lead to gigantic returns in the long term. Start with those practices that can be easily integrated into your lifestyle, and over time, add more because you will become increasingly familiar with the procedure.
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FAQs
While some methods require investing time or sharing anonymous usage data, none require financial investment. “Free” in this context means no monetary cost to you, though some options provide a better return on time investment than others.
This varies by method. Survey apps and Ibotta might yield a gift card within a week of dedicated use, while passive methods like Nielsen Panel may take a month or longer to reach payout thresholds.
Risks are minimal when using reputable platforms like those mentioned in this article. However, constantly research any new app or service before downloading it, and be wary of any program asking for sensitive personal information or requiring payment to join.
Amazon gift cards issued after October 1, 2005, do not expire and are not subject to fees. Your earned rewards are secure whenever you choose to use them.
Yes! By adding them to your account, Amazon allows you to combine gift card balances. This makes it easy to save up smaller rewards for larger purchases.
