The Two Amazon Credit Cards and How to Start
Amazon offers two credit cards through Chase: the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card and the Amazon Prime Store Card. The Visa card works everywhere and requires a Prime membership; the Store Card works only at Amazon and Amazon-owned stores and does not require Prime. Both are issued by Chase Bank, and you request one directly through Amazon's website or through Chase.
The process is straightforward: you go to Amazon's credit card page, choose which card fits your spending, and complete Chase's online request form. Chase reviews your credit history and makes a decision within minutes to a few days. If approved, your card arrives by mail within one to two weeks.
The main difference between the two is scope and rewards rate. The Prime Rewards card gives you 5% back on Amazon purchases and Prime Video, 2% at restaurants and gas stations, and 1% elsewhere — but you must be a Prime member and pay the annual membership fee. The Store Card gives you 5% back on Amazon purchases with no Prime requirement, but it only works at Amazon, Amazon Fresh, and Whole Foods.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon's Prime Rewards Visa card requires an active Prime membership and works at any merchant; the Store Card works only at Amazon and affiliated stores but has no membership requirement.
- You request either card through Amazon.com or directly from Chase, and Chase makes a credit decision within minutes to a few days.
- Both cards require you to have a credit history that Chase will review — there is no may provide path if you have no credit or poor credit.
- The Prime Rewards card charges an annual Prime membership fee ($139 or $14.99 per month as of 2024, though this varies), which you should factor into whether the rewards justify the cost.
- Once approved, your physical card arrives by mail; you can use a temporary digital card number in Amazon's app when ready after approval.
What Chase Looks At When You Request
Chase pulls your credit report and checks your credit score, payment history, and current debt. They also look at your income and employment status if you provide it on the form. There is no minimum credit score published by Chase or Amazon, but most people approved have a score of 670 or higher.
If you have been denied for credit recently, have missed payments, or carry very high debt relative to your income, your request may be denied. You can request again after a few months if you have improved your situation, but multiple requests in a short time can lower your score further.
How to Request the Prime Rewards Visa Card
Go to Amazon.com and scroll to the bottom of the page. Click "Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card" under the "Make Money with Us" section, or search "Amazon credit card" in your browser. You will land on a page with details about the card and a button labeled "Request Now" or "Learn More and Request."
Click that button. You will be taken to Chase's request form. Fill in your name, date of birth, Social Security number, address, phone number, and email. You will also enter your annual income and employment status. Review the terms and conditions, then submit.
Chase will tell you when ready or within a few days whether you are approved, denied, or pending review. If approved, you can use a temporary card number in the Amazon app right away. Your physical card ships within one to two weeks.
How to Request the Prime Store Card
The process is nearly identical. Go to Amazon.com, find the Prime Store Card page (search "Amazon Store Card"), and click "Request Now." Complete the same Chase form with your personal information, income, and employment status.
The main difference is that this card does not require Prime membership, so you will not see that question on the form. Everything else — the credit review, the timeline, the temporary digital card — works the same way.
One thing to note: the Store Card is a closed-loop card, meaning it only works at Amazon, Amazon Fresh, and Whole Foods. You cannot use it at other retailers, even though it is a Visa card in name. This limits its usefulness if you want rewards outside Amazon's ecosystem.
What Happens If You Are Denied
If Chase denies your request, you will receive a letter in the mail explaining the reason — usually "insufficient credit history," "too many recent inquiries," or "delinquent accounts." The letter will also tell you that you have the right to a free copy of your credit report from the bureau Chase used.
You can request that free report at annualcreditreport.com. Review it for errors — mistakes happen, and disputing them can improve your score. If the denial was due to recent missed payments or high debt, wait three to six months, improve your situation, and request again.
If you have no credit history at all, consider building credit first with a secured card (a card backed by a cash deposit) or becoming an authorized user on someone else's account. Once you have six months to a year of positive payment history, your chances with Chase improve significantly.
Rewards, Fees, and Whether the Card Makes Sense
The Prime Rewards card offers 5% back on Amazon and Prime Video purchases, 2% at restaurants and gas, and 1% elsewhere. There is no annual fee for the card itself, but you must maintain an active Prime membership ($139 per year or $14.99 per month as of 2024). If you spend less than $2,800 per year on Amazon, the membership fee may cost more than your rewards.
The Store Card offers 5% back on Amazon purchases with no annual fee and no membership requirement. However, it only works at Amazon, Amazon Fresh, and Whole Foods, so it is useful only if most of your spending happens there.
Both cards charge interest on balances you do not pay in full each month. The interest rate (APR) varies based on your creditworthiness but typically ranges from 16% to 24%. If you carry a balance, interest charges will quickly erase any rewards you earn.
Using Your Card After Approval
Once approved, you can use a temporary card number in the Amazon app when ready. This number works for Amazon purchases right away. Your physical card arrives by mail within one to two weeks and has a different number printed on it.
When your physical card arrives, set up it by calling the number on the back or logging into your Chase account online. You can then use it at any merchant (Prime Rewards card) or at Amazon and affiliated stores (Store Card).
Set up autopay in your Chase account to avoid missing payments. Even one missed payment can damage your credit score and trigger a higher interest rate. If you use the card for everyday purchases, paying it off in full each month keeps you out of debt and maximizes the value of your rewards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an Amazon account to request the card?
Yes, you need an active Amazon account to access the credit card page. You do not need to have made a purchase, but your account must be set up and verified. If you do not have an account, create one at Amazon.com first.
Can I request both cards at the same time?
You can request both, but Chase may deny the second one if you request them on the same day. Each request shows up as a hard inquiry on your credit report, and multiple inquiries in a short time can lower your score. Wait at least a few days between requests if you want to try for both.
What is the difference between the Visa card and the Store Card?
The Prime Rewards Visa works everywhere and requires Prime membership. The Store Card works only at Amazon, Amazon Fresh, and Whole Foods and does not require Prime. The Visa offers rewards at restaurants and gas stations; the Store Card does not. Choose the Visa if you want a general-purpose rewards card; choose the Store Card if you spend most of your money at Amazon.
How long does approval take?
Chase usually tells you within minutes to a few hours. Some requests go to manual review and take a few days. Once approved, your physical card arrives within one to two weeks, but you can use a temporary digital number in the Amazon app when ready.
What if my credit score is low?
There is no published minimum score, but most approvals go to people with scores of 670 or higher. If your score is lower, you may be denied. If denied, wait three to six months, pay down debt, and make all payments on time, then request again. A secured credit card can help you build history in the meantime.