Activate an American Express Gift Card Guide For 2022

Are you looking to gift a friend, family member, or colleague at work for a special occasion or a holiday? Instead of sending an item, you can send a gift card to buy what they want. Or maybe, you just want a where to purchase gift cards for yourself and use them, later on, to buy stuff online or in-store instead of using your debit card.

American Express gift cards provide a wide range of customization and gifting options, depending on your requirements. Depending on your gifting and giving preferences, you have a choice between electronic and traditional versions of classic cards, personalized Amex Express cards for special occasions, and more.

But before you send an Amex gift card to someone or use it to make purchases online or in-store, you need to make sure the card is activated to avoid inconveniences. If the card hasn’t been activated or the balance is insufficient, the purchase will be declined. It can be embarrassing at a retail store or a restaurant when paying the bill and tip.

How are American Express gift cards activated?

Short Answer: The majority of American Express gift cards, especially those purchased online, come activated and ready to use. On the other hand, some cards, typically those bought in-store, need to be activated before you may use them.

You can activate your Amex Express gift card online via the American Express website or Amex mobile app. Simply navigate to and enter your card details, including the card number, expiration date, and security code.

To activate your Amex gift card instead, call the number on the back of the card and provide the customer service agent with your card information.

It’s very simple. Now you can go on a shopping spree with your card! Remember, an activated gift card is like cash. A thief can spend the balance of your gift card like a a gas station credit card that was taken or something like Roblox.

We’ll cover everything you need to know, from the purchase fee to how to use your American Express card to make purchases online, in order to help you get the most out of your transaction.

What are the General Fact To Know about the American Express Gift Cards? 

The use of an AMEX gift card has numerous advantages:

• There aren’t any monthly or inactivity fees associated with carrying an American Express gift card.
• Money never runs out: You read it right! Your Amex card’s loaded funds will never expire. The card’s expiration date is present, but the money are not. Simply ask customer support for a replacement card if yours has expired or ask for a refund in the form of a cheque.
• Millions of places: American Express gift cards can be used at any retail location where the retailer or credit or debit cards.
• Other places to purchase an Amex gift card include drug stores, supermarkets, grocery stores, and other stores that sell gift cards. You may also purchase an Amex gift card online from the Amex website.
• Buying fees are due in both situations, so avoid them. When you purchase something online, shipping costs apply; however, discount coupons allow you to avoid them. While there are no delivery costs when ordering in-store, there may be increased purchase costs.
• Prepaid cards are what Amex cards are: Amex gift cards are prepaid cards with a fixed value. The maximum amount for in-store cards is $500. On their website, American Express offers gift cards with a maximum value of $3000.

Where Can You Buy American Express Gift Cards?

You may buy American Express Gift Cards in-person or online. Online, the American Express website is the best way to buy Amex cards. When you purchase directly from Amex, you have a wide range of options for customization, and with the right coupon code, you can avoid paying any shipping or purchase taxes.

The many Amex gift cards available for purchase on the website are listed below.

• American Express gift cards don’t come with any personalized messages, but there are a number of pre-designed options. The Amex gift cards make great presents for everyone.
• American Express Consumer Gift Cards: The cards are perfect for giving to friends and family as gifts throughout the holidays. You can give the card to almost anyone, and there are several designs to choose from.
• American Express gift cards that can be personalized with the recipient’s name embossed in gold letters are available.
• American Express Business Gift Cards: With a variety of designs to choose from, business gift cards are the ideal present for an office worker.
• Personalized American Express Business Gift Cards: Choose this option if you want to send a customer, employee, or coworker a personalized gift card. A personalized message of up to two lines can be added to the card!

If purchasing anything online doesn’t work for you, think about buying American Express Gift Cards locally. Amex gift cards are available at a lot of places, including both little and big chain retailers. The top retailers of American Express Gift Cards include pharmacies, supermarkets, and financial institutions.

List of the Best Places That Sell Amex Gift Cards:

Grocery & Drug Shops

• CVS Pharmacy
• Walgreens

supermarkets and gas stations

• Kroger
• Ralph
• Winn Dixie
• Safeway

Department/Specialty Stores

• Target
• Walmart
• Sears
• Staples
• Office Depot

Financial Institutions

• Citibank
• Sovereign Bank
• First Midwest Bank
• Fifth Third Bank
• Huntington Bank

What’s the Difference Buying an American Express Gift Card Online Vs. In-Store?

E-gift cards are offered by American Express both online and offline. Do the two methods of purchasing Amex Gift Cards differ from one another? Each mode of payment has advantages and disadvantages.

We’ll assist you in weighing the advantages and disadvantages of each choice so that you may choose wisely.

