The Amazon Prime Credit Card gives you cash back on Amazon purchases and other everyday spending, plus protections like purchase protection and extended warranty coverage

The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card is issued by Chase and designed for people who already have an Amazon Prime membership. The card offers 5% cash back on Amazon.com and Whole Foods purchases, 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% cash back on everything else. You earn rewards in the form of points that post to your account as a statement credit.

There is no annual fee if you have an active Prime membership. If your Prime membership lapses, the card converts to a standard Amazon Rewards card with an annual fee, though you can downgrade or close the card before that happens. The card is a Visa Signature card, which means it includes certain protections that standard credit cards do not.

Key Takeaways

  • You earn 5% cash back on Amazon.com and Whole Foods purchases, 2% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% on all other purchases.
  • The card has no annual fee as long as you maintain an active Amazon Prime membership.
  • Visa Signature benefits include purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, and emergency travel information.
  • The card requires an existing Prime membership to open and offers the highest rewards rate only on Amazon and Whole Foods, not other retailers.

How the Cash Back Rewards Work

Cash back is earned automatically on every purchase you make with the card. The 5% rate applies only to Amazon.com purchases and Whole Foods Market transactions — both in-store and online. The 2% rate applies at US gas stations and restaurants, including fast food and delivery services. Everything else earns 1% cash back.

Rewards post to your account as a statement credit, usually within one to three billing cycles. You do not have to redeem them manually or transfer them anywhere — they straightforward reduce your credit card balance. There is no cap on how much cash back you can earn, and rewards do not expire as long as your account remains open.

If you close the card, any unredeemed rewards are forfeited. Some cardholders use the card only for Amazon purchases and keep a different card for everyday spending to maximize the 5% rate on the categories where they spend most.

Visa Signature Protections Included with the Card

As a Visa Signature card, the Amazon Prime Rewards card includes protections that go beyond what a standard credit card offers. Purchase protection covers items you buy with the card if they are damaged, lost, or stolen within 120 days of purchase. You file a claim with Chase, and if the claim is approved, Chase reimburses you up to a set limit per item and per claim.

Extended warranty coverage doubles the manufacturer's warranty on may be able to access items for up to one additional year. If an appliance or electronics item breaks after the manufacturer's warranty ends but within the extended period, you can file a claim. This is useful for larger purchases like laptops, kitchen appliances, or televisions.

Emergency travel information provides services like emergency cash advances, emergency ticket replacement, and lost luggage reimbursement if you are traveling more than 100 miles from home. You call a dedicated number to access these services, and Chase coordinates the help rather than paying you directly.

When the 5% Cash Back Rate Matters Most

The card's value depends heavily on how much you spend on Amazon and Whole Foods. If you buy groceries at Whole Foods regularly and shop on Amazon frequently, the 5% rate adds up quickly. A household spending $200 per month on Amazon and $150 at Whole Foods earns $42 per month in cash back, or about $500 per year.

The 2% rate at gas stations and restaurants is competitive but not exceptional — many other cards offer 2% or higher on these categories. The 1% rate on everything else is standard for cash back cards. The card makes the most financial sense if Amazon and Whole Foods together account for a meaningful portion of your monthly spending.

If you rarely shop on Amazon or do not have a Whole Foods nearby, a different rewards card might offer better value. Some cards offer flat 2% cash back on all purchases, which would beat this card's 1% rate on non-Amazon, non-Whole Foods, non-gas, non-restaurant spending.

Annual Fee and Membership Requirements

The card has no annual fee as long as you maintain an active Amazon Prime membership. Prime membership costs $139 per year for a standard membership or $14.99 per month if you pay monthly. If your Prime membership expires and you do not renew it, Chase automatically converts the card to a standard Amazon Rewards Visa card, which carries a $39 annual fee.

You have the option to downgrade or close the card before the conversion happens. Many cardholders set a reminder when their Prime membership is about to expire so they can decide whether to renew or cancel the card. If you already pay for Prime for the shipping and video benefits, the credit card adds no additional cost.

How to Open the Card and What You Need

You must have an active Amazon Prime membership to open the card. You can explore through Amazon's website or through Chase's website. The process asks for your name, address, Social Security number, income, and employment information. Chase runs a hard credit inquiry, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points.

Approval typically takes a few minutes to a few days. If approved, the card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You set up it through the Amazon app or Chase's website before using it. The card works when ready for online purchases once activated, even if the physical card has not arrived yet.

If you are denied, you can call Chase to ask why. Common reasons include insufficient credit history, high existing debt, or recent late payments. You can reapply after addressing the issue, though multiple applications in a short time can hurt your credit score further.

Comparing This Card to Other Amazon and Rewards Options

The Amazon Prime Rewards card is the only Amazon-branded card that offers 5% cash back on Amazon purchases. The standard Amazon Rewards card (without Prime) offers 3% cash back on Amazon and Whole Foods, 2% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% elsewhere, but charges a $39 annual fee.

Other cards offer different rewards structures. The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers 3% cash back on dining and travel but requires an annual fee of $95. The Capital One SavorOne card offers 3% cash back on dining and entertainment with no annual fee. The Citi Double Cash card offers 2% cash back on all purchases with no annual fee. Which card makes sense depends on where you spend most of your money.

If you have a Prime membership and spend significantly on Amazon, the Prime Rewards card is usually the best choice because the 5% rate is hard to beat. If you do not have Prime or rarely shop on Amazon, a flat-rate or category-focused card from another issuer may offer better value.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to have Amazon Prime to use the card?

You must have an active Prime membership to open the card. If your membership lapses, the card converts to a standard Amazon Rewards card with a $39 annual fee. You can close or downgrade the card before that happens to avoid the fee.

Can I earn 5% cash back at Amazon Fresh or other Amazon-owned stores?

The 5% rate applies only to Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market. Amazon Fresh, Amazon Go, and other Amazon-owned retailers earn 1% cash back. This is a common point of confusion because Amazon owns these stores but they are not included in the 5% category.

What happens to my rewards if I close the card?

Any unredeemed rewards are forfeited when you close the card. Rewards post as statement credits automatically, so make sure your account is paid off or your rewards have posted before closing. You cannot transfer rewards to another card or convert them to points.

Does the card offer travel insurance or trip cancellation coverage?

The card includes emergency travel information and lost luggage reimbursement as Visa Signature benefits, but it does not include trip cancellation insurance or trip delay reimbursement. For those protections, you would need a premium travel rewards card with a higher annual fee.

Can I use the card outside the United States?

Yes, the card works internationally as a Visa card. You pay no foreign transaction fees, which is a benefit many cash back cards do not offer. Rewards are earned at the same rates — 5% on Amazon.com purchases, 2% on restaurants and gas, 1% on everything else.