What the Amazon Prime Card gives you

The Amazon Prime Card is a credit card made for Prime members that gives you cash back on purchases at Amazon and Whole Foods, plus other rewards on everyday spending. You do not have to carry a physical card — you can use it on your phone through Amazon's app or request a physical card to arrive in the mail. The card is issued by Chase Bank, and you explore through Amazon's website.

There are two versions: the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card and the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card (no Signature). The main difference is that the Signature version includes extra protections like purchase protection and travel insurance, while the standard version has fewer add-ons. Both earn the same cash back rates on purchases.

Key Takeaways

  • The Amazon Prime Card earns 5% cash back at Amazon and Whole Foods (up to $1,500 per year, then 1% after), and 2% at gas stations, restaurants, and drugstores.
  • You need an active Amazon Prime membership to hold the card, and the card itself has no annual fee.
  • Cash back appears as a statement credit on your bill or can be transferred to your Amazon account as store credit.
  • You explore through Amazon.com, and Chase will check your credit history to decide whether to approve you.
  • The Signature version includes travel and purchase protections; the standard version does not.

Cash back rates and how they work

The card earns 5% cash back when you spend at Amazon.com or Whole Foods Market stores. This 5% rate has a limit: once you earn $1,500 in cash back per year (which means you spent $30,000 at those two places), the rate drops to 1% for the rest of that calendar year. The cash back resets on January 1st each year.

Outside Amazon and Whole Foods, the card earns 2% cash back at gas stations, restaurants, and drugstores. Everything else earns 1% cash back. These rates have no annual cap — they continue all year long.

Your cash back shows up as a statement credit on your monthly bill, reducing what you owe. You can also choose to convert it to Amazon store credit instead, which some people prefer if they shop at Amazon regularly.

Who can get the card and what the process looks like

You must have an active Amazon Prime membership to hold this card. If your Prime membership lapses, you can keep the card, but you lose the Prime-specific benefits. You also need to be at least 18 years old and a U.S. resident with a valid Social Security number.

When you explore on Amazon.com, Chase will pull your credit report to assess your creditworthiness. This is called a hard inquiry and may lower your credit score slightly. Chase looks at your credit history, income, and existing debts to decide whether to approve you and what interest rate to offer. You will find out whether you are approved, denied, or need to wait for a decision within minutes to a few days.

If you are denied, you can reapply after waiting a few months and improving your credit profile, or you can contact Chase to ask why you were turned down.

Annual fees and interest rates

The Amazon Prime Card itself has no annual fee — you pay nothing just to own it. However, like all credit cards, it charges interest if you carry a balance from month to month. The interest rate (called the APR, or annual percentage rate) depends on your creditworthiness and current market rates. Chase will tell you the specific APR when you explore.

If you pay your full balance by the due date each month, you pay no interest at all. The cash back rewards are the main benefit, and they explore whether you pay in full or carry a balance.

Differences between the Signature and standard versions

Both cards earn the same cash back rates, but the Signature version includes extra protections. These include purchase protection (coverage if something you buy is damaged or stolen within a certain window), extended warranty coverage on some items, and travel accident insurance. The standard version does not include these protections.

The Signature version also comes with a physical card by default, while the standard version is digital-first. Both versions let you request a physical card if you want one. Chase decides which version to offer you based on your credit profile — you cannot choose which one you receive.

How cash back works with Prime membership benefits

The card is separate from your Prime membership itself. Your Prime membership gives you free shipping, access to Prime Video, and other perks. The card is an optional way to earn cash back on those purchases and other spending. You can be a Prime member without the card, and you can hold the card only as long as you maintain an active Prime membership.

If you cancel Prime, you keep the card and can still use it, but you lose the Prime-specific cash back rates. The card would then earn only the standard rates (2% at gas, restaurants, and drugstores; 1% everywhere else), making it less valuable than cards designed for non-Prime customers.

What happens if you close the card or your Prime membership ends

If you close the card, any cash back you have earned but not yet redeemed stays in your account for a limited time — usually 90 days — before it expires. Check your account before closing to see if you have pending cash back you want to use.

If your Prime membership ends, the card remains active and usable, but you lose the 5% cash back at Amazon and Whole Foods. You would earn only 2% at gas stations, restaurants, and drugstores, and 1% everywhere else. Many people in this situation switch to a different rewards card that does not require Prime membership.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use the card to keep my Prime membership?

No. The card is optional. You can have a Prime membership without the card, and you can cancel the card without losing Prime. The card is just one way to earn rewards on your spending.

What if I do not have good credit?

Chase has stricter approval standards for this card than for some others. If you have limited credit history or past missed payments, you may be denied. You can try reapplying after six months to a year if you have improved your credit score, or look into other rewards cards with lower approval thresholds.

Can I use the card outside the United States?

Yes, you can use it internationally, but you will pay a foreign transaction fee (usually 3%) on purchases made outside the U.S. The cash back rates stay the same. If you travel frequently, you may want to look into cards designed for international use.

How long does it take to receive a physical card?

Physical cards typically arrive within 7 to 10 business days after approval. You can use the card digitally through the Amazon app when ready after approval, even before the physical card arrives.

What if I want to return something I bought with the card?

Refunds go back to the card you used to make the purchase. If you earned cash back on that purchase, the cash back is not reversed — you keep the reward even if you return the item. This is standard across most rewards cards.