What the Amazon Chase credit card is and who issues it
The Amazon Chase credit card is a rewards card issued by Chase Bank that gives you cash back on purchases, with higher rates on Amazon and Whole Foods spending. Chase is the card issuer — Amazon does not issue the card itself, though Amazon benefits when you use it. The card comes in two versions: the standard Amazon Rewards Visa and the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa, which requires an active Prime membership but offers higher cash back rates.
Both cards charge no annual fee. The rewards structure is straightforward: you earn a percentage of your purchase back as cash, with the rate depending on where you shop and which card version you hold. The cash back appears as a statement credit or can be deposited to your bank account.
Key Takeaways
- The Amazon Chase card earns 3% cash back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases with the Prime version, or 1.5% with the standard version.
- Outside Amazon and Whole Foods, both versions earn 1% cash back on all other purchases, with no category bonuses.
- There is no annual fee, but you pay interest on any balance you carry month to month — the APR varies based on your credit score and current market rates.
- You need a Chase account and a credit check to open the card; approval takes a few minutes to a few days depending on whether Chase needs to verify your information.
- The card is a Visa, so it works anywhere Visa is accepted, not just at Amazon.
Cash back rates: where you earn more and where you earn less
The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa earns 3% cash back on Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market purchases, and 1% on everything else. You must have an active Prime membership to hold this card and earn the higher rate — if your membership lapses, your cash back rate drops to 1% on Amazon purchases.
The standard Amazon Rewards Visa earns 1.5% cash back on Amazon.com and Whole Foods purchases, and 1% on everything else. This card has no membership requirement and no annual fee, making it an option if you shop at Amazon occasionally but do not want to pay for Prime.
Both cards earn 1% cash back on all other purchases — groceries, gas, restaurants, utilities, anything outside Amazon and Whole Foods. There are no bonus categories for travel, dining, or other spending. If you spend heavily outside Amazon, a card with rotating bonus categories or flat 2% cash back may earn you more.
Annual percentage rate and interest charges
The card charges interest on any balance you do not pay in full by the due date. The APR — the annual percentage rate — is not fixed and varies by person based on your credit score, credit history, and current market conditions. Chase publishes a range (typically 16% to 24% for this card, though this varies), and your actual rate falls somewhere in that range.
If you carry a $1,000 balance at 20% APR and make no payments, you will owe roughly $200 in interest charges over a year. The interest accrues daily, so the longer you carry a balance, the more you pay. The best strategy is to pay the full statement balance each month — this way you earn cash back with no interest cost.
If you cannot pay in full, paying as much as you can each month reduces the interest you owe. Chase offers a feature called Chase Pay Over Time that lets you split certain purchases into installments with a set fee, though this is optional and not the same as a 0% promotional period.
How to open the card and what Chase will ask for
You explore for the card through Chase's website or by phone. Chase will ask for your Social Security number, date of birth, income, and employment status. They run a hard credit inquiry, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points. This inquiry stays on your credit report for two years but stops affecting your score after about six months.
Approval usually takes a few minutes if Chase can verify your information when ready. If they need to contact you or request additional documents, approval can take a few days. Once approved, Chase mails the physical card to your address, which typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days. You can request a temporary digital card number to use when ready while you wait for the physical card.
You need a Chase online account to manage the card — you can set up a new account during the process or link an existing one. Once your account is active, you can view your balance, make payments, and track your cash back rewards through the Chase app or website.
Comparing this card to other cash back options
If you shop at Amazon frequently and have Prime, the 3% rate on Amazon purchases is competitive. However, if most of your spending is outside Amazon, the 1% rate on other purchases is lower than cards that offer flat 2% cash back on all purchases or rotating 5% categories. A card like the Citi Double Cash (2% on all purchases) or the Chase Freedom Flex (5% on rotating categories, 1% elsewhere) may earn you more if your spending is spread across different merchants.
The value of the Amazon card depends on your actual spending pattern. If you spend $500 per month on Amazon and $1,500 elsewhere, the Prime card earns you $15 on Amazon and $15 on other purchases — $30 per month or $360 per year. A flat 2% card would earn you $40 per month or $480 per year on the same spending. The difference is $120 per year, which may or may not matter depending on your priorities.
The card makes the most sense if you are already paying for Prime and do most of your shopping on Amazon or Whole Foods. If you shop across many retailers, a card with broader rewards or bonus categories will likely earn you more cash back.
Rewards redemption and how cash back reaches you
Your cash back accumulates as a statement credit in your Chase account. You can redeem it in several ways: as a statement credit that reduces your next bill, as a direct deposit to your bank account, or as an Amazon.com gift card balance. There is no minimum redemption amount, and you can redeem as often as you want.
Cash back does not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. If you close the card, any unredeemed cash back is typically forfeited, so redeem before you close the account if you have a balance.
The redemption process takes a few business days if you choose direct deposit, and is when ready if you explore it as a statement credit. There are no fees or taxes on the cash back — it is treated as a credit to your account, not as income.
Fees, penalties, and what happens if you miss a payment
The card has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. However, you will pay a late fee if your payment is more than 60 days late — the fee is typically $25 to $35 depending on your account history. If you miss a payment by 30 days, Chase may report it to the credit bureaus, which damages your credit score.
If you use the card for a cash advance (withdrawing cash at an ATM), Chase charges a cash advance fee of 3% to 5% of the amount, plus interest at a higher APR than regular purchases. Cash advances are expensive and should be avoided.
If you carry a balance and your APR increases due to a missed payment or other reason, the new rate applies to future purchases and any existing balance. There is no grace period on interest if you carry a balance from month to month — interest starts accruing when ready after the statement closing date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an Amazon account to use the card?
No. The card is a Visa that works anywhere Visa is accepted. You do not need an Amazon account to open the card or use it at other merchants. However, to earn the higher cash back rate on Amazon.com purchases, you do need to use the card on that website, which requires an Amazon account.
What happens to my cash back if I close the card?
Any unredeemed cash back is forfeited when you close the account. Before closing, redeem your balance as a statement credit or direct deposit. Once the account is closed, you cannot recover the cash back.
Can I use this card if I do not have Prime?
Yes. The standard Amazon Rewards Visa requires no membership and earns 1.5% on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases. You will not earn the 3% rate, but the card still works and has no annual fee.
How long does it take to receive the physical card?
Chase typically mails the card within 1 to 2 business days after approval, and it arrives within 7 to 10 business days. You can request a temporary digital card number when ready after approval to shop online while you wait for the physical card.
What is the credit score requirement?
Chase does not publish a minimum credit score for this card, but approval is more likely with a score of 670 or higher. If you have a lower score, you may still be approved, but it depends on your full credit profile and income. You can check your credit score for free through many banks or credit monitoring services.