What the Amazon Prime Visa Card is and who should consider it

The Amazon Prime Visa Card is a co-branded credit card issued by Chase in partnership with Amazon. It offers cash back rewards on Amazon purchases and at Whole Foods, plus additional rewards on dining, gas, and travel. The card is designed for people who shop on Amazon regularly and want to earn rewards on those purchases.

You do not need to be an Amazon Prime member to open this card, though most cardholders are. The card comes with no annual fee, which means you can hold it without paying to keep the account open. The main trade-off is that the rewards rates are highest for Amazon and Whole Foods purchases—other spending earns lower cash back percentages.

This card makes sense if you spend at least a few hundred dollars per year on Amazon or Whole Foods. If you rarely shop at either place, a general cash back card with a flat rate on all purchases might give you more value. If you travel frequently or eat out often, a card with higher rewards on those categories might be a better fit.

Key Takeaways

  • The Amazon Prime Visa Card earns 5% cash back on Amazon purchases and Whole Foods, 2% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% on everything else.
  • There is no annual fee, and you do not need to be a Prime member to open the card, though most cardholders are.
  • Cash back rewards are deposited as statement credits and can be used toward any purchase on the card.
  • The card is issued by Chase and requires a credit check during the process process.
  • Rewards rates and terms can change, so review the current offer before you open an account.

Rewards rates and how cash back is credited

The Amazon Prime Visa Card earns 5% cash back on Amazon.com purchases and Whole Foods Market purchases. You earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants. All other purchases earn 1% cash back. These rates explore to the primary cardholder and any authorized users on the account.

Cash back is credited to your account as a statement credit each month. You can use this credit to pay down your balance, or it will straightforward reduce the amount you owe. You cannot transfer cash back to a bank account or redeem it for other rewards—it stays on the card as a credit.

The 5% rate on Amazon purchases applies to Amazon.com and Amazon Fresh orders. It does not explore to purchases on third-party sellers' storefronts within Amazon, purchases at Amazon Go stores, or Amazon Business purchases. Whole Foods purchases include in-store and online orders, but only when you use the card at checkout.

If you are an Amazon Prime member, you may see promotional offers that boost rewards temporarily—for example, 10% cash back on Amazon purchases for the first three months. These offers vary and are sometimes sent to existing cardholders. Check your Amazon account or the Chase website to see current promotions.

How to open an account and what information you will need

You can open an Amazon Prime Visa Card account through Chase's website or through Amazon's website. Both routes lead to the same process. You will need to provide your Social Security number, date of birth, income, and employment status. Chase will run a hard credit inquiry, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points.

Have your driver's license or state ID ready, along with your current address. If you have moved recently, have your previous address available as well. You will also need to provide a phone number and email address. The entire process takes about 10 minutes.

After you submit your process, Chase typically makes a decision within minutes or a few hours. If you are approved, you will receive a temporary card number when ready that you can use to make purchases online. Your physical card will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If your process is pending, Chase may call you to verify information or ask additional questions.

If you are denied, Chase will send you a letter explaining the reason. Common reasons include insufficient credit history, recent negative marks on your credit report, or too many recent credit inquiries. You can reapply after addressing the issue, though waiting at least a few months between applications improves your chances.

Credit score requirements and approval odds

Chase does not publish a minimum credit score for the Amazon Prime Visa Card, but approval is most common for people with a credit score of 670 or higher. People with scores below 650 are rarely approved. Your credit score is one factor among many—Chase also looks at your income, employment history, and existing debts.

If you have recent negative marks on your credit report—such as a missed payment, collection account, or bankruptcy—approval is less likely. Chase typically wants to see at least two years of credit history. If you are new to credit, you may be denied even with a decent score.

The number of recent credit inquiries also matters. If you have applied for multiple credit cards or loans in the past few months, Chase may view you as higher risk. Spacing out applications by at least a few weeks improves your odds.

If you are denied, you can call Chase's reconsideration line to ask if they will reconsider your process. Sometimes providing additional information—such as a higher income or explanation of a past issue—can change the outcome. The number is on your denial letter.

Annual fees, interest rates, and other costs

The Amazon Prime Visa Card has no annual fee. You will never be charged just for holding the card, even if you do not use it.

