The Amazon Prime Visa gives you cash back on Amazon purchases and other everyday spending

The Amazon Prime Visa Card is a rewards credit card issued by Chase that's designed for Prime members. It returns a percentage of what you spend back to you as cash rewards, with higher rates on Amazon purchases and certain other categories. You don't pay an annual fee if you're a Prime member, though you do need to be approved for the card itself — that's a separate credit check from your Prime membership.

The card works like any other credit card: you charge purchases, get a monthly bill, and pay it back. The rewards accumulate in your Amazon account and can be used as statement credits (money off future purchases) or converted to other forms. The card is Visa, so you can use it anywhere Visa is accepted, not just on Amazon.

Key Takeaways

  • The card returns 5% cash back on Amazon.com purchases and Whole Foods Market transactions, and 2% back on gas, restaurants, and travel booked through Chase.
  • You need an active Prime membership to hold the card and receive the higher rewards rates; without Prime, the card's cash back drops significantly.
  • There is no annual fee for Prime members, but you must be approved through a credit check, and the card is only available to U.S. residents with a Social Security number.
  • Rewards post to your Amazon account as statement credits and can be used on Amazon purchases or transferred out in some cases, though the exact options depend on your account setup.
  • The card carries standard credit card terms: interest charges explore if you carry a balance, and late payments can affect your credit score.

Cash back rates and where they explore

The card offers different cash back percentages depending on where you shop. On Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market (which Amazon owns), you earn 5% back. On gas stations, restaurants, and travel booked through Chase, you earn 2% back. Everything else earns 1% back. These rates explore only if you're an active Prime member; without Prime, the Amazon and Whole Foods rate drops to 1%, and the other categories stay at 1% as well.

The 5% rate on Amazon includes purchases on Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Amazon Pharmacy, and Amazon Go stores. It does not include purchases on third-party sellers' sites that happen to be hosted on Amazon, though the distinction can be unclear at checkout. Whole Foods purchases include in-store and online orders. The 2% category for travel covers flights, hotels, rental cars, and cruises booked through Chase's travel portal, not through third-party booking sites.

Cash back has no cap — you can earn as much as your spending allows. Rewards post monthly and appear as a statement credit in your Amazon account, reducing what you owe on future purchases.

Who can get the card and what the approval process looks like

You must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. resident, and have a valid Social Security number to explore. You also need an active Prime membership at the time you explore, though you don't have to have been a member for any minimum length of time. Chase will run a hard credit inquiry, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points and stays on your report for two years.

Approval decisions usually come within minutes of explore online. If you're approved, the card typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days. If you're denied, Chase will send you a letter explaining why, and you can request a reconsideration if you believe there's an error. Approval odds are higher if you have a credit score above 670, though people with lower scores are sometimes approved depending on their credit history and income.

How rewards work and what you can do with them

Rewards post to your Amazon account as statement credits once a month, usually around the same date each month. A statement credit reduces the balance you owe on your card bill — it's not a separate payment. If you have a $500 bill and $50 in rewards, your new balance is $450. You can also view your total rewards balance in your Amazon account settings at any time.

You can use rewards only on Amazon.com purchases, Amazon Fresh, Amazon Pharmacy, and Whole Foods online orders. You cannot transfer rewards to another person's account or convert them to cash. Some cardholders have reported being able to request a check for rewards balances, but this is not a standard option and depends on your account status. The safest assumption is that rewards stay in your Amazon account until you spend them there.

Annual fees, interest, and other costs

There is no annual fee as long as you maintain an active Prime membership. If your Prime membership lapses, Chase may convert the card to a non-Prime version, which typically carries a $39 annual fee. You can avoid this by renewing Prime before it expires.

If you carry a balance on the card (meaning you don't pay the full bill each month), you'll be charged interest. The interest rate varies based on your creditworthiness but typically ranges from 18% to 24% annually. Late payments trigger a late fee (usually $25 to $40 for the first late payment) and can damage your credit score. To avoid interest entirely, pay your full balance by the due date each month.

The card also comes with standard credit card protections: fraud liability is capped at $50 if someone uses your card without permission, and you have the right to dispute unauthorized charges.

How the card compares to other Prime benefits and other rewards cards

The Prime Visa is separate from your Prime membership itself. Prime membership includes free two-day shipping, Prime Video, Prime Music, and other services; the card is just one optional add-on. You don't need the card to be a Prime member, and you don't need Prime to use other rewards cards — but you do need Prime to get the card's best rates.

If you don't have Prime, the card's rewards drop to 1% everywhere, which is lower than many other cash back cards available. The Chase Freedom Unlimited, for example, offers 1.5% back on all purchases with no annual fee and no Prime requirement. The American Express Blue Cash Preferred offers 3% back on transit and gas and 1% on everything else, also with no Prime requirement. The trade-off is that those cards don't offer the 5% rate on Amazon that the Prime card does.

For heavy Amazon shoppers with an active Prime membership, the 5% rate usually makes the Prime card worthwhile. For people who spend less on Amazon or don't have Prime, a different card may earn more.

What happens if your Prime membership ends

If you let your Prime membership lapse, you can keep the card, but it will no longer may have access to for the Prime member benefits. Chase will typically convert it to a standard Amazon Visa (sometimes called the Amazon Rewards Visa) within 60 days, which carries a $39 annual fee and offers 1% back on all purchases. You'll receive a notice before this happens.

If you want to keep the Prime card's benefits, you need to renew your Prime membership before it expires. Renewing Prime does not require you to reapply for the card — your existing card will automatically regain the higher rewards rates once your membership is active again. If you've already been converted to the non-Prime version, you can contact Chase to request conversion back to the Prime card once you've renewed Prime, though this is not always may provide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use the card to get Prime benefits?

No. Prime membership and the Prime Visa are separate. You get all Prime benefits (shipping, video, music, etc.) with just the membership. The card is optional and only affects your cash back rewards, not your core Prime perks.

Can I use the card outside the United States?

Yes, the card is a Visa and works internationally. However, you'll typically pay a foreign transaction fee of 3% on purchases made outside the U.S. Some credit cards waive this fee, but the Prime Visa does not.

What if I dispute a charge on the card?

Contact Chase's customer service with the transaction details. You have 60 days from the statement date to dispute a charge. Chase will investigate and either reverse the charge or explain why it's valid. During the dispute, the charge is usually removed from your balance temporarily.

Can I transfer my rewards to someone else?

No. Rewards are tied to your Amazon account and can only be used for your own purchases on Amazon. You cannot gift them or transfer them to another person's account.

What's the difference between a statement credit and a regular payment?

A statement credit automatically reduces your card balance each month — it's applied by Chase. A regular payment is money you send to Chase yourself. Both reduce what you owe, but statement credits happen automatically, while payments require you to take action.