The Amazon Credit Card Has No Annual Fee
The Amazon.com Store Card and the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card both charge zero dollars per year to hold them. You will not see an annual fee on your statement, no matter which version you carry or how long you keep the card open.
This is true whether you use the card actively or let it sit unused. Amazon does not charge you for the privilege of having the card in your wallet. The only costs you might face are interest charges if you carry a balance month to month, or late fees if you miss a payment — but those are separate from the annual fee question.
Key Takeaways
- Both Amazon credit cards — the Store Card and the Prime Rewards Visa — have no annual fee, ever.
- You pay interest only if you carry a balance past your due date; the card itself costs nothing to own.
- The Store Card works only at Amazon and Whole Foods; the Prime Rewards Visa works everywhere Visa is accepted.
- Rewards rates and sign-up bonuses differ between the two cards, so compare what each one earns before you open one.
The Two Amazon Cards and Their Costs
Amazon offers two different credit cards, and neither one charges an annual fee. The Amazon.com Store Card is a closed-loop card, meaning you can use it only at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, and Whole Foods Market. The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card is a Visa that works anywhere Visa is accepted — at any store, gas station, or restaurant.
Both cards are issued by Chase. Both have $0 annual fees. The difference lies in where you can use them and what rewards rates they offer. If you are trying to decide between them, the annual fee is not a factor — cost-wise, they are identical on that front.
What You Actually Pay With an Amazon Card
The absence of an annual fee does not mean the card is free to use. You will pay interest if you carry a balance. The interest rate (called the APR, or annual percentage rate) varies by person and is determined when you explore. Amazon cards typically carry APRs in the range of 16% to 24%, though the exact rate depends on your credit history and current credit score.
You will also pay a late fee if your payment arrives after the due date. This fee varies but is typically $25 to $40 for the first late payment. Missing payments also damages your credit score, which affects your ability to borrow money in the future and can raise the interest rates on other cards you hold.
The card does not charge foreign transaction fees if you use it outside the United States, which is useful if you travel. There is no fee to add an authorized user (someone else who can use the card on your account).
How the Two Cards Differ Beyond Annual Fees
The Store Card offers higher rewards rates at Amazon and Whole Foods — typically 5% cash back or more — but offers no rewards outside those two places. It also does not require you to be an Amazon Prime member, though Prime members may see slightly different terms.
The Prime Rewards Visa offers 5% cash back at Amazon and Whole Foods if you are a Prime member, 3% at restaurants and gas stations, and 1% everywhere else. If you are not a Prime member, the Amazon rewards drop to 3%. This card works anywhere Visa is accepted, so it is more flexible if you shop at multiple stores.
Neither card charges an annual fee regardless of which rewards tier you land in or how much you spend. The rewards structure changes, but the cost to own the card does not.
Comparing Amazon Cards to Other Retail Cards
Many retail credit cards — cards tied to a specific store or brand — also have no annual fee. Target, Walmart, and Best Buy all offer store cards with zero annual cost. Some general-purpose credit cards do charge annual fees, typically ranging from $95 to $550 per year, but those cards usually offer premium rewards rates or travel benefits that justify the cost.
If you are deciding whether to open an Amazon card, the annual fee should not be a barrier. The real question is whether the rewards rates match how you shop. If you buy most of your groceries at Whole Foods and order frequently from Amazon, the Store Card might earn you more cash back than a card that offers flat 2% on all purchases. If you shop at many different stores, the Prime Rewards Visa might be more useful because it works everywhere.
When to Close an Amazon Card Without Penalty
Because there is no annual fee, you do not have to close the card if you stop using it. Keeping it open can actually help your credit score, because it keeps your total available credit higher and shows a longer credit history. However, if you want to close it, there is no financial penalty for doing so — you will not owe anything just for closing the account.
If you do close the card, pay off any remaining balance first. Once the balance is zero, you can contact Chase and ask them to close the account. They will confirm the closure in writing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be a Prime member to get the Amazon credit card?
No. The Store Card does not require Prime membership. The Prime Rewards Visa does not require it either, but the rewards rate at Amazon drops from 5% to 3% if you are not a member. You can hold either card whether or not you subscribe to Prime.
Will the annual fee change if I don't use the card?
No. The annual fee is zero whether you use the card every day or never use it at all. Inactivity will not trigger a fee or cause the card to close automatically. However, some card issuers do close accounts that show no activity for a very long time — typically a year or more — so occasional use is a good idea if you want to keep the account open.
What happens if I carry a balance on the Amazon card?
You will pay interest on the balance at the APR assigned to your card. This is separate from the annual fee. If your APR is 20% and you carry a $1,000 balance for a full year, you will pay roughly $200 in interest. Paying the full balance by the due date each month avoids this cost entirely.
Can I get the annual fee waived if I ask?
There is no annual fee to waive. Some credit cards charge an annual fee but will waive it for the first year or remove it if you call and ask. The Amazon cards do not have this situation — the fee is straightforward zero, with no conditions or exceptions.
Is there a fee to add a family member as an authorized user?
No. Adding an authorized user to your Amazon credit card costs nothing. The authorized user can make purchases on the card, and the charges appear on your bill. You remain responsible for all payments.