What the Amazon Payment Card Is

The Amazon Payment Card is a credit card issued by Amazon in partnership with a bank. It works like any other credit card — you use it to make purchases, receive a bill each month, and pay interest if you carry a balance. The main difference is that Amazon offers rewards (called cashback or points) when you use it, especially on Amazon.com purchases and at Whole Foods.

Amazon actually offers two versions: the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card and the Amazon Rewards Visa Card. The Prime version requires an Amazon Prime membership and gives higher rewards rates. The standard Rewards version has no membership requirement but lower rewards. Both are issued by Chase Bank.

This is a real credit card with a real credit limit, a real interest rate, and real monthly payments. It is not a gift card, a prepaid card, or an Amazon account credit. If you miss a payment or carry a high balance, it will affect your credit score the same way any other credit card would.

Key Takeaways

  • Amazon offers two credit cards through Chase Bank: one for Prime members with higher rewards, and one for anyone without a membership requirement.
  • Both cards earn cashback on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases, plus a lower rate on other purchases, but you pay interest if you do not pay the full balance each month.
  • You can request a card online through Amazon's website or through Chase, and the approval process typically takes a few minutes to a few days.
  • Your monthly bill arrives through your Chase online account, and you can set up automatic payments to avoid missing a due date.
  • The card has no annual fee, but the interest rate (APR) varies based on your credit score and credit history.

The Two Amazon Credit Card Options

The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card is designed for people who already have an Amazon Prime membership. It earns 5% cashback on Amazon.com purchases (up to $1,500 per year, then 1% after that), 2% cashback at Whole Foods and Amazon Go stores, 1% cashback at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% on all other purchases. You must pay the $139 annual Prime membership fee separately — the card itself has no annual fee.

The Amazon Rewards Visa Card is for anyone, whether or not you have Prime. It earns 3% cashback on Amazon.com purchases, 2% cashback at Whole Foods and Amazon Go, 1% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% on everything else. There is no membership requirement and no annual fee.

Both cards charge interest on any balance you do not pay off each month. The interest rate (called the APR) depends on your credit score and credit history — Chase will tell you the rate before you finish the request. Both cards also have the same fraud protection and dispute process as any other Visa card.

How to Request the Card

You can request an Amazon credit card directly through Amazon.com or through Chase's website. The fastest route is usually through Amazon itself: sign into your account, go to the Amazon Prime Rewards or Amazon Rewards card page (depending on which one you want), and click the button to request the card. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, income, and current address.

Chase will check your credit report when ready. Most decisions happen within a few minutes — you will see "approved," "pending," or "denied" on the screen. If you are approved, Chase will mail the physical card to your address, which usually takes 7 to 10 business days. You can often use the card number to make purchases online before the physical card arrives.

If your request is denied or pending, Chase will send you a letter explaining why. You can request the card again after a few months if your credit situation has improved, or you can contact Chase customer service to ask what would help your case.

Understanding the Rewards and Cashback

Cashback means Chase credits money back to your account based on what you spend. With the Prime card, you earn 5% on Amazon purchases — so a $100 purchase earns $5 back. That $5 appears as a credit on your bill or can be transferred to your Amazon account as a gift card balance.

The 5% rate on Amazon has a cap: once you earn $75 in cashback in a year (which means you have spent $1,500 on Amazon), the rate drops to 1% for the rest of that year. After January 1, the counter resets. The 2% rate at Whole Foods and Amazon Go has no cap.

Cashback is not automatic — you do not have to do anything to earn it. It straightforward appears on your statement each month. You can use it to pay down your balance, transfer it to Amazon as a gift card, or leave it to accumulate. If you close the card, any unused cashback is forfeited, so check your balance before you cancel.

Your Monthly Bill and Payment Options

Chase sends your bill through your online account, not by mail (though you can request paper statements). You can log into your Chase account anytime to see your current balance, recent purchases, and due date. The due date is usually the same day each month.

You have three payment options: pay the full balance (which means no interest), pay the minimum (which is usually 1% to 3% of your balance, and interest accrues on the rest), or pay any amount in between. If you pay less than the full balance, Chase charges interest on the remaining amount at your APR.

The easiest way to avoid missing a payment is to set up automatic payments through your Chase account. You can choose to pay the full balance automatically each month, or a fixed amount, or the minimum. Automatic payments come out on the date you choose, usually a few days before the due date.

Interest Rates and Fees

The Amazon credit card has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fee (you can use it abroad without an extra charge). However, it does charge interest if you carry a balance. The APR varies — Chase determines it based on your credit score and history, and it can range from around 16% to 27%, though the exact range changes over time.

If you make a late payment (more than 30 days past due), Chase may charge a late fee and increase your interest rate. If you miss a payment by 60 days, the card issuer reports it to the credit bureaus, which damages your credit score. Missing a payment by 180 days can result in the card being closed and sent to collections.

There is no fee for balance transfers, but if you transfer a balance from another card, interest starts accruing when ready (unlike some cards that offer an interest-free period). There is also no fee to request a credit limit increase, though Chase may or may not grant one depending on your account history and credit score.

When the Amazon Card Makes Sense

The Amazon Prime Rewards card is worth requesting if you have Prime, spend at least $1,500 per year on Amazon, and can pay the full balance each month. The 5% cashback on Amazon purchases adds up quickly — $1,500 in spending earns $75 back. If you also shop at Whole Foods, the 2% there is an extra bonus.

The standard Amazon Rewards card is useful if you do not have Prime but shop on Amazon regularly and want cashback without a membership fee. The 3% rate is lower than the Prime card, but there is no cap, so it keeps earning even after you hit $1,500 in purchases.

Neither card is worth requesting if you carry a balance month to month. The interest you pay will quickly erase any cashback you earn. If you tend to carry a balance, a card with a 0% introductory APR period might be a better choice, even if it has no rewards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Amazon card outside of Amazon?

Yes. You can use it anywhere Visa is accepted — grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, online retailers, anywhere. You just earn a lower cashback rate (1% on most purchases) than you do on Amazon. The card works exactly like any other Visa credit card outside of Amazon.

What happens to my cashback if I close the card?

Any unused cashback is forfeited when you close the card. Before you cancel, log into your Chase account and check your cashback balance. You can transfer it to your Amazon account as a gift card or use it to pay down your balance.

Does requesting the Amazon card hurt my credit score?

Requesting the card triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can lower your score by a few points temporarily. The impact is usually small and fades within a few months. However, if you request multiple cards in a short time, the combined effect can be larger.

Can I get the card if I have bad credit?

Chase does not publish a minimum credit score requirement, but most people who are approved have a score of 670 or higher. If your score is lower, you may be denied. You can request again after a few months if you have improved your credit, or contact Chase to ask what would help your case.

What is the difference between the card and an Amazon Store Card?

The Amazon Rewards Visa Card works everywhere Visa is accepted. The Amazon Store Card (also called the Amazon Business Card) only works on Amazon.com and at Whole Foods. The Store Card has higher rewards on Amazon but cannot be used elsewhere. Choose based on where you shop most.