What the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card is and who issues it

The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card is a credit card issued by Chase Bank that gives you cash back on purchases, with higher rewards rates at Amazon and Whole Foods. You do not need to be a Prime member to open one, though the card's benefits are designed around Prime membership. Chase is the bank that approves your process, sets your credit limit, and handles your monthly statements.

The card comes in two versions: one for Prime members and one for non-members. The Prime version offers 5% cash back at Amazon and Whole Foods (up to $1,500 in combined purchases per year, then 1% after that), 2% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% on everything else. The non-Prime version offers 3% at Amazon and Whole Foods, 2% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% elsewhere. Both versions have no annual fee.

Cash back is not a discount applied at checkout — it accumulates in your account and you can redeem it as a statement credit, a deposit to your bank account, or Amazon.com purchases. Redemption happens through your Chase online account or the Chase mobile app.

Key Takeaways

  • The Amazon Prime Rewards card is issued by Chase, not Amazon, and you explore through Chase's website or in-branch.
  • Prime members earn 5% cash back at Amazon and Whole Foods (capped at $1,500 combined per year), while non-members earn 3%.
  • There is no annual fee, but the card charges interest on unpaid balances at a variable rate that depends on your creditworthiness and current market rates.
  • Cash back does not post when ready — it typically appears in your account once per month and must be redeemed through your Chase account.
  • You need a credit score in the good to excellent range (typically 670 or higher) to be approved, though Chase does not publish a minimum.

How cash back works and when you actually receive it

Cash back accrues each time you use the card and is calculated based on the transaction category and amount. If you spend $100 at Amazon as a Prime member, you earn $5 in cash back. That $5 does not appear in your account when ready — Chase posts cash back once per month, usually around the same date each month.

You cannot use cash back to pay your bill automatically. Instead, you log into your Chase account, find the cash back balance, and choose how to redeem it. Your options are a statement credit (which reduces your next bill), a direct deposit to a linked bank account, or a credit to your Amazon.com account. Some people redeem monthly; others let it accumulate and redeem once or twice a year.

If you close the card or your account is closed by Chase, unredeemed cash back is forfeited. This is why it matters to check your account periodically and redeem what you have earned, rather than assuming it will sit there indefinitely.

Interest rates, fees, and what happens if you carry a balance

The Amazon Prime Rewards card has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. However, if you do not pay your full balance by the due date, Chase charges interest on the remaining amount. The interest rate (called the APR, or annual percentage rate) varies by person and changes over time. Chase does not publish what rate you will receive until after you are approved — it depends on your credit score, income, and current market rates.

Typical APRs for this card range from 18% to 24%, though some cardholders with excellent credit may receive lower rates. If you carry a $1,000 balance at 21% APR, you pay roughly $17.50 in interest that month alone. This is why the cash back rewards (1% to 5%) are easily wiped out if you carry a balance.

There are no late fees if you pay at least the minimum payment by the due date. If you miss a payment, Chase reports it to credit bureaus after 30 days, which damages your credit score. Paying on time, every time, is the only way the rewards make financial sense.

How to open an account and what information you need

You can open an Amazon Prime Rewards card through Chase's website, the Chase mobile app, or by visiting a Chase branch in person. Online is usually fastest — the process takes about 10 minutes. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, current address, and annual income. Chase will pull your credit report (called a hard inquiry) to decide whether to approve you and what credit limit to offer.

Chase typically makes a decision within seconds or minutes if you explore online. You will see either an approval, a denial, or a message that they need more time to review. If approved, your card ships within 7 to 10 business days. If denied, Chase sends a letter explaining why, and you can call to ask whether reapplying later (after improving your credit score or income) would help.

Once your card arrives, you set up it through the Chase app or website, set up online access if you have not already, and link it to your Amazon account if you want the 5% rate to work automatically. The card works when ready after set up at any merchant that accepts Visa.

Prime membership requirement and how it affects your rewards

You do not need to be a Prime member to open the card, but the higher cash back rates (5% at Amazon and Whole Foods) only work if your Prime membership is active. If your membership lapses, your cash back rate drops to 3% at those merchants until you renew.

Prime membership costs $139 per year (or $14.99 per month) and includes free two-day shipping on millions of items, access to Prime Video, and other benefits. The math works out if you shop at Amazon or Whole Foods regularly — earning an extra 2% cash back on $1,500 per year in combined purchases saves you $30, which offsets part of the membership cost. For light shoppers, the card still works without Prime, just at the lower 3% rate.

If you are already a Prime member for the shipping or video benefits, adding this card costs you nothing extra and layers rewards on top of what you already pay for. If you are considering Prime membership solely for the card rewards, calculate your actual Amazon and Whole Foods spending first to see whether the extra cash back covers the membership fee.

Comparing this card to other cash back options

The Amazon Prime Rewards card is strongest if you spend heavily at Amazon and Whole Foods. If you spend less than $1,500 per year combined at those two merchants, you hit the 5% cap quickly and earn only 1% on additional Amazon purchases. At that point, a flat 2% cash back card (like the Citi Double Cash or Capital One Quicksilver) might earn you more overall.

For groceries outside Whole Foods, most grocery store cards earn 3% to 4% cash back, which beats the Amazon card's 1%. For gas, the Amazon card earns 2%, which is competitive but not exceptional — some cards earn 3% or 4% at gas stations. The card shines if your spending is concentrated at Amazon, Whole Foods, restaurants, and gas stations, and you do not mind the higher interest rate if you ever carry a balance.

If you have poor or fair credit, you may not be approved for this card at all. In that case, a secured credit card (which requires a cash deposit) is often the next step to build credit before explore for rewards cards later.

What to watch for: common mistakes and how to avoid them

The biggest mistake is spending more than you normally would just to earn cash back. If you buy things you would not otherwise buy to hit a rewards threshold, you lose money. A $50 purchase you did not need, earning $2.50 in cash back, costs you $47.50 out of pocket.

The second mistake is carrying a balance to earn rewards. If you spend $1,000 and earn $50 in cash back but pay $210 in interest because you carried the balance for a year, you lost $160. The card only makes sense if you pay the full balance every month.

The third mistake is forgetting to redeem your cash back. If you leave $200 in unredeemed cash back sitting in your account and then close the card, that money is gone. Set a calendar reminder to redeem quarterly or annually, or enable automatic redemption if Chase offers it on your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I lose my cash back if I close the card?

Yes. Any unredeemed cash back is forfeited when your account closes. Before closing the card, log into your Chase account and redeem all accumulated cash back as a statement credit, bank transfer, or Amazon credit. Once the account is closed, you cannot recover it.

What credit score do I need to be approved?

Chase does not publish a minimum, but most cardholders approved for this card have a credit score of 670 or higher. If your score is below 650, approval is unlikely. If you are denied, wait 6 months, work on improving your score, and reapply.

Can I use this card outside the United States?

Yes, the card works internationally at any merchant that accepts Visa. However, there are no foreign transaction fees, which is unusual and a benefit. You will be charged in your local currency and converted to US dollars by your bank at the current exchange rate.

Does the 5% cash back at Amazon include third-party sellers?

Yes. Whether you buy from Amazon directly or from a third-party seller through Amazon.com, the purchase counts toward the 5% rate (up to $1,500 per year for Prime members). Purchases from Amazon Business, Amazon Fresh, and other Amazon-owned services also count.

What happens if I miss a payment?

If you miss the due date, Chase charges a late fee (typically $25 to $35 for the first late payment) and reports the missed payment to credit bureaus after 30 days. This damages your credit score and can stay on your report for seven years. Always pay at least the minimum by the due date to avoid this.