What the Amazon Chase credit card is and who it's for

The Amazon Chase credit card is a rewards card issued by Chase Bank that gives you cash back on purchases, with higher rewards rates at Amazon and Whole Foods. You earn 5% cash back on Amazon purchases (up to $1,500 per year, then 1% after that), 2% at Whole Foods and certain gas stations, and 1% on everything else. There is no annual fee.

This card makes sense if you shop at Amazon regularly and want to turn those purchases into cash back. It also works as a general-purpose card for other spending. The card is not exclusive to Prime members, though Amazon offers a separate Prime Rewards Visa that has different benefits.

If you rarely shop at Amazon or prefer travel rewards over cash back, other cards may fit your spending better. The card requires good credit to be approved — typically a credit score of 670 or higher, though Chase does not publish exact minimums.

Key Takeaways

  • The Amazon Chase card earns 5% cash back on Amazon purchases up to $1,500 per year, then 1% after that, with no annual fee.
  • You earn 2% cash back at Whole Foods and certain gas stations, and 1% on all other purchases.
  • Cash back appears as a statement credit or can be deposited to your bank account, and does not expire as long as your account stays open.
  • You need good credit to be approved, and the card reports to all three credit bureaus, so it affects your credit score when you open it.
  • The 5% cap at Amazon ($1,500 per year) means the highest earners may want a second card for purchases beyond that threshold.

How cash back works and when you receive it

Cash back is a percentage of what you spend that the card issuer gives back to you. With the Amazon Chase card, you earn it automatically on every purchase — you do not have to enroll in a program or set up categories. The cash back posts to your account monthly.

You can use your cash back in two ways. The most common is to let it appear as a statement credit, which reduces your bill when it arrives. You can also request that Chase deposit the cash back directly to your bank account. Cash back does not expire as long as your account remains open, so you can let it accumulate if you prefer.

The 5% rate at Amazon stops once you reach $1,500 in purchases in a calendar year. After that, purchases earn 1% for the rest of the year. This means if you spend $3,000 at Amazon annually, you earn 5% on the first $1,500 ($75) and 1% on the remaining $1,500 ($15), for a total of $90 cash back.

Annual fees, interest rates, and other costs

The Amazon Chase card has no annual fee, which means you pay nothing just to hold the card. This is unusual for rewards cards and makes it inexpensive to keep open even if you use it only occasionally.

If you carry a balance and do not pay it off in full each month, you will pay interest. The card's annual percentage rate (APR) varies by person and is determined when you explore — Chase typically offers rates between 16% and 24% for this card, though your rate depends on your credit history and current credit score. If you plan to carry a balance, the interest you pay will likely exceed any cash back you earn.

There are no foreign transaction fees, so you can use this card internationally without extra charges. There is also no fee for late payments, but paying late damages your credit score and can trigger a higher APR.

How opening this card affects your credit

When you explore for the Amazon Chase card, Chase performs a hard inquiry on your credit report. This inquiry lowers your credit score by a small amount — typically 5 to 10 points — and stays on your report for about 12 months. The impact is temporary and usually recovers within a few months if you pay on time.

Opening the card also adds a new account to your credit history. This lowers your average account age (which makes up 15% of your credit score) but also increases your total available credit, which can improve your score over time. The net effect is usually a small dip for a few months, then recovery.

The card reports to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, so your payment history on this card affects your score at all three bureaus. Paying on time every month builds your credit. Missing a payment or carrying a high balance relative to your credit limit can damage your score.

Comparing this card to other Amazon and cash back options

Amazon offers two credit cards through Chase: the Amazon Chase card (described here) and the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa. The Prime card requires a Prime membership and earns 5% at Amazon and Whole Foods for Prime members, 2% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% elsewhere. It also has no annual fee. The main difference is that the Prime card's 5% rate has no $1,500 cap, so high spenders benefit more.

If you do not have a Prime membership and do not plan to get one, the standard Amazon Chase card is the better choice. If you have Prime and spend more than $1,500 per year at Amazon, the Prime card's unlimited 5% rate saves you money.

For general cash back without an Amazon focus, cards like the Citi Double Cash (2% on all purchases) or the Capital One SavorOne (3% on dining and entertainment, 1% elsewhere) may work better if your spending is spread across categories. The Amazon card's strength is in concentrating rewards at Amazon and Whole Foods.

How to use the card responsibly

The most important rule is to pay your full balance every month. If you carry a balance, the interest charges will quickly erase any cash back you earn. For example, if you carry a $1,000 balance at 20% APR, you pay about $17 in interest per month — far more than the $10 in cash back you might earn on $1,000 in spending.

Avoid spending more just because you earn cash back. Cash back is a bonus on purchases you would make anyway, not a reason to buy things you do not need. Spending an extra $100 to earn $1 in cash back is a loss, not a gain.

Keep your credit utilization low — ideally below 30% of your credit limit. If your limit is $5,000, try not to carry a balance above $1,500. High utilization damages your credit score even if you pay on time, because it signals to lenders that you are relying heavily on credit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be an Amazon Prime member to use this card?

No. The standard Amazon Chase card works for anyone and has no Prime requirement. You earn the same 5% cash back at Amazon whether you have Prime or not. If you do have Prime and spend heavily at Amazon, the Prime Rewards Visa card may offer better value because it has no $1,500 cap on the 5% rate.

What happens to my cash back if I close the card?

Any cash back you have earned stays in your account and can still be used as a statement credit or transferred to your bank account. However, future purchases earn no cash back once the account is closed. If you have not used your cash back yet, redeem it before closing the card to make sure you do not forget about it.

Can I use this card internationally?

Yes. The card works at merchants outside the United States and earns the same cash back rates. There are no foreign transaction fees. However, some merchants may not accept Visa cards, and you should notify Chase before traveling so they do not block your card for fraud protection.

How long does it take to get approved?

Chase usually notifies you of approval or denial within minutes of explore online. If approved, your physical card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can often use the card number for online purchases before the physical card arrives.

What credit score do I need to be approved?

Chase does not publish a minimum credit score, but this card typically goes to people with good credit — usually 670 or higher. If your score is lower, you may be denied or offered a different card. Checking your score before explore can give you a sense of your chances, though only Chase can make the final decision.