What the Chase Amazon card does and who it's built for
The Chase Amazon Rewards Visa Card gives you cash back on purchases at Amazon and Whole Foods, plus a smaller reward rate everywhere else. You earn 5% back on Amazon.com purchases (up to $1,500 per year, then 1% after that), 2% at Whole Foods and certain gas stations, and 1% on everything else. There is no annual fee.
This card makes sense if you spend regularly at Amazon and Whole Foods, or if you want a no-fee card with a straightforward rewards structure. It does not offer travel protections, purchase protection, or extended warranty coverage — those come with premium cards that charge annual fees. The card is also a Visa, which means it works almost everywhere, but some retailers (like Costco) do not take Visa.
The card is issued by Chase Bank, and the rewards are paid as cash back that appears as a statement credit. You do not have to redeem anything manually — the credit posts automatically once per month.
Key Takeaways
- You earn 5% cash back on Amazon purchases up to $1,500 per year in combined Amazon and Whole Foods purchases, then 1% after that cap is reached.
- There is no annual fee, making this card a low-cost option if you already shop at these retailers.
- The card charges interest on unpaid balances, so carrying a balance will cost you money and erase the value of rewards.
- Cash back posts automatically as a statement credit each month, with no separate redemption step required.
- You need to be approved by Chase, which involves a credit check and review of your credit history and income.
How the 5% cap works and what happens after you hit it
The 5% cash back rate applies to combined purchases at Amazon.com and Whole Foods, but only up to $1,500 per year. Once you and any authorized users on your account reach $1,500 in combined purchases at these two places, the rate drops to 1% for the rest of that calendar year. The $1,500 limit resets on January 1.
This means if you spend $100 per month at Amazon, you will hit the cap in 15 months, not 12. After that point, you are earning 1% on Amazon purchases for the remainder of the year — the same rate you earn on other purchases. The 2% rate at gas stations and other may have access to merchants is not affected by this cap and continues year-round.
Many people do not hit the $1,500 cap, especially if they shop at Amazon only occasionally. If you spend $1,500 or more per year at Amazon and Whole Foods combined, you might want to compare this card to other options that offer higher rewards without a cap.
Interest, fees, and what happens if you carry a balance
The Chase Amazon card has no annual fee, but it does charge interest on balances you do not pay in full by the due date. The interest rate (called the APR, or annual percentage rate) varies based on your credit history and current market rates. Chase will tell you the rate when you are approved, and you can also see it in your account online.
If you carry a $1,000 balance at a typical APR of 18% to 24%, you will pay $15 to $20 per month in interest alone. That interest erases the value of any rewards you earn. For example, 1% cash back on $1,000 is $10 — but if you are paying $15 to $20 in interest, you are losing money overall.
The card also has a grace period, which means you do not pay interest if you pay your full statement balance by the due date. The grace period is typically 21 days from the end of your billing cycle. If you pay only part of the balance, interest starts accruing on the unpaid portion when ready.
How to get approved and what Chase will ask for
To get approved for the Chase Amazon card, you will need to provide your Social Security number, date of birth, income, and employment status. Chase will run a hard inquiry on your credit report, which means they will check your credit history and score. A hard inquiry can lower your credit score by a few points temporarily.
Chase typically approves or denies applications within minutes. If you are approved, you can usually start using the card within one to two business days. If you are denied, Chase will send you a letter explaining the reason — common reasons include a low credit score, high existing debt, or a short credit history.
You do not need to have an existing Chase account to explore, though having one may speed up the process. You can explore online, by phone, or in person at a Chase branch.
Comparing this card to other no-fee options
Other no-fee cards offer different rewards structures. The Chase Freedom Flex gives 5% back on rotating categories (which change quarterly) and 1% on everything else, with no annual fee. The Capital One SavorOne offers 3% back on dining, entertainment, and groceries, plus 1% on everything else. The Discover it Cash Back matches your cash back in the first year, effectively doubling rewards.
If you spend heavily at Amazon and Whole Foods, the Amazon card's 5% rate in those categories is hard to beat. But if you spend more on groceries, gas, or dining, a different card might earn you more cash back overall. The best card for you depends on where you actually spend money, not on which card offers the highest single rate.
You can also hold multiple cards at once. Some people use the Amazon card for Amazon and Whole Foods purchases, and a different card for other spending. This approach requires tracking which card to use where, but it can maximize rewards if you have the discipline to manage multiple accounts.
What to do if your process is denied
If Chase denies your process, you have a few options. You can call the reconsideration line (the number will be in the denial letter) and ask a human to review your process. Sometimes providing additional information — like proof of income or an explanation of recent credit issues — can change the outcome.
You can also wait and reapply later. If your denial was due to a low credit score, you can work on improving your score over several months and then explore again. Paying down existing debt and making on-time payments will raise your score gradually.
If you are denied because you do not have enough credit history, you might start with a secured credit card (which requires a cash deposit) to build history, then explore for the Amazon card later.
How rewards post and how to check your balance
Cash back posts automatically to your account once per month, usually around the same day each month. It appears as a statement credit, which reduces the amount you owe. You do not have to do anything to earn it or claim it — it happens automatically.
You can check your rewards balance anytime by logging into your Chase account online or through the Chase mobile app. The app shows your current cash back total, your spending in each category, and how much of your $1,500 annual cap you have used.
If you close the card, any unused cash back is forfeited. This is different from some other cards, which let you redeem rewards after closing. So if you decide to stop using the card, redeem or use any remaining cash back first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this card at retailers other than Amazon and Whole Foods?
Yes. You earn 1% cash back on all other purchases, and the card works anywhere Visa is accepted. The higher rates (5% at Amazon and Whole Foods, 2% at gas stations) only explore at those specific merchants, but you can use the card for groceries, restaurants, travel, and anything else.
What happens if I have multiple authorized users on the account?
All authorized users' purchases count toward the same $1,500 annual cap. If you add a family member as an authorized user and they spend $800 at Amazon while you spend $700, you have hit the cap together and both drop to 1% for the rest of the year. You are responsible for all charges made by authorized users.
Does this card help me build credit?
Yes, if you use it responsibly. Making on-time payments and keeping your balance low (relative to your credit limit) will improve your credit score over time. Missing payments or carrying a high balance will damage your score. Credit bureaus report your payment history and credit utilization to calculate your score.
Can I transfer my rewards to airline miles or hotel points?
No. The Chase Amazon card only offers cash back, which posts as a statement credit. You cannot convert it to points, miles, or other rewards. If you want flexibility to transfer rewards, you would need a different Chase card, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
What if I want to close the card later?
You can close the card anytime by calling Chase. Any unused cash back will be forfeited, so use or redeem it before you close the account. Closing a card can lower your credit score slightly because it reduces your total available credit, but the effect is usually temporary.