Whether an Amazon credit card makes sense depends on how much you spend at Amazon and whether you shop elsewhere often
Amazon offers two main credit cards: the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card (for Prime members) and the Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card (for non-members). Both earn cash back on Amazon purchases, but the Prime version pays more — typically 5% back on Amazon.com and Whole Foods purchases if you're a Prime member, versus 3% for the standard card. Outside Amazon, both cards earn 1% cash back on everything else.
The real question is whether those rewards offset the card's limitations. If you spend most of your money at Amazon and Whole Foods, the Prime card can be valuable. If you split your spending across many retailers, a card that earns the same rate everywhere might serve you better. There's no annual fee on either card, which removes one barrier to trying it.
Key Takeaways
- The Amazon Prime Rewards card earns 5% back at Amazon and Whole Foods (for Prime members), but only 1% everywhere else, so the card rewards concentrated spending rather than diverse purchases.
- Both Amazon cards have no annual fee, making them low-risk to open if you already shop on Amazon regularly.
- The cash back is issued as Amazon account credit, not a statement credit or deposit to your bank, so you can only use it at Amazon.
- Amazon cards typically offer a sign-up bonus (the amount varies), which can be worth $50 to $200 in account credit if you meet the spending requirement.
- Your credit score matters: Amazon cards are Visa Signature cards, which usually require good to excellent credit, so approval is not certain for everyone.
How the rewards structure actually works
The 5% cash back on the Prime card applies only to purchases made directly on Amazon.com and at Whole Foods Market stores. It does not cover Amazon Fresh, Amazon Business, or third-party sellers using the Amazon marketplace — only Amazon's own inventory. This is a meaningful limit if you buy groceries through Fresh or rely on marketplace sellers for specific items.
The 1% cash back on everything else is broad but modest. If you use the card at gas stations, restaurants, or other retailers, you earn 1% on those purchases. A card that earns 2% flat on all purchases would beat this card on non-Amazon spending, even though the Amazon card's 5% rate is higher than most cards offer anywhere.
Cash back arrives as Amazon account credit, not as a check or bank deposit. You can only spend it at Amazon.com or Whole Foods. If you never shop at either place, the rewards are worthless to you. If you shop elsewhere and want flexibility in how you use rewards, this card locks you in.
When the sign-up bonus matters
Amazon credit cards usually come with a sign-up bonus — typically $50 to $200 in Amazon account credit if you spend a certain amount in the first few months. The exact bonus and spending requirement change over time, so check the current offer when you're considering the card.
The bonus is real money if you were going to spend that amount anyway. If the bonus requires $500 in purchases in three months and you normally spend $500 a month at Amazon, you'll hit it without changing your behavior. If you'd have to rush purchases to reach the threshold, the bonus becomes less valuable because you're spending money you wouldn't otherwise spend.
What happens to your credit when you open the card
explore for any credit card triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can lower your score by a few points temporarily. Opening a new account also lowers your average account age, which affects your score. These effects fade over time, but they're real in the short term.
The Amazon card is a Visa Signature product, which typically requires a credit score in the good to excellent range — usually 670 or higher, though the exact threshold varies by lender. If your score is below that, you may be denied. If you're approved, the card will report to all three credit bureaus, which helps build your credit history if you use it responsibly and pay on time.
Comparing the Amazon card to other options
A flat-rate card like the Citi Double Cash (2% back on all purchases) or the Capital One Quicksilver (1.5% back on all purchases) earns more on non-Amazon spending. If you split your budget across groceries, gas, restaurants, and online shopping, one of these cards will likely earn you more total cash back than the Amazon card, even accounting for the 5% rate at Amazon.
A category card like the Chase Freedom Unlimited (1.5% back on everything, with rotating 5% categories) or the Discover it (rotating 5% categories) can also beat the Amazon card if you use the bonus categories. The trade-off is that you have to track which categories are active each quarter.
If you're a heavy Amazon shopper and a Prime member, the Amazon Prime card's 5% rate is hard to beat for that specific spending. But if you shop at Amazon occasionally and spend most of your money elsewhere, a flat-rate or category card will likely earn you more.
Annual fees and other costs
Neither Amazon card charges an annual fee, which is a genuine advantage. Many premium cash back cards charge $95 or more per year, which you have to earn back through rewards. With the Amazon card, there's no fee to carry it or use it.
The card does charge interest on balances you don't pay in full each month. The APR (annual percentage rate) varies based on your creditworthiness, but it's typically in the 16% to 24% range. If you carry a balance, the interest charges will quickly erase any rewards you've earned. The card is only valuable if you pay the full statement balance each month.
Red flags and limitations
The biggest limitation is that rewards are locked into Amazon. If you ever stop shopping there or want to use rewards for something else, you're stuck. Some people find this acceptable; others find it restrictive.
The card also doesn't earn bonus rewards at other retailers that sell Amazon products — only at Amazon.com itself. If you buy through Whole Foods, Target, or Walmart, you earn only 1% back, even though you're buying Amazon-owned merchandise.
Customer service for Amazon cards is handled by Chase, not Amazon directly. If you have a dispute or need help, you'll work with Chase's credit card team, not Amazon's customer service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a Prime member to get the Amazon card?
No. Amazon offers a standard card for non-Prime members that earns 3% back at Amazon and Whole Foods, and 1% everywhere else. The Prime version (5% at Amazon and Whole Foods) requires an active Prime membership. If you cancel Prime, your rewards rate drops to 3% at Amazon.
Can I use the cash back rewards anywhere besides Amazon?
No. Rewards are issued as Amazon account credit, which you can only spend at Amazon.com or Whole Foods Market. You cannot transfer rewards to another retailer, convert them to cash, or use them outside the Amazon ecosystem.
What's the credit score requirement for the Amazon card?
Amazon doesn't publish a minimum score, but Visa Signature cards typically require good to excellent credit — usually 670 or higher. Your actual approval depends on your full credit profile, including income and existing debt. You can check your credit score for free through many banks and credit monitoring services before you explore.
Is the sign-up bonus worth it if I don't normally spend much at Amazon?
Only if you were already planning to spend that amount. If the bonus requires $500 in three months and you normally spend $100 a month, you'd have to increase your spending to claim it. The bonus is valuable when it rewards spending you'd do anyway, not when it encourages you to buy things you don't need.
How does the Amazon card compare to the Amazon Business card?
The Amazon Business card is designed for business purchases and offers different rewards rates (typically higher on business supplies). It's a separate product with its own terms. If you have a business account, you may be offered both cards, but they serve different purposes.