Amazon Gift Cards: Guide to Using the 11 Different Types to Send Gifts

Amazon Gift Cards: 11 Types Used in a Variety of Ways

The Amazon Gift Card is a prepaid voucher that can be used to purchase products on Amazon. Some gift cards also offer rewards. For example, with a Charge Type gift card, the buyer will receive points that can be redeemed on Amazon purchases.

Presently, there are 11 types of Amazon Gift Cards. This article will explain each of them in detail.

The eGift Card: Most-Selected Gift to Give

Photo from Amazon

The eGift Card (digital gift card) conveniently saves time. There are three types of eGift Cards: the E-Mail Type, Charge Type, and Print-at-Home Type.

1. E-Mail Type eGift Card: Schedule a Delivery Date Up to a Year in Advance

An E-Mail Type eGift Card purchased on Amazon can be delivered to the recipient's e-mail address in just five minutes.

You can also add a message, illustration, animation with music, and even a video to your e-mail. This is a great way to personalize your gift card.

You can put anywhere from 15 yen up to 500,000 yen on an E-Mail Type gift card. An added bonus is being able to schedule a gift card delivery to your recipient up to one year in advance. This eliminates the worry of forgetting about an anniversary or birthday!

We highly recommend the E-Mail Type for those who are busy and tend to forget important dates. Scheduling your delivery in advance will ensure that it reaches your recipient safely and on time.

2. Charge Type eGift Card: Receive Points and Give Yourself a Gift

The Charge Type eGift Card rewards points to the purchaser.

This gift certificate can be charged directly to your Amazon account via credit card, convenience store, ATM, or net-banking payment.

You can put from 100 yen up to 500,000 yen on a Charge Type card, and even set it up for automatic reloading.

The best feature of the Charge Type gift card is receiving reward points when reloading your account. In particular, your point percentage increases when you reload by cash. In this case, a regular member will receive up to 2% points, and a Prime member receives up to 2.5% points.

During special campaign periods, you can even receive additional points.

So before shopping, reload your account to receive the maximum amount of points!

You might discover some secret tips on how to make shopping on Amazon an even better deal with the Charge Type gift card (please see the points chart at the end of this section).

3. Print-at-Home Type eGift Card: Ideal for Sending a Gift ASAP

The Print-at-Home Type gift card comes in handy when you want to gift someone right away.

First, choose the amount of money to put on the card. Then place your order on Amazon. Within five minutes, you'll receive an e-mail with a gift card in PDF format. You can conveniently print this out at home. Simply fold the paper and give the present to your recipient.

With a bit of creativity, it's easy to personalize this card by adding a message or actual present. This makes receiving the card a memorable experience for the recipient, too.

It's possible to put from 15 yen up to 500,000 yen on this card. You will need A4-size paper to print out the PDF file.

Physical Gift Card: Choose From One of Seven Different Types

For those who feel that a eGift card lacks warmth and would like to directly have the recipient receive a present, we recommend one of the Amazon Gift Cards listed below.

It's also possible to have these gift cards delivered to the recipient with no additional charges.

4. Greeting Card Type: In this case, a birthday card, Mother's Day card, Father's Day card, and Christmas card comes with an Amazon gift card attached to it. This Greeting card can be sent to the recipient's address. Alternatively, you can add a personal message and give it in person.

The cost for a Greeting Card Type starts from 1,000 yen and up.

5. Gift Box Type: For those who want to give a more gift-like present, we recommend the Gift Box Type. The gift card will be presented in a fashionable gift box made of metal or paper. Boxes come in a variety of different designs. Choosing the right box will also be an enjoyable experience.

Moreover, you can get gift wrapping and a message card for no extra charge. Put anywhere from 5,000 yen to 50,000 yen onto the gift card.

6. Mini Envelope Type: The gift card comes in a mini envelope, so this is ideal when you want to send a little gift. This can be used in different ways, making it suitable for children to seniors.

You can put 1,000 yen up to 50,000 yen on this gift card. From 1,000 yen, you'll get a mini envelope. Choose between a mini and regular size envelope from 3,000 yen.

7. Paper Certificate Type: With this type, you reload your account according to the number of gift certificates you want. This is ideal for small Amazon purchases or as a little thank you gift to someone at work.

These gift certificates will be delivered directly to the recipient's mailbox, so you don't have to worry about making them wait.

Gift certificate denominations start from 500 yen and up.

