ThriftBooks is usually the better gift card for pure book value, especially if the reader loves used paperbacks. Amazon is better if the gift recipient wants ebooks, audiobooks, fast shipping, or the freedom to buy non-book stuff too. Amazon.com Gift Cards also do not expire, which is a nice safety net [source: Amazon].
TLDR: Pick ThriftBooks if your goal is “more books for the money.” A $25 gift card could turn into about 3 to 5 used books, depending on price and shipping. Pick Amazon if the person wants Kindle books, Prime shipping, or a gift card that can buy almost anything. For a bargain hunter, ThriftBooks wins; for a picky reader, Amazon feels safer.
The quick winner
If this were a boxing match, ThriftBooks would win on book count. Amazon would win on convenience. That is the simple version.
ThriftBooks is built for used books. It feels like a giant library sale that got a website. You can find older titles, classroom reads, beach books, romance novels, cookbooks, and strange little paperbacks your aunt swears changed her life.
Amazon is the giant mall. It has books, yes. It also has shampoo, headphones, cat litter, and inflatable dinosaurs. So an Amazon Gift Card is less romantic. But it is very useful.
Where ThriftBooks gives better value
ThriftBooks shines when the reader wants physical books and does not mind used copies. That last part matters. Some books may have creased spines. Some may have stickers. Some may look like they survived a backpack war.
But the prices can be lovely. Many used books cost far less than new copies. That means a small gift card feels bigger. A $20 card on ThriftBooks can feel like a mini book haul.
ThriftBooks also has a rewards program called ReadingRewards, where shoppers can earn points from purchases and work toward free books [source: ThriftBooks]. That makes repeat buying more fun. It turns book shopping into a tiny game. Honestly, it feels great when a “free book” reward pops up after buying books you already wanted.
ThriftBooks is best for:
- Readers who love used books.
- People who want more books per dollar.
- Students buying assigned novels.
- Parents building a kid’s bookshelf.
- Gift buyers on a tight budget.
Where Amazon gives better value
Amazon wins when the recipient is hard to shop for. A ThriftBooks card says, “Here, buy books.” An Amazon card says, “Buy a book, or a charger, or snacks, or whatever your weird Tuesday needs.”
That flexibility has real value. A reader may want a Kindle book at midnight. They may want a new hardcover on release day. They may want an audiobook. ThriftBooks cannot beat Amazon there.
Amazon also has fast shipping in many areas, especially for Prime members. The catch is that book prices can swing a lot. One day a paperback is cheap. The next day it costs more than lunch. It drives me a little nuts.
Amazon is also better for digital readers. If your friend reads on a Kindle, this is easy. Get the Amazon card. ThriftBooks is mostly about physical books. Great ones, yes. But not instant ones.
Price check: who stretches $25 further?
Let’s keep this simple.
- ThriftBooks: $25 may buy several used paperbacks.
- Amazon: $25 may buy one new hardcover, two paperbacks, or several Kindle deals.
- ThriftBooks: better if the reader likes older books.
- Amazon: better if the reader wants new releases.
So the value depends on the type of reader. A mystery fan who burns through five books a month may love ThriftBooks. A fantasy fan waiting for a brand-new hardcover may prefer Amazon.
Shipping can change the math
Shipping is where things get less cute.
ThriftBooks often makes sense when you buy enough books to qualify for free shipping. If the order is too small, shipping can eat part of the gift card. That hurts. Nobody wants to spend gift money on shipping. That is like getting socks for your birthday, but worse.
Amazon may ship fast, and some orders may ship free with Prime. But not every gift recipient has Prime. Also, third-party sellers can have odd shipping rules. Expect to waste a few extra seconds checking the seller and delivery date. Not tragic. Just annoying.
Condition matters too
ThriftBooks uses condition grades. That helps. Still, used books are used books. A “Good” copy might look fine to one person and rough to another.
Amazon sells new and used books. But used copies often come from marketplace sellers. That means the experience can vary. One seller may be great. Another may ship a book that looks like it was stored under a leaky sink.
If the gift is for a collector, go with Amazon and buy new. If the gift is for a reader who just wants the story, ThriftBooks is a smart pick.
Best choice by person
- For a college student: ThriftBooks. Cheap used books help.
- For a Kindle reader: Amazon. No contest.
- For a kid who reads a lot: ThriftBooks. Build that shelf.
- For a picky adult: Amazon. More choices.
- For a book club friend: ThriftBooks, unless the next pick is brand new.
Final verdict
Choose ThriftBooks Gift Cards for better book value. They are more fun for readers who want stacks of books without spending a fortune. The savings feel real, especially with used copies and rewards.
Choose Amazon Gift Cards for better flexibility. They are safer when you do not know the person’s reading style. They also work better for ebooks, audiobooks, new releases, and non-book backup plans.
So, who wins? ThriftBooks wins for book lovers on a budget. Amazon wins for everyone else. If your gift says, “Go spoil your bookshelf,” pick ThriftBooks. If your gift says, “Get whatever makes you happy,” pick Amazon.