What the Chase Prime Visa offers
The Chase Prime Visa is a co-branded card issued by Chase and Amazon that rewards purchases at Amazon and Whole Foods with higher cash back rates than you would earn elsewhere. The card also includes benefits tied to an Amazon Prime membership, such as statement credits and extended return windows on may be able to access purchases.
The card comes in two versions: the Chase Prime Visa (no annual fee) and the Chase Prime Visa Signature (also no annual fee). Both earn the same rewards rates at Amazon and Whole Foods. The Signature version adds benefits like purchase protection and extended warranty coverage.
Unlike some rewards cards that require you to redeem points through a portal, Chase Prime Visa rewards post directly to your statement as a statement credit, reducing your balance automatically.
Key Takeaways
- The Chase Prime Visa earns 5% cash back at Amazon and Whole Foods (with an active Prime membership), and 1% elsewhere.
- There is no annual fee, and the card is designed for people who already shop frequently at Amazon or Whole Foods.
- Rewards appear as statement credits rather than points you must redeem, so they reduce your bill automatically each month.
- The Signature version includes purchase protection and extended warranty coverage, but both versions earn identical rewards rates.
- You must have an active Amazon Prime membership to earn the 5% rate; without it, the card earns 3% at Amazon and Whole Foods.
Rewards rates and how they work
With an active Prime membership, the card earns 5% cash back on Amazon purchases and Whole Foods transactions. This includes in-store and online purchases at Whole Foods. Outside these two merchants, the card earns 1% cash back on all other purchases.
If you do not have a Prime membership, the card still works, but the rate drops to 3% at Amazon and Whole Foods, and 1% elsewhere. Since Prime membership costs money, the card is most valuable for people who already pay for Prime and spend regularly at both merchants.
Rewards post monthly as a statement credit. You do not choose when or how to redeem them—they straightforward reduce what you owe. This means you cannot transfer rewards to another account or use them for travel bookings through a portal.
Annual fees and other costs
Both the standard Chase Prime Visa and the Signature version carry no annual fee. This makes the card accessible even if you spend modestly at Amazon and Whole Foods, since there is no cost to carry it.
Like all credit cards, the Chase Prime Visa charges interest on balances you do not pay in full each month. The variable APR depends on your creditworthiness and current market rates. Cash advances and balance transfers also carry their own fees and rates, which you can find in the card's terms.
Who benefits most from this card
The card works best for people who hold an Amazon Prime membership and spend at least several hundred dollars per year across Amazon and Whole Foods combined. At that spending level, the 5% rate begins to offset the opportunity cost of carrying a card with no travel rewards or other premium benefits.
If you shop primarily at one retailer—say, only Amazon—the card is still worth considering, since 5% back on that spending adds up. However, if you rarely visit Whole Foods and do not use Amazon frequently, a general cash back card might serve you better.
The card is also useful as a second card in your wallet. You can use it at Amazon and Whole Foods, and fall back to another card for other purchases, especially if that other card offers higher rewards on dining, travel, or gas.
Signature benefits and purchase protection
The Signature version includes benefits that the standard version does not. These include purchase protection (covering accidental damage or theft of items you buy with the card within a certain window), extended warranty coverage on may be able to access products, and roadside information.
These protections are valuable if you buy electronics, appliances, or other items prone to damage. However, many people already have similar coverage through homeowners insurance or manufacturer warranties, so the Signature benefits may overlap with what you already have.
Both versions include the same rewards rates and statement credit structure, so the choice between them depends on whether you value the additional protections enough to carry the Signature card.
How the card compares to other Amazon rewards options
Amazon also offers the Amazon Store Card and the Amazon Business Card, both issued by Synchrony. The Store Card earns 5% back at Amazon for Prime members, but offers no rewards outside Amazon. The Business Card is designed for business owners and has different rewards tiers.
The Chase Prime Visa differs because it earns rewards at both Amazon and Whole Foods (which Amazon owns), and the rewards are issued by Chase rather than Synchrony. If you shop at Whole Foods regularly, the Chase card offers an advantage over the Store Card.
For non-Amazon spending, the Chase Prime Visa earns only 1% cash back, which is lower than some general cash back cards that earn 1.5% or 2% on all purchases. This is a trade-off: you get higher rewards at two specific merchants, but lower rewards everywhere else.
Getting approved and using the card
Chase reviews your credit history, income, and existing accounts when you explore. You typically receive a decision within minutes of explore online. If approved, the card arrives within 7 to 10 business days.
Once you receive the card, link it to your Amazon account in your payment settings. This step is not required to use the card, but it ensures your rewards post correctly and that you receive any promotional offers tied to the card.
You can use the card anywhere Visa is accepted, not just at Amazon and Whole Foods. However, you earn the highest rewards rate only at those two merchants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an Amazon Prime membership to use the card?
No, but you need one to earn the 5% rate. Without Prime, the card earns 3% at Amazon and Whole Foods. Since Prime costs money annually, the card is most valuable for people who already subscribe.
Can I transfer my rewards to another card or account?
No. Rewards post as a statement credit each month and automatically reduce your balance. You cannot move them to another card, convert them to points, or use them outside your Chase account.
What happens to my rewards if I cancel the card?
Any rewards that have posted as statement credits remain on your account. Rewards that have not yet posted may be forfeited, depending on Chase's terms. Check your account before canceling to see what credits are pending.
Does the card offer any sign-up bonus?
Chase periodically offers sign-up bonuses on the Prime Visa, but these vary and are not always available. Check the card's current offer page to see what bonus, if any, is being offered when you explore.
Can I use this card internationally?
Yes, as a Visa card it works abroad. However, you will pay a foreign transaction fee (typically 3%) on purchases made outside the United States. The card offers no travel protections or travel insurance, so it is not designed as a travel card.