What the Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card offers
The Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card is a co-branded credit card issued by Chase in partnership with Amazon. It earns cash back on purchases — the rate depends on where you shop and whether you have an Amazon Prime membership. The card has no annual fee, and you can use it anywhere Visa is accepted, not just on Amazon.
The cash back structure is straightforward: you earn a higher percentage on Amazon purchases and at Whole Foods, and a lower percentage on everything else. If you do not have Prime, the Amazon purchase rate is lower. The card also includes benefits like extended warranty protection and purchase protection, which are standard on Visa Signature cards.
Key Takeaways
- The card earns 3% cash back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases if you have Prime, or 1% if you do not, plus 1% on all other purchases.
- There is no annual fee, and the card works anywhere Visa is accepted, not only at Amazon.
- You must be approved by Chase before you can use the card, which involves a credit check and review of your credit history.
- 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.
- The card includes Visa Signature protections like extended warranty and purchase protection, but these have limits and exclusions.
How to get the card and what happens after approval
You can request the card through Amazon.com or directly from Chase. The process takes a few minutes online. You will need your Social Security number, current address, income, and employment information. Chase runs a hard inquiry on your credit report, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points.
Chase typically tells you whether you are approved, denied, or pending within seconds. If approved, the card ships to your address within 7 to 10 business days. Once it arrives, you must set up it before you can use it — you can do this online, by phone, or through the Chase mobile app. After set up, the card works when ready at any merchant that accepts Visa.
If you are denied, Chase will mail you a notice explaining the reason. Common reasons include insufficient credit history, too many recent credit inquiries, or a low credit score. You can request reconsideration by calling Chase, though the outcome rarely changes without new information.
Understanding the cash back rates and how they work
The cash back you earn depends on your membership status and where you spend. With an active Prime membership, you earn 3% cash back on Amazon.com purchases and at Whole Foods Market locations. Without Prime, you earn 1% on those same purchases. On all other purchases — gas, groceries elsewhere, restaurants, utilities — you earn 1% cash back regardless of Prime status.
Cash back is calculated on the full purchase amount, including tax. It appears on your monthly statement as a statement credit, reducing what you owe. You can also request that cash back be deposited directly to a linked bank account instead. Cash back does not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing.
The card does not have a cash back cap or maximum earning rate. You can earn as much as you spend, though some merchants may code purchases in ways that affect the rate — for example, a warehouse club might code as a different merchant category and earn 1% instead of 3%.
Annual fees, interest rates, and costs to know
The Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card has no annual fee. You pay nothing to hold the card or to earn cash back on purchases.
If you carry a balance from month to month, you will pay interest. The card's annual percentage rate (APR) varies by creditworthiness and is disclosed in your approval documents and account terms. As of the most recent information, rates typically range from 16% to 24%, though your actual rate depends on your credit score and history. Introductory APR offers on purchases or balance transfers are not currently part of this card.
Late payments incur a fee, typically $25 to $39 depending on how late the payment is. Paying your full balance by the due date avoids interest charges entirely.
Visa Signature benefits and what they actually cover
As a Visa Signature card, this product includes several protections. Extended warranty protection adds one year to the manufacturer's warranty on may be able to access items you purchase with the card. Purchase protection covers items you buy if they are damaged or stolen within 120 days of purchase, up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account per year. Travel accident insurance covers accidental death or dismemberment if you are injured while traveling on a ticket purchased with the card.
These protections have limits and exclusions. Extended warranty does not cover items used for business purposes, and purchase protection excludes certain categories like jewelry, cash, and vehicles. To use these benefits, you typically must file a claim with Visa within a set timeframe and provide proof of purchase and the damage or loss.
The card also includes fraud protection — if someone uses your card number without permission, you are not liable for unauthorized charges once you report them to Chase.
Managing your account and paying your bill
You can manage your account through the Chase website or the Chase mobile app. Both let you view your balance, make payments, set up automatic payments, and read statements. You can also call Chase customer service at the number on the back of your card.
Payments are due by the statement due date each month. You can pay the full balance, the minimum payment, or any amount in between. Paying the full balance by the due date avoids interest charges. If you pay only the minimum, interest accrues on the remaining balance at your card's APR.
You can set up automatic payments to pay the full balance, the minimum, or a fixed amount each month. This reduces the chance of missing a payment. If you miss a payment, Chase reports it to the credit bureaus after 30 days, which damages your credit score.
When the Amazon Rewards card makes sense and when it does not
The card is most valuable if you have an active Prime membership and spend regularly on Amazon or Whole Foods. The 3% rate on those purchases adds up quickly — $300 in cash back on $10,000 spent annually. If you do not have Prime, the 1% rate on Amazon purchases is competitive but not exceptional, and you may find better options elsewhere.
The card is also useful if you want a no-annual-fee Visa card that works everywhere and earns cash back on everyday purchases. The 1% rate on non-Amazon spending is modest but better than cards with no rewards at all.
The card is less useful if you rarely shop on Amazon or Whole Foods, or if you carry a balance month to month. The interest charges will quickly outpace any cash back you earn. In that case, a card with a 0% introductory APR period might be a better fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to my cash back if I close the card?
Any cash back you have earned remains on your account and can be used as a statement credit or transferred to your bank account. Once you close the card, you stop earning new cash back, but existing rewards do not disappear. You have time to redeem them before the account is fully closed.
Can I use this card if I do not have an Amazon account?
Yes. The card works anywhere Visa is accepted. You do not need an Amazon account to request it or use it, though you will not earn the higher cash back rate on Amazon purchases without an account and Prime membership.
Does the card offer a sign-up bonus?
Sign-up bonuses for this card change periodically and are not may provide. When available, they typically offer a statement credit or cash back after you spend a certain amount in the first few months. Check the current offer on Amazon or Chase before you request the card.
What is the difference between this card and the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card?
The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card requires an active Prime membership to open and use. The Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card does not require Prime, but you earn a higher rate if you have it. If you have Prime and want the card, either version works, though the Prime-specific version may have slightly different terms.
How does the credit check affect my credit score?
Chase performs a hard inquiry, which temporarily lowers your score by a few points. The impact is usually small and fades within a few months. Multiple applications in a short time have a larger effect, so space out credit card requests if you are considering more than one.