Amazon offers two co-branded credit cards through Chase
Yes, Amazon has credit cards. Chase issues two versions: the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card and the Amazon Rewards Visa Card. Both cards earn rewards on Amazon purchases, but the Prime version offers higher rewards rates and is only for Prime members. The non-Prime version is open to anyone.
Both cards are Visa Signature cards, which means they come with benefits like purchase protection and travel accident insurance. The main difference between them is the rewards structure and the annual membership requirement for Prime.
These are the only credit cards issued directly under the Amazon brand. Amazon also offers a store card (the Amazon Prime Store Card) through Synchrony, but that card works only at Amazon and affiliated merchants, not everywhere Visa is accepted.
Key Takeaways
- The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card gives 5% cash back on Amazon purchases for Prime members, but requires an active Prime membership to hold the card.
- The Amazon Rewards Visa Card offers 3% cash back on Amazon purchases and works for anyone, with no Prime membership required.
- Both cards earn 1% cash back on all other purchases, and both are issued by Chase.
- The Amazon Prime Store Card through Synchrony works only at Amazon and partner merchants, not at other retailers.
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card details
The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card is designed for Prime members and offers the highest rewards rate on Amazon purchases. You earn 5% cash back on Amazon.com and Amazon Fresh purchases, 2% cash back at gas stations, restaurants, and drugstores, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
There is no annual fee for this card. However, you must be an active Prime member to hold it. If your Prime membership ends, you can keep the card, but you lose the 5% rewards rate on Amazon purchases and drop to 3% instead.
The card comes with Visa Signature benefits including purchase protection (covers items damaged or lost within 90 days of purchase), extended warranty coverage, and travel accident insurance. You also get access to Chase's travel booking service and roadside dispatch information.
Amazon Rewards Visa Card for non-Prime members
The Amazon Rewards Visa Card is the version for people who are not Prime members or who prefer not to require a membership. It earns 3% cash back on Amazon.com and Amazon Fresh purchases, 2% cash back at gas stations, restaurants, and drugstores, and 1% cash back on everything else.
This card also has no annual fee. Since it does not require Prime membership, you can hold it indefinitely without maintaining a subscription. The Visa Signature protections are the same as the Prime version.
The main trade-off is the lower rewards rate on Amazon purchases: 3% instead of 5%. For someone who shops at Amazon occasionally or prefers not to pay for Prime, this card still offers meaningful rewards without the membership requirement.
How rewards are earned and redeemed
Both cards earn cash back automatically on every purchase. The cash back is credited to your account as a statement credit, which means it reduces your credit card balance. You do not have to do anything to redeem it—the credit appears on your monthly statement.
Cash back is calculated based on the purchase category. A purchase at Amazon.com counts as an Amazon purchase and earns the higher rate. A purchase at a gas station earns the 2% rate. A purchase at a retailer that does not fall into a bonus category earns 1%.
There is no cap on how much cash back you can earn, and cash back does not expire as long as your account remains open. If you close the card, any unredeemed cash back is typically forfeited, so check your balance before closing an account.
The Amazon Prime Store Card alternative
Amazon also offers the Amazon Prime Store Card through Synchrony Bank. This card is different from the Chase Visa cards because it works only at Amazon, Amazon Fresh, and Whole Foods (which Amazon owns). You cannot use it at other retailers.
The Store Card offers 5% cash back on Amazon purchases for Prime members and 3% for non-Prime members, matching the Visa card rewards rates. However, it also offers promotional financing offers, such as 0% APR for 12 months on purchases of $150 or more (terms vary).
The Store Card has no annual fee. The main advantage over the Visa cards is the promotional financing option if you plan to make a large purchase at Amazon. The main disadvantage is that it cannot be used anywhere else, so it works only if Amazon is your primary shopping destination.
Comparing the three Amazon cards
| Card | Amazon Rewards Rate | Other Bonus Categories | Annual Fee | Where It Works | Prime Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature | 5% cash back | 2% gas, restaurants, drugstores; 1% other | None | Everywhere Visa is accepted | Yes |
| Amazon Rewards Visa Card | 3% cash back | 2% gas, restaurants, drugstores; 1% other | None | Everywhere Visa is accepted | No |
| Amazon Prime Store Card | 5% cash back (Prime) / 3% (non-Prime) | Promotional financing offers | None | Amazon, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods only | Optional |
How to open an Amazon credit card account
You can open an Amazon credit card through Chase's website or through Amazon.com itself. If you go through Amazon, you will see a link to the card offer on the Amazon homepage or in your account settings under "Your Account" and then "Login & Security."
The process process takes about 10 to 15 minutes. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, address, and income information. Chase will perform a hard inquiry on your credit report, which may temporarily lower your credit score by a few points.
You will receive a decision within minutes in most cases. If approved, your card will ship within 7 to 10 business days. Once it arrives, you can set up it through the Chase website or mobile app, and it is ready to use when ready.
If you are denied, you can contact Chase to ask why. Common reasons include insufficient credit history, too many recent credit inquiries, or a credit score below Chase's threshold for this card. There is no minimum credit score published, but most cardholders have scores of 670 or higher.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have both the Prime Rewards Visa and the regular Amazon Rewards Visa at the same time?
No. Chase typically allows you to hold only one Amazon Visa card at a time. If you want to switch from one to the other, you would need to close the first card and open the second. Closing a card can affect your credit score, so consider whether the switch is worth it before explore.
What happens to my rewards if I cancel my Prime membership?
Your existing cash back rewards stay in your account. However, your rewards rate on future Amazon purchases drops from 5% to 3%. If you plan to cancel Prime, you might want to downgrade to the regular Amazon Rewards Visa Card instead to avoid the rate drop.
Do I earn rewards on Amazon gift card purchases?
Yes. Amazon gift cards purchased through Amazon.com count as Amazon purchases and earn the full rewards rate (5% for Prime members, 3% for non-Prime). However, some third-party sellers on Amazon may not code as Amazon purchases, so the rate could be lower.
Is there a sign-up bonus for opening an Amazon credit card?
Chase periodically offers sign-up bonuses for Amazon cards, such as a cash back bonus after you spend a certain amount in the first few months. These offers change frequently and vary by card. Check the current offer on Chase's website or Amazon.com before opening an account.
Can I use the Amazon Visa card internationally?
Yes, Visa cards work in most countries. However, you will typically pay a foreign transaction fee of 3% on purchases made outside the United States. The Amazon Rewards cards do not waive this fee, so international purchases are more expensive than domestic ones.