8. Multi-Pack Type: This is a pack of ten gift certificates. The Multi-Pack Type features a Card Type and a Greeting Card Type. In either case, you can choose gift certificates in denominations of 500 yen, 1,000 yen, 2,000 yen, 3,000 yen, and 5,000 yen.

You can easily add your own handwritten message with the Greeting Card Type. So, it's ideal for when you want to casually express your thoughts and feelings. We also recommend it for sending a gift to a group or several different people.

9. Catalog Design Gift Card: With this type, the gift card comes with an Amazon gift catalog. However, this gift card can be used for products in the catalog and any of Amazon's many products online.

This gift card also comes with an outer box and paper bow, giving it a look of luxury. In other words, you can use it for gifts in formal situations. Put from 5,000 yen up to 50,000 yen on this gift card.

10. Card Type: Available for Purchase at a Physical Store: Being able to buy this gift card at a physical store is handy when you're busy and don't have access to a computer.

The Card Type comes in preset denominations of 3,000 yen, 5,000 yen, 10,000 yen, and 20,000 yen. You can also put anywhere from 1,500 yen up to 50,000 yen on the card in one yen increments.

They also sell the Card Type with a gift box at select store locations. Please remember that you will not receive reward points for in-store purchases.

Participating Stores: 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson, Aeon, TSUTAYA, Don Quijote, and so on.

11. Sheet Type: Available for Purchase at a Physical Store: This is a receipt type of Amazon Gift Card where a gift code is printed on a sheet of paper. You can make a purchase by operating the kiosk terminal inside the store.

The Sheet Type is sold in preset denominations of 2,000 yen, 3,000 yen, 5,000 yen, 10,000 yen, 20,000 yen, and 25,000 yen (amount can differ from store to store). In-store purchases do not come with reward points.

Participating Stores: 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson, and Ministop.

Charge Type Gift Cards: Reload and Reap the Rewards!

Reload Amount for One Order	Regular Member	Prime Member
5,000 yen and up	0.5% (25 points)	1.0% (50 points)
20,000 yen and up	1.0% (200 points)	1.5% (300 points)
40,000 and up	1.5% (600 points)	2.0% (800 points)
90,000 yen and up	2.0% (1,800 points)	2.5% (2250 points)

From Amazon Official Website

Amazon Gift Cards make it possible to directly charge your account and use it for yourself. Prime members receive a maximum of 2.5% points, and regular members receive a maximum of 2.0% points.

You can also reload your account by cash at a convenience store.

When Charging by Cash

Photo from Amazon
① Press Charge.

② Make a cash payment exceeding 5,000 yen to receive the maximum amount of points. You'll receive points when paying at a convenience store, ATM, or net banking.

③ After reloading your account, you'll receive a "Your Payment ID" e-mail. Follow the instructions in the e-mail to complete the transaction.

④ The reward points will show up in your account by the middle of the following month (a one-month lump sum).

Caution: You will not be eligible to receive reward points if your gift card account has been open for less than 30 days.

When Charging by Credit Card

If you are a Prime member, you can log into Amazon to reload your account by credit card and receive reward points. If you want to receive maximum points, the minimum spending amount is 5,000 yen.

Comparing Gift Card Types

Gift Card Type	E-Mail Type	Print-at-Home Type	Greeting Card Type	Gift Box Type	Mini Envelope Type
Can you leave a message at the time of purchase?	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
Can you upload photos?	Yes	No	No	No	No
Price Setting	15 yen - 500,000 yen	15 yen - 500,000 yen	1,000 yen - 50,000 yen	5,000 yen - 50,000 yen	3,000 yen - 50,000 yen
Special Features	Schedule a gift card delivery one year in advance	Printable at home and add a handwritten card or photo	Send a message card and gift card in an envelope to the desired address	Send a gift card in a gift box to the desired address	Ideal for sending gifts to several people
Payment Method	Credit Card	Credit Card	Credit Card or Cash	Credit Card or Cash	Credit Card or Cash

The Benefits Are Unlimited

Amazon Gift Cards make ideal gifts because it allows recipients to shop for their favorite items among Amazon's several million products.

You can even add a personal message and send the gift card in an attractive box. In other words, they can be used in multiple ways.

Gift Cards are valid for up to ten years. It's nice to know there are no service charges when you purchase the card on Amazon and send it by mail.

When searching for a gift, why not choose an Amazon Gift Card as a convenient option for both parties?

Main image courtesy of Pixta