What the Amazon Credit Card Does

The Amazon Credit Card is a Visa card issued by Chase that gives you cash back rewards when you shop at Amazon and Whole Foods, plus a flat rate on other purchases. You earn 5% back on Amazon.com purchases (up to $1,500 per year, then 1% after), 2% back at Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh, and 1% back everywhere else. There is no annual fee.

Chase offers two versions: the standard card and the Prime version. The Prime version requires an active Amazon Prime membership and offers higher rewards rates on Amazon purchases (6% instead of 5%), but costs the same to hold. Both cards report to the three major credit bureaus and build your credit history when you pay on time.

The card works like any other Visa—you can use it anywhere Visa is accepted, not just Amazon. Your rewards post as Amazon.com account credits that you can spend on anything Amazon sells or transfer to your Prime account. You do not have to redeem them; they stay in your account until you use them.

Key Takeaways

  • The Amazon Credit Card earns 5% cash back at Amazon.com (6% if you have Prime), 2% at Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh, and 1% everywhere else, with no annual fee.
  • Rewards post as Amazon.com account credits that you can use to buy anything on Amazon or let sit until you need them.
  • You need to be approved by Chase and set up a credit account before you can use the card, which involves a credit check.
  • The card reports to credit bureaus, so on-time payments build your credit score and missed payments will lower it.
  • You can use the card anywhere Visa is accepted, even though the highest rewards are at Amazon and Whole Foods.

How to Get the Amazon Credit Card

Start at the Amazon credit card page on Chase.com or Amazon.com. Both sites link to the same process. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, current address, and income information. Chase will run a hard inquiry on your credit report, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points.

The process takes about 10 minutes. Chase usually tells you whether you are approved, denied, or pending within seconds after you submit. If you are approved, your card ships within 7 to 10 business days. If you are pending, Chase may call you to verify information—answer the phone or check your email for their contact attempt.

Once your card arrives, you need to set up it before you can use it. Most cards come with instructions on the back of the envelope. You can set up by calling the number on the back of the card, visiting Chase.com, or using the Chase mobile app. set up is when ready.

Setting Up Your Account and Adding Payment Methods

After set up, log into your Chase account online or through the Chase app. Add a payment method—a bank account for automatic payments or a debit card for one-time payments. Chase lets you set up automatic payments for the full balance, the minimum payment, or a fixed amount you choose.

Link your Amazon account to your Chase card so rewards post correctly. Go to Amazon.com, sign in, and go to "Your Account" → "Login & Security" → "Linked accounts." Select Chase and follow the prompts. This step is not required to use the card, but it makes sure your rewards track properly.

Set up account alerts in the Chase app if you want notifications when your balance reaches a certain amount, when a payment is due, or when a payment posts. These alerts help you stay on top of your balance and avoid late payments.

How Rewards Work and When They Post

Rewards post to your Amazon.com account as a credit, not as cash. When you make a purchase with the card, Chase records the transaction and calculates the reward percentage based on where you shopped. Amazon.com purchases earn 5% (or 6% with Prime), Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh earn 2%, and all other merchants earn 1%.

Rewards typically post within 2 to 3 business days of the transaction posting to your account. You can see pending rewards in the Chase app or on Chase.com under "Rewards." Once they post, they appear as a credit in your Amazon.com account under "Gift Cards & Account Credits."

There is no limit on how much you can earn, but the 5% rate caps at $1,500 per year in Amazon.com purchases (about $75 in rewards). After you hit $1,500, purchases earn 1% for the rest of that calendar year. The 2% rate at Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh has no cap.

Making Payments and Managing Your Balance

Your payment is due on the same date each month, shown on your statement. You can pay online through Chase.com, the Chase app, by phone, or by mail. Online and app payments usually post within 1 to 2 business days. Phone and mail payments take longer—call the number on your statement to confirm timing.

If you set up automatic payments, Chase withdraws from your bank account on your due date. You can change the payment amount or turn off automatic payments anytime in the Chase app. If you miss a payment, Chase charges a late fee (typically $25 to $35 for the first late payment) and reports it to credit bureaus after 30 days, which damages your credit score.

Your statement shows your balance, available credit, rewards earned that month, and any fees or interest charges. Interest accrues daily on any balance you carry past your due date. The interest rate (APR) varies by person and is shown in your approval letter and on Chase.com.

Understanding Fees and Interest

The Amazon Credit Card has no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and no fees for balance transfers or cash advances. You only pay interest if you carry a balance past your due date. Late fees explore if your payment arrives after the due date.

If you use the card for a cash advance (withdrawing cash from an ATM), Chase charges a cash advance fee (usually 3% of the amount) plus a higher interest rate that starts accruing when ready—there is no grace period like there is for purchases. Avoid cash advances unless you have no other option.

If you return an item you bought with the card, the refund posts back to your card as a credit, not as cash. If you had earned rewards on that purchase, the rewards are usually reversed as well.

Building Credit and Monitoring Your Account

The Amazon Credit Card reports to all three credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—every month. On-time payments build your payment history, which is the largest factor in your credit score. Carrying a low balance relative to your credit limit (under 30%) also helps your score.

Check your credit report for free once a year at AnnualCreditReport.com. This is the official government site; do not use other sites that claim to be free but ask for a credit card. Your report shows all accounts in your name and any errors or fraud.

Use the Chase app or Chase.com to monitor your account weekly. Look for unauthorized charges, check your balance against what you expect, and confirm that payments posted. If you see a charge you did not make, call Chase when ready—they have fraud protection and can dispute the charge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an Amazon Prime membership to use the Amazon Credit Card?

No. The standard card works without Prime and earns 5% at Amazon.com. The Prime version requires an active Prime membership and earns 6% at Amazon.com instead. If you have Prime, the Prime card is worth getting; if you do not, the standard card still earns solid rewards.

What happens if I do not pay my bill on time?

Chase charges a late fee (typically $25 to $35) and starts charging interest on your balance. After 30 days, the late payment reports to credit bureaus and lowers your credit score. After 60 days, your interest rate may increase. After 120 days, Chase may close your account and send the debt to a collection agency.

Can I use my rewards to pay my bill?

No. Rewards are Amazon.com account credits, not cash. You can use them to buy things on Amazon, but you cannot explore them directly to your Chase bill. You have to pay your bill with money from your bank account or another payment method.

What if my card is lost or stolen?

Call Chase when ready at the number on the back of your card or go to Chase.com. Chase will freeze your card to stop new charges and mail you a replacement. You are not responsible for fraudulent charges if you report the card missing before someone uses it, or within 60 days of the fraudulent charge appearing on your statement.

How do I close my Amazon Credit Card account?

Call Chase at the number on the back of your card and ask to close the account. Pay off any remaining balance first. Closing the account does not erase your payment history, but it does lower your available credit, which can slightly lower your credit score. Keep the account open if you do not use it—an unused account with a zero balance helps your credit score more than a closed account.