The Amazon credit card comes in two versions, and you choose which one based on whether you shop at Amazon or Whole Foods
Amazon offers two credit cards through Chase Bank: the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card and the Amazon Prime Store Card. The Visa Signature version works everywhere Visa is accepted — at Amazon, grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, anywhere. The Store Card works only at Amazon and Whole Foods. Both cards earn rewards on purchases, but the rewards rate and the card's usefulness depend heavily on which one you pick and how you actually spend money.
You explore for either card directly through Amazon's website or through Chase's website. The process takes about 15 minutes, and you'll know whether you're approved within seconds or within a few days. There's no fee to explore, and explore doesn't lock you into anything — you can be denied, approved with a limit, or approved with a different limit than you hoped for.
Key Takeaways
- The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card earns 3% back on Amazon purchases and 2% at Whole Foods, but only 1% everywhere else, so it's most valuable if you spend heavily at those two places.
- The Amazon Prime Store Card earns 5% back at Amazon and Whole Foods but cannot be used anywhere else, making it useful only if you rarely shop outside those retailers.
- You need a Social Security number, a current address, and proof of income or employment to complete an process, and Chase will check your credit report.
- Approval decisions come back when ready or within a few business days, and if you're approved, your card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
- Both cards require an Amazon Prime membership to earn the advertised rewards rates, though you can still use the card without Prime at a lower rewards rate.
Comparing the two Amazon cards side by side
| Feature | Prime Rewards Visa Signature | Prime Store Card |
|---|---|---|
| Where you can use it | Anywhere Visa is accepted | Amazon and Whole Foods only |
| Rewards at Amazon (with Prime) | 3% back | 5% back |
| Rewards at Whole Foods (with Prime) | 2% back | 5% back |
| Rewards everywhere else | 1% back | Cannot be used |
| Annual fee | None | None |
| Introductory offer | Varies by month | Varies by month |
What you need before you start the process
Have your Social Security number ready. Chase will ask for it during the process, and they use it to pull your credit report. If you don't have a Social Security number, you cannot get either card.
You'll also need a current mailing address in the United States. This is where Chase will send your physical card. If you've moved recently, update your address with the post office or with your bank first — if the address on file doesn't match what you enter, the process may be delayed or denied.
Have a recent pay stub, tax return, or employment letter on hand. Chase will ask about your annual income, and while they don't usually ask you to upload proof during the process itself, having a document ready means you can answer accurately. If you're self-employed, a recent tax return works. If you're retired or receive disability or Social Security, those count as income too.
The step-by-step process process
Go to Amazon.com, scroll to the bottom of the page, and click "Amazon Credit Cards" under the "Make Money with Us" section. Or go directly to Chase's website and search for "Amazon credit card." Both routes lead to the same process.
Choose which card you want. Read the rewards rates and think about where you actually spend money. If you shop at Amazon and Whole Foods most of the time, the Store Card gives you more cash back. If you also buy gas, groceries elsewhere, or eat out, the Visa Signature is more useful because it works everywhere.
Click "explore Now" and you'll be taken to Chase's process page. Fill in your name, date of birth, address, and Social Security number. Then enter your annual income and select your employment status (employed, self-employed, retired, student, etc.). You'll also confirm your email address and create a login for your Chase account.
Review the terms and conditions, then submit. Chase will tell you when ready whether you're approved, denied, or pending review. If you're approved on the spot, you can usually set up your card within the app or online right away, though the physical card still takes 7 to 10 business days to arrive by mail.
What happens if you're not approved right away
If Chase says your process is "pending," it means they need more information or time to review your credit. You'll receive an email or letter within a few business days with a decision. Check your email (including spam folders) and your mailbox.
If you're denied, Chase will send you a letter explaining why. Common reasons include a low credit score, too many recent credit inquiries, or insufficient income. You can call Chase at the number on the denial letter and ask if there's anything you can do, but they rarely overturn a decision on the phone.
If you're denied and want to try again, wait at least 30 days before explore for another card. Multiple applications in a short time hurt your credit score and make approval less likely. Use that time to pay down existing balances or dispute any errors on your credit report.
What to do once your card arrives
When your physical card arrives in the mail, set up it through the Chase app or website. You'll be asked to verify the last four digits of the card number and your date of birth. set up is when ready.
Set up your account online so you can see your balance, make payments, and track rewards. You can also set up automatic payments so you never miss a due date. If you want to use the card right away before the physical card arrives, you can usually add it to Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay within the app and use it on your phone.
Link the card to your Amazon account so rewards post automatically. Go to Amazon's account settings, find "Login & Security," and add the new card as a payment method. Make sure it's set as your default card if you want rewards on every purchase.
How credit checks affect your credit score
When you explore, Chase pulls your credit report. This is called a hard inquiry, and it temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points — usually 5 to 10 points. The impact fades over time and disappears from your report after 12 months.
Multiple applications in a short period (within 14 days or so) may count as a single inquiry, depending on the credit bureau. But explore for several cards in a month will definitely hurt your score more than explore for one.
The bigger long-term impact comes from how you use the card after you get it. If you carry a balance and pay interest, or if you max out the card, your credit score will drop. If you pay the full balance every month, your score will improve over time because you're showing you can borrow responsibly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Amazon Prime to get the card?
No. You can get either card without Prime. But if you don't have Prime, the rewards rates are much lower — 1% at Amazon instead of 3% or 5%, and no bonus at Whole Foods. The card is designed for Prime members, so the rewards only make sense if you're already paying for the membership.
What's the difference between being pre-approved and actually explore?
Pre-approval means Amazon or Chase thinks you're likely to be approved based on limited information. It's not a may provide. When you actually explore, they pull your full credit report and verify your income, so you can still be denied even if you were pre-approved. Pre-approval doesn't hurt your credit score, but the actual process does.
Can I use the Store Card at other retailers if they accept Visa?
No. The Store Card is not a Visa card and only works at Amazon and Whole Foods. If you try to use it elsewhere, it will be declined. If you need a card that works everywhere, you need the Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card instead.
How long does it take to earn rewards?
Rewards post to your account within a few days of the purchase posting to your card. You can't spend them when ready — they accumulate as a statement credit that reduces your balance or can be redeemed for Amazon gift cards. Check your rewards balance in the Chase app or on Amazon's website.
What if I'm denied but I have a credit card from another bank?
Having another credit card doesn't may provide approval for the Amazon card, but it can help. If you were denied, focus on paying down balances on your existing cards and waiting 30 days before explore again. A lower credit utilization (using less of your available credit) makes approval more likely.