zaro

Can you use an Amazon gift card at Zappos?

Published in Online Shopping Payments 3 mins read

No, you cannot directly use an Amazon gift card to make purchases on Zappos.com.

Understanding Payment Methods at Zappos

While Zappos is owned by Amazon, it operates as a distinct retail entity with its own independent payment processing system and accepted payment methods. This means that payment options valid for Amazon.com, such as Amazon gift cards, are generally not interchangeable with those accepted on Zappos.

Zappos primarily accepts standard forms of payment common in e-commerce for its transactions:

  • Major Credit and Debit Cards: This includes widely accepted cards such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.
  • PayPal: A popular and secure online payment service is accepted for purchases on Zappos.
  • Zappos Gift Cards: Zappos has its own branded gift cards, which are the only type of gift card accepted directly on their platform. If you wish to use a gift card, it must be a Zappos-specific one.

Why Aren't Amazon Gift Cards Accepted?

Even though Zappos is an Amazon subsidiary, there's a clear distinction in how payment methods are managed across Amazon's various businesses. Many Amazon-branded financial instruments and payment methods are not universally accepted across all Amazon-owned operations.

For example, Amazon's own Store Card and Secured Card accounts, which are primarily designed for use on most Amazon.com purchases and at Amazon-branded physical stores, are not accepted for transactions at certain Amazon businesses. This restriction applies to purchases at Zappos, as well as services like One Medical and for Amazon Layaway plans. This policy highlights that Zappos maintains its own separate payment acceptance policies, independent of Amazon's core retail platform.

This separation ensures that each platform can manage its specific payment processes, promotional offers, and customer service.

Summary of Payment Acceptance

To clarify which payment methods are accepted where, refer to the table below:

Payment Method Accepted on Amazon.com Accepted on Zappos.com
Amazon Gift Cards Yes No
Amazon Store Card / Secured Card Accounts Yes (most purchases) No
Major Credit/Debit Cards Yes Yes
PayPal Yes Yes
Zappos Gift Cards No Yes

Alternative Ways to Shop on Zappos

If you have Amazon gift card funds but wish to purchase items from Zappos, consider these indirect approaches:

  • Sell Your Amazon Gift Card: You could sell your Amazon gift card on a reputable gift card exchange platform and then use the cash proceeds to fund a purchase on Zappos using an accepted payment method (e.g., your bank account, a credit card, or PayPal).
  • Use Other Accepted Payment Methods: The most straightforward solution is to simply use a credit card, debit card, or PayPal account directly on Zappos.com for your purchase.