What the Visa Amazon Credit Card is and who offers it

The Visa Amazon credit card is a rewards card issued by Chase Bank in partnership with Amazon. It gives you cash back on purchases made through Amazon and at Whole Foods, plus a smaller cash back rate on other everyday purchases. The card is a standard Visa, so you can use it anywhere Visa is accepted — not just at Amazon.

Amazon offers two versions: the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card (for Prime members) and the Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card (for non-Prime members). The Prime version offers higher cash back rates on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases. Both cards have no annual fee.

Chase handles the account itself — billing, statements, customer service, and fraud protection all go through Chase, even though the card carries Amazon branding. When you sign up, you are opening a Chase credit account, not an Amazon account.

Key Takeaways

  • The Amazon Prime Rewards card gives 5% cash back on Amazon purchases and Whole Foods, but only if you are an active Prime member; the non-Prime version gives 3% on Amazon and 1% elsewhere.
  • There is no annual fee, but you must have a good credit score to be approved — Chase typically looks for a score of 670 or higher.
  • Cash back posts as a statement credit or can be deposited to your bank account; it does not automatically go to an Amazon gift card balance.
  • The card uses the same fraud protection and dispute process as any other Chase Visa, and you can view statements and make payments through Chase's website or app, not Amazon's.
  • You can cancel the card at any time with no penalty, but you will lose access to future cash back rewards.

Cash back rates and how rewards are calculated

If you hold the Amazon Prime Rewards card, you earn 5% cash back on purchases made directly through Amazon.com and the Amazon app, plus 5% at Whole Foods Market locations. You earn 2% cash back at gas stations, restaurants, and on transit (including taxis, rideshare, parking, trains, buses, and more). Everything else earns 1% cash back.

If you hold the Amazon Rewards card (non-Prime version), you earn 3% cash back on Amazon.com and Amazon app purchases, 2% at Whole Foods, and 1% on all other purchases. There is no bonus on gas, restaurants, or transit.

Cash back is calculated on the full purchase amount, including tax. It posts to your account monthly and appears as a statement credit. You can also request that cash back be deposited directly to a linked bank account instead. Cash back does not expire as long as your account remains open.

The 5% or 3% rate on Amazon purchases applies only to items sold directly by Amazon or Amazon Fresh. Purchases from third-party sellers using the Amazon marketplace earn only 1% cash back, even if you have the Prime card.

Credit score and approval requirements

Chase typically approves applicants with a credit score of 670 or higher for the Amazon Visa card. This is considered "good" credit rather than "excellent." If your score is below 670, you may still be approved, but it depends on other factors Chase considers: your income, existing debts, payment history, and how long you have had credit accounts open.

You will need to provide your Social Security number, date of birth, income, and current address during the process. Chase will pull a hard inquiry on your credit report, which may lower your score by a few points temporarily. The process takes about 15 minutes and you usually receive a decision within minutes or a few business days.

If you are denied, you can call Chase's reconsideration line to ask about your process, though this does not always change the outcome. You can also reapply after several months if you have improved your credit score or reduced your debt.

how the process works and what happens after approval

You can start an process on Amazon.com by going to the credit card offers page, or directly through Chase's website. You will be asked to confirm your identity, provide income information, and review the terms. The process is entirely online.

If approved, your card ships within 7 to 10 business days. Once it arrives, you set up it through Chase's website or app by entering the card number and expiration date. You can also call the number on the back of the card to set up it.

Your first statement closes 25 to 30 days after you open the account. You will receive a statement showing any purchases you have made and the cash back earned. Payment is due by the statement due date, which Chase will specify. You can pay online through Chase's website, by phone, by mail, or through automatic payments set up in advance.

Cash back begins posting the month after you make purchases. If you make a purchase on January 15th, the cash back appears on your February statement. There is no waiting period or redemption step — it is automatic.

Annual fees, interest rates, and other costs

There is no annual fee for either version of the Amazon Visa card. You will never be charged just for holding the card.

If you carry a balance (do not pay the full statement in full), you will be charged interest. The APR (annual percentage rate) varies based on your creditworthiness and typically ranges from 18% to 24%, though the exact rate is disclosed in your approval letter. This is standard for rewards cards and is not unique to the Amazon card.

If you make a late payment, Chase charges a late fee. The first late payment typically costs $25 to $35, and subsequent late payments may cost more. A single late payment also damages your credit score and may trigger a higher APR on future purchases.

There are no foreign transaction fees, so you can use the card internationally without a currency conversion surcharge. However, your bank may charge a fee for ATM withdrawals abroad.

How to manage your account and view statements

Once your account is open, you manage everything through Chase, not Amazon. You can log into Chase.com or the Chase mobile app using your username and password. From there you can view your current balance, recent transactions, statement history, and cash back earned.

Statements are available online 25 to 30 days after your statement closing date. You can also request paper statements by mail, though Chase encourages online statements to reduce clutter. You can read statements as PDFs for your records.

You can set up automatic payments so that a fixed amount or your full balance is paid on a date you choose each month. This reduces the risk of missing a payment important date. You can change or cancel automatic payments anytime through the app.

If you notice a fraudulent charge, you can dispute it directly through the Chase app or website, or by calling the number on the back of your card. Chase covers unauthorized charges under its zero-liability policy, so you are not responsible for fraud.

When to cancel and what happens to your rewards

You can cancel the card at any time by calling Chase or requesting cancellation through the app. There is no penalty for closing the account early. However, once you cancel, you stop earning cash back on future purchases, and you lose any promotional offers that came with the card.

Cash back you have already earned remains yours and will appear as a statement credit or can be withdrawn to your bank account before you close the account. Canceling the card does not erase your cash back balance.

Canceling does lower your credit score slightly because it reduces your available credit and may increase your credit utilization ratio on other cards. The impact is usually temporary and recovers within a few months.

If you want to keep the card but stop using it, you can straightforward leave it inactive. As long as you do not close it, you keep the available credit and the account history, which helps your credit score. Chase will not close inactive accounts due to non-use alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be a Prime member to use the card?

No. You can hold either version of the card regardless of Prime membership. However, the Prime Rewards version offers higher cash back rates (5% instead of 3% on Amazon purchases), so it is worth getting a Prime membership if you shop on Amazon regularly. Prime membership costs $139 per year or $14.99 per month.

Can I earn cash back on purchases made by other people using my card?

Yes. Cash back is earned on all purchases made with your card, regardless of who makes them. If you give your card to a family member or employee, they earn cash back for you on their purchases.

What happens to my cash back if I don't use my card for a long time?

Cash back does not expire as long as your account is open. You can go months without using the card and your accumulated cash back will still be there. However, if Chase closes your account due to inactivity (rare), you should withdraw your cash back before that happens.

Can I transfer my cash back to an Amazon gift card balance?

No. Cash back posts as a statement credit on your Chase bill or can be deposited to your bank account. It does not automatically convert to Amazon credit. You would need to use your statement credit to pay your bill, then use a separate Amazon gift card or payment method to shop.

What is the difference between this card and other Amazon shopping cards?

Amazon has offered different cards through different banks over time. The current card is issued by Chase and is the primary option available. Older cards issued by other banks may still be active but are no longer being marketed. The Chase version is the one you would open today.