There are several ways to rent books and textbooks on Amazon, and we will present them in today’s article. 

We will also show you how to return those books and textbooks back to the Amazon warehouse, without getting any extra charges. 

Renting books and textbooks is entirely different. 

Renting books is technically not possible. Amazon doesn’t allow regular books to be rented per se. 

There are, however, workarounds by purchasing a book and returning it by a specific date, to avoid any extra charges, while still getting a full refund.  

On the other hand, Amazon does allow textbook rentals. Let’s go over that first.  

Amazon Textbook Rentals & Return

If you wish to save more money on a couple of school textbooks that you don’t necessarily want to own, renting that particular book from Amazon could be one of the best things to do. 

What Is Amazon Textbook Rental?

Amazon rentals is an Amazon program that allows you to rent textbooks for 30 days or more, for a fraction of the price. 

Usually, rentbooks are rented by semester, but you can also rent them for 30, 60 or 90 days at a time. 

The length of the rental period will depend on the textbook of your choice – you can view what rental periods are available on the book page. 

If you are an Amazon Prime Student member, you are eligible for free 2-day shipping. 

How to Check If You Rented a Textbook Using Another Amazon Account

If you’re unsure whether you rented a textbook with a different Amazon account, there’s a simple way to check.

Start by logging in to your Amazon account and navigate to:

• Account & Lists (top right corner)

• Select Content & Devices

• Click the Books tab

• Then, switch the drop-down menu from “All” to “Rentals”

This will bring up a list of any textbooks or books you currently have on rental for that particular account.

If you don’t see your textbook listed, it might mean:

• The rental was made using a different Amazon account you own

• The order was placed through a third-party seller or different marketplace

Try checking any other Amazon accounts you might use, and double-check any family or shared accounts as well.

If you’re still unable to find your rental, Amazon’s customer service team can help locate orders—you just need the name, email, or any details of the accounts you may have used.

Can I extend Amazon Rentals?

Yes, you are fully allowed to extend the Amazon rental, for additional charge. By keeping the textbook for longer than the agreed time period, Amazon will automatically extend your rental period. 

If you had rented your textbook for a semester, you will be extended an additional 15 days, and be charged a 15-day extension fee.

If you had rented your textbook for 30, 60 or 90 days, you will be given an additional 30 days, with a 30-day extension fee. 

If you decide to not return your textbook after that, Amazon will charge your account with a buyout price for the book. 

How To Buy Amazon Rentals Afterwards?

In case you decide to purchase the book you rented, you are absolutely allowed to do that. The fee you were charged for renting will count towards the purchase price. 

You can go to the ‘Manage Your Rentals’ page and choose the book you want to buy. 

Amazon will offer you the book at a specific buyout price they consider fair. You are free to accept it or return the textbook with no extra charges. 

How to Return Amazon Textbook Rental?

To return a textbook you rented from Amazon, kindly follow the steps below.

You must note that if you don’t return the book on the due date, you will incur some extra charges.

You must also keep in mind that the refund period depends on the category of the product. 

• Click on the “Manage Your Rental” option on the official Amazon website.

• Search and select the book you want to return

• Click on the “Return Rental” option. A prepaid return shipping label will pop out, which you must print out. 

• Put the book in its original pack attached with the printed slip.

• Attach the shipping label and send it via the USPS or any other carrier of your choice. 

Pro tip:
If you’re browsing on Amazon.com, you can also locate your rental by heading to the top banner and selecting ‘Account & Lists.’ Then, go to ‘Content & Devices,’ choose the ‘Content’ tab, and click on ‘Books.’ Change the filter from ‘All’ to ‘Rentals’ to see your current rentals at a glance. If you don’t see your book, double-check you’re logged into the right Amazon account, especially if you have more than one.

You can also return for free at a drop off location.

You can also return for free at a drop off location.

What If Your Rented Textbook Is Missing from Your Order History?

Sometimes things get a little tricky—like when you’re ready to return that rented textbook, but the book seems to have pulled a Houdini and disappeared from your order history.

Don’t panic! Here are a few steps you can follow to track it down and ensure a smooth return:

• Check All Your Amazon Accounts: If you have more than one Amazon account (hey, no judgment—many of us do!), check each one. It’s not uncommon to accidentally rent using a secondary account.

