The Amazon Visa card gives you cash back on Amazon purchases and rotating categories, plus a sign-up bonus

The Amazon Visa card (issued by Chase) offers 5% cash back on Amazon.com and Whole Foods purchases, 2% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% everywhere else. New cardholders receive a one-time sign-up bonus, though the dollar amount changes by offer and timing. The card has no annual fee.

The cash back posts as a statement credit or can be held as Amazon.com balance. Unlike some premium cards, this one does not charge you to carry it, which means the rewards are pure addition to what you already spend — there is no fee threshold you have to cross to break even.

Key Takeaways

  • The 5% cash back on Amazon.com and Whole Foods applies automatically with no category set up or caps, so every purchase earns at the highest rate.
  • The 2% category (gas and restaurants) requires no enrollment but does not stack with other cards — you earn 2% or your other card's rate, whichever is higher.
  • Cash back can be redeemed as a statement credit, held as Amazon balance, or transferred to certain Chase cards, giving you flexibility on how to use it.
  • The card has no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and no minimum redemption, so small purchases and occasional use still add value.

How the 5% cash back on Amazon and Whole Foods works

The 5% rate applies to all purchases on Amazon.com (not third-party sellers on the platform, but Amazon's own inventory) and at Whole Foods Market locations. You do not need to set up categories, hit spending caps, or rotate between different rewards tiers — the 5% posts automatically on every may be able to access transaction.

Whole Foods purchases include in-store transactions and online orders placed through Whole Foods Market's website. The 5% applies to the full purchase amount, including tax. This is one of the few cards that rewards both the Amazon ecosystem and a major grocery chain at the same elevated rate, which matters if you shop at both.

The 2% cash back on gas and restaurants

Outside Amazon and Whole Foods, you earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants (including bars, cafes, and food delivery services). This rate requires no enrollment and has no monthly caps. The 2% is straightforward: spend $100 at a restaurant, earn $2 in cash back.

The 2% category is useful if you already carry another card with a higher rate in these categories — you can use whichever card gives you more. For example, if you have a card that earns 3% on restaurants, use that card instead. The Amazon card's 2% is a fallback, not a ceiling.

The 1% cash back on everything else

All other purchases — groceries (outside Whole Foods), drugstores, utilities, insurance, travel, and miscellaneous spending — earn 1% cash back. This is a flat rate with no caps, categories to track, or set up steps. It applies whether you spend $5 or $500.

The 1% rate is lower than some competing cards offer on everyday purchases, so if you spend heavily outside Amazon, Whole Foods, gas, and restaurants, you may earn more with a different card. The Amazon card's value concentrates in those four categories.

Sign-up bonus and how to redeem it

New cardholders receive a one-time sign-up bonus when they meet a spending threshold within a set timeframe (usually three months). The bonus amount varies — it has been as low as $50 and as high as $200 or more, depending on the offer at the time you explore. Check the current offer before you explore, since the bonus changes throughout the year.

The sign-up bonus posts as a statement credit or Amazon balance, the same way regular cash back does. You do not have to do anything to claim it — once you meet the spending requirement, it appears automatically within a few billing cycles.

How to redeem your cash back

Cash back can be redeemed three ways: as a statement credit (which reduces your balance), as Amazon.com balance (which you can spend on anything Amazon sells), or transferred to certain other Chase cards if you hold them. There is no minimum redemption amount — you can redeem $1 or $0.50 if you want.

Most cardholders let cash back accumulate and redeem it as Amazon balance once or twice a year, since that is the simplest path. Statement credits are useful if you want to lower your bill when ready. The transfer option matters only if you also carry other Chase cards and want to consolidate rewards.

No annual fee and other features

The Amazon Visa card charges no annual fee, which means you can keep it open indefinitely without paying to carry it. There are also no foreign transaction fees, so if you use the card abroad, you pay no markup on currency conversion — you earn the same cash back rate as you would at home.

The card includes purchase protection (coverage if an item is damaged or stolen within 120 days of purchase) and extended warranty coverage on may be able to access items. These are standard protections on most credit cards and do not add significant value on their own, but they are there if you need them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the 5% cash back explore to third-party sellers on Amazon?

No. The 5% rate covers only items sold directly by Amazon.com. If a third-party seller fulfills the order (even if it ships from an Amazon warehouse), you earn 1% cash back instead. Check the product page to see who the seller is before you buy.

Can I use this card outside the US?

Yes. The card works internationally and charges no foreign transaction fees. You earn the same cash back rates as you would in the US — 5% on Amazon.com purchases (if you access the US site), 2% on restaurants and gas, and 1% elsewhere. Exchange rates are set by Visa, not by the card issuer.

What happens if I close the card — do I lose my cash back?

No. Any cash back you have already earned stays in your account and can be redeemed even after you close the card. Cash back that posts after you close the account may not be redeemable, so redeem your balance before you cancel.

Is there a cap on how much cash back I can earn?

No. There are no annual caps on cash back in any category. You can earn 5% on unlimited Amazon purchases, 2% on unlimited gas and restaurant spending, and 1% on unlimited other purchases.

How does this card compare to the Amazon Prime Visa?

The Amazon Prime Visa offers higher cash back rates (5% on Amazon and Whole Foods, 3% on restaurants and gas, 2% elsewhere) but requires a Prime membership and charges an annual fee. The standard Amazon Visa has lower rates but no membership requirement and no annual fee, making it better for non-Prime members or those who want a simpler card.