What this card does and who it's for

The Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card is a co-branded credit card issued by Chase in partnership with Amazon. It earns cash back on purchases — the rate depends on where you shop. At Amazon and Whole Foods, you earn 3% cash back. At gas stations, restaurants, and transit, you earn 2% cash back. Everything else earns 1% cash back.

The card has no annual fee. You get an introductory bonus if you meet a spending threshold in the first few months — the exact bonus amount changes, so check the current offer before you open the account. The card is a Visa Signature product, which means it includes benefits like purchase protection and travel insurance that come standard with that tier.

This card makes sense if you shop at Amazon regularly and want to consolidate rewards into one account. It's less useful if you rarely use Amazon or if you already have a card that earns higher cash back rates across the categories you spend in most.

Key Takeaways

  • You earn 3% cash back at Amazon and Whole Foods, 2% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% everywhere else with no annual fee.
  • The card comes with an introductory bonus that requires you to spend a set amount within a few months — the current offer is listed on Chase's website.
  • Cash back posts to your Amazon account as a balance you can use toward purchases, or you can redeem it as a statement credit.
  • You need a credit score in the good to excellent range (typically 670 or higher) to be considered for approval.
  • The card is issued by Chase, so you manage it through Chase's online portal or mobile app, not through Amazon directly.

How to open an account

Start at Chase's website and search for "Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card" or go directly to the card's product page. You'll see the current introductory bonus and the full terms. Click the button to open an account.

Chase will ask for your Social Security number, date of birth, income, employment status, and current address. Have a government-issued ID ready to verify your identity. The process takes about 10 minutes. You'll get a decision when ready or within a few business days — Chase will tell you on the screen or send you an email.

If you're approved, your card ships within 7 to 10 business days. You can add it to your digital wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay) as soon as you receive it, or use the temporary card number Chase provides online to start shopping right away.

How cash back works and where it goes

Cash back accrues as you spend. It doesn't post when ready — Chase batches it and credits it to your account monthly. When it posts, it appears as an Amazon.com balance by default. You can use that balance to pay for anything on Amazon, including items sold by third-party sellers.

If you prefer, you can change your redemption method in your Chase account settings. You can redirect cash back to post as a statement credit instead, which reduces your credit card bill. Some people do this if they don't shop on Amazon often enough to use the balance before it accumulates.

There's no minimum cash back amount you have to wait for before redeeming. Even $1 of cash back can be redeemed when ready once it posts. The cash back never expires as long as your account remains open.

Introductory bonus and how to earn it

When you open the card, Chase offers a bonus if you spend a certain amount within a set timeframe — usually 3 months. The bonus amount and spending requirement change periodically. Check the current offer on Chase's website before you explore, because the bonus you see is the one you'll receive if approved.

The bonus counts only purchases you make with the card itself. Balance transfers, cash advances, and fees don't count toward the spending requirement. If you don't meet the threshold within the timeframe, you don't receive the bonus — there's no partial credit.

The bonus posts as cash back to your Amazon balance (or statement credit, depending on your settings) once you've met the requirement. It usually appears within a few billing cycles after you hit the spending threshold.

Annual fees and other costs

There is no annual fee to hold this card. You pay interest only if you carry a balance from month to month. The interest rate (APR) is shown in your approval documents and varies based on your credit score and creditworthiness.

If you miss a payment, Chase charges a late fee. If you go over your credit limit, there may be an over-limit fee, though Chase can decline transactions that would exceed your limit to prevent this. Cash advances (withdrawing money at an ATM) carry a separate, higher APR and an upfront fee.

Foreign transactions are charged a 3% fee if you use the card outside the United States. If you travel internationally, you may want to use a different card that doesn't charge this fee, or pay in local currency to avoid the conversion markup.

Visa Signature benefits included with the card

As a Visa Signature card, this product includes several protections at no extra cost. Purchase protection covers items you buy with the card if they're damaged, lost, or stolen within a certain window (usually 120 days). You file a claim with Chase, not with the merchant.

Travel insurance includes trip cancellation coverage, trip delay reimbursement, and lost luggage reimbursement if you book your trip with the card. Emergency medical and dental coverage applies if you're traveling more than 100 miles from home. Read the full terms in your cardholder agreement, because coverage limits and exclusions vary.

The card also includes concierge services — you can call a number on the back to get help with restaurant reservations, travel planning, or other requests. These benefits are secondary, meaning your primary insurance (if you have it) pays first.

Comparing this card to other options

If you want to earn cash back on Amazon purchases, your main alternatives are the Amazon Business Prime Card (for business owners), the Amazon Prime Store Card (which earns rewards only at Amazon and Whole Foods), and general cash back cards like the Chase Freedom Unlimited or Capital One SavorOne.

The Amazon Rewards Visa Signature card earns more at Amazon and Whole Foods (3%) than most general cards (typically 1% to 2%). But if you spend heavily at restaurants or travel, a card that earns 3% or more in those categories might net you more total cash back. Use a cash back calculator to compare your actual spending patterns against the earning rates of cards you're considering.

The no annual fee makes this card low-risk to open even if you're not sure you'll use it much. You can keep it open for the cash back on occasional Amazon purchases and use a different card for everyday spending if that makes sense for your rewards strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an Amazon Prime membership to use this card?

No. The card works whether or not you have Prime. However, you earn the same 3% cash back at Amazon regardless of Prime status. If you're not a Prime member, you might want to factor in shipping costs when comparing this card's rewards to other options.

Can I use this card at stores other than Amazon?

Yes. You can use it anywhere Visa is accepted. You earn 2% cash back at gas stations, restaurants, and transit (including taxis, rideshare, parking, trains, buses, and more). You earn 1% cash back on all other purchases. The 3% rate applies only at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market.

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

Any cash back balance you've already earned stays in your Amazon account and remains there even after you close the card. You can use it to make purchases. Cash back that hasn't posted yet will post normally before the account closes, but you won't earn new cash back after the account is closed.

How long does it take to get approved?

Chase usually gives you a decision on the spot or within a few business days. If you're approved, your physical card ships within 7 to 10 business days. You can use a temporary card number online when ready after approval if you want to start earning cash back right away.

Can I transfer my cash back to another rewards program?

No. Cash back earned on this card can only be redeemed as an Amazon balance or as a statement credit on your Chase bill. You cannot transfer it to airline miles, hotel points, or other rewards programs.