• Visit ‘Manage Your Rentals’: Head to Amazon's page directly. Sometimes, rentals are listed here even if they don’t show up in your regular order list.

• Consider Third-Party Sellers: If you rented your textbook from a third-party seller, there’s a chance it won’t appear alongside your standard Amazon rentals. In that case, check any confirmation emails or communication you received at the time of rental for return instructions.

• Contact Amazon Customer Service: If you still can’t find your rental, don’t hesitate to reach out to Amazon’s customer support. They can search your account by rental details and guide you on how to proceed with your return.

Taking these steps should help you get that elusive textbook back to the warehouse.

How To Find a Missing Amazon Textbook Rental Order

If you can't locate your textbook rental in your Amazon account, don't worry—there are a few ways to track down missing rental records.

Start by logging into your Amazon account (be sure it’s the account you used for the rental). Navigate to:

• Account & Lists at the top right of the main page

• Select Your Orders or Content & Devices

• Filter your results by “Rentals” or search for your textbook title directly

If the textbook doesn’t show up, consider these possibilities:

• You may have used a different Amazon account. Double-check any other Amazon accounts you own.

• Did you rent through a third-party seller or another online bookstore (like Chegg, Barnes & Noble, or eCampus)? Each platform keeps separate rental records, so log into those sites to search for your rental.

• If you still have trouble locating your order, reach out to Amazon Customer Service—choose chat, phone, or email for the quickest help. Have your transaction details or textbook information handy.

By checking all these options, you should be able to retrieve information about that elusive textbook rental.

What Should I Do If Customer Service Can’t Find My Textbook Rental?

If you’ve reached out to Amazon Customer Service and they’re unable to locate your textbook rental order, don’t panic—there are a few steps you can take to track down the missing rental.

First, double-check that you’re logged into the correct Amazon account. Many of us have more than one—personal, work, or for family members—and it’s surprisingly common to place an order on the wrong account. Sign out and sign back into any other accounts you may have, then head over to:

• Account & Lists (at the top right of the homepage)

• Go to Your Orders or Manage Your Rentals

Switch the filter to "Rentals" to see only your textbook rental orders. If the book still doesn’t appear, consider these possibilities:

• You might have used another email address to place the order.

• The rental may have been processed through a third-party seller, in which case you can check your order confirmation emails for clues.

• If you receive textbooks through programs like Chegg, CampusBookRentals, or eCampus, confirm you didn’t accidentally rent via one of these sites instead.

If none of these steps bring up your rental, gather any order confirmation emails, digital receipts, or shipping notifications connected to the missing rental. Share these details with customer service—having the order number or date handy can help them dig deeper into their system.

Taking these precautions increases your chances of tracking down that elusive textbook rental with minimal hassle.

What To Do With Damaged Amazon Rentals? 

You are still allowed to return the item back to Amazon, but if Amazon considers the item to not be in an acceptable rental condition, they reserve the right to charge your account with a buyout fee. 

In case you are fully aware that your textbook is damaged, you can save yourself the hassle of returning the book, and just decide to purchase it. 

Here is what Amazon considers to be acceptable rental conditions: 

What If You Rented Through a Third-Party Seller?

If you suspect your textbook rental might have been completed through a third-party seller instead of Amazon directly, here’s what to do next:

• First, log in to your Amazon account and head to the “Manage Your Rentals” page to see if the book appears there.

• If you don’t see your rental listed, it could mean you used a different Amazon account or that your rental was processed by a third-party seller.

• Double-check any other Amazon accounts you might have—sometimes rentals end up linked elsewhere if you shopped while logged in as someone else in your household.

• If you still can’t find your rental, go back to your original order confirmation email. That will show the details of the transaction. Look for any indication that the book came from an independent seller; their contact info should be included.

• If it’s clear the rental came from a third-party, reach out to the seller directly using the contact options on the order page. Most third-party sellers have their own return processes, so you’ll need to follow their instructions for returns or extensions.

And of course, if you’re completely lost, Amazon’s customer service can help you track things down. Just provide them with your order details so they can point you in the right direction.

What Information Should You Share With Customer Service About a Missing Rental?