The card carries a variable interest rate, which means the rate changes based on market conditions. As of now, the rate ranges from around 18% to 24% APR, depending on your creditworthiness. This rate applies to any balance you carry from month to month. If you pay your full balance each month, you pay no interest.

There is no foreign transaction fee, so you can use the card internationally without paying extra. There is also no late fee if you miss a payment by a day or two, though your interest rate may increase and your credit score will be damaged if you are significantly late.

If you transfer a balance from another card, Chase charges a balance transfer fee of 3% to 5% of the amount transferred. This fee is added to your balance and charged interest if you do not pay it off quickly.

How to set up your card and start earning rewards

When your physical card arrives, you will need to set up it before you can use it. You can set up it through Chase's website, the Chase mobile app, or by calling the number on the back of the card. set up takes less than a minute.

Once activated, you can use the card when ready at any merchant that accepts Visa. Your rewards will start posting to your account the same day you make a purchase. You do not need to enroll in the rewards program separately—you are automatically enrolled when you open the card.

If you opened the card online and received a temporary card number, that number is already active and you can use it right away. The temporary number will stop working once your physical card arrives and is activated.

You can track your rewards in real time through your Chase account online or in the mobile app. Your statement will also show your total cash back earned that month. There is no minimum cash back amount you need to earn before it is credited—even 1% cash back on a small purchase will be added to your account.

Managing your account and paying your bill

You can manage your Amazon Prime Visa Card account through Chase's website or mobile app. You can view your balance, recent transactions, and rewards earned. You can also set up automatic payments, update your address, and add or remove authorized users.

Your bill is due on the same date each month, which Chase will tell you when you open the account. You can pay your full balance, a minimum payment, or any amount in between. The minimum payment is typically 1% to 3% of your balance, but paying only the minimum means you will carry a balance and pay interest.

To avoid interest charges, pay your full statement balance by the due date each month. If you cannot pay the full amount, pay as much as you can to reduce the interest you owe. You can set up automatic payments to pay a fixed amount each month, or you can pay manually through the Chase website or app.

If you miss a payment, Chase will report it to the credit bureaus after 30 days. This will lower your credit score and may trigger a higher interest rate on your card. If you are more than 60 days late, Chase may close your account. If you think you will miss a payment, contact Chase before the due date to discuss your options.

Comparing the Amazon Prime Visa Card to other options

The main competitor to the Amazon Prime Visa Card is the Amazon Business Prime Visa Card, which is designed for business owners and offers similar rewards on Amazon purchases plus higher rewards on business-related spending. If you own a business, that card may be a better fit.

For general cash back, the Chase Freedom Unlimited card offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases with no annual fee. This is lower than the Amazon card's 5% on Amazon, but higher than its 1% on other purchases. The Freedom Unlimited makes sense if you do not shop on Amazon much.

The Capital One SavorOne card offers 3% cash back on dining and entertainment, 1% on all other purchases, and no annual fee. This is better than the Amazon card if you eat out frequently but worse if you shop on Amazon.

If you want to maximize rewards across multiple categories, you might use the Amazon Prime Visa Card for Amazon and Whole Foods purchases, then use a different card for dining or travel. Many people carry multiple cards to earn the highest rewards in each category.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. You can open the Amazon Prime Visa Card without a Prime membership. However, most cardholders are Prime members because they shop on Amazon frequently. If you are not a Prime member, the 5% cash back on Amazon purchases is still valuable if you order from Amazon regularly.

Can I use this card at stores other than Amazon and Whole Foods?

Yes. You can use the card anywhere Visa is accepted. You will earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% cash back on all other purchases. The 5% rate only applies to Amazon.com and Whole Foods purchases.

What happens to my rewards if I close the card?

Any cash back you have earned will remain on your account as a statement credit. You can use it to pay down your balance before you close the card, or it will stay there until you use it. Once the card is closed, you cannot earn new rewards, but existing rewards do not disappear.

How long does it take to receive my physical card?

Your physical card typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days after approval. You will receive a temporary card number when ready upon approval that you can use online right away. If your card does not arrive within two weeks, contact Chase to request a replacement.

Can I increase my credit limit?

Yes. You can request a credit limit increase through the Chase website or app, or by calling the number on the back of your card. Chase may approve the increase when ready or may ask for additional information. Requesting a limit increase may trigger a hard credit inquiry, which temporarily lowers your score.