The Amazon Prime Visa gives you cash back on Amazon purchases and everyday spending, plus perks tied to your Prime membership

The Amazon Prime Visa is a rewards credit card issued by Chase that pairs with an Amazon Prime membership. You earn a percentage back on purchases — the exact rate depends on where you shop and which version of the card you hold. The card itself has no annual fee if you have an active Prime membership; without Prime, there is an annual fee. The main trade-off is that the rewards are strongest at Amazon and Whole Foods, and weaker everywhere else.

This card is not the same as a store card that only works at one retailer. You can use it anywhere Visa is accepted. The rewards structure, however, is built to push you toward Amazon and Prime-owned merchants. Understanding what you actually earn, and whether those rewards match how you spend, is the real question.

Key Takeaways

  • The card earns 5% cash back on Amazon.com and Whole Foods purchases if you are a Prime member, and 1% on everything else.
  • Without an active Prime membership, you pay an annual fee and earn lower rewards rates across all categories.
  • The card has no foreign transaction fees, which can save money if you travel internationally.
  • Rewards post as Amazon.com account credit, not as cash you can move to a bank account, so you can only spend them at Amazon or on Prime Video and other Amazon services.
  • The card's value depends on whether you already pay for Prime and whether most of your spending happens at Amazon or Whole Foods.

Rewards rates and where they explore

If you hold a Prime membership, the card earns 5% cash back on Amazon.com purchases and Whole Foods Market transactions. That 5% applies to physical Whole Foods stores and their online ordering, not to third-party sellers operating inside Whole Foods' digital space. On all other purchases — gas, groceries elsewhere, restaurants, utilities — you earn 1% cash back.

If you do not have Prime, the card earns 3% at Amazon and Whole Foods, and 1% everywhere else. You also pay an annual fee, which currently runs $39. That fee means you need to spend enough to earn back the fee amount before the rewards have any value to you. At 3% back, you would need to spend $1,300 at Amazon or Whole Foods just to break even on the annual cost.

The 5% rate at Amazon covers the website itself, but not third-party sellers using Amazon's marketplace. If a seller ships through Amazon but sets their own price, you still earn 5%. The distinction matters because some items sold on Amazon.com are fulfilled by third parties, and the rewards rate can vary depending on the seller's arrangement with Amazon.

How rewards work and what you can do with them

Rewards post to your Amazon.com account as account credit, not as cash back to your bank account. That means you can spend them only on Amazon purchases, Prime Video subscriptions, Kindle books, or other Amazon services. You cannot transfer the credit to another card, withdraw it as cash, or use it outside Amazon's ecosystem. This is different from many other rewards cards, which let you move cash back to a checking account or redeem points with travel partners.

Rewards typically post within a few days of your purchase. There is no cap on how much you can earn in a year, and rewards do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. If you close the card, any remaining credit stays in your Amazon account and can still be used for purchases.

Annual fees and membership requirements

The card has no annual fee if you maintain an active Amazon Prime membership. Prime itself costs $139 per year for the standard membership, or $14.99 per month if you pay monthly. If your Prime membership lapses, the card's annual fee kicks in automatically — currently $39 per year.

This creates a built-in incentive to keep paying for Prime. If you were on the fence about Prime, the card does not make financial sense unless you already use Prime benefits like free shipping, Prime Video, or Prime Music. The card's rewards alone do not justify the Prime cost for most people.

Introductory offers and sign-up bonuses

Chase periodically runs sign-up bonuses on the Amazon Prime Visa, typically offering a lump sum of Amazon credit after you spend a certain amount in the first few months. These offers change throughout the year and vary by whether you are a new cardholder or an existing customer. The bonus is usually $100 to $200 in Amazon credit, depending on the promotion.

To receive the bonus, you must meet the spending requirement within the stated timeframe — usually three months. The bonus posts as Amazon account credit, just like regular rewards. If you are considering this card, checking the current offer on Chase's website or Amazon's card page will show you what is available right now.

Additional card features and protections

The card includes standard credit card protections: purchase protection, which covers items damaged or lost within 120 days of purchase; return protection, which extends the return window on may be able to access items; and fraud protection. These are common on most credit cards and are not unique to this card.

The card has no foreign transaction fees, which means you will not pay an extra percentage on purchases made outside the United States. If you travel internationally and use the card abroad, you avoid the 2% to 3% fee that many cards charge for foreign purchases. This is a genuine advantage if you travel regularly.

The card does not offer travel insurance, lounge access, or concierge services. It is a straightforward rewards card, not a premium travel card.

When this card makes financial sense

The Amazon Prime Visa is most valuable if you already pay for Prime and spend a significant portion of your budget at Amazon or Whole Foods. If you spend $500 per month at Amazon and Whole Foods combined, you earn $25 per month in rewards at the 5% rate — $300 per year. That reward amount is meaningful and covers the card's opportunity cost.

If most of your spending happens elsewhere — at other grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, or local retailers — the 1% rate on those purchases is weak compared to other rewards cards. Many cards offer 2% cash back on all purchases, or 3% to 5% in specific categories like groceries or gas. You would earn more with a different card if Amazon is not your primary shopping destination.

The card is also worth considering if you use Whole Foods regularly. Whole Foods shoppers who also have Prime can treat the 5% back as a discount on every trip. Over a year, that adds up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the rewards credit outside of Amazon?

No. Rewards post as Amazon.com account credit only. You can spend them on Amazon purchases, Prime Video, Kindle, and other Amazon services, but you cannot transfer the credit to another card or use it elsewhere. If you need rewards you can use anywhere, a different card would be better.

What happens to my rewards if I cancel Prime?

Your existing rewards stay in your Amazon account and remain usable. However, once Prime lapses, the card's annual fee begins, and your rewards rate drops to 3% at Amazon and Whole Foods. If you do not plan to keep Prime, the card becomes less valuable.

Does this card help build credit differently than other cards?

No. Credit-building works the same way regardless of which card you use. What matters is paying on time, keeping your balance low relative to your credit limit, and maintaining the account over time. The Amazon Prime Visa reports to the three credit bureaus just like any other card.

Can I earn rewards on gift cards purchased through Amazon?

Yes. Gift cards bought on Amazon.com earn the same 5% cash back as other purchases, as long as you have Prime. The credit posts to your account and can be used for future purchases.

Is there a limit to how much I can earn in rewards?

No annual cap exists. You can earn as much as you spend, at the applicable rate for each category. Rewards accumulate indefinitely as long as your account stays open.