Amazon offers two main credit cards, both issued by Chase
Amazon has two branded credit cards in active use: the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card and the Amazon Prime Store Card. Both are issued by Chase Bank. The Rewards card works everywhere Visa is accepted and earns cash back on all purchases. The Store Card works only at Amazon and on Amazon-owned properties like Whole Foods, but offers higher rewards rates within those places.
Neither card charges an annual fee. Both require you to be at least 18 years old and a U.S. resident with a valid Social Security number. The main difference between them is where you can use them and how much cash back you earn in each location.
Amazon also previously issued a store card called the Amazon Store Card (without the Prime label), but that product was discontinued. If you hold one, it still works, but new customers cannot open it.
Key Takeaways
- The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card earns 5% cash back at Amazon and Whole Foods (with Prime membership), 2% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% everywhere else.
- The Amazon Prime Store Card earns up to 5% cash back at Amazon and Whole Foods but cannot be used outside those retailers.
- Both cards require an Amazon Prime membership to earn the highest rewards rates, though you can still open the cards without Prime.
- Cash back from either card posts to your Amazon account as a statement credit, not as a direct deposit to your bank.
- Both cards are issued by Chase and use the same process process as any other credit card, including a hard inquiry into your credit report.
How the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card works
The Rewards card is a general-purpose credit card that earns cash back on all purchases. With an active Prime membership, you earn 5% cash back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market, 2% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% on everything else. Without Prime, the rates drop to 3% at Amazon, 1% at Whole Foods, 2% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% elsewhere.
Cash back accumulates in your Amazon account and appears as a statement credit. You cannot transfer it to a bank account or use it outside Amazon. There is no cap on how much cash back you can earn in a year, and it does not expire as long as your account remains active.
The card comes with purchase protection, extended warranty coverage on may be able to access items, and roadside information if you lock yourself out of your car or run out of gas. These are standard benefits that come with most Visa Signature cards.
How the Amazon Prime Store Card works
The Store Card is a closed-loop card, meaning it only works at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Amazon Go, and Whole Foods Market. It earns 5% cash back on purchases at those locations if you have an active Prime membership. Without Prime, you earn 3% cash back.
Like the Rewards card, cash back posts to your Amazon account as a statement credit. You cannot use it as a traditional credit card outside the Amazon ecosystem, so it is useful only if you do most of your shopping at those retailers.
The Store Card does not come with the same travel and purchase protections as the Rewards card, since it is not a Visa or Mastercard product. It is a simpler card designed for people who spend heavily at Amazon and Whole Foods.
Prime membership requirements and cash back rates
Both cards require an active Amazon Prime membership to earn their top cash back rates. Prime costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year as of 2024, though this price changes periodically. If you cancel Prime, your cash back rates drop when ready on both cards.
You can open either card without Prime, but you will earn lower rates: 3% at Amazon instead of 5%, and 1% at Whole Foods instead of 5%. For most people, the difference in rewards does not justify holding the card without Prime.
If you already have Prime for other reasons — free shipping, video streaming, or other benefits — adding one of these cards makes sense because you unlock the higher rewards rates at no additional cost.
How to open an Amazon credit card
You can open either card through Amazon.com by going to the credit cards section and selecting the card you want. You can also explore through Chase's website directly. The process takes about 10 minutes and asks for your name, address, date of birth, income, and employment status.
Chase will run a hard inquiry on your credit report, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points. Most people see approval or denial within seconds. If you are approved, the card ships to your address within 7 to 10 business days.
There is no annual fee, so there is no cost to holding the card even if you do not use it. However, Chase may close inactive accounts after a long period of no use, which can affect your credit score.
Comparing the two cards: which one makes sense for you
Choose the Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card if you shop at multiple retailers and want a general-purpose credit card. It works everywhere Visa is accepted, so you can use it for groceries, gas, restaurants, and online shopping outside Amazon. The 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants adds up if those are regular expenses.
Choose the Prime Store Card if you do most of your shopping at Amazon and Whole Foods and do not need a card that works elsewhere. The 5% cash back rate is the same as the Rewards card at those locations, but you avoid the temptation to carry a second card.
Some people hold both cards: the Store Card for Amazon and Whole Foods purchases, and another card (not necessarily the Rewards card) for everything else. This approach works if you want to maximize rewards at specific retailers without carrying a general-purpose Amazon card.
What happens to your cash back
Cash back from either card appears in your Amazon account as a statement credit. You see it listed under "Your Account" and can use it to pay for anything on Amazon — physical products, digital content, Prime membership renewal, or anything else Amazon sells.
You cannot transfer cash back to your bank account, use it outside Amazon, or convert it to points in another rewards program. It stays in your Amazon account until you spend it. If you close your Amazon account, you lose any unused cash back balance.
Cash back does not expire as long as your account is active. There is no important date to use it, so you can let it accumulate over months or years if you prefer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Prime to open an Amazon credit card?
No. You can open either card without Prime. However, you will earn lower cash back rates: 3% at Amazon instead of 5%, and 1% at Whole Foods instead of 5%. Most cardholders have Prime, so the higher rates are the main reason to hold the card.
Can I use the Amazon Store Card outside Amazon and Whole Foods?
No. The Store Card only works at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Amazon Go, and Whole Foods Market. If you try to use it elsewhere, it will be declined. The Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card works anywhere Visa is accepted.
What credit score do I need to open an Amazon credit card?
Chase does not publish a minimum credit score for these cards, but most people approved have a score of 670 or higher. If your score is lower, you may still be approved, but it depends on your full credit history and income. There is no harm in explore to see if you are approved.
Can I earn cash back on Amazon gift cards?
Yes. When you buy Amazon gift cards with either card, you earn cash back at the same rate as any other Amazon purchase. This means you can earn 5% cash back (with Prime) on gift cards you buy for others.
What happens if I close my Amazon credit card?
You keep any cash back balance in your Amazon account and can continue to use it. Closing the card does not delete your cash back. However, closing a credit card can lower your credit score slightly because it reduces your available credit and shortens your average account age.