Buy online

Through Amex Online, American Express offers e-gift cards for purchase online. Additionally, you can purchase them online from Target or Walmart.com. What are the benefits and drawbacks of purchasing Amex cards online?.

Pros

• Personalization: You get access to more designs and possibilities for customization and customisation. The cards can be customized with the recipient’s name stamped on them for a particular occasion!
• Less expensive: Online purchases cost less than in-store purchases. The typical cost to purchase through Amex Online is $3.95. Through Walmart Online, you can purchase it for as little as $3.44.
• Promo codes: The finest promo coupon will waive any purchase or shipping costs. Look at online stores like RetailMeNot.
• More generous card limit: The website will sell gift cards with a $3,000 cap per card.

Cons

The biggest drawback of ordering an Amex card online is the shipping costs. It will cost money for it to be mailed to your house. The card is merely $3.95 to purchase online, and it will be shipped to you in 10 days for $5.95. The shipping cost for rushed delivery can be up to $15.95 and $8.95, respectively. Gift cards can be shipped for free as standard at places like Target, and Walmart will mail Amex cards for free with orders over $35.

Buy In-store

Both traditional and electronic gift cards are available in-store from American Express. Grocery stores, drug stores, and various financial institutions are among the frequently visited places. Here are the benefits and drawbacks of purchasing Amex Gift Cards in-person:

Pros

• There are no shipping costs to be concerned about. Simply pay, take your card, and leave!

Cons

• Increased purchase fees: Purchase fees in-store are higher than those online. Depending on the shop, fees could be as high as $5.95 or even more.
• Lower card limit: A maximum of $500 per card is allowed.
• Minimal design options: In-store card personalization and modification are not offered. The few designs that are offered are your only options.

How to get American Express Gift Card with Free Shipping

You can obtain an American Express Gift Card with free shipping in a few different methods. Shipping costs for Amex gift cards purchased through Amex Online start at $5.95 for regular delivery and $8.95 for expedited delivery. Shipping costs for expedited delivery in 2-4 business days might soar to $15.95.

If you can find a way to cut the cost of shipping, you can be a thrifty consumer and save money. Fortunately, there are a few ways to avoid delivery fees, such as:

• Purchase in-store: If you want to receive an American Express Gift Card free of shipping costs, purchasing in-store is your best option. Any retail outlet or financial establishment that sells Amex gift cards is easily accessible on foot. Decide on a design, pay, and leave!
• Purchase an American Express Gift Card through Target Online as another way to receive one with free shipping. The initial purchase fee is $4, and standard shipping is always free. If you want to avoid paying delivery, ordering a card is a excellent alternative even if it can take longer to arrive.
• Walmart Online: You can also get an Amex Gift Card with free shipping when you buy one online from Walmart. Walmart offers free shipping on orders over $35. Otherwise, to get free next-day and two-day shipping on Walmart.com items with no order minimum required.

How to Activate an American Express Gift Card?

Your American Express Gift Card can be activated over the phone, online, or via the Amex mobile app.

Activate an American Express Gift Card online

Your American Express cards can be activated without signing up for an online banking account through Amex. The procedures below should help you activate your card.

• The American Express gift card page can be accessed.
• Input the information from the back of your card, including the 15-digit card number, expiration date, and security code. If you would like to receive specials and offers from Amex, you may also provide your email address; this is optional.
• To finish card activation and registration, click the Sign In button.
• You can now use your card. You would get a confirmation email about your card’s activation if you entered your email address.

Activate your American Express Gift Card by phone

Let’s say you find online activation difficult or can’t access the internet. In that scenario, you can call an Amex Customer Care agent to activate your Amex gift card over the phone for you. Take these actions:

• Your Amex gift card needs to be activated by calling the number on the back of the card. Alternatively, dial 1-877-297-4438, 1-88-205-8622, or 800-869-3016 to reach customer assistance.
• Give the card information, such as the card number, expiration date, and Card ID. Also, you can be asked for sensitive data like your home address or Social Security number.
• Amex Customer Care will activate the card on your behalf after receiving these information.

Activate American Express Gift Card with a mobile app

Additionally, you can use the Amex mobile app to activate your American Express Gift Card.

Take these actions:

• Download and install the Amex mobile app from or the
• Click to open a new account for online services.
• manually entering the card information or just scanning the gift card
• To finish the registration procedure and prove your identity, click Sign Up. Once your identification has been confirmed, you can proceed. You can now use your Amex card.

The first thing you should do whenever you receive or acquire an Amex gift card is to follow the instructions to activate it and verify the amount before you can use it to make purchases. This lets the business know that you have received the card and are prepared to use the funds on it.

