The Amazon Prime Rewards Card offers cash back on Amazon purchases and a $0 annual fee

The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card is a co-branded card issued by Chase. It gives you cash back on purchases at Amazon and Whole Foods, plus a smaller cash back rate on other purchases. There is no annual fee, and you do not need to be an Amazon Prime member to open the account, though the best rewards rates require an active Prime membership.

The card comes in two versions: one for Prime members and one for non-members. Prime members earn 5% cash back on Amazon purchases (up to $1,500 per year, then 1% after that), 2% at Whole Foods, and 1% on everything else. Non-members earn 3% on Amazon, 1% at Whole Foods, and 1% elsewhere. The cash back posts as a statement credit or can be redeemed for Amazon.com purchases.

Key Takeaways

  • Prime members earn 5% cash back on Amazon.com purchases up to $1,500 per year, then 1% after that threshold is reached.
  • The card has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, making it a low-cost option if you already shop on Amazon.
  • Cash back can be redeemed as a statement credit to your card bill or used to purchase items on Amazon.com.
  • Non-Prime members can still open the card but earn lower cash back rates: 3% on Amazon and 1% on other purchases.

How the cash back structure works

The card's rewards are tiered by where you spend. On Amazon.com, Prime members earn 5% cash back on the first $1,500 in purchases per year. Once you hit $1,500 in a calendar year, the rate drops to 1% for the rest of that year. This means the card pays you most on frequent Amazon shoppers who stay under the annual cap.

At Whole Foods Market, Prime members earn 2% cash back on all purchases. This applies to in-store transactions only, not to Whole Foods orders placed through Amazon Fresh or third-party delivery apps. On all other purchases—gas, restaurants, utilities, other retailers—you earn 1% cash back with no cap.

Cash back accrues as you spend and appears as a credit on your monthly statement. You can choose to redeem it as a statement credit (which reduces your balance due) or convert it to Amazon.com balance at a 1:1 ratio. There is no minimum redemption amount.

Annual fees and other costs

The Amazon Prime Rewards Card has no annual fee, regardless of whether you use it or how much you spend. This is different from many other premium rewards cards, which charge $95 to $550 per year. You also pay no foreign transaction fees if you use the card outside the United States.

Like most credit cards, you will pay interest on any balance you carry month to month. The card's APR (annual percentage rate) varies based on your credit score and creditworthiness. If you pay your full statement balance by the due date each month, you will not pay interest.

Sign-up bonuses and introductory offers

Chase periodically offers sign-up bonuses for new cardholders, though these change throughout the year. Recent offers have included cash back bonuses after you spend a certain amount in the first few months. The exact bonus amount and spending requirement vary by when you open the account.

Check the official Amazon.com credit card page or Chase's website to see the current offer before you open an account. Sign-up bonuses are not may provide and may differ based on your credit profile or whether you have held this card before.

Who benefits most from this card

The card makes the most sense if you are an active Amazon Prime member who spends regularly on Amazon.com. If you spend $300 or more per month on Amazon, the 5% cash back can add up quickly—that is $180 per year on $3,600 in annual purchases, assuming you stay under the $1,500 annual cap. For shoppers who hit the $1,500 cap early in the year, the benefit drops significantly after that point.

The card is also useful if you shop at Whole Foods and want to earn 2% cash back there. Since Whole Foods is owned by Amazon, Prime members get the same 2% rate on Whole Foods purchases as they do on most other retailers (1%), making it a small bonus for existing Whole Foods shoppers.

If you rarely shop on Amazon or do not have a Prime membership, a different cash back card may serve you better. Many cards offer flat 2% cash back on all purchases with no annual fee, which would beat the Amazon card's 1% rate on non-Amazon spending.

How to open and use the account

You can open the Amazon Prime Rewards Card through Amazon.com or directly through Chase. The process process is online and takes about 10 minutes. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, income, and current address. Chase will perform a hard credit inquiry, which may temporarily lower your credit score by a few points.

Once approved, the card is usually mailed within 7 to 10 business days. When it arrives, you will need to set up it before you can use it. Most cards can be activated through the Chase app, Chase's website, or by calling the number on the back of the card. After set up, you can use it when ready at Amazon.com, Whole Foods, or anywhere Visa is accepted.

To earn the full 5% cash back rate on Amazon, make sure your Prime membership is active and linked to your card account. You can check this in your Amazon account settings under "Memberships and Subscriptions." If your Prime membership lapses, your cash back rate will drop to 3% until you renew.

Comparing this card to other options

The Amazon Prime Rewards Card competes with several other cash back cards. The Chase Freedom Unlimited offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases with no annual fee and no cap, which beats the Amazon card's 1% rate on non-Amazon spending. However, it does not offer bonus rates on Amazon or Whole Foods.

The Capital One SavorOne offers 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, and streaming, plus 1% on all other purchases, with no annual fee. This card is better if you spend heavily on restaurants or entertainment rather than online shopping.

If you spend very little on Amazon but want a rewards card, a flat-rate card like the Chase Freedom Unlimited or Citi Double Cash (2% cash back on all purchases) may be more valuable. The Amazon card's strength is specifically in rewarding Amazon and Whole Foods spending, not general spending.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an Amazon Prime membership to open the card?

No. You can open the Amazon Prime Rewards Card without an active Prime membership. However, you will earn lower cash back rates: 3% on Amazon instead of 5%, and 1% at Whole Foods instead of 2%. If you later start a Prime membership, your rates will increase automatically.

What happens to my cash back if I cancel my Prime membership?

Your cash back rate will drop from 5% to 3% on Amazon purchases. Any cash back you have already earned will remain in your account and can still be redeemed. The rate change takes effect when ready when your Prime membership ends.

Can I use this card outside the United States?

Yes. The card works anywhere Visa is accepted internationally, and there are no foreign transaction fees. However, you will earn the standard cash back rates (1% on non-Amazon purchases, 5% on Amazon if you are a Prime member). Some merchants outside the US may not accept Visa Signature cards, so carry a backup payment method.

Is there a limit to how much cash back I can earn?

On Amazon purchases, Prime members earn 5% cash back only on the first $1,500 per year, then 1% after that. There is no limit on cash back earned at Whole Foods (2% for Prime members) or on other purchases (1%). The $1,500 cap resets on January 1 each year.

Can I transfer my cash back to other accounts or use it for anything besides Amazon?

Cash back can be redeemed as a statement credit to your card bill or converted to Amazon.com balance. You cannot transfer it to a bank account, another credit card, or a rewards program outside Amazon. If you want maximum flexibility with cash back, a different card may be better.