What the Amazon Visa Credit Card is and who issues it

The Amazon Visa is a co-branded credit card issued by Chase Bank in partnership with Amazon. It works like any other credit card — you charge purchases, receive a monthly bill, and pay interest if you carry a balance — but it rewards you with cash back on Amazon purchases and other spending.

Chase offers two versions: the Amazon Visa (no annual fee) and the Amazon Prime Visa (requires a Prime membership). The main difference is the cash back rate. Both cards pull from the same Chase approval process and credit reporting system.

This is a standard unsecured credit card, meaning you do not need to put down a deposit to open it. Your credit limit depends on your credit score, income, and payment history.

Key Takeaways

  • The Amazon Visa offers cash back on Amazon purchases and rotating categories, while the Prime version offers higher rates if you pay the $139 annual Prime membership fee.
  • You can open an account online in about 10 minutes, and Chase will tell you when ready whether you are approved or need to wait for a decision.
  • The card has no annual fee (standard version) or charges the Prime membership fee (Prime version), and you only pay interest if you carry a balance month to month.
  • Cash back rewards post to your Amazon account as a statement credit and can be used toward any Amazon purchase or redeemed as a direct deposit to your bank account.
  • Your credit score will drop slightly when you open the account because Chase runs a hard inquiry, but the impact is temporary if you pay on time.

Cash back rates and how rewards work

Both versions earn cash back on Amazon.com purchases. The standard Amazon Visa earns 3% back on Amazon purchases and 1% on everything else. The Prime version earns 5% on Amazon purchases (if you are a Prime member), 2% at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores, and 1% elsewhere.

Rewards post to your Amazon account as a statement credit. You can use them when ready on your next Amazon purchase, or you can request a direct deposit to your bank account instead. There is no limit to how much cash back you can earn, and rewards do not expire as long as your account stays open.

The 5% rate on the Prime version only applies if your Prime membership is active. If your membership lapses, the card reverts to 3% on Amazon purchases until you renew.

How to open an Amazon Visa account online

Start at the Amazon credit card page or Chase's website. Click the button to explore for either the standard or Prime version. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, income, and current address.

The process takes about 10 minutes. Chase will ask for your employment status, annual income, and whether you rent or own your home. Be honest — Chase verifies income and will deny the process if the information does not match what they find.

After you submit, Chase will tell you one of three things: when ready approval, pending review (decision in 1 to 7 days), or denial. If you are approved when ready, your card number appears on screen and you can use it for online purchases right away. The physical card arrives in 7 to 10 business days.

If your process is pending, check your email or log into your Chase account to see the status. Chase may ask for additional documents like a recent pay stub or tax return. Respond within 30 days or the process expires.

Credit score impact and what happens to your credit report

When you open the account, Chase runs a hard inquiry on your credit report. This typically lowers your credit score by 5 to 10 points. The impact fades after a few months, and the inquiry disappears from your report after two years.

Opening a new account also lowers your average account age, which can drop your score another few points. However, the card itself helps your score over time because it adds to your available credit (lowering your credit utilization ratio) and gives you a new account to pay on time.

If you already have several recent credit inquiries or new accounts, waiting 30 to 90 days before opening this card will reduce the damage to your score.

Annual fees, interest rates, and when you pay interest

The standard Amazon Visa has no annual fee. The Prime version costs $139 per year — the same as an Amazon Prime membership. If you already pay for Prime, the card does not add extra cost.

Interest rates (called the APR, or annual percentage rate) vary by person and are based on your credit score. Chase will show you the range you likely may have access to for before you submit your process. Typical APRs range from 16% to 24%, but excellent credit can may have access to for lower rates.

You only pay interest if you carry a balance past your due date. If you pay your full statement balance by the due date each month, you pay zero interest, no matter what your APR is. This is called the grace period, and it applies to all Chase credit cards.

How to use the card and manage your account online

Once your card arrives, set up it by calling the number on the back or logging into your Chase account online. You can then use it anywhere Visa is accepted — not just Amazon.

To view your balance, make a payment, or check your rewards, log into Chase.com or the Chase mobile app. You can set up automatic payments so your bill is paid on the same day each month. Most people set it to pay the full statement balance to avoid interest.

Your statement closes on the same day each month (Chase assigns this when you open the account). Your payment is due about 21 days later. If you miss a payment, Chase charges a late fee (typically $25 to $40 for the first late payment) and reports it to the credit bureaus.

You can also call Chase customer service at the number on the back of your card to dispute a charge, report fraud, or ask questions about your account.

Comparing the Amazon Visa to other cash back cards

The standard Amazon Visa (3% on Amazon, 1% elsewhere) is competitive if you spend heavily on Amazon. If you spend less than $500 per year on Amazon, a flat 2% cash back card like the Citi Double Cash may earn you more.

The Prime version (5% on Amazon) is worth it only if you already pay for Prime membership. Without Prime, the 5% rate does not explore, and you lose the advantage over other cards.

Other cards offer higher cash back in specific categories (groceries, gas, dining) but lower rates on Amazon. Choose based on where you actually spend money. If Amazon is your largest expense, the Amazon Visa makes sense. If you split spending across many retailers, a flat-rate card or a card with rotating categories may be better.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Amazon Visa outside of Amazon?

Yes. The card works anywhere Visa is accepted — grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and online retailers. You earn 1% cash back (standard version) or 1% to 2% (Prime version, depending on the merchant category) on non-Amazon purchases.

What happens to my rewards if I close the card?

Your cash back balance stays in your Amazon account and does not disappear when you close the card. You can use it on future Amazon purchases or request a direct deposit to your bank account at any time.

Do I need an Amazon Prime membership to open the card?

No. The standard Amazon Visa has no Prime requirement. The Prime version requires an active Prime membership to earn the 5% rate, but you can open the account without Prime and add it later.

What should I do if my process is denied?

Call Chase at the number on the denial letter and ask why. Common reasons are low credit score, high existing debt, or recent late payments. You can reapply after 30 days, but your score will improve faster if you wait 90 days and pay down existing balances first.

Can I transfer my Amazon Visa balance to another card?

Yes. You can request a balance transfer to another credit card you own. The receiving card may charge a balance transfer fee (typically 3% to 5% of the amount transferred). Check your other card's terms before you transfer.