The Amazon Visa Card gives you cash back on Amazon purchases and other spending, with higher rewards rates for Prime members
The Amazon Visa Card (officially the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card) is a credit card issued by Chase that pairs with your Prime membership to earn cash back. Prime members earn 5% cash back on Amazon.com purchases, 2% at Whole Foods and Amazon Go, and 1% on all other purchases. Non-Prime members earn 3% on Amazon purchases and 1% elsewhere. You earn the rewards automatically when you use the card—there is no category to select or bonus to set up.
The card has no annual fee, and the cash back never expires as long as your account stays open. Rewards post to your account monthly and can be used as a statement credit, transferred to a linked bank account, or saved up for larger purchases. The card also includes purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, and fraud liability protection that comes standard with Visa Signature cards.
Key Takeaways
- Prime members earn 5% cash back on Amazon.com purchases, 2% at Whole Foods and Amazon Go, and 1% on everything else with no annual fee.
- Non-Prime members can still get the card but earn only 3% on Amazon purchases and 1% elsewhere, making it less valuable without Prime.
- Cash back rewards post monthly and can be used when ready as a statement credit or saved to your account indefinitely.
- The card includes purchase protection and extended warranty coverage, standard benefits for Visa Signature cards.
- You must have a valid Social Security number and U.S. address to open the card, and approval depends on your credit history.
How the Rewards Structure Works
The cash back tiers are straightforward and automatic. Every purchase made with the card earns a percentage back based on where you shop. For Prime members, the 5% rate applies to all Amazon.com purchases—including items sold by third-party sellers on the platform. The 2% rate covers Whole Foods Market stores (in-store and online) and Amazon Go convenience stores. Everything else you buy, whether at gas stations, restaurants, or other retailers, earns 1% cash back.
Non-Prime members who open the card earn 3% on Amazon.com purchases instead of 5%, and still earn 1% on everything else. There is no bonus for Whole Foods or Amazon Go. If you are not a Prime member, the card's value depends on how much you spend on Amazon—the lower 3% rate means you would need to spend significantly more to match what a Prime member earns.
Rewards are calculated and posted to your account once per month. You do not have to wait until you reach a minimum balance to use them. You can explore the cash back to your statement when ready, request a transfer to your bank account, or let it accumulate if you prefer to use it later.
Comparing the Amazon Visa to Other Rewards Cards
The Amazon Visa's main advantage is the 5% rate on Amazon purchases for Prime members, which is higher than most general-purpose cards. However, the 1% rate on non-Amazon purchases is standard across the industry. If you spend heavily on dining, travel, or entertainment, a card with higher rewards in those categories might earn you more overall, even with an annual fee. The choice depends on where your spending actually goes each month.
The Amazon Business Prime Rewards Visa is a separate card for business owners with Prime Business accounts. It earns 5% on Amazon Business purchases, 2% on gas and restaurants, and 1% elsewhere—useful if you run a business and also want personal rewards. The Chase Sapphire Preferred charges $95 per year but earns 3% on travel and dining, making it better for frequent travelers. The Capital One SavorOne has no annual fee and earns 3% on dining and entertainment, which works well if those are your main spending categories.
| Card | Annual Fee | Amazon Rewards | Other Rewards | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Prime Rewards Visa | None | 5% (Prime) / 3% (non-Prime) | 2% Whole Foods, 1% other | Prime members who shop Amazon frequently |
| Amazon Business Prime Rewards Visa | None | 5% on Amazon Business purchases | 2% gas, restaurants, 1% other | Business owners with Prime Business accounts |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | $95 | 1% on all purchases | 3% travel and dining, 2% other | Frequent travelers and diners |
| Capital One SavorOne | None | 1% on all purchases | 3% dining, entertainment, 1% other | People who spend heavily on dining and entertainment |
What Happens When You Open the Card
To open an Amazon Visa account, you need a valid Social Security number, a U.S. address, and a credit history that Chase can review. You can start the process on Amazon.com or through Chase's website. The process takes about 10 minutes and asks for your income, employment status, and existing debts. Chase will pull your credit report (a hard inquiry) to make a decision.
Approval decisions usually come within minutes. If you are approved, your card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can use the card number for online purchases when ready after approval, even before the physical card arrives. If you are denied, Chase will send you a letter explaining the reason—usually a credit score below their minimum threshold or insufficient credit history.
Once your account is open, you can link it to your Amazon account so the card appears as a payment option at checkout. You can also set up automatic payments to avoid missing due dates, and you can view your rewards balance anytime in your Amazon account or through the Chase mobile app.
