(1) The purchase process is simpler: retrieve an Amazon Cash bar code, load cash onto it at the register, it's now on your account. You can reuse the same barcode every time you want to load cash onto the account. It can be a printed piece of paper you keep in your wallet.
Previously, you had to go to a retailer with physical cards in stock, pull one off the shelf, get it activated at the register, scratch the code, and go to a computer to load the code onto your Amazon balance. If your only internet access is at a library or school, that means two trips to reload your balance.
(2) It's cheaper for Amazon. They're paying a commission to the retailer and distributor (effectively selling the cards at less than face value). Amazon Cash eliminates most of that margin, and the distributor altogether. The commission for the retailer doesn't have to be very high since none of the transactions will have credit card fees.
(1) The purchase process is simpler: retrieve an Amazon Cash bar code, load cash onto it at the register, it's now on your account. You can reuse the same barcode every time you want to load cash onto the account. It can be a printed piece of paper you keep in your wallet.
Previously, you had to go to a retailer with physical cards in stock, pull one off the shelf, get it activated at the register, scratch the code, and go to a computer to load the code onto your Amazon balance. If your only internet access is at a library or school, that means two trips to reload your balance.
(2) It's cheaper for Amazon. They're paying a commission to the retailer and distributor (effectively selling the cards at less than face value). Amazon Cash eliminates most of that margin, and the distributor altogether. The commission for the retailer doesn't have to be very high since none of the transactions will have credit card fees.