Amazon offers two main credit cards: the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card and the Amazon Prime Store Card
Amazon does not issue its own branded credit card the way some retailers do. Instead, Amazon partners with Chase Bank to offer two cards that earn rewards on Amazon purchases. The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card is a general-purpose credit card that works anywhere Visa is accepted. The Amazon Prime Store Card works only at Amazon and certain partner merchants. Both cards require you to have an Amazon account, but neither requires an existing Prime membership to open one.
The cards are issued by Chase, which means Chase handles the credit decision, sets your interest rate, and manages your account. Amazon handles the rewards program and the partnership marketing. When you explore, you are explore to Chase for credit, not to Amazon. Your credit score, income, and credit history determine whether you are approved and what interest rate you receive.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card earns 5% back on Amazon purchases and 2% at gas stations and restaurants, but requires a credit check and monthly payments like any credit card.
- Amazon Prime Store Card earns 5% back at Amazon but only works at Amazon and a few partner stores, and does not require Prime membership to open.
- Both cards are issued by Chase Bank, so your approval depends on your credit score and credit history, not on your Amazon account status.
- The Visa card charges an annual fee if you do not have an active Prime membership, while the Store Card has no annual fee.
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card: rewards structure and costs
The Visa card earns 5% cash back on Amazon purchases and 1% on all other purchases. You also earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% everywhere else. These rewards are paid as statement credits that reduce your monthly bill, or you can transfer them to an Amazon.com account as gift card balance.
The card has an annual fee of $0 if you maintain an active Prime membership. If you do not have Prime, the annual fee is $39. The card carries a variable interest rate, which means the rate can change over time. Chase will tell you the current rate range when you explore. If you carry a balance month to month, you pay interest on that balance at the rate Chase assigns to your account.
This card works everywhere Visa is accepted, so you can use it at grocery stores, gas pumps, restaurants, and online retailers outside Amazon. The rewards are the main reason to carry it — the 5% back on Amazon purchases adds up quickly if you shop there regularly.
Amazon Prime Store Card: when it makes sense and its limits
The Store Card earns 5% cash back on Amazon purchases and 2% back at Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh. Outside those merchants, it earns 1% cash back. The card has no annual fee, regardless of Prime membership status. Like the Visa card, it carries a variable interest rate set by Chase.
The main limitation is that this card only works at Amazon, Whole Foods, Amazon Fresh, and a small number of other Amazon-owned or partner merchants. You cannot use it at a regular grocery store or gas station. This makes it useful only if most of your spending happens at Amazon or Whole Foods. If you shop at other retailers, you would need a second card to earn rewards there.
The Store Card is a good choice if you spend heavily at Amazon but do not want to pay the $39 annual fee for the Visa card and do not have Prime membership. It is also useful as a second card if you already have the Visa and want to maximize rewards at Amazon-owned stores.
how the process works and what to expect from the credit decision
You can explore for either card through Amazon.com or directly through Chase's website. The process takes about 10 minutes and asks for your name, address, income, employment status, and Social Security number. Chase uses this information to check your credit report and decide whether to approve you.
Most decisions come back when ready or within a few minutes. If Chase approves you, you can start using the card when ready through a temporary digital card number, and a physical card arrives in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. If Chase needs more information, they will contact you by phone or email. If you are denied, Chase will send you a letter explaining the reason and telling you how to dispute any errors on your credit report.
Your credit score matters most in this decision. Chase typically approves applicants with scores of 670 and above, though approval is possible with lower scores depending on other factors like income and credit history. If you have been denied for credit recently or have significant debt, you may be denied for this card as well.
Comparing the two cards to other rewards options
If you shop at Amazon regularly, either card beats a standard cash-back card that earns 1.5% or 2% everywhere. The 5% back on Amazon purchases is the highest rate available for that retailer. However, if you rarely shop at Amazon, a general-purpose 2% cash-back card might be better because it earns more at other stores and does not tie you to one retailer.
The Visa card competes with other travel and dining rewards cards, but those typically earn higher rates on flights and hotels. If you travel frequently, a card designed for travel rewards may be more valuable than the 2% back on restaurants and gas. The Store Card has no real competitors because it is the only card that earns 5% at Amazon and Whole Foods combined.
The key question is where you spend most of your money. If 50% or more of your spending is at Amazon, the 5% reward makes up for the $39 annual fee on the Visa card within a few months. If you spend less than that at Amazon, a general-purpose card is probably better.
Annual fees, interest rates, and other costs to know
The Visa card's $39 annual fee applies only if you do not have an active Prime membership. Prime costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year, so if you already pay for Prime, the card has no annual fee. The Store Card has no annual fee under any circumstances.
Both cards charge interest on balances you carry from month to month. The interest rate is variable, meaning it can change. Chase does not publish exact rates in advance — your rate depends on your creditworthiness and current market conditions. You can ask Chase for the rate range when you explore. If you pay your full balance every month, you pay no interest regardless of the rate.
Both cards charge late fees if you miss a payment, typically $25 to $35 for the first late payment and up to $39 for subsequent ones. Both also charge foreign transaction fees if you use the card outside the United States, usually 3% of the purchase amount. If you travel internationally, this is a real cost to factor in.
How rewards work and when you actually receive them
Rewards post to your account as statement credits within a few days of your purchase. You can see your pending rewards in your Chase account online or through the Chase mobile app. You do not have to do anything to earn them — they accumulate automatically as you spend.
You can redeem rewards in two ways. First, you can let them sit as a statement credit that reduces your next bill. Second, you can transfer them to your Amazon.com account as gift card balance. The transfer is when ready and happens through your Chase account. There is no minimum redemption amount, so you can redeem $1 or $100 at a time.
Rewards do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. If you close the card, you have a limited time to redeem any remaining rewards before they are forfeited — Chase typically gives you 90 days. If you stop using the card but keep it open, your rewards stay there indefinitely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Prime membership to open an Amazon credit card?
No. Both cards are open to anyone with an Amazon account and acceptable credit. However, the Visa card charges a $39 annual fee if you do not have Prime. The Store Card has no annual fee regardless of Prime status.
What happens if I am denied for the card?
Chase will mail you a letter explaining the reason. Common reasons are low credit score, too much existing debt, or recent negative credit events like late payments or collections. You can dispute errors on your credit report with the credit bureaus. You can also reapply after several months if you have improved your credit situation.
Can I use the Store Card outside of Amazon?
The Store Card works at Amazon, Whole Foods, Amazon Fresh, and a small number of other Amazon-owned merchants. It does not work at regular grocery stores, gas stations, or most other retailers. If you need a card that works everywhere, the Visa card is the better choice.
Do I have to pay interest if I use the card?
Only if you carry a balance from month to month. If you pay your full statement balance by the due date, you pay no interest. The interest rate applies only to the unpaid portion of your balance.
What is the difference between a statement credit and a gift card balance?
A statement credit reduces your monthly bill automatically. A gift card balance stays in your Amazon account and you use it when you shop. Both are worth the same amount. Statement credits are simpler if you want the reward to lower your payment, while gift card balance is better if you want to save the reward for a specific purchase.