Amazon vs Apple Gift Cards: Which Pays More in Nigeria?

Amazon and Apple/iTunes are the two gift cards Nigerians ask about most. Which one pays more? The honest answer: it depends on the day — but there are patterns that help you decide which card to keep and which to sell.

Payout rates: Apple often edges ahead, Amazon is steadier

Apple/iTunes cards have historically returned a slightly higher percentage than Amazon in the Nigerian market, especially for US-issued cards. Steam sits above both on most days. Amazon's edge is stability — its demand is broad and consistent, so its rate dips less sharply when the market floods.

• Apple / iTunes (US): usually the higher rate of the two, close to Steam.
• Amazon (US): slightly lower on paper, but more liquid — faster to sell, less likely to surprise you at month-end.
• UK-issued cards of either brand: pay less than their US equivalents, so region matters more than brand in this comparison.

Liquidity: which sells faster

Amazon has one of the deepest buyer pools in the world, so an Amazon card rarely sits. Apple/iTunes is close behind. Both sell within minutes on a platform with live demand — the difference is usually too small to matter unless you're selling a large balance.

Denomination strategy

For both brands, bigger cards pay better:

• A $100 card almost always quotes a higher percentage than two $50 cards of the same brand.
• Small cards ($10–$25) are still sellable but earn a lower percentage.
• If you have multiple small Apple cards, consider whether combining them is worth the paperwork — often it's simpler to sell each one.

Which one should you keep?

If you plan to spend the balance, keep whichever you'll actually use — that's worth more than any percentage. If you're selling for cash, Apple/iTunes usually quotes a hair more, but Amazon sells just as fast and its rate is steadier. Check both on the live rates page on the day you sell and go with the higher quote.