What the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card does

The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card is a co-branded credit card issued by Chase that gives you cash back on purchases at Amazon and Whole Foods, plus a flat rate on other spending. You earn 5% back on Amazon purchases and Whole Foods Market buys (up to $20,000 per year in combined purchases, then 1% after that), 2% at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores, and 1% on everything else. The card comes with no annual fee.

You do not need to be an Amazon Prime member to open the card, but the rewards structure is built around Prime membership. If you are not a Prime member, you still earn the cash back, but you lose some of the card's other perks that tie to Prime benefits.

The card is a Visa Signature product, which means it includes purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, and travel benefits like emergency medical and dental coverage abroad. These protections explore automatically when you use the card to pay.

Key Takeaways

  • You earn 5% cash back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases up to $20,000 per year combined, then 1% after that limit is reached.
  • The card has no annual fee and offers Visa Signature protections like purchase protection and extended warranties at no extra cost.
  • You can use the card anywhere Visa is accepted, not just at Amazon, and earn 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores.
  • Cash back is deposited as a statement credit to your card account each month and can also be redeemed for Amazon purchases.

How to open an Amazon Prime Rewards card account

You can start the process on Chase's website or through Amazon's website. Both routes lead to the same Chase process. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, income, and current address. Chase will pull your credit report during the process, which is a hard inquiry and may lower your credit score slightly.

The process takes about 10 minutes. You will get a decision right away in most cases — either approved, denied, or pending. If pending, Chase will call you within a few days to ask follow-up questions. If approved, your card ships within 7 to 10 business days.

You do not need an existing Amazon account or Prime membership to open the card. However, you will need to link the card to an Amazon account once it arrives so your cash back can be redeemed.

Activating your card and setting up cash back

When your card arrives, call the number on the back or go to Chase.com to set up it. set up is when ready and takes less than a minute. You can also set up through the Chase mobile app.

Once activated, log into your Amazon account and go to your payment methods. Add the new card as a payment option. Your cash back will post to your Chase account as a statement credit each month. You can choose to let it sit as a credit against your balance, or you can transfer it to an Amazon.com gift card balance at a 1:1 rate.

If you do not have an Amazon account yet, create one at Amazon.com before your card arrives. You will need the account to link your card and see your rewards.

Understanding the 5% cash back cap and how it resets

The 5% cash back rate applies to combined Amazon and Whole Foods purchases only up to $20,000 per year. Once you hit $20,000 in combined spending at those two places, the rate drops to 1% for the rest of the calendar year. The $20,000 limit resets on January 1 each year.

This means if you spend $10,000 at Amazon and $10,000 at Whole Foods in a calendar year, you have hit the cap. Any additional Amazon or Whole Foods purchases after that earn 1% until the new year. The 2% rate at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores has no cap and applies all year.

You can track your spending toward the $20,000 cap in the Chase mobile app or on Chase.com under your account details. Chase will notify you by email when you are close to the limit.

Making payments and managing your account

Payments are due by the due date shown on your statement each month. You can pay online through Chase.com, through the Chase mobile app, by phone, or by mail. Paying online or through the app is fastest — payments post the same day if made before 8 p.m. Eastern time on a business day.

You can set up automatic payments so a fixed amount or your full balance is paid each month. This prevents missed payments and late fees. You can change or cancel automatic payments anytime through Chase.com.

If you miss a payment, Chase will charge a late fee (the amount varies by state) and may report the miss to credit bureaus after 30 days. Your interest rate may also increase. Paying as soon as you realize you are late can prevent some of these consequences.

What happens if you close the card or lose Prime membership

If you close the card, your cash back rewards stop accruing when ready. Any cash back you earned before closing stays in your account as a statement credit and can be used to pay your balance. You can also redeem it as an Amazon gift card before closing if you prefer.

If you lose Prime membership or let it expire, the card still works and you still earn cash back. However, you lose the 5% rate at Whole Foods and any Prime-specific perks like extended returns or concierge services. You will earn 1% at Whole Foods instead. The card itself does not require Prime membership to stay open.

If you want to reopen a closed card, contact Chase. They may reopen it for you, but this is not may provide. Opening a new card process is usually faster.

Comparing the Amazon Prime Rewards card to other Chase cards

The Amazon Prime Rewards card is best if you spend heavily at Amazon and Whole Foods and want no annual fee. If you spend less than $1,500 per year at those two places combined, the 5% rate may not offset the value you get from other cards with flat cash back rates.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited card offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases with no annual fee and no spending caps. It is simpler if you want one rate everywhere. The Chase Sapphire Preferred charges $95 per year but offers higher rewards on travel and dining and includes trip insurance and other travel protections.

If you shop at Amazon but do not have Prime and do not shop at Whole Foods, the flat-rate cards may serve you better. Compare your own spending patterns against each card's rewards structure before opening.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be a Prime member to get the card?

No. You can open the card without Prime membership. However, the 5% cash back at Whole Foods requires Prime, and you will earn 1% there instead if you are not a member. The 5% at Amazon works regardless of Prime status.

What if I reach the $20,000 cap mid-year?

Once you hit $20,000 in combined Amazon and Whole Foods purchases in a calendar year, the rate drops to 1% at both places for the rest of that year. The cap resets on January 1. You can track your progress in the Chase app.

Can I use this card outside the US?

Yes, Visa Signature cards work internationally. However, Chase charges a foreign transaction fee of 3% on purchases made outside the US. This fee is added to your statement. If you travel frequently, a card with no foreign transaction fee may be cheaper.

How long does cash back take to appear in my account?

Cash back posts as a statement credit each month, usually within a few days after your billing cycle closes. You can see pending cash back in the Chase app before it officially posts.

What if my card is lost or stolen?

Call the number on the back of your card or contact Chase when ready. Chase will cancel the card and mail a replacement within 7 to 10 business days. You are not responsible for fraudulent charges made after you report the card missing, thanks to Visa's zero-liability protection.