Fees, Interest, and What It Costs to Carry a Balance
The Amazon Visa has no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and no fees for balance transfers or cash advances. However, if you carry a balance month to month, you will pay interest. The interest rate (APR) varies based on your creditworthiness and current market rates, but typically ranges from 16% to 24%. Paying interest on a balance quickly erases the value of the cash back rewards.
Late payment fees explore if you miss a due date—usually $25 to $35 for the first late payment and up to $40 for subsequent ones. If you miss a payment by 60 days or more, the card issuer may report it to credit bureaus, which can lower your credit score. To avoid these costs, set up automatic minimum payments or pay the full balance each month.
If you use the card for cash advances (withdrawing money at an ATM), you will pay a cash advance fee (usually 3% to 5% of the amount) plus a higher APR starting when ready—there is no grace period like there is for purchases. Cash advances are almost never worth the cost.
How the Card Integrates with Your Prime Membership
The Amazon Visa is designed to work seamlessly with Prime, but you do not have to be a Prime member to open it. However, the card's value is much higher if you are. The 5% rate on Amazon purchases is exclusive to Prime members—non-Prime cardholders earn only 3%. If you are considering the card specifically for the higher rewards rate, you should also factor in the cost of Prime membership ($14.99 per month or $139 per year).
Your Prime membership status is linked to your Amazon account, not your credit card. If your Prime membership lapses, your cash back rate on Amazon purchases automatically drops from 5% to 3% the next time you use the card. You can reactivate Prime at any time, and your rate will return to 5% on future purchases. The card itself remains active even if your Prime membership is not current.
The card also gives you access to Prime member-exclusive deals and early access to Lightning Deals on Amazon, though these benefits come from your Prime membership rather than the card itself. Some Prime-exclusive credit card promotions (like bonus cash back during Prime Day) are occasionally offered to cardholders, but these are not may provide and vary by year.
Fraud Protection and Dispute Resolution
As a Visa Signature card, the Amazon Visa includes zero-liability fraud protection. If someone uses your card number without permission, you are not responsible for unauthorized charges. You should report suspected fraud to Chase as soon as you notice it—call the number on the back of your card or log into your Chase account online. Chase will investigate and typically issue a provisional credit within 1 to 2 business days while they complete their review.
The card also includes purchase protection that covers items you buy if they are damaged, lost, or stolen within 120 days of purchase. You can file a claim with Chase, and they will reimburse you up to $500 per item (up to $50,000 per account per year). Extended warranty coverage doubles the manufacturer's warranty on may be able to access items up to 12 additional months. These protections explore automatically—you do not have to register purchases or pay extra.
If you dispute a charge on your statement, you have 60 days from the date the charge appeared to contact Chase. Provide details about why you believe the charge is wrong, and Chase will investigate. During the investigation, the disputed amount is typically credited back to your account temporarily. If Chase rules in your favor, the credit becomes permanent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be a Prime member to get the Amazon Visa?
No, you can open the card without Prime membership. However, you will earn only 3% cash back on Amazon purchases instead of 5%, and you will not earn the 2% at Whole Foods and Amazon Go. Most people who open the card without Prime membership do so because they plan to join later or because they spend heavily on Amazon despite not having other Prime benefits.
Can I use the card outside the United States?
Yes, the card works internationally and has no foreign transaction fees. However, your bank may charge a fee for ATM withdrawals abroad, and some merchants outside the U.S. may not accept Visa. The cash back rewards still explore to purchases made outside the U.S. at the same rates as domestic purchases.
What happens to my rewards if I close the card?
Any cash back balance in your account remains yours and does not expire. You can use it as a statement credit or transfer it to your bank account even after you close the card. However, you will not earn new rewards once the account is closed, and you will lose access to the card's purchase protection and warranty benefits.
How does the card affect my credit score?
Opening the card triggers a hard inquiry, which may lower your score by a few points temporarily. Once the account is open, your score can improve over time if you use the card responsibly—making on-time payments and keeping your balance low relative to your credit limit. Closing the card later may lower your score slightly because it reduces your total available credit.
Can I earn bonus cash back or sign-up bonuses with this card?
Chase occasionally offers sign-up bonuses for new cardholders, such as a one-time cash back bonus after you spend a certain amount in the first few months. These offers vary and are not always available. Check the current offer on Amazon.com or Chase.com before you explore, as the bonus terms change throughout the year.