If you run into trouble locating your rented textbook in your Amazon account, providing clear and accurate information to customer service can speed things up significantly.

Here’s what to have ready before you reach out:

• Your order number: This is the quickest way for Amazon representatives to locate the exact rental in question.

• Title and author of the book: Double-check for any spelling errors or edition specifics.

• The email linked to your Amazon account: If you have multiple Amazon accounts or emails, clarify which one you used to rent the book.

• Date of rental and expected return date: Any timing details help track down your transaction.

• Any confirmation emails or receipts: Attach or reference these to make things even smoother for the service rep.

If you ever rented a textbook through a third-party seller instead of directly from Amazon, mention the seller’s name and any communication you’ve had with them.

Supplying these details gives Amazon’s support team everything they need to resolve your missing rental fuss-free, so you can focus on getting the right books for your classes.

Amazon Book Rentals & Return

Whether you purchase a digital book or a physical one, there are ways of returning it to get your money back. 

People have developed an art of renting books through this process. As long as you always return the books by the set due date, you will keep having access to different books without having to buy them.

Keep in mind that when you return rented books through Amazon pickup locations, the item will be marked “returned” faster than when you return it through Amazon certified carriers. 

There is no extra shipping fee for returning books.

Each time you buy books, you will be given printed prepaid labels, which can be used to return multiple rented books in a single box as long as they are captioned in your return slip.

You just need to make sure you are disciplined enough to return the book on time to avoid incurring extra fees.

The process of returning rented books to Amazon is straightforward and easy.

Below, we will explore the different ways of returning books to Amazon.

Also, if you have troubles locating someone’s wish list on Amazon, we have a great piece of content that helps you do just that.

Continue reading to get the steps needed to return your book. 

How to Return Regular Books To Amazon 

If you purchased a physical book on the official Amazon website and you wish to return it, you will have a period of 30 days to initiate the returning process. 

• Firstly, Go to the Amazon order page

• Search for the item you wish to return and select the “Return items” button located on the right side. 

• Click the checkbox close to the book you want to return

• Select the reason for your return from the drop-down menu

• Select the continue button

• Lastly, select the pickup schedule from the drop-down menu

After you have entered all the relevant information, you can then click the submit button. 

If you want to return books that you purchased at Amazon physical stores, here’s what you need to do:  

• Package the book/item you want to return in the pack they came in.

• Get the receipt (either electronic or physical) alongside the order number on it. 

• Go back to the Amazon Books location you purchased the book from. A sales representative will be waiting to help you with the return process. 

This is how you are essentially ‘renting’ books from Amazon. If you manage to return the book by the Amazon expiration date, you can consider that you had rented a book. 

There are no extra charges involved with this. This practice could be considered unethical, but there’s no way you can get in trouble, because you are fully abiding by Amazon policy. 

How to Return Kindle eBooks

If you purchased a book from Amazon Kindle and you wish to return it, you can return it within the first week of your purchase.

It is an easy and straightforward process. You also cancel the order almost immediately from your Kindle device shortly after the purchase by selecting the “Purchase by Accident” option?

Follow the steps below to return Kindle books:

• Go to Manage Your Content and Devices on the Amazon website or App. 

• Choose the Action button In the Content tab next to the book you are trying to return. 

• Then select the “Return for Refund” option

Remember, you only have 7 days to return an eBook that you purchased on Kindle. 

If you had received a Kindle eBook as a gift, you can’t return it, but you are allowed to exchange it for an Amazon gift card. 

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use a gift card balance to pay for a textbook rental? 

Unfortunately, Amazon doesn’t allow gift cards or promotional balance to be used to pay for textbook rentals. 

You also can’t use Amazon courtesy credit option to pay for rental fees. 

What does Amazon do with returned books?

With returned books, Amazon most often decides to reuse and sell books as ‘Used’ at a lower price. 

That is why you also have an option of renting and/or buying a book at a lower cost, if you decide to go for a ‘Used’ textbook. 

Bottom Line

We’ve come to the end of this article. You should now be fully equipped with the knowledge of returning books and textbooks to Amazon, as well as all of terms and conditions in relation to it. 

In case you have any other questions, make sure you visit the original Amazon pages on textbook rental policies, as well as return policy for all other items.