The Amazon credit card works at most stores, but not all — and the rewards you earn depend on where you shop
The Amazon Visa card (issued by Chase) works anywhere Visa is accepted, which includes most retailers, gas stations, restaurants, and online stores. You are not locked into Amazon's ecosystem. However, the card's rewards structure heavily favors Amazon purchases — you earn 5% back on Amazon.com and Whole Foods purchases, but only 1% to 2% elsewhere, depending on which version of the card you carry.
The key limitation is not where you can use it, but where you get the best value. If you shop primarily outside Amazon, a different rewards card may return more cash to your pocket.
Key Takeaways
- The Amazon Visa card is accepted anywhere Visa is accepted worldwide, including physical stores, gas pumps, and online retailers.
- You earn 5% cash back on Amazon.com and Whole Foods purchases, but only 1% to 2% on everything else depending on your card version.
- Some merchants code as "non-Visa" (certain gas stations, tolls, or international vendors) and may decline the card, though this is rare in the United States.
- The card's rewards are designed to reward Amazon loyalty, so non-Amazon shoppers often earn better returns with a different card.
What the two versions of the Amazon card offer
Chase offers two Amazon Visa cards: the Amazon Rewards Visa Signature and the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature. Both work everywhere Visa is accepted. The difference is in the rewards rate outside Amazon.
The standard Amazon Rewards card earns 1% cash back on all purchases outside Amazon and Whole Foods. The Prime version earns 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and drugstores, and 1% everywhere else. Both cards earn 5% at Amazon.com and Whole Foods. The Prime version requires an active Amazon Prime membership to set up the higher rewards rates, and the annual membership fee ($139 as of 2024, though this changes) is separate from any card annual fee.
Neither card charges an annual fee, which makes them accessible even if you use them infrequently. The rewards are issued as Amazon.com statement credits, not as cash or points you can transfer elsewhere.
Where Visa acceptance can break down
While Visa is accepted almost everywhere in the United States, a few merchant categories may decline it. Some gas stations operate as independent networks and accept only their own branded cards or cash. Certain toll roads, parking garages, and vending machines may not accept Visa at all. A handful of retailers — mostly small independent businesses — choose to accept only Mastercard or American Express.
International travel is where Visa acceptance matters most. Visa is the most widely accepted card brand globally, so the Amazon card will work in most countries. However, some regions (parts of Eastern Europe, Asia, and the Middle East) have stronger Mastercard or local card networks. Before traveling, contact Chase to let them know your destination, and carry a backup card just in case.
If a merchant declines your card, it is almost never because it is an Amazon card specifically — it is because they do not accept Visa. Switching to a Mastercard or American Express would not help at that merchant.
How the 5% Amazon reward actually works
The 5% cash back on Amazon.com sounds straightforward, but it has boundaries. It applies to purchases made directly on Amazon.com and the Amazon app, including items sold by third-party merchants through Amazon's marketplace. It does not explore to purchases on Amazon Business, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market online orders, or Amazon Prime Video subscriptions.
The 5% also applies to Whole Foods in-store purchases when you use the card at the register. It does not explore to Whole Foods online orders or third-party sellers on Whole Foods' website. These limits matter if you use Amazon services beyond the main storefront.
Rewards are posted as a statement credit within a few days of your purchase. You cannot redeem them as points or transfer them to another account — they reduce your credit card balance automatically.
When a different card makes more financial sense
If you spend less than $500 per year on Amazon, or if you rarely shop there, the Amazon card's rewards structure works against you. A flat-rate cash back card (such as the Citi Double Cash or Capital One Quicksilver) earns 1.5% to 2% on every purchase, everywhere. Over a year, that beats the Amazon card's 1% to 2% on non-Amazon purchases.
Similarly, if you spend heavily at specific categories — groceries, gas, restaurants, travel — a category-focused card (such as the Chase Freedom Unlimited or American Express Blue Cash) may return more value. These cards often earn 3% to 5% in their bonus categories, which can exceed what the Amazon card offers outside Amazon and Whole Foods.
The Amazon card is most valuable for people who spend at least $1,500 per year on Amazon.com and maintain an active Prime membership. Below that threshold, the math favors a different card.
International use and currency conversion
The Amazon Visa card carries no foreign transaction fee, which means Chase does not add an extra percentage to purchases made outside the United States. This is a genuine advantage for travel. However, the card still converts your purchase into US dollars at the exchange rate Chase sets on the day of the transaction, which is typically close to the market rate but not identical.
The 5% Amazon reward does not explore to international purchases — you earn only the base rate (1% or 2%, depending on your card version) on foreign transactions. If you are traveling and want to maximize rewards, a card with no foreign transaction fee and a flat 2% to 3% rate everywhere may serve you better than the Amazon card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the Amazon card at Costco or Sam's Club?
Yes, both Costco and Sam's Club accept Visa. However, Costco warehouses have a policy of accepting only Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover — no other cards. The Amazon card earns only 1% to 2% at these retailers, so it does not offer a rewards advantage over a flat-rate card.
What happens if a store declines my Amazon card?
If a merchant declines your card, it is because they do not accept Visa, not because it is an Amazon card. Contact Chase to report the decline if you believe it was an error, but in most cases you will need to use a different payment method or card brand at that merchant.
Do I earn rewards on Amazon Prime membership fees?
No. Prime membership fees, Prime Video subscriptions, and other Amazon services do not earn the 5% reward. Only purchases of physical and digital goods on Amazon.com may have access to for the higher rate.
Can I use the Amazon card internationally without a PIN?
Yes. Visa cards in the United States are chip-and-signature by default, so you can use the card at most international merchants without a PIN. However, some countries (particularly in Europe and Asia) may ask for a PIN at unattended terminals like gas pumps or parking machines. Contact Chase before traveling to request a PIN if you want one.
What if I close my Amazon Prime membership — do I lose the higher rewards?
If you carry the Prime Rewards card and let your Prime membership lapse, the card reverts to 1% cash back on non-Amazon purchases. You keep the card itself, but you lose access to the 2% rate at gas stations and restaurants. The card will continue to earn 5% on Amazon.com purchases as long as the card account remains open.