What the Chase Prime Credit Card is and what it costs
The Chase Prime Credit Card is a rewards card issued by Chase Bank that gives you points on purchases at Amazon and Whole Foods, plus a flat rate on other spending. There is no annual fee. The card is designed for people who shop regularly at Amazon or Whole Foods and want to earn rewards without paying to carry the card.
The rewards structure is straightforward: you earn 5 points per dollar at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market, 2 points per dollar on gas stations and restaurants, and 1 point per dollar on everything else. Points can be redeemed for Amazon purchases or converted to cash back into your checking account. The conversion rate varies — typically 1 point equals about 0.7 cents in cash value, though redemption options change.
Because there is no annual fee, you are not paying for the privilege of holding the card. The bank makes money when merchants pay fees on your purchases. This matters because it means the card can be worth keeping even if you only use it occasionally.
Key Takeaways
- The Chase Prime Credit Card earns 5 points per dollar at Amazon and Whole Foods, with no annual fee to carry it.
- You need a Prime membership to open this card, and the card itself does not include Prime membership — you pay for that separately.
- The card reports to all three credit bureaus, so using it responsibly will build your credit history over time.
- Rewards points expire after one year of account inactivity, so you need to use the card at least once per year to keep earning.
- The card's main value comes from the 5% back at Amazon and Whole Foods; other rewards rates are standard for no-fee cards.
What you need to open the account
To open a Chase Prime Credit Card, you must already have an active Amazon Prime membership. Chase verifies this when you explore, so you cannot get the card and then sign up for Prime later. If you do not have Prime, you would need to join first — Prime costs $139 per year or $14.99 per month as of this writing, though that price changes periodically.
You will also need to be at least 18 years old, have a valid Social Security number, and have a U.S. address. Chase will pull your credit report during the process, which creates a hard inquiry and temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points. This inquiry stays on your report for about two years but stops affecting your score after roughly six months.
If you have been denied for credit recently or have very poor credit, your odds of approval are lower. Chase does not publish a minimum credit score, but the card typically goes to people with fair credit or better — usually a score of 670 or higher, though some people with lower scores have been approved. The best way to know is to explore; a denial does not hurt you beyond the hard inquiry itself.
How rewards and redemptions actually work
Points post to your account when ready after a purchase clears. You can see your balance in your Chase online account or mobile app. The redemption process depends on what you want to do with the points.
If you want to use points for Amazon purchases, you log into your Chase account, go to the rewards section, and choose "Redeem for Amazon.com purchases." The points convert to an Amazon.com gift card balance at a rate that varies based on how many points you redeem at once — redeeming larger amounts typically gives you a slightly better rate. The balance appears in your Amazon account within minutes.
If you want cash back instead, you can transfer points to your linked Chase checking or savings account. The conversion rate is fixed at roughly 0.7 cents per point, meaning 1,000 points becomes about $7 in cash. This is less generous than the Amazon redemption, so most cardholders use points for Amazon purchases when they can.
Points expire if your account is inactive for one year. Inactive means you have not made any purchases or redeemed any points. Making even one small purchase per year keeps the points alive, so this is rarely a problem for active cardholders.
How this card affects your credit
Opening the card creates a hard inquiry on your credit report, which temporarily lowers your score. The impact is usually 5 to 10 points and fades within a few months. However, the card also lowers your average age of accounts if this is your newest card, which can lower your score further in the short term.
Over time, the card builds your credit history in a positive way. Each on-time payment shows up on your credit report and demonstrates that you can handle borrowed money responsibly. After six months to a year of use, most people see their score improve because the card adds to their payment history and lowers their credit utilization ratio — the percentage of available credit you are actually using.
If you carry a balance and pay interest, that does not help your credit score. Credit bureaus care about whether you pay on time, not whether you pay interest. Paying the full balance each month is the smartest move both for your credit and for your wallet, since credit card interest rates are typically 18% to 25% annually.
When this card makes sense and when it does not
The card is most valuable if you spend regularly at Amazon or Whole Foods. A household that spends $200 per month at Amazon and $100 per month at Whole Foods earns 5 points per dollar on $3,600 per year, which is 18,000 points. At the Amazon redemption rate, that is roughly $126 in value per year. For someone who would otherwise carry a no-rewards card or pay cash, that is real money.
The card is less valuable if you rarely shop at either retailer. The 2% back on restaurants and gas and 1% on everything else is standard for no-fee cards, so you are not getting an edge elsewhere. If you spend most of your money at stores where the card earns 1%, you would be better off with a flat-rate card like the Chase Freedom Unlimited, which earns 1.5% on all purchases.
The card also requires you to maintain a Prime membership to keep the account open. If you cancel Prime, Chase may close the card. This is not stated in the terms as an automatic rule, but it has happened to some cardholders. If you are on the fence about Prime anyway, the card makes Prime more valuable because you earn rewards on your Whole Foods and Amazon spending.
Comparing this card to other options
The main competitor is the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card, which is the older version of this card. The two are nearly identical — both earn 5% at Amazon and Whole Foods, both have no annual fee, and both require Prime membership. The newer Prime Credit Card is essentially a rebranding with the same benefits, so if you already have the older card, there is no reason to switch.
If you do not have Prime, the Amazon Prime Store Card is a different product entirely. It earns 5% back at Amazon but requires no Prime membership and has no annual fee. However, it only works at Amazon — there is no Whole Foods bonus and no rewards on other purchases. It is useful only if Amazon is your only shopping destination.
For someone who wants a no-fee card but does not shop at Amazon or Whole Foods, the Chase Freedom Unlimited or Capital One SavorOne are better choices. Both earn 1.5% on all purchases with no annual fee. The SavorOne also earns 3% at restaurants and groceries, which can be valuable if you eat out or cook at home frequently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I lose my Prime membership if I close the credit card?
No. Your Prime membership and your credit card are separate. Closing the card does not cancel Prime, and you can keep Prime active without the card. However, you must have an active Prime membership to open the card in the first place.
What happens to my points if I close the account?
Points expire 90 days after you close the account. You should redeem any remaining points before closing, or they will be lost. Check your rewards balance in your Chase account before you request closure.
Can I use this card internationally?
Yes, the card works outside the United States, but you will pay a 3% foreign transaction fee on purchases made in a foreign currency. You earn the same rewards rate (5% at Amazon, 2% at restaurants, etc.), but the 3% fee is added on top. For frequent international travel, a card with no foreign transaction fee is usually better.
How long does approval take?
Most decisions come within minutes of explore online. If your process is flagged for review, Chase may take one to two business days to contact you. You can check your process status in your Chase account or by calling the number on the process email.
What is the credit limit, and can I request a higher one?
Chase does not publish a standard credit limit for this card. Your limit depends on your credit score, income, and existing debts. You can request an increase after six months of responsible use by calling the number on the back of your card or through your online account.