What the Amazon Prime Visa Card is and who it's for

The Amazon Prime Visa is a co-branded credit card issued by Chase in partnership with Amazon. It's designed for people who shop on Amazon regularly and want cash back on those purchases. The card offers higher rewards rates on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases, and a lower rate on everything else.

You don't need to be an Amazon Prime member to get the card, but the rewards structure assumes you are — the best cash back rates explore only to Prime members. If you're not a member, the card still works, but the rewards are lower. The card itself has no annual fee.

This card makes sense if you spend at least a few hundred dollars a year on Amazon or Whole Foods, and you pay off your balance each month. If you carry a balance, the interest charges will quickly outpace any rewards you earn.

Key Takeaways

  • Prime members earn 5% cash back on Amazon purchases and Whole Foods, 2% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% everywhere else.
  • Non-Prime members earn 3% on Amazon and Whole Foods, 2% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% elsewhere.
  • The card has no annual fee, but you must pay your full balance each month to benefit from the rewards.
  • Cash back is issued as Amazon.com account credit, not as a statement credit or check, so you can only use it to shop on Amazon.
  • Chase and Amazon periodically offer sign-up bonuses (usually $100 to $200 in Amazon credit), but these vary and are not may provide.

How the rewards structure works

The cash back you earn depends on where you spend and whether you hold an active Prime membership. For Prime members, the card pays 5% cash back on Amazon.com purchases and Whole Foods Market in-store purchases. At gas stations and restaurants, you earn 2%. Everything else earns 1%.

The 5% rate on Amazon covers most purchases on the main site, but excludes third-party sellers on Amazon Business, Amazon Fresh, Amazon Go, and some other Amazon-owned services. Whole Foods cash back applies only to in-store purchases with your physical card or the Whole Foods app — it does not include online orders delivered to your home.

If you don't have Prime, the rates drop: 3% on Amazon and Whole Foods, 2% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% elsewhere. The difference between 5% and 3% on Amazon is significant if you spend hundreds or thousands there annually, which is why the card is most valuable for active Prime members.

There is no cap on how much cash back you can earn in any category. The rewards accumulate as a balance in your Amazon.com account and can be used toward any purchase on the site.

how the process works and what happens next

You can explore for the card through Amazon's website or directly through Chase. The process takes about 10 minutes and asks for your name, address, income, employment status, and Social Security number. Chase will pull a hard inquiry on your credit report, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points.

You'll usually get a decision within minutes. If approved, the card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. Once it arrives, you set up it through the Chase app or website, and you can start using it when ready for purchases.

If you're denied, Chase will send you a letter explaining why. Common reasons include insufficient credit history, too many recent credit inquiries, or a credit score below Chase's threshold for this card (typically around 670 or higher, though this varies). If you're denied, you can call Chase's reconsideration line to ask if they'll reverse the decision, but this doesn't always work.

When cash back posts and how to use it

Cash back posts to your Amazon.com account balance once per month, usually between the 1st and the 15th. You can see your pending and posted rewards in the Chase app or on the Chase website under your card details.

The cash back appears as account credit on Amazon.com, not as a statement credit on your Chase bill. This means you can only use it to buy things on Amazon — you cannot transfer it to your bank account, use it at other retailers, or redeem it for cash. If you don't shop on Amazon, the rewards are essentially trapped.

There is no expiration date on cash back rewards, so they accumulate indefinitely if you don't spend them. However, if you close the card, any unused rewards may be forfeited depending on Chase's current policy — check your cardholder agreement for the exact terms.

Comparing this card to other options

The Amazon Prime Visa competes with other cash back cards and Amazon's own store card. The main alternative is a flat-rate cash back card like the Citi Double Cash (2% on all purchases) or the Capital One SavorOne (3% on dining and entertainment, 1% elsewhere). If you spend heavily on Amazon, the Prime Visa's 5% rate beats these. If you spend more evenly across categories, a flat-rate card may earn you more total cash back.

Amazon also issues a store card (the Amazon Store Card) that offers promotional financing on Amazon purchases but no cash back. That card is useful only if you make large purchases and want to spread payments over time without interest — it's not a rewards card.

If you have other Chase cards, the Prime Visa's rewards can be combined with those cards' benefits through Chase's Ultimate Rewards program, but only if your other card earns Ultimate Rewards points. The Prime Visa itself does not earn Ultimate Rewards — it earns only Amazon cash back.

Fees, interest rates, and what to watch for

The card has no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and no penalty for paying late (though late payments will damage your credit and trigger interest charges). The variable APR (annual percentage rate) for purchases typically ranges from 18% to 24%, depending on your creditworthiness. This is standard for cash back cards.

If you carry a balance, the interest you pay will quickly erase any rewards. For example, if you earn $100 in cash back but pay $150 in interest charges, you've lost money. The card only makes financial sense if you pay the full balance every month.

Cash advances (withdrawing money from an ATM using the card) carry a higher APR and an upfront fee, usually 3% of the amount withdrawn. Avoid cash advances entirely.

Sign-up bonuses and promotional offers

Chase and Amazon periodically offer sign-up bonuses for new cardholders, typically $100 to $200 in Amazon.com credit. These bonuses usually require you to spend a certain amount (often $500 to $1,000) within the first three months. The bonus is not may provide — it changes based on market conditions and Chase's marketing strategy.

To see the current offer, visit Amazon's credit card page or Chase's website. The offer you see may differ from what someone else sees, because Chase uses targeted marketing and shows different bonuses to different people based on their credit profile and shopping history.

Beyond sign-up bonuses, Chase occasionally runs limited-time promotions like "earn 10% cash back on Whole Foods for the next 30 days" or "earn 3x points on dining." These are announced through email to existing cardholders and on the Chase website. They're not may provide to return, so if you see one you like, it's worth taking advantage of it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need Amazon Prime to use the card?

No, but the rewards are much lower without it. Prime members earn 5% on Amazon purchases; non-members earn 3%. If you don't have Prime and don't plan to get it, a different cash back card will likely serve you better.

Can I use the cash back outside of Amazon?

No. Cash back from the Amazon Prime Visa is issued only as Amazon.com account credit. You cannot transfer it to your bank account, use it at other stores, or redeem it for cash. It can only be spent on Amazon.com.

What happens to my rewards if I cancel the card?

This depends on Chase's current policy. Typically, you keep any cash back you've already earned, but unused rewards may be forfeited if you close the account. Check your cardholder agreement or call Chase before canceling to confirm what happens to your balance.

Does the card work internationally?

Yes, you can use it outside the United States, and there are no foreign transaction fees. However, the cash back rates explore only to purchases made in US dollars on Amazon.com and Whole Foods locations. Purchases at other merchants abroad earn 1% cash back.

How does this card affect my credit score?

explore for the card triggers a hard inquiry, which temporarily lowers your score by a few points. Once approved, the card becomes part of your credit mix and can help your score over time if you use it responsibly and pay on time. Carrying a high balance will hurt your score.