What the Amazon Credit Card actually is
The Amazon Credit Card is a Visa card issued by Chase Bank that gives you cash back on purchases, with higher rewards rates when you shop at Amazon or Whole Foods. You do not need an Amazon Prime membership to get one, though the rewards structure is designed to reward Prime members more heavily. The card comes in two versions: one for Prime members and one for everyone else.
This is a standard credit card, not a prepaid card or a gift card. You receive a bill each month, you pay interest on any balance you carry, and your payment history reports to the three credit bureaus. The card is issued by Chase, a major bank, so the terms and protections are governed by federal credit card law, not by Amazon's policies.
Key Takeaways
- Prime members earn 5% cash back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases, while non-Prime members earn 3% on Amazon purchases only.
- Both versions earn 2% cash back at restaurants, gas stations, and transit, and 1% on everything else.
- You need decent credit to be approved — Chase typically looks for a credit score of 670 or higher, though approval is not may provide at any score.
- Cash back rewards post to your account monthly and can be used as a statement credit, transferred to an Amazon.com balance, or redeemed for other rewards depending on your account settings.
- Like any credit card, carrying a balance means paying interest, which can quickly erase the value of cash back rewards.
The two versions and how their rewards differ
The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card is the higher-tier version. If you have an active Prime membership, you earn 5% cash back on Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market purchases, 2% at restaurants, gas stations, and transit (including taxis, rideshare, parking, trains, buses, and more), and 1% on all other purchases. You also get a $0 annual fee.
The Amazon Rewards Visa Card is for people without Prime or who do not want to commit to a membership. You earn 3% cash back on Amazon.com purchases, 2% at restaurants, gas stations, and transit, and 1% everywhere else. This version also has a $0 annual fee.
The difference matters most if you spend heavily on Amazon. A Prime member who spends $3,000 a year on Amazon earns $150 in cash back at 5%, while a non-Prime member earns $90 at 3% — a $60 annual gap. For someone who spends less than $1,200 a year on Amazon, the difference shrinks below what a Prime membership costs, so the non-Prime card may make more sense.
What credit score you need and how approval works
Chase does not publish a minimum credit score for this card, but based on what cardholders report, approval typically requires a score around 670 or higher. This is considered "good" credit in most scoring models. If your score is below 650, approval is unlikely. If your score is between 650 and 670, approval is possible but not certain — it depends on your income, existing debt, and payment history.
The process itself takes about 15 minutes online. Chase will do a hard inquiry on your credit report, which temporarily lowers your score by a few points. If you are approved, you usually get a decision within seconds or within a few business days. If you are denied, Chase will send you a letter explaining why, and you can call their reconsideration line to ask if additional information might change the decision.
If you have been turned down before, waiting three to six months while you pay down debt or dispute errors on your credit report can improve your odds on a second process. explore multiple times in a short window does more harm than good.
How cash back rewards actually reach your account
Cash back accrues as you spend and posts to your account once a month, usually around the middle of the month. You do not have to do anything to earn it — it happens automatically. Once it posts, you have several options for how to use it.
You can explore the cash back as a statement credit, which reduces your bill. You can transfer it to your Amazon.com account balance and spend it there. You can redeem it for other rewards through Chase's rewards portal, though the value is usually lower than the cash back itself. Some cardholders also report the option to transfer rewards to certain travel partners, though this varies by account.
The most straightforward approach for most people is to use it as a statement credit each month. This directly reduces what you owe and keeps the full value of the reward.
Annual fees, interest rates, and what it costs to carry a balance
There is no annual fee for either version of this card. That is unusual among rewards cards and is one reason this card appeals to people who do not spend heavily enough to justify a fee.
The interest rate (called the APR, or annual percentage rate) varies by person and is based on your credit score and credit history. Chase typically offers rates ranging from around 16% to 24% for this card, though your actual rate depends on your creditworthiness. You will see your exact rate in the terms you receive after approval.
If you carry a balance, interest accrues daily and compounds monthly. A $1,000 balance at 20% APR costs about $200 in interest over a year if you make no payments. This means you would need to earn $200 in cash back just to break even — far more than most people earn on everyday spending. The card only makes financial sense if you pay the full balance each month.
How this card fits into your broader credit picture
Using this card responsibly can help your credit score over time. Each on-time payment reports to the credit bureaus and builds your payment history, which is the largest factor in your score. The card also contributes to your credit mix — having both revolving credit (like a credit card) and installment credit (like a loan) is viewed favorably by scoring models.
However, if you carry a balance or miss payments, the damage is swift. A single late payment can drop your score 100 points or more. A high balance relative to your credit limit (called high utilization) signals risk to lenders and lowers your score, even if you pay on time. For this reason, the card is best suited to someone who already has solid payment habits and plans to pay the bill in full each month.
If you are new to credit or rebuilding after past problems, a rewards card may not be the right first step. A secured card or a card designed for people with limited credit history often makes more sense, because the stakes are lower while you prove you can manage credit responsibly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be a Prime member to use this card?
No. You can get the non-Prime version (Amazon Rewards Visa Card) without a membership. However, if you already have Prime or plan to get it, the Prime version earns significantly more cash back on Amazon purchases, so the membership often pays for itself through the card alone if you spend enough.
What happens to my cash back if I close the card?
Any cash back that has already posted to your account stays there and can still be redeemed. Cash back that has not yet posted (usually from purchases in the current month) will post normally. You do not lose rewards by closing the card, but closing it does remove that card from your credit mix, which can slightly lower your score over time.
Can I use this card outside the United States?
Yes, it is a Visa card and works internationally. However, Chase charges a 3% foreign transaction fee on purchases made outside the U.S., so the card is less valuable for travel spending than some competitors. If you travel frequently, a card with no foreign transaction fee may save you money.
What if I miss a payment?
A missed payment is reported to the credit bureaus and damages your credit score when ready. Chase will charge you a late fee (typically $25 to $35 for a first offense) and may increase your interest rate. If you miss a payment, contact Chase as soon as you realize it — paying even a few days late is better than waiting weeks, and some cardholders have had late fees waived if they call and explain.
How does this card compare to other rewards cards?
This card is strongest for people who spend heavily on Amazon or Whole Foods. If you rarely shop at either, a general rewards card that earns the same rate everywhere (like the Chase Freedom Unlimited) may be better. If you travel frequently, a card focused on travel rewards typically offers more value than a card focused on shopping.