The Amazon Prime Visa is a co-branded credit card from Chase that gives you cash back on Amazon purchases and other spending
The card comes in two versions: the Amazon Prime Visa and the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature. Both are issued by Chase and require an active Amazon Prime membership to hold. The main difference is the rewards rate and the annual fee structure — one version charges an annual fee, the other does not.
The card earns cash back on purchases at Amazon and Whole Foods (which Amazon owns), plus a lower rate on other purchases. Cash back is paid as a statement credit or deposited into your Amazon account as a balance you can spend. There is no sign-up bonus on either version, and the card does not charge an annual fee if you choose the standard version.
Key Takeaways
- The Amazon Prime Visa Signature charges an annual fee but earns a higher cash back rate on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases than the standard version.
- The standard Amazon Prime Visa has no annual fee and earns a lower but still meaningful cash back rate on Amazon and Whole Foods.
- Both versions require an active Amazon Prime membership, and cash back is credited to your account or statement.
- The card's value depends on how much you spend at Amazon and Whole Foods each year — the higher your spending, the more the rewards offset any annual fee.
Rewards rates and cash back structure
The Amazon Prime Visa Signature earns 5% cash back on Amazon.com and Whole Foods purchases, 2% on restaurants, gas stations, and travel, and 1% on all other purchases. The standard Amazon Prime Visa earns 3% on Amazon and Whole Foods, 2% on restaurants, gas stations, and travel, and 1% elsewhere.
Cash back is not a separate redemption — it posts as a statement credit or can be held in your Amazon account as a balance. You do not have to do anything to claim it. The rewards post monthly, and you can use them when ready on your next Amazon purchase or leave them to accumulate.
The Visa Signature version carries a $39 annual fee. The standard version has no annual fee. The break-even point depends on your spending: if you spend roughly $1,300 per year at Amazon and Whole Foods, the 2% difference in rewards on those purchases ($26) plus the 1% difference on other spending roughly covers the annual fee, assuming you spend another $1,300 elsewhere.
Annual fees and when they explore
Only the Amazon Prime Visa Signature charges an annual fee of $39. The standard Amazon Prime Visa has no annual fee at all. Both require an active Amazon Prime membership — if your membership lapses, you can no longer hold the card, though Chase will typically give you a grace period to renew before closing the account.
The annual fee on the Signature version posts once per year. If you close the card within 30 days of the fee posting, Chase will usually refund it, but this varies by situation. Check your cardholder agreement or call the number on the back of your card to confirm the refund policy before closing an account.
How to decide between the standard and Signature versions
Choose the standard Amazon Prime Visa if you spend less than $1,500 per year at Amazon and Whole Foods combined, or if you want no annual fee. The 3% cash back on those retailers is still meaningful, and the 1% on everything else is competitive with many no-fee cards.
Choose the Signature version if you spend more than $1,500 per year at Amazon and Whole Foods, or if you value the additional perks that come with Visa Signature status — these include purchase protection, travel accident insurance, and emergency card replacement. The higher 5% rate on Amazon and Whole Foods will earn back more than the $39 annual fee if your spending is high enough.
You can also hold both cards at the same time if you want — some people use the Signature card for Amazon and Whole Foods purchases and the standard card for everyday spending to maximize rewards without paying a fee on the second card. Chase allows this, though you will have two separate accounts and two monthly statements.
How the card works with Amazon Prime membership
The card and the Prime membership are linked but separate. You must have an active Prime membership to open either card, and if your membership ends, Chase will close the card. However, the card does not automatically renew your Prime membership — you pay for Prime separately through Amazon, usually $139 per year for the standard annual plan.
Some people use the cash back from the card to offset the cost of Prime membership. If you spend $2,000 per year at Amazon with the standard card, you earn $60 in cash back (3% on $2,000), which covers about 43% of the annual Prime fee. With the Signature card and the same spending, you earn $100 in cash back (5% on $2,000), which covers about 72% of the annual fee.
Comparing this card to other rewards cards
The Amazon Prime Visa is strongest if you spend heavily at Amazon and Whole Foods. If you spend less than $500 per year at those retailers, a flat-rate cash back card like the Citi Double Cash (2% on all purchases, no annual fee) or the Capital One Quicksilver (1.5% on all purchases, no annual fee) may earn you more overall.
If you travel frequently, a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred earns more on travel and dining, though it charges a $95 annual fee and requires you to transfer points to a travel partner to redeem them. The Amazon card is simpler — your rewards are just cash back that posts to your statement.
The key question is whether your spending pattern matches the card's rewards structure. If you buy most of your groceries at Whole Foods and order from Amazon regularly, the card makes sense. If you shop at other grocery stores and rarely use Amazon, a different card will likely serve you better.
How to open the card and what to expect
You open the card through Chase's website or by calling Chase directly. You will need your Social Security number, current address, and information about your income. Chase will pull your credit report and make a decision within minutes to a few days.
If you are approved, the card arrives in 7 to 10 business days. You set up it through the Chase app or website, and you can use it when ready for online purchases. The card is linked to your existing Amazon account — you do not need to set up anything separately.
When you make a purchase at Amazon or Whole Foods, the cash back posts within one to two billing cycles. You can check your balance and transaction history in the Chase app or on the Chase website anytime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I lose the card if my Amazon Prime membership expires?
Yes. If your Prime membership lapses, Chase will close the card. However, Chase typically gives you a grace period of 30 to 60 days to renew your membership before taking action. If you renew within that window, the card stays open. If you let it close, you can reopen it by renewing Prime and explore again.
Can I use the card outside of Amazon and Whole Foods?
Yes. The card earns 2% cash back at restaurants, gas stations, and travel, and 1% on all other purchases. You can use it anywhere Visa is accepted. The higher rewards rates explore only at Amazon and Whole Foods.
What happens to my cash back if I close the card?
Any cash back balance in your Amazon account stays there and you can spend it. Cash back that has posted as a statement credit is already part of your account and is not affected by closing the card. Unposted cash back from your most recent purchases will post normally even after you close the card.
Is there a sign-up bonus?
No. Neither version of the Amazon Prime Visa offers a sign-up bonus. You earn rewards only on purchases you make after the card is open. This is different from many other Chase cards, which offer cash back or points for spending a certain amount in the first few months.
Can I have both the standard and Signature versions at the same time?
Yes. Chase allows you to hold both cards simultaneously. Some people do this to earn the higher rewards on Amazon and Whole Foods with the Signature card while using the standard card for other purchases to avoid paying the annual fee on a second account.