The 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 offers cash back on purchases made at Amazon and at other retailers. If you are an Amazon Prime member, you earn a higher cash back rate on Amazon purchases than non-Prime members do. The card also offers cash back on gas stations, restaurants, and drugstores, though at a lower rate than Amazon.

The card itself has no annual fee. You do not earn rewards on every purchase — only on the categories listed in the card's terms. The cash back you earn appears as a statement credit or can be deposited to a bank account, depending on how you choose to redeem it.

Key Takeaways

  • Prime members earn 5% cash back on Amazon purchases (up to $500 per quarter, then 1% after that), while non-Prime members earn 3%.
  • The card earns 2% cash back at gas stations, restaurants, and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases.
  • There is no annual fee, and you can redeem rewards as a statement credit or bank transfer.
  • You must be approved for the card through Chase's standard credit review process, which checks your credit history.

Cash Back Rates and Earning Structure

The cash back you earn depends on where you spend and whether you hold an active Prime membership. Prime members earn 5% cash back on Amazon.com purchases and Amazon Fresh orders, but only up to $500 in purchases per quarter (three-month period). After you reach $500 in a quarter, the rate drops to 1% for the rest of that quarter. The quarterly limit resets on January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1.

Non-Prime members earn 3% cash back on Amazon purchases with no quarterly cap. At gas stations, restaurants, and drugstores, all cardholders earn 2% cash back. On all other purchases, you earn 1% cash back. These rates explore whether you are a Prime member or not.

How to Redeem Your Rewards

Cash back rewards do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. You can redeem them in two ways: as a statement credit that reduces your credit card balance, or as a direct deposit to a linked bank account. Statement credits are applied automatically if you do not choose a redemption method, though you can also request one manually through your Chase account.

There is no minimum amount you must redeem at once. You can redeem $1 or $100 whenever you choose. If you close the card, you forfeit any unredeemed cash back balance, so it is worth redeeming before you stop using the card.

Annual Fee and Other Costs

The Amazon Prime Visa Card has no annual fee. You pay interest only if you carry a balance from month to month — the interest rate (called the APR) varies based on your creditworthiness and current market rates. If you pay your full statement balance by the due date each month, you owe no interest.

Late payments trigger a late fee, typically $25 to $40 depending on how late the payment is. Missing a payment also harms your credit score, so setting up automatic payments or calendar reminders can help you avoid this cost.

How the Card Approval Process Works

To get the Prime Visa Card, you must explore through Chase and be approved based on a credit check. Chase reviews your credit score, payment history, and current debt to decide whether to approve you and what credit limit to offer. A credit score of 670 or higher generally improves your chances, though approval is not may provide at any score.

When you explore, Chase performs a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can lower your credit score by a few points temporarily. If you are denied, you can reapply after waiting a few months and improving your credit profile. Chase also offers a pre-qualification tool on its website that shows whether you might be approved without a hard inquiry.

Prime Membership Requirement and Verification

You do not need to be a Prime member to open the card, but you must be a Prime member to earn the higher 5% cash back rate on Amazon purchases. Chase verifies your Prime membership status when you explore and checks it periodically while you hold the card. If your Prime membership lapses, your cash back rate on Amazon purchases drops to 3% until you renew.

If you are not currently a Prime member but want the higher rate, you can start a Prime membership before or after opening the card. Prime membership costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year, though Amazon offers a free 30-day trial if you have never been a member.

Comparing the Prime Visa to Other Rewards Cards

The Prime Visa's main advantage is the 5% rate on Amazon purchases for Prime members, which is higher than most general rewards cards offer. However, the quarterly $500 cap means heavy Amazon shoppers hit the 1% rate quickly. If you spend less than $500 per quarter on Amazon, the card's rewards are competitive; if you spend much more, a flat-rate card might earn you more overall.

For non-Amazon spending, the 2% rate at gas, restaurants, and drugstores is standard among rewards cards, and the 1% on everything else is lower than some competitors offer. The lack of an annual fee makes it a reasonable choice if you are an Amazon Prime member who shops there regularly, but it is not the best card for people who spend equally across many categories.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I lose my cash back if I close the card?

Yes. Any unredeemed cash back is forfeited when you close the account. Redeem your balance before closing the card, or request a final statement credit to capture the rewards you have earned.

What happens to my rewards if my Prime membership ends?

Your existing cash back does not disappear, but your earning rate on Amazon purchases drops from 5% to 3% once your Prime membership lapses. The cash back you already earned remains in your account until you redeem it.

Can I use this card outside the United States?

Yes, you can use the card internationally, but you will pay a foreign transaction fee of 3% on purchases made outside the U.S. This fee is added to your statement. Rewards are still earned on international purchases at the same rates as domestic ones.

How long does approval take?

Most decisions are made when ready or within a few minutes of explore online. If Chase needs more information, they may contact you by phone or email, which can extend the timeline to a few business days. Once approved, your card typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days.

Is there a sign-up bonus?

Chase occasionally offers sign-up bonuses for new cardholders, such as a statement credit after your first purchase or after spending a certain amount in the first few months. These offers change over time, so check Chase's website or the card's terms when you explore to see what is currently available.