What the Amazon credit card actually offers

Amazon offers two main credit cards through Chase: the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card and the Amazon Prime Store Card. The Visa Signature card works everywhere Visa is accepted and earns cash back on purchases. The Store Card works only at Amazon and Whole Foods. Both cards are designed to reward frequent Amazon shoppers, but the rewards structure, annual fees, and approval requirements differ significantly.

The Visa Signature card earns 5% cash back on Amazon purchases and Whole Foods spending (up to $1,500 per quarter, then 1%), 2% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% everywhere else. There is no annual fee. The Store Card earns 5% back at Amazon and Whole Foods with no cap, but only works at those two places and also has no annual fee. Both cards require a Prime membership to earn the 5% rate — without it, you earn 3% at Amazon and Whole Foods instead.

Key Takeaways

  • The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature card earns 5% cash back at Amazon and Whole Foods (capped at $1,500 per quarter), 2% at gas and restaurants, and 1% elsewhere, with no annual fee.
  • The Amazon Prime Store Card earns 5% cash back at Amazon and Whole Foods with no quarterly cap, but only works at those two retailers and requires a Prime membership for the 5% rate.
  • Both cards require Prime membership to earn the advertised 5% rate; without it you earn 3% instead.
  • The Visa Signature card is better for people who shop at multiple retailers; the Store Card is better for people who spend most of their money at Amazon and Whole Foods.
  • Both cards have no annual fee, but approval depends on your credit score and history.

How the rewards actually work

Cash back from both cards posts to your Amazon account as a statement credit, not as cash you can withdraw or transfer. You can use it to pay for anything on Amazon, including physical goods, digital content, and third-party seller items. The credit does not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing.

The Visa Signature card's 5% category at Amazon and Whole Foods has a quarterly cap: you earn 5% on the first $1,500 spent per quarter, then 1% after that. This means the maximum 5% cash back per year is $300 (5% of $6,000 across four quarters). If you spend more than $1,500 per quarter at these retailers, the Store Card becomes more valuable because it has no cap. The 2% category at gas stations and restaurants on the Visa Signature card has no cap.

The Store Card earns 5% on all Amazon and Whole Foods purchases with no quarterly limit, making it better for high-volume Amazon shoppers. However, it offers no rewards outside those two retailers, so it only makes sense if you do most of your shopping there.

Approval requirements and credit score impact

Both cards are issued by Chase and require a credit check. Chase typically approves applicants with a credit score of 670 or higher, though approval is not may provide at any score. Your approval odds depend on your credit history, income, existing debt, and recent inquiries. explore for either card results in a hard inquiry on your credit report, which temporarily lowers your score by a few points.

If you are denied, you can call Chase's reconsideration line to ask about approval. Having an existing Chase account or a higher income can sometimes change the outcome. You should wait at least 30 days before explore again if you are denied, as multiple applications in a short period hurt your score further.

When the Visa Signature card makes sense

The Visa Signature card is the better choice if you shop at multiple retailers and want rewards everywhere you spend money. The 2% at gas stations and restaurants is valuable if you use those categories regularly. The card also works internationally and has no foreign transaction fees, which matters if you travel.

The Visa Signature card also includes purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, and travel benefits like emergency medical and dental coverage abroad. These protections are standard on premium Visa Signature cards and add value beyond the cash back rate. If you carry a balance, the card's variable APR (currently around 18% to 24%, depending on creditworthiness) applies, so this card works best for people who pay off their balance monthly.

When the Store Card makes sense

The Store Card is better if you spend most of your money at Amazon and Whole Foods and want to maximize cash back there. The uncapped 5% rate means you earn more if you spend over $1,500 per quarter at these retailers. The card is also easier to manage if you only shop at one or two places and do not want to track multiple cards.

The Store Card has a higher APR than the Visa Signature card (currently around 20% to 24%) and offers fewer protections and benefits. It also does not work outside Amazon and Whole Foods, so you would need a separate card for other purchases. The Store Card is not a Visa or Mastercard, so it cannot be used at other retailers even in an emergency.

Comparing the Amazon cards to other options

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card earns 3% cash back on dining and travel and 1% on everything else, with an annual fee of $95. It is better than the Amazon Visa card if you value travel rewards and do not shop heavily at Amazon. The Capital One SavorOne card earns 3% on dining and entertainment and 1% elsewhere with no annual fee, making it competitive if you do not shop at Amazon.

For people who shop at Whole Foods but not Amazon, the Whole Foods Market Rewards Card (issued by Synchrony) earns 5% back on Whole Foods purchases with no annual fee and no Prime requirement. The Amazon cards bundle Amazon and Whole Foods rewards together, which is only valuable if you use both retailers regularly.

If you do not have Prime, the 3% cash back rate on the Amazon cards is lower than what other cards offer. In that case, a flat-rate card like the Capital One Quicksilver (1.5% everywhere) or the Citi Double Cash (2% everywhere) may be better. The Amazon cards are only worth using without Prime if you spend heavily at Whole Foods.

Fees, terms, and what to watch for

Both Amazon credit cards have no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees (Visa Signature only), and no penalty APR. The variable APR ranges from 18% to 24% depending on your creditworthiness and current market rates. If you carry a balance, interest charges will exceed any cash back you earn, so these cards only make financial sense if you pay off the full balance each month.

The Store Card charges a late fee of up to $40 if you miss a payment, and the Visa Signature card charges up to $40 as well. Both cards report to all three credit bureaus, so on-time payments help your credit score, and missed payments hurt it. If you close the card, the cash back balance remains in your Amazon account but you lose access to any card-specific benefits.

Amazon occasionally runs promotional offers like 0% APR for 6 or 12 months on new cardholders, or bonus cash back during specific periods. These offers change frequently and are not may provide, so check Amazon's current offer before explore.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need Prime to use the Amazon credit card?

You do not need Prime to open either card, but you earn only 3% cash back at Amazon and Whole Foods without it, instead of 5%. If you do not have Prime, the cards are less valuable unless you plan to get Prime soon. The annual Prime membership costs $139 per year, so you would need to earn at least $2,800 in cash back annually for Prime to pay for itself through the card rewards alone.

Can I use the Store Card outside Amazon and Whole Foods?

No. The Store Card is a closed-loop card that only works at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, and Whole Foods Market. You cannot use it at other retailers, online or in person. If you need a card that works everywhere, the Visa Signature card is the only Amazon option.

What happens to my cash back if I close the card?

Your cash back balance stays in your Amazon account and you can continue to use it for purchases. Closing the card does not erase the rewards you have already earned. However, you lose access to any ongoing benefits like purchase protection or extended warranty coverage that came with the card.

How long does it take to get approved?

Chase usually makes a decision within minutes of your process. If you are approved, you can use the card number when ready for online purchases, and the physical card arrives within 7 to 10 business days. If you are denied, you can call the reconsideration line to ask about approval, though this does not always change the outcome.

Is the Amazon credit card worth it if I do not shop at Amazon often?

Probably not. The Visa Signature card's best rewards are at Amazon and Whole Foods. If you shop at those places infrequently, a flat-rate card like the Capital One Quicksilver (1.5% everywhere) or the Citi Double Cash (2% everywhere) will earn you more cash back. The Amazon card only makes sense if you spend regularly at Amazon, Whole Foods, or both.