Amex Express Gift Cards ordered through Amex Online are often supplied prepared for use and might not need to be activated. However, if you purchased your card in-person, you must first activate it before using it in an online or physical store.

Do American Express Gift Cards Have an Activation Fee?

There is no activation charge for American Express Gift Cards. One of the numerous benefits of Amex gift cards is this. They don’t charge monthly fees or inactivity fees, and the funds you place onto your card never expire. The card has a valid through date, but if that date has passed, you can always get a replacement.

Your Amex gift cards are only subject to purchase fees and shipping costs if you order them online. Simply activate your card for nothing once you have it. the next step is to go shopping wherever American Express is accepted.

Do You Have to Activate American Express Gift Cards?

Whether you purchased your American Express Gift Cards online or in person, you will generally need to activate them.

You don’t need to activate your gift card if you purchased it through Amex Online. Unless specified otherwise, online purchased cards arrive activated and ready to use.

Nevertheless, if you purchased your gift card in-store, you must first activate it before using it. Because the money loaded on the card is not usable until it is activated, you won’t be able to use it to make purchases. You’re letting the gift card’s issuer know that you’ve received it and are prepared to use it once it’s been activated.

You can activate an American Express Gift Card online, via phone, or using the Amex mobile app. Once registered, the card owner can go on a shopping spree at their local retailer or Get affordable fashion online., whatever you want.

What’s the American Express Gift Card Activation Phone Number?

Call the number listed on the back of your American Express gift card to activate it over the phone. As an alternative, dial 1-877-297-4438, 1-88-205-8622, or 800-869-3016 to reach customer assistance.

What are the American Express Gift Card Denominations?

American Express Gift cards can be bought in amounts as low as $25 and as much as $200.

Whether you purchase your Amex gift card online or in-person, the maximum card amount varies. The largest gift card you may purchase in-person is a $500 Amex gift card, but you can purchase an Amex gift card online up to a $3,000 maximum.

Buying fees might change from store to store and rise as more money is loaded onto your card. Purchase fees differ between online and in-store transactions. You must account for the shipping cost if you purchase your card online.

Can I Cash Out My American Express Gift Card?

You cannot withdraw cash from an American Express gift card, according to the terms and limitations. Because the card only supports credit functions, you can only use it to make purchases of goods and services.

That means there is no way you can get cashback on your American Express Gift card. You are not allowed to Take $5 out of the ATM. or get cash back at a store with your gift card.

Although there isn’t a direct way to withdraw money from your American Express Gift Card, there are other options, such as:

• Sell your Amex gift card: You can get cash back from your Amex gift card by selling it to a friend. Some check-cashing stores, kiosks, and Unwanted gift cards can be sold on online gift card marketplaces for money.. You won’t receive the gift card’s full value, but expect to receive at least a 10% discount from the remaining balance.
• Buy Money orders: Use your gift card to purchase a money order and then To cash in on the money order. Top places that sometimes accept gift cards for Walmart stores are covered by money orders., Western Union, and The United States Postal Service. Fees for purchasing and cashing money orders apply, and you can expect your gift card amount to be reduced by $5 to $10 in the whole process.

How to Check Balance on American Express Gift Card

Through the website or mobile app of American Express, you can check the balance of your gift card. The procedure for checking your balance is similar to that used to register or activate your card.

Visit the Amex website and click on the Check Your Balance tab to bring up the form to check your balance. Instead, proceed directly to

Fill in the fields with your card information, including the card number, expiration date, and security code located on the front of the card. Once you have verified the capture, click the Sign in option. That is how straightforward checking your balance is.

When you go shopping, you should always check the amount on your prepaid American Express card. It’s a good idea to make sure you have enough money on your gift card to cover your purchases, even if it’s brand new and hasn’t been used. By being aware of your balance, you can avoid unpleasant shocks at the register.

Where to Find American Express Gift Card Promo Codes

The best way to get an American Express Gift Card coupon code is to check sites like and . The sites have up-to-date promo codes.

There are American Express gift card promotion codes that can be used to avoid shipping and purchase costs. That may result in a quick cost reduction. This implies that if you use a coupon to purchase a $200 gift card, you will receive a free Amex gift card as well as free shipping.

For instance, the purchase price and shipping fee for a $200 Amex Online gift card are $3.95 and $5.95, respectively. That means that the cost of shipping your card home will be an additional $9.90.

The $9.90 purchase and delivery costs will be waived with a working promo code, and you’ll get the $200 gift card for free! Although there is no assurance that a given promotional code will work, you are sure to find a few that do. Aim for success!

Try our guide on the greatest sites for online coupons.

