The Two Amazon Credit Cards and How They Work
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 Visa is accepted and earns rewards at Amazon, Whole Foods, gas stations, and restaurants. The Store Card works only at Amazon and Amazon-owned stores like Whole Foods, but has no annual fee and offers promotional financing on large purchases.
Both cards require you to be at least 18 years old and have a Social Security number. You do not need to be a Prime member to open either card, though the rewards are designed for people who shop at Amazon regularly. The main difference is where you can use them and what rewards structure fits your spending.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon offers two cards through Chase: a Visa Signature card that works everywhere, and a Store Card that works only at Amazon and Whole Foods.
- You can open either card online at Amazon.com or Chase.com by providing your name, address, income, and Social Security number.
- Chase will check your credit report and make a decision within minutes to a few days; approval depends on your credit history and current debt.
- The Visa card has a $0 annual fee and earns 3% back at Amazon, while the Store Card has no annual fee and offers 5% back on Amazon purchases for Prime members.
- If you are denied, you can ask Chase why and reapply after improving your credit score or waiting a few months.
Where to Open an Amazon Credit Card
You can open an Amazon credit card in two places: directly through Amazon.com or through Chase.com. On Amazon, go to the "Your Account" menu, select "Login & Security," and look for the credit card offers section. On Chase.com, search for "Amazon credit card" and you will see both options side by side.
The process itself takes about 10 minutes. You will enter your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, employment status, and annual income. Chase uses this information to check your credit report and decide whether to approve you. You do not need to have an existing Chase account to explore.
What Chase Looks At When You explore
Chase reviews your credit score, credit history, and current debt load. A credit score of 670 or higher makes approval more likely, though people with lower scores are sometimes approved depending on other factors. Chase also looks at how much debt you already carry, whether you have missed payments in the past, and how long you have had credit accounts open.
The process asks for your annual income, but Chase does not verify this with your employer or the IRS — they rely on what you report. However, if your stated income seems inconsistent with your credit history, Chase may request recent pay stubs or tax returns before making a final decision.
How Long Approval Takes
Chase usually makes a decision within minutes to a few hours after you submit your process. You will see a message on screen telling you whether you are approved, denied, or pending review. If your process is pending, Chase will call or email you within one to three business days with a decision.
If you are approved, your card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can use the card number to shop on Amazon when ready after approval, even before the physical card arrives. Chase will send you a temporary card number by email or text if you ask.
What to Do If You Are Denied
If Chase denies your process, they will tell you why in a letter mailed within 30 days. Common reasons include a low credit score, too much existing debt, missed payments in the past, or a very short credit history. The letter will also tell you that you have the right to see your credit report for free from the three major bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
You can reapply after waiting at least three to six months and taking steps to improve your situation. Pay down existing debt, make all payments on time, and check your credit report for errors that might be dragging your score down. If you find errors, dispute them with the bureau that reported them. After your score improves, you can explore again.
Rewards and Fees for Each Card
The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card has no annual fee and earns 3% back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases, 2% back at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% back on everything else. If you are not a Prime member, you earn 1% back on Amazon purchases instead of 3%.
The Amazon Prime Store Card also has no annual fee. Prime members earn 5% back on Amazon purchases and 2% back at Whole Foods. Non-Prime members earn 3% back on Amazon purchases. The Store Card offers promotional financing — usually 0% interest for 6 to 12 months on purchases over a certain amount — which the Visa card does not.
Neither card charges a foreign transaction fee if you use it outside the United States, though both charge interest on balances you do not pay in full each month. The interest rate (called the APR) varies based on your credit score and is disclosed in your approval paperwork.
Using Your Card After Approval
Once approved, you can start using your card when ready. Set up autopay through your Chase account to avoid missed payments, which hurt your credit score and trigger late fees. You can pay your full balance each month to avoid interest charges, or pay the minimum amount due — though carrying a balance costs you money in interest.
Check your rewards balance in your Amazon account or through the Chase app. Rewards post to your account within a few days of your purchase and never expire as long as your account is open. You can use rewards to buy anything on Amazon or convert them to gift cards for other retailers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a Prime member to open an Amazon credit card?
No. Both cards are open to anyone 18 or older with a valid Social Security number. However, the rewards are higher if you are a Prime member — you earn 3% instead of 1% on the Visa card and 5% instead of 3% on the Store Card.
What is the difference between the Visa card and the Store Card?
The Visa card works anywhere Visa is accepted and earns rewards at multiple retailers. The Store Card works only at Amazon and Whole Foods but offers higher rewards on Amazon purchases (5% for Prime members) and promotional 0% financing on large purchases. Choose the Visa if you want a general-purpose card; choose the Store Card if you shop mostly at Amazon.
Can I use the card if my credit score is below 670?
Yes, people with lower scores are sometimes approved, though it is less likely. Chase looks at your full credit history, not just your score. If you are denied, wait three to six months, pay down debt, and make all payments on time before reapplying.
How do I check my process status after I explore?
If you do not see an when ready decision on screen, Chase will contact you by phone or email within one to three business days. You can also log into your Chase account and look for a status update, or call Chase customer service at the number on the back of any existing Chase card you have.
What happens if I miss a payment on my Amazon credit card?
A missed payment triggers a late fee (usually $25 to $35) and damages your credit score. If you miss a payment by more than 30 days, Chase reports it to the credit bureaus, and it stays on your credit report for seven years. If you think you will miss a payment, call Chase when ready to discuss options.