What the Amazon Prime Visa card is and who it's for

The Amazon Prime Visa is a co-branded credit card issued by Chase Bank in partnership with Amazon. It's designed for people who already have an Amazon Prime membership and want to earn rewards on their purchases. The card offers cash back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases, plus a smaller cash back rate on other spending.

You don't need to own the card to shop on Amazon, and you don't need Amazon Prime to own a credit card. But this card combines both: it rewards Prime members for spending they're already doing, and it ties your credit line directly to your Amazon account.

The card is most useful if you spend regularly on Amazon or Whole Foods and want to convert that spending into cash back rather than just buying things outright. It's less useful if you rarely shop on Amazon, or if you already have a different rewards card that gives you better rates on the categories you actually spend in.

Key Takeaways

  • The Amazon Prime Visa offers 5% cash back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases, 2% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% everywhere else, but only if you're an active Prime member.
  • There is no annual fee, but you must maintain an active Amazon Prime membership to keep the card's higher rewards rates.
  • The card is issued by Chase and uses the Visa network, so it works anywhere Visa is accepted, not just on Amazon.
  • Your credit score affects whether you're approved and what interest rate you receive, just like any other credit card.
  • If you cancel your Prime membership, your cash back rates drop to 1% on Amazon purchases and 1% everywhere else.

Cash back rates and what they actually mean

The card's rewards structure has a Prime membership condition built in. When you're an active Prime member, you earn 5% cash back on Amazon.com purchases and Whole Foods Market in-store purchases, 2% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% on everything else. These are the advertised rates.

The 5% rate applies to items you buy on Amazon.com itself — not third-party sellers using Amazon's marketplace, though some third-party sales do may have access to. Whole Foods purchases must happen in the physical store or through their online ordering system, not through Amazon Fresh or other grocery delivery services. The 2% category includes gas stations and restaurants worldwide, which is broader than some competing cards.

Cash back accumulates in your Amazon account as a balance you can use toward future purchases. You cannot transfer it to a bank account or redeem it as a statement credit — it stays in the Amazon ecosystem. If you close your Amazon account, you lose any unredeemed cash back balance.

Annual fees and other costs

There is no annual fee to hold the Amazon Prime Visa. You pay nothing just for having the card in your wallet, whether you use it or not.

You do pay interest if you carry a balance. The card's interest rate (APR) depends on your credit score and credit history — Chase sets this when you're approved, and it can change over time. If you pay your full statement balance by the due date each month, you pay no interest. If you don't, interest accrues on the remaining balance at your card's APR.

Late payments trigger a late fee, typically $25 to $40 depending on how late you are. Missing payments also damages your credit score and can eventually lead to the card being closed.

How approval works and what Chase looks at

Chase reviews your credit report, credit score, income, and existing debts when you request the card. You don't need to be a Prime member to explore, but you do need to be at least 18 years old and have a Social Security number or ITIN.

A credit score of 670 or higher makes approval more likely, though Chase sometimes approves people with lower scores depending on other factors. If you have recent late payments, collections, or a very high debt-to-income ratio, you're less likely to be approved. If you're approved, Chase tells you when ready or within a few days.

explore for the card triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report, which temporarily lowers your score by a few points. Multiple applications in a short time can compound this effect. If you're denied, you can ask Chase why and reapply later once you've addressed the issue — for example, by paying down existing debt or waiting for old negative marks to age off your report.

How the card integrates with your Amazon account

Once approved, the card links directly to your Amazon account. You can use it to pay for purchases on Amazon.com, and the cash back deposits into your Amazon balance automatically. You can also use the card anywhere Visa is accepted — at physical stores, online retailers, gas stations, restaurants — just like any other credit card.

Your Amazon account shows your card's cash back balance and transaction history. You can view statements through Chase's website or app, separate from your Amazon account. Payments go to Chase, not Amazon, though you can set up automatic payments from your bank account.

If your Amazon account is compromised or closed, your card remains active — they're separate accounts. But if you lose access to your Amazon account, you can't redeem cash back until you regain access.

What happens if you cancel Prime or close the card

If you cancel your Amazon Prime membership, your cash back rates drop when ready. You'll earn 1% cash back on all Amazon purchases and 1% on everything else — the 5% and 2% rates disappear. The card itself stays open and usable, but it becomes much less valuable.

If you close the card, any unredeemed cash back balance stays in your Amazon account for a limited time — typically 90 days — before it expires. After that, it's gone. You can still shop on Amazon using a different payment method, but you lose the rewards benefit going forward.

Closing the card also affects your credit score slightly. It reduces your available credit, which can raise your credit utilization ratio if you carry balances on other cards. It also shortens your average account age if this is one of your older cards. These effects are usually small and fade over time.

Comparing this card to other rewards options

The Amazon Prime Visa's main advantage is the 5% rate on Amazon purchases, which is higher than most general rewards cards. If you spend $200 a month on Amazon, that's $120 a year in cash back versus $24 with a 1% card — a real difference.

The disadvantage is that the high rate only works if you're a Prime member. Prime costs $139 per year (or $14.99 monthly), so you need to earn at least that much in extra cash back to break even. At 5% on Amazon purchases, you'd need to spend about $2,800 on Amazon annually to earn $140 in cash back. If you spend less than that, a different card might make more sense.

Other cards offer different trade-offs: some have annual fees but higher cash back on groceries or travel, some offer sign-up bonuses, some have no category restrictions. The right card depends on where you actually spend money, not on which card has the highest advertised rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need Amazon Prime to get the card?

No, you can be approved without Prime. But the card's main benefit — the 5% cash back on Amazon — only works if you're an active Prime member. Without Prime, you earn 1% on Amazon purchases, which is the same as many other cards.

Can I use this card outside of Amazon?

Yes. The card works anywhere Visa is accepted. You earn 2% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% everywhere else. It's a full credit card, not limited to Amazon purchases.

What happens to my cash back if I close my Amazon account?

You lose access to any unredeemed cash back balance. The balance typically expires 90 days after your account closes. The card itself may remain open, but you can't redeem the rewards.

Does the card have a sign-up bonus?

Chase sometimes offers sign-up bonuses on the Amazon Prime Visa, but these change frequently and vary by offer. Check Chase's website or the card's current offer page to see what's available when you're considering explore.

What credit score do I need to be approved?

Chase typically approves people with a credit score of 670 or higher, but approval depends on your full credit profile — not just the score. People with lower scores are sometimes approved, and people with higher scores are sometimes denied if they have other risk factors.