How to Use Your American Express Gift Card for Online Shopping?

The process of shopping online with an American Express Gift Card is the same as utilizing a debit card. At checkout, you’ll be required to enter your name, billing and shipping addresses, the gift card number, expiration date, and the 4-digit security code on the front of the card.

You are now prepared to make your purchase after entering the information for your gift card. If the balance on your gift card is sufficient, your order will be processed and fulfilled.

If your gift card does not have enough money on it, your purchase will not be executed, just like a typical debit transaction. Because of this, it is always a good idea to check the balance on your Amex gift card online before making any online or in-person purchases.

Verify that there is sufficient balance on the card to pay the purchase.

Many online merchants don’t allow splitting purchases over multiple payment methods. Wish-like applications for online shopping only let you choose one form of payment.

Can you Transfer American Express Gift Card to a Bank Account?

Sadly, you cannot directly transfer an American Express Gift Card to your bank account. It’s challenging to transfer the value of gift cards because they don’t represent any actual money.

Also, you can’t get cash back at a grocery store or an ATM that gives out $10 or any denomination. Amex Express and the banks have a strict policy, and there’s no direct way to convert a gift card to cash.

Your Amex gift card can only be exchanged for cash if you sell it or use it to purchase a money order, which must then be exchanged for cash. The money can then be deposited into your bank account.

Also, it’s difficult to find establishments that accept cheques without identification, but buying a money order typically only requires an ID when it’s over $1,000.

Can AMEX Gift Cards Be Used with Apple Pay?

Your AMEX gift card is simple to add to Apple Pay, Android Pay, and Samsung Pay.

To add your gift card to your Apply Pay Wallet, follow these steps:

1. Choose the Wallet application.
2. At the top right corner of the screen, select the plus icon.
3. Choose a credit card or debit card.
4. Use your camera to scan the gift card, or choose to manually enter the information.
5. Enter the four-digit security code located on the front of your card, along with your name, card number, expiration date, and
6. Examine and concur with the words
7. Choose Not Now if you don’t want to use your default card right away, then click Use as Default Card.

Reloading the AMEX gift card whenever the child requires extra cash is a smart technique for parents to monitor their children’s spending. The American Express gift card can be used by kids to purchase items from convenience stores, Amazon, Roblox, PS4, and more.

Where Can I Not Spend My American Express Gift Card?

The American Express Gift Card is accepted at millions of establishments across North America, however there are some locations or circumstances where it is not.

• Your gift card is only valid in the United States and Canada.
• The American Express gift card is not accepted by businesses like casinos, cruise lines, or auto rentals.
• If pre-authorized payments (for rent, subscriptions, utilities, phone services, etc.) have been set up, then you can.), you cannot use your gift card to pay for these services.
• Your gift card won’t be usable if any of your transactions need to be preauthorized for a portion of their full value.
• In some circumstances, you might only be able to spend the gift card at particular retailer locations. If your gift card is valid at these places, they will be listed when you receive it.

Do Gift Cards Ever Expire?

Simple answer: Yes. American Express cards also expire, just like all other cards.

But, you won’t ever have to worry about the money on your American Express Gift Card running out, so you’ll always be able to make the most of the amount you load onto it.

The plastic card you use does, however, have an expiration date that is utilized for security verification and authorization. For instance, you may be prompted for your card’s expiration date when making purchases online in order to confirm that you are the cardholder.

Make sure not to use your card at any merchants after it expires to avoid account delays and additional fees. By calling the gift card customer service and informing them that your card has expired, you are eligible to receive a full refund without incurring any additional fees.

Is It Possible to Combine the American Express Gift Card With Other Payment Methods?

You might occasionally wish to use your American Express Gift Card at a retailer but not have enough money on it to pay the full amount. In such a case, you might be able to utilize a different payment method.

Asking the clerk if it’s possible to pay with two separate methods of payment should be your first step. The store has the discretion to allow you to pay your account in this manner, but it’s typically no problem.

Next, determine the precise balance remaining on your American Express gift card. You must inform the cashier of the total so that they can use your card for that amount (or less) and a different method of payment for the balance.

Activate an American Express Gift Card Summary

American Express Gift Cards come in a variety of styles, from classic to custom monogrammed, making it easy to find the perfect present for friends, family, coworkers, or employees. To avoid unpleasant surprises at the register, activate your American Express Gift Card first and check the balance before you begin shopping.

Amex gift cards purchased straight from the company’s website arrive ready to use, but those purchased in-store need to be activated. All you have to do to activate your card and check the balance is go to Balance.AmexGiftCard.com. A customer service agent can also activate your card on your behalf if you contact the number on the back of your card or use the Amex mobile app.