What the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card is and who issues it

The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card is a co-branded credit card issued by Chase Bank in partnership with Amazon. If you hold an Amazon Prime membership, you can open this card through Amazon's website or Chase's website. The card is designed to earn rewards on purchases, with higher earning rates on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases.

Chase handles the credit account itself — they set the interest rates, manage your monthly statement, and handle disputes or fraud claims. Amazon handles the rewards program and the Prime membership benefits tied to the card. You'll receive a physical Visa card in the mail and can also add it to digital wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay within days of approval.

Key Takeaways

  • The card earns 5% back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases (with a $200 annual cap on the 5% rate), 2% at restaurants and gas stations, and 1% on everything else.
  • You must have an active Amazon Prime membership to open the card, and the membership benefit is built into the card itself — you don't pay separately.
  • There is no annual fee, but the card charges a standard variable interest rate on balances you don't pay in full each month.
  • The card reports to all three credit bureaus, so on-time payments help your credit score, but missed payments will hurt it.
  • Rewards post to your Amazon account as statement credits and can be used only for Amazon purchases, not transferred to cash or other retailers.

How rewards are earned and used

Every purchase you make with the card earns rewards at different rates depending on where you shop. Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market purchases earn 5% back. Restaurants, gas stations, and transit (including taxis, parking, trains, and buses) earn 2% back. All other purchases earn 1% back.

The 5% rate has a cap: once you've earned $200 in rewards at the 5% rate in a calendar year, additional Amazon and Whole Foods purchases drop to 1% for the rest of that year. This means the maximum you'll earn at 5% is $200 per year, which requires $4,000 in Amazon and Whole Foods spending.

Rewards appear in your Amazon account as statement credits. You see them listed under "Your Account" on Amazon.com, and you can explore them to any purchase at checkout. You cannot convert rewards to cash, transfer them to another person, or use them outside Amazon. If you close the card, any unused rewards typically remain in your Amazon account for a set period, though Chase's exact policy on this should be confirmed in your cardholder agreement.

Annual fees and interest rates

There is no annual fee to hold this card. You pay nothing to Chase straightforward for having the account open, regardless of how much or how little you use it.

If you carry a balance from month to month without paying it off in full, Chase charges interest. The interest rate is variable, meaning it changes over time based on the prime rate set by the Federal Reserve. Your specific rate depends on your credit score and credit history — the better your credit, the lower your rate will typically be. Chase publishes the range of rates they offer, but you won't know your exact rate until after you're approved.

Cash advances (withdrawing money from an ATM using the card) carry a separate, higher interest rate and also charge an upfront fee. Avoid cash advances unless you have no other option. Balance transfer rates (moving debt from another card to this one) also differ from the standard purchase rate.

How to open an account and what you'll need

You can start the process on Amazon.com or directly through Chase's website. Either way, you'll answer questions about your income, employment, and existing debts. Chase will pull your credit report (a hard inquiry) to make a decision, which may temporarily lower your credit score by a few points.

You'll need a Social Security number, a current mailing address, and a valid government-issued ID. Have your most recent tax return or pay stub handy so you can confirm your income if Chase asks. The entire process takes about 10 to 15 minutes online.

Chase typically makes a decision within minutes to a few days. If approved, your card arrives in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can request expedited shipping in some cases. Once the card arrives, you set up it through the Chase website or app before your first use.

How the Prime membership benefit works

When you open this card, you receive an Amazon Prime membership as part of the card benefit. If you already have a Prime membership, the card's membership extends or renews your existing one at no extra cost. You do not pay the standard Prime annual fee ($139 as of 2024, though this varies) — the membership is included with the card.

If you cancel the card, your Prime membership typically ends 30 days later, giving you time to decide whether to pay for a separate Prime membership if you want to keep it. If you already had Prime before opening the card, cancelling the card does not cancel your original membership — only the card-linked benefit ends.

Credit reporting and your credit score

Chase reports your account activity to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — all three major credit bureaus. This means your payment history, credit limit, and balance all affect your credit score. Making on-time payments every month helps your score. Missing a payment or paying late damages it.

Opening the card itself causes a small, temporary dip in your score because of the hard credit inquiry. Over time, if you use the card responsibly, the account history helps your score by showing lenders you can manage credit reliably.

Your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of your available credit you're actually using — also matters. If your credit limit is $5,000 and you carry a $2,500 balance, your utilization is 50%. Keeping utilization below 30% is generally better for your score. Paying off the full balance each month keeps utilization at 0%.

Comparing this card to other Amazon shopping cards

Amazon also offers the Amazon Business Prime Visa Card, which is designed for business owners and employees. It earns the same 5% on Amazon purchases but has different benefits around business expense tracking and reporting. You need a business account to open it.

Outside of Amazon's branded cards, other rewards cards earn higher percentages on certain categories. The Chase Sapphire Preferred, for example, earns 3% on dining and travel. The Citi Double Cash earns 2% on all purchases with no category restrictions. The choice depends on where you spend most of your money and whether the Prime membership benefit matters to you.

If you spend heavily on Amazon and Whole Foods and value Prime membership, this card's 5% rate and included Prime benefit often make it worthwhile. If you spend more at other retailers or restaurants, a card with broader category bonuses or a flat-rate structure may earn you more rewards overall.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I don't pay my bill on time?

Chase charges a late fee (typically $25 to $35 for the first late payment, higher for subsequent ones) and reports the late payment to credit bureaus after 30 days. Your interest rate may also increase. A single late payment can lower your credit score by 100 points or more. If you miss a payment, contact Chase when ready to discuss options.

Can I use this card outside the United States?

Yes, it's a Visa card and works internationally. However, Chase charges a foreign transaction fee of 3% on purchases made outside the U.S. This fee is added to your statement. If you travel frequently, a card with no foreign transaction fee may save you money.

Do I lose my rewards if I close the card?

Rewards already posted to your Amazon account remain there and can be used. Rewards you haven't yet earned are forfeited. If you're thinking of closing the card, use any pending rewards first, then close the account.

What's the difference between this card and a regular Amazon gift card?

A gift card is a prepaid balance you load with your own money and spend down. This credit card is a line of credit from Chase that you pay back monthly. The card earns rewards on your spending; a gift card does not. The card also includes Prime membership; a gift card does not.

Can I get the Prime membership benefit without opening the credit card?

No. The Prime membership is tied to the card account. If you want Prime membership without a credit card, you can pay for it separately through Amazon.com at the standard annual rate.