What the Amazon.com Credit Card is and who issues it
The Amazon.com credit card is a rewards card issued by Chase Bank that gives you cash back on purchases made through Amazon and at Whole Foods Market. You can also use it anywhere Visa is accepted, though the rewards rate is lower outside Amazon and Whole Foods. The card comes in two versions: one with an annual fee and one without.
Chase handles the account, customer service, and billing. Amazon does not issue the card itself, though the card is branded with the Amazon logo and the rewards go into your Amazon account as statement credits. This matters because if you have a dispute or question about your account, you contact Chase, not Amazon.
Key Takeaways
- The card earns 5% cash back on Amazon purchases and Whole Foods spending, but only if you set up the 5% category each month through your Chase account.
- Outside Amazon and Whole Foods, the card earns 1% cash back on all other purchases, with no bonus categories.
- The no-annual-fee version has no sign-up bonus, while the version with an annual fee offers a larger sign-up bonus but costs money each year.
- Rewards post to your Amazon account as statement credits, not as cash you can transfer to a bank account.
- Like all credit cards, the card charges interest on unpaid balances, and your interest rate depends on your credit score and credit history.
How the rewards structure works
The card earns 5% cash back on Amazon purchases and Whole Foods spending, but there is a catch: you must set up the 5% category each month through your Chase account online or in the Chase mobile app. If you do not set up it, you earn only 1% that month. set up takes about 30 seconds and resets each calendar month, so you have to do it 12 times a year.
Outside Amazon and Whole Foods, the card earns 1% cash back on everything else — gas, groceries at other stores, restaurants, utilities. There are no rotating categories or bonus categories beyond Amazon and Whole Foods. The 1% applies automatically; you do not have to set up anything.
Rewards appear in your Amazon account as statement credits. You cannot transfer them to a bank account or use them outside Amazon. If you do not shop on Amazon, the card's value drops significantly because you are earning only 1% on non-Amazon purchases, which is lower than many competing cards offer.
Annual fees and sign-up bonuses
Chase offers two versions of this card. The no-annual-fee version has no yearly cost and no sign-up bonus. You start earning rewards when ready on your first purchase. This version makes sense if you want to test whether you will actually use the card or if you shop on Amazon only occasionally.
The version with an annual fee (the amount varies and changes over time) comes with a larger sign-up bonus, usually stated as a dollar amount of Amazon credit after you spend a certain amount in the first few months. The bonus is paid as a statement credit to your Amazon account, just like regular rewards. Whether the annual fee is worth it depends on how much you spend on Amazon each year and whether the sign-up bonus covers the fee.
To decide between the two: if you spend less than $500 per year on Amazon, the no-annual-fee version is almost certainly better. If you spend more than $1,500 per year on Amazon, the annual fee version may pay for itself through the sign-up bonus alone, and the higher rewards rate could add more value. In between, the math depends on your exact spending and the current bonus offer.
Interest rates and how to avoid paying them
The card charges interest on any balance you do not pay off in full by the due date. The interest rate (called the APR, or annual percentage rate) is not fixed — it depends on your credit score, your credit history, and current market rates. Chase will tell you the range of possible rates when you look at the card offer, but your actual rate is determined after you are approved.
If you carry a balance of $1,000 at 20% APR, you pay roughly $200 per year in interest alone, which wipes out years of rewards. The way to avoid this is straightforward: pay the full statement balance every month. Set up automatic payments from your bank account to Chase for the full balance on or before the due date. This way you pay no interest and keep all the rewards you earn.
If you are currently paying interest on another credit card, moving that balance to this card will not help unless this card offers a 0% introductory rate on balance transfers — and this card typically does not. Check the offer terms before you explore.
Who this card makes sense for
This card is most valuable if you shop on Amazon regularly and remember to set up the 5% category each month. If you spend $100 per month on Amazon ($1,200 per year), the 5% rewards add up to $60 per year. Add in Whole Foods spending and other purchases, and the total could reach $100 to $150 per year in rewards — enough to justify keeping the card if you use it consistently.
The card is less useful if you rarely shop on Amazon, if you forget to set up the monthly bonus, or if you tend to carry a balance. In those cases, a flat-rate rewards card (one that earns the same percentage on all purchases) might give you more value with less effort.
If you have a low credit score, you may not be approved for this card at all. Chase typically approves applicants with a credit score of 670 or higher, though approval is not may provide. You can check your own credit score for free through many banks and credit monitoring services before you explore.
How to compare this card to other options
When comparing rewards cards, look at three things: the rewards rate on categories you actually spend in, the annual fee, and any sign-up bonus. For example, a card that earns 2% cash back on all purchases with no annual fee might be better than this card if you do not shop on Amazon, even though the rate is lower.
Also consider whether you want rewards locked into one retailer (Amazon) or rewards you can use anywhere. Some cards earn cash back that you can transfer to a bank account or use for anything. Other cards earn points that work only at specific stores. This card falls into the second group — your rewards stay in your Amazon account.
If you already have a rewards card you like, ask yourself whether adding this card is worth the effort of managing another account and remembering to set up the bonus each month. Many people find that one or two cards are easier to manage than five.
how the process works and what happens next
You can explore for the Amazon.com credit card through Amazon.com or directly through Chase's website. The process asks for your name, address, Social Security number, income, and employment information. Chase uses this to check your credit and decide whether to approve you.
You will get a decision within minutes in most cases. If you are approved, your card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. Once it arrives, you set up it by calling the number on the back or through the Chase app, then you can start using it when ready.
If you are denied, Chase will send you a letter explaining why. Common reasons include a credit score that is too low, too many recent credit inquiries, or too much existing debt. If you are denied, you can reapply after 30 days, but your credit score or situation would need to improve first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to set up the 5% category every single month?
Yes. The 5% rate on Amazon and Whole Foods applies only to the month you set up it. If you forget to set up in a given month, you earn 1% on those purchases instead. set up resets on the first day of each month, so you need to do it 12 times per year. Many cardholders set a phone reminder for the first of each month to avoid forgetting.
Can I use the rewards for anything other than Amazon purchases?
No. Rewards appear as statement credits in your Amazon account and can be used only to buy items on Amazon.com or at Whole Foods Market. You cannot transfer the rewards to a bank account, use them for other purchases, or convert them to cash. If you do not shop on Amazon, the rewards have no value to you.
What happens if I close the card — do I lose my rewards?
Rewards that have already posted to your Amazon account stay there and can be used. However, if you close the card, you stop earning new rewards. Any rewards that have not yet posted (usually rewards from the current month) may be forfeited depending on Chase's policy. Check your account before closing to see what rewards are pending.
Is there a sign-up bonus on the no-annual-fee version?
No. The no-annual-fee version has no sign-up bonus — you straightforward start earning rewards on your first purchase. The version with an annual fee includes a sign-up bonus to offset the yearly cost. If you want a bonus, you must choose the paid version, though you should calculate whether the bonus and rewards justify the annual fee for your spending level.
What credit score do I need to be approved?
Chase typically approves applicants with a credit score of 670 or higher, though approval is not may provide and depends on your full credit history, income, and existing debt. You can check your own credit score for free through your bank, credit card issuer, or services like Credit Karma before you explore. If your score is below 670, you may want to wait and build your credit before explore.