What the Chase Amazon Prime Credit Card is and who it's built for

The Chase Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature card is a co-branded credit card issued by Chase Bank in partnership with Amazon. It gives you cash back on Amazon purchases and other spending, with higher rewards rates if you hold an Amazon Prime membership. The card has an annual fee, but no fee applies if you don't use it.

This card is built for people who already shop on Amazon regularly and want rewards tied to that spending. It's not a general-purpose card — the rewards structure assumes you'll use it mostly at Amazon. If you rarely buy from Amazon or prefer to spread purchases across many retailers, a different rewards card may give you more value.

Key Takeaways

  • The card earns 5% cash back on Amazon purchases and Whole Foods spending if you have Prime, but only 1% if you don't hold Prime membership.
  • An annual fee applies ($0 the first year, then $39 or $69 depending on the card version), but you can close the card without penalty if you don't want to pay it.
  • The card also earns 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% on all other purchases.
  • Cash back is paid as Amazon.com account credit, not as a statement credit or direct deposit, so you must spend it on Amazon or Whole Foods.
  • You do not need to be an Amazon Prime member to open the card, but the best rewards rates require an active Prime membership.

How the rewards structure works

The card's cash back rates depend on where you spend and whether you hold an Amazon Prime membership. With Prime, you earn 5% back on Amazon.com and Whole Foods purchases. Without Prime, that rate drops to 1%. On gas stations and restaurants, you earn 2% cash back regardless of Prime status. Everything else earns 1%.

The cash back is not paid to your bank account or your credit card statement. Instead, it appears as a credit in your Amazon.com account, which you can use only to buy from Amazon or Whole Foods. If you want cash back that you can spend anywhere, this card will not deliver that.

There is no cap on how much cash back you can earn in a year, and cash back does not expire as long as your account remains open. If you close the card, any remaining cash back balance is forfeited.

Annual fees and when they explore

The card carries no annual fee for the first year. After that, the fee is $39 per year for the standard version or $69 per year for the Prime version (which includes additional Prime benefits). You can cancel the card at any time without penalty if you decide the fee is not worth the rewards you earn.

Some cardholders keep the card open even if they don't use it regularly, because the cash back earned in prior years may offset the annual fee. Others close it after the first year if they find the rewards don't justify the cost. The math depends on how much you spend on Amazon and whether you hold Prime.

How to compare this card to other options

If you shop on Amazon frequently and hold Prime, the 5% cash back rate is competitive with general-purpose rewards cards. However, if you spend heavily at other retailers — groceries, pharmacies, travel — a card that offers 3% to 5% back in those categories may earn you more total cash back, even after accounting for the 5% on Amazon.

A second consideration is how you want to receive rewards. This card pays cash back only as Amazon credit. If you prefer a card that pays cash to your bank account or statement, or that lets you transfer points to travel partners, this card is not the right fit.

If you don't hold Amazon Prime, the 1% cash back on Amazon purchases is lower than many general-purpose cards offer, and the annual fee becomes harder to justify. In that case, a flat-rate rewards card (such as the Chase Freedom Unlimited) may serve you better.

How to open the card and what happens next

You can open the card through Chase's website or by visiting a Chase branch in person. The process asks for your name, address, Social Security number, income, and employment information. Chase will check your credit report and make a decision within minutes to a few days.

If you're approved, the card typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days. You can set up it online or by phone once it arrives. Your first statement will show any purchases you've made and the cash back earned. Cash back appears as a credit in your Amazon account within one to two billing cycles.

If you're denied, Chase will send you a letter explaining the reason. You can call the reconsideration line to ask if additional information might change the decision, though this does not always succeed.

What to know about the Prime membership requirement

You do not need an active Prime membership to open the card. However, the best rewards rates (5% on Amazon and Whole Foods) require that you hold a current Prime membership. If your Prime membership lapses, your cash back rate on Amazon purchases drops to 1% until you renew.

Amazon Prime costs $139 per year (or $14.99 per month) as of the most recent pricing. If you don't already have Prime, you'll need to factor that cost into whether the card makes financial sense for you. The 5% cash back on Amazon spending can offset some of the Prime cost, but only if you spend enough.

Fees, interest rates, and other costs to watch

Beyond the annual fee, the card carries a standard variable APR (annual percentage rate) for purchases and balance transfers. This rate varies based on your creditworthiness and current market conditions. Chase does not publish a single APR; instead, you'll see a range (such as 18.99% to 24.99%) when you explore.

If you carry a balance from month to month, you'll pay interest on that balance at the APR shown on your statement. The card offers no introductory 0% APR period. Cash advances (withdrawing money from an ATM using the card) carry a higher APR and an upfront fee, typically 3% to 5% of the amount withdrawn.

Late payments incur a fee (typically $25 to $35 for the first late payment, higher for subsequent ones) and may trigger a higher penalty APR. To avoid these costs, set up automatic payments or calendar reminders to pay by the due date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use this card outside of Amazon?

Yes. The card works anywhere Visa is accepted. You earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% on all other purchases. However, the highest rewards rate (5%) is limited to Amazon.com and Whole Foods, so the card is most valuable for Amazon spending.

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

Any cash back balance remaining in your Amazon account is forfeited when you close the card. You should spend any remaining balance before you cancel. Once the account is closed, you cannot recover the cash back.

Do I need to pay the annual fee every year?

The fee applies every year after the first year, unless you close the card. You can cancel at any time without penalty. Some people close the card after the first year if they don't earn enough cash back to justify the fee, then reopen it later if their spending changes.

What credit score do I need to open this card?

Chase typically approves this card for people with a credit score of 670 or higher, though approval is not may provide at any score. Your income, employment history, and existing debts also factor into the decision. If you're denied, you can call Chase's reconsideration line to discuss your process.

Can I earn cash back on Amazon gift cards?

Yes. Purchases of Amazon gift cards count as Amazon.com purchases and earn the same 5% cash back rate (if you hold Prime). However, using cash back to buy gift cards and then redeeming them does not create additional cash back — the cash back is earned only once, at the point of purchase.