Amazon Wallet - Beta for Android

Amazon Wallet's Beta release for Android reduces clutter in your purse or wallet by managing your gift cards, store cards, and other cards from your phone or tablet. Card images keep your data handy by text, barcode or QR code. Though it's still in Beta and lacks certain features, we had no trouble logging in, creating a PIN, or adding cards.

Pros

Amazon.com login: Entering the email address and password for our Amazon.com account logged us in immediately and automatically to Amazon Wallet.

Add cards: Amazon Wallet offers a long list of pre-added store cards, and we could add Gift Cards, Reward or Loyalty Cards, and Other Cards manually, with fields for Account number, Card PIN (if available), and Notes.

Capture card images: Amazon Wallet requires access to your device's camera because you can photograph the front and back of each card directly from the Add Card page. Placeholders ensure centered images.

Cons

Limited use: As yet, Amazon Wallet doesn't manage credit or debit cards, bank accounts, and other payment options, and you can't use it to make purchases at stores or online.

PIN safety: It's tempting to use your four-digit bank ATM PIN as Amazon Wallet's PIN, but that would be unwise. Choose a new PIN.

Bottom Line

Amazon Wallet's Beta release is an intriguing way to manage gift, reward, and other payment cards, but it could be much more wallet-like if you could use it for secure purchases. But we suspect (and hope) Amazon.com has big plans for Amazon Wallet.