Amazon offers two main credit cards with different rewards structures
Amazon has two branded credit cards: the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card and the Amazon Rewards Visa Card. The Prime version requires an active Prime membership and gives higher rewards on Amazon purchases. The standard Amazon Rewards card has no membership requirement but lower earning rates. Both are issued by Chase.
The cards differ most in their earning structure. Prime cardholders earn 5% back on Amazon.com and Whole Foods purchases, 2% at restaurants and gas stations, and 1% elsewhere. Non-Prime cardholders earn 3% on Amazon purchases, 2% at restaurants and gas stations, and 1% on everything else. Neither card charges an annual fee.
Both cards offer a sign-up bonus, though the amount changes periodically. The bonus typically comes as a statement credit or Amazon.com promotional balance after you meet a spending threshold in the first few months. You should check the current offer before opening an account, as the bonus amount varies by month and by your personal offer.
Key Takeaways
- The Amazon Prime Rewards card earns 5% back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases if you have an active Prime membership, while the standard Amazon Rewards card earns 3% without requiring membership.
- Both cards have no annual fee, making them cost-free to hold even if you rarely use them.
- Sign-up bonuses are available but change regularly, so you should verify the current offer on Chase's website before opening an account.
- Rewards post as statement credits or Amazon.com promotional balances, not as cash back to your bank account.
- You can use either card anywhere Visa is accepted, not just at Amazon, though rewards rates are highest on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases.
How the sign-up bonus works
When you open an Amazon credit card, Chase offers a one-time bonus if you spend a certain amount within a set timeframe—usually $100 to $200 in statement credits after you spend $500 to $1,000 in the first three months. The exact bonus amount and spending requirement vary by card and by the current promotion.
The bonus posts to your account as either a statement credit (which reduces your balance) or as a promotional balance on Amazon.com (which you can spend like a gift card). You should confirm which type of bonus applies to your offer before opening the account, since some readers prefer one form over the other.
The bonus is one-time only per person per card. If you have closed an Amazon card in the past, you may not be able to earn the bonus again when ready, though Chase's rules on this change. Check the terms on the process page for any restrictions on who can earn the bonus.
Comparing the Prime and standard Amazon cards
| Feature | Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature | Amazon Rewards Visa Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | None | None |
| Amazon.com rewards | 5% back (requires active Prime) | 3% back |
| Whole Foods rewards | 5% back (requires active Prime) | 1% back |
| Restaurants and gas | 2% back | 2% back |
| All other purchases | 1% back | 1% back |
| Prime membership required | Yes | No |
The Prime card makes sense if you already pay for Prime membership and spend regularly on Amazon or Whole Foods. The 5% rate on those two merchants alone can offset the cost of Prime for many households. If you do not have Prime or rarely shop at either place, the standard card's 3% on Amazon may be enough.
One detail: the Prime card's 5% rate only applies if your Prime membership is active at the time of purchase. If your membership lapses, you drop to 1% on Amazon purchases until you renew. This matters if you let your subscription lapse between renewals.
How rewards are credited and used
Rewards on Amazon cards do not post as cash back to your bank account. Instead, they appear as a statement credit or as a promotional balance on your Amazon.com account, depending on how the card issuer processes them. You can then use that credit to buy anything on Amazon, or the statement credit reduces your card balance.
Rewards typically post within a few days of the transaction clearing. You can check your balance in your Amazon account under "Your Account" > "Login & Security" > "Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card" (or the standard card, depending on which you hold). The balance does not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing.
If you close the card, any remaining rewards balance may be forfeited or converted to a one-time statement credit, depending on Chase's current policy. You should spend down your balance before closing an account, or confirm what happens to unused rewards when you contact Chase to close the card.
What happens during the process process
You can open an Amazon card online through Chase's website or through Amazon.com itself. The process takes about 10 minutes and asks for your name, address, Social Security number, income, and employment information. Chase will pull your credit report (a hard inquiry) to make a decision.
You will receive a decision within minutes to a few business days. If approved, your card ships within 7 to 10 business days. You can use the card number for online purchases before the physical card arrives by requesting it in your Chase account.
If you are denied, Chase will send you a letter explaining why. Common reasons include insufficient credit history, recent late payments, or too many recent credit inquiries. You can call Chase to ask for reconsideration, though the outcome rarely changes without new information.
Annual fees, interest rates, and other costs
Neither Amazon card charges an annual fee, so there is no cost to hold the card even if you never use it. However, like all credit cards, both cards charge interest on balances you do not pay in full each month. The interest rate (APR) varies by person and is based on your credit score and history.
You will see the APR range on the process page—typically 16% to 24%—but your actual rate depends on Chase's review of your credit. If you carry a balance, interest accrues daily on the unpaid amount. The best way to avoid interest is to pay your full statement balance by the due date each month.
Both cards also charge late fees if you miss a payment, foreign transaction fees if you use the card outside the United States, and cash advance fees if you withdraw cash using the card. These fees are standard across most credit cards and are detailed in the card's terms and conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an Amazon account to open the card?
Yes, you need an active Amazon account to open either card. You can create a free account on Amazon.com if you do not have one. The account does not need to have any purchase history or Prime membership (unless you want the Prime card specifically).
Can I earn rewards on Amazon Business purchases?
Rewards rates are the same whether you use the card on a personal Amazon account or an Amazon Business account. However, some business-specific benefits may differ. Check the card terms if you plan to use it primarily for business purchases.
What is the difference between a statement credit and an Amazon.com promotional balance?
A statement credit reduces your card balance directly, like a payment. A promotional balance is a credit you can only spend on Amazon.com purchases. Both have the same value, but a statement credit gives you more flexibility if you want to use the rewards outside Amazon.
Can I transfer my rewards to another card or cash them out?
No, Amazon card rewards cannot be transferred to another card or converted to cash. They can only be used as a statement credit or spent on Amazon.com. If you want cash-back rewards, you would need to open a different credit card.
What happens to my rewards if I close the card?
Chase's policy on unused rewards when you close a card can change. Contact Chase before closing to confirm whether remaining rewards will be forfeited or converted to a one-time statement credit. It is safest to spend down your balance before closing the account.