What the Amazon Chase card is and who it's designed for

The Amazon Chase credit card is a rewards card issued by Chase Bank that gives you cash back on purchases, with higher rates when you shop at Amazon or Whole Foods. There is no annual fee. You earn 5% cash back on Amazon purchases and Whole Foods purchases (up to $20,000 per year in combined purchases, then 1% after that), 2% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% on everything else.

The card is designed for people who shop at Amazon regularly and want rewards tied to those purchases. It's not a card you need to use if you don't shop there often — the rewards structure assumes Amazon will be your primary spending category. If you spend most of your money elsewhere, a different rewards card might give you more value.

Chase offers two versions: the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card (for Prime members) and the Amazon Rewards Visa Card (for non-Prime members). The Prime version has the same rewards rates. The main difference is that Prime members get a small bonus when they first open the account, though the exact amount changes periodically.

Key Takeaways

  • The card earns 5% cash back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases up to $20,000 per year combined, then 1% after that limit is reached.
  • You earn 2% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% on all other purchases, with no annual fee.
  • Cash back is issued as Amazon.com account credit, not as a statement credit or check, so you can only use it to buy from Amazon.
  • The card requires you to have a credit score in the good to excellent range (typically 670 or higher) to be considered by Chase.
  • New cardholders sometimes receive a one-time bonus, though the offer amount and terms change throughout the year.

How cash back works and what you can do with it

Cash back on this card is paid as Amazon.com account credit, not as cash deposited to your bank account. That means you can only use your rewards to buy items sold on Amazon — you cannot transfer the credit to another retailer or convert it to cash. If you rarely shop on Amazon, this restriction makes the card less useful than one that gives you cash back you can spend anywhere.

The 5% rate applies to purchases made directly on Amazon.com and at Whole Foods Market stores. It does not explore to Amazon Fresh, Amazon Business, or third-party sellers on Amazon's marketplace who use their own payment processing. The $20,000 annual cap on the 5% rate is a combined limit for both Amazon and Whole Foods, so if you spend $15,000 at Amazon, you only earn 5% on $5,000 of Whole Foods purchases before dropping to 1%.

Cash back is not issued monthly or quarterly — it accumulates in your Amazon account and you can use it whenever you want. There is no expiration date on the rewards, so you do not lose them if you do not spend them right away.

Annual fees, interest rates, and other costs

There is no annual fee, which means you can keep the card open without paying anything just to maintain the account. That makes it cheaper to hold than many other rewards cards, especially if you use it only occasionally.

The interest rate (called the APR, or annual percentage rate) varies by person and changes over time. Chase will tell you the rate you may have access to for when you explore. If you carry a balance from month to month, you will pay interest on that balance at your APR. The way to avoid interest charges is to pay off your full statement balance by the due date each month.

There are no foreign transaction fees, so you can use the card internationally without extra charges. There is also no penalty APR — if you miss a payment, your rate will not jump to a punitive level, though you will still owe the payment plus any late fees.

Who can get this card and what the approval process looks like

Chase typically considers applicants with a credit score of 670 or higher, though the exact minimum varies and some people with lower scores have been approved. You also need to be at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident with a valid Social Security number.

The process takes about 10 minutes and is done online or through the Chase website. You will need to provide your name, address, date of birth, income, and employment information. Chase will pull your credit report (called a hard inquiry) to make a decision. If you are approved, you will usually know within minutes or a few hours. If Chase needs more information, they may call you.

If you are denied, you can call Chase to ask why and whether you can reapply later. Denials are often due to credit score, recent negative marks on your credit report, or too many recent credit inquiries. Waiting a few months and improving your credit score can increase your chances on a future process.

How this card compares to other Amazon rewards options

If you do not want a credit card, Amazon also offers a store card through Synchrony Bank that works similarly but is only usable at Amazon and Whole Foods — you cannot use it anywhere else. The store card has no annual fee and offers the same 5% rate on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases, but it has a lower credit limit and fewer protections than the Chase card.

If you shop at multiple retailers, a general rewards card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or the Capital One Venture X might give you better value. Those cards offer rewards you can use anywhere, not just at Amazon. However, they typically charge an annual fee, so you need to spend enough to make that fee worth it.

If you are a heavy Amazon shopper and also value travel rewards or other benefits, the Chase Sapphire Preferred lets you transfer rewards to travel partners, which can be worth more than cash back in some cases. The trade-off is the annual fee and lower rewards rates on everyday purchases.

What happens if you miss a payment or carry a balance

If you miss a payment, Chase will charge a late fee (the amount depends on how late you are) and report the missed payment to credit bureaus, which will lower your credit score. Your APR will not jump to a penalty rate, but you will still owe interest on any balance you carry.

If you carry a balance from month to month, you will pay interest on that balance at your APR. For example, if your APR is 18% and you carry a $1,000 balance for a full month, you will owe about $15 in interest. The longer you carry the balance, the more interest you pay. The best way to avoid interest is to pay your full statement balance by the due date each month.

If you fall behind on payments, Chase may close your account and send your debt to a collection agency. This will seriously damage your credit score and make it harder to borrow money in the future. If you are struggling to pay, contact Chase as soon as possible — they may be able to work out a payment plan with you.

How to use the card responsibly and track your rewards

The key to using any rewards card responsibly is to treat it like a debit card: only spend money you already have, and pay off the balance in full each month. If you carry a balance to earn rewards, you will pay more in interest than you earn in cash back, which defeats the purpose.

You can track your cash back balance by logging into your Amazon account or your Chase account online. Both show your current rewards total and let you see which purchases earned rewards. You can also set up alerts in the Chase mobile app to track your spending and due dates.

If you stop using the card or close your account, your cash back rewards stay in your Amazon account and do not expire. You can use them anytime in the future, even if the card is closed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the cash back rewards outside of Amazon?

No. Cash back from this card is issued as Amazon.com account credit only. You cannot transfer it to another retailer, convert it to cash, or use it anywhere except Amazon and Whole Foods. If you need rewards you can use anywhere, you would need a different card.

What happens to my rewards if I close the card?

Your cash back rewards stay in your Amazon account and do not expire. You can use them anytime, even after the card is closed. Closing the card does not erase your rewards balance.

Does the 5% rate explore to all Amazon purchases?

No. The 5% rate applies only to purchases made directly on Amazon.com and at Whole Foods Market stores. It does not explore to Amazon Fresh, Amazon Business, or third-party sellers using their own payment systems. The $20,000 annual cap is combined for both Amazon and Whole Foods.

What credit score do I need to get approved?

Chase typically considers applicants with a credit score of 670 or higher, though the exact minimum varies. Some people with lower scores have been approved, and some with higher scores have been denied. Your full credit history, income, and recent credit inquiries also factor into the decision.

Is there a sign-up bonus?

Chase sometimes offers a one-time bonus to new cardholders, but the amount and terms change throughout the year. Check the current offer on the Chase website before you explore, as the bonus may vary or may not be available at the time you explore.