What the Amazon Prime Visa Card offers
The Amazon Prime Visa Card is a co-branded credit card issued by Chase that gives you cash back on purchases at Amazon and Whole Foods, plus a flat rate on other spending. You do not need to be an Amazon Prime member to open the card, but the rewards structure is built around Prime benefits — the card itself costs nothing to carry, and there are no annual fees.
The card comes in two versions: the standard card and the Signature version. The standard card gives you 3% cash back at Amazon and Whole Foods, 2% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% everywhere else. The Signature version offers the same rates but includes additional perks like extended warranty protection and purchase protection. Both versions charge no annual fee.
Cash back posts to your account as a statement credit and can be used toward future purchases. You can also convert it to Amazon.com gift cards, though the statement credit route is usually simpler. There is no minimum cash back to redeem — even $1 posts automatically.
Key Takeaways
- The card earns 3% cash back at Amazon and Whole Foods, 2% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% on everything else, with no annual fee.
- You do not need an Amazon Prime membership to open the card, but Prime members may see slightly different terms or promotional offers.
- Cash back appears as a statement credit on your bill and can be used to pay your balance or converted to Amazon gift cards.
- The Signature version includes purchase protection and extended warranties but carries the same $0 annual fee as the standard card.
- The card is a Visa, so it works anywhere Visa is accepted, not just at Amazon.
How the rewards structure actually breaks down
The 3% cash back at Amazon covers purchases on Amazon.com and Amazon Fresh, but not third-party sellers using Amazon's marketplace unless they are fulfilled by Amazon. Whole Foods purchases — including in-store and online orders — also earn 3%. This is where the card differs most from general-purpose cash back cards, which typically max out at 2% on any single category.
The 2% rate at gas stations and restaurants is straightforward: it covers all gas pumps and all restaurants, whether you dine in or order takeout. The 1% catch-all applies to everything else — groceries outside Whole Foods, utilities, insurance, travel, and so on. There are no bonus categories that rotate, no caps on how much you can earn, and no spending thresholds to hit.
If you spend heavily at Amazon or Whole Foods, the 3% rate can add up quickly. A household that spends $300 a month at Amazon and $200 at Whole Foods earns $18 in cash back monthly, or $216 a year. That alone can justify the card for some households. For others, a flat 2% cash back card might be simpler if you do not shop at those merchants regularly.
Who this card makes sense for
The card is strongest for people who already spend money at Amazon and Whole Foods regularly. If you buy groceries at Whole Foods instead of a traditional supermarket, or if you use Amazon for household goods, electronics, or clothing, the 3% rate saves you money compared to a 1% or 2% flat-rate card. The math is straightforward: $100 spent at Amazon earns $3 back instead of $1 or $2.
The card also works well as a second card in a wallet. You might use it for Amazon and Whole Foods purchases, then use a different card for travel or dining if that card offers better rewards in those categories. Since there is no annual fee, carrying it costs you nothing.
The card is less useful if you do not shop at Amazon or Whole Foods, or if you shop there infrequently. In that case, a flat 2% cash back card with no annual fee — or a card with rotating bonus categories — might earn you more over the course of a year.
Annual fees, interest rates, and other costs
There is no annual fee for either version of the card. This is unusual among co-branded cards and means you can keep the card open indefinitely without paying to maintain it, even if you do not use it.
The card carries a variable APR for purchases and balance transfers. The exact rate depends on your credit score and creditworthiness at the time you open the account. Chase does not publish a fixed range, so you will see your rate only after you are approved. Typical rates for prime credit customers range from the mid-teens to the low 20s, but this varies widely.
There is no penalty APR listed in the card's terms, which means late payments do not trigger a higher rate — you pay the same APR whether you pay on time or late. However, late payments still appear on your credit report and can damage your score. Cash advances carry a separate APR, typically higher than the purchase rate, and charge a fee of either $10 or 3% of the amount, whichever is greater.
How to open the account and what happens next
You can open the card online through Chase's website or through Amazon.com. The online process takes about 10 minutes and asks for your Social Security number, income, employment status, and current address. Chase will run a hard inquiry on your credit report, which may lower your score by a few points temporarily.
You will receive a decision within seconds in most cases. If you are approved, the card ships to your address within 7 to 10 business days. Once it arrives, you can set up it through the Chase mobile app or by calling the number on the back of the card. You can also request a digital card number to use when ready while you wait for the physical card.
After set up, you can use the card anywhere Visa is accepted. Your first statement closes about 30 days after your first purchase, and your cash back will appear as a statement credit on that bill. You can set up automatic payments through your Chase account to pay the full balance each month, which avoids interest charges.
Comparing this card to other options
The main competitor is the Amazon Business Prime Visa Card, which is designed for business owners and offers similar rewards but with different perks like employee cards and expense tracking. If you are a sole proprietor or small business owner, that card might be worth comparing.
For general cash back, the Chase Freedom Unlimited offers 1.5% on all purchases with no annual fee, which is simpler but earns less at Amazon and Whole Foods. The Capital One SavorOne offers 3% at restaurants and entertainment, 2% at groceries and gas, and 1% elsewhere — useful if you eat out frequently but do not shop at Whole Foods.
If you want to maximize rewards across multiple categories, you might use the Amazon Prime Visa for Amazon and Whole Foods, then pair it with a 2% flat-rate card or a card with rotating categories for other spending. There is no rule against holding multiple cards, and many people do this to optimize their cash back.
What to watch out for
The 3% rate only applies to Amazon.com and Whole Foods — not to Amazon Fresh, Amazon Pharmacy, or other Amazon-owned services. If you use those services, you earn 1% instead. This is a common source of confusion, so check your statement after your first few purchases to make sure the rate is correct.
The card does not offer travel protections like trip cancellation insurance or lost luggage reimbursement, which some premium cards include. If you travel frequently and want those protections, you might need a different card or a travel rewards card as a secondary option.
Cash back is not a sign-up bonus — it is ongoing rewards on every purchase. The card does not offer a large welcome bonus like some other cards do (for example, "$200 cash back after you spend $500 in the first three months"). This means the card's value comes from long-term spending, not from a one-time bonus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Amazon Prime to use this card?
No. The card works whether or not you have a Prime membership. However, Prime members may see different promotional offers or bonus categories at certain times of year, so it is worth checking your account if you are a member.
Can I use the card outside the United States?
Yes, the card is a Visa and works internationally. However, foreign transactions typically charge a 3% fee, which reduces your effective cash back rate. For example, a purchase abroad earns 3% cash back but costs you 3% in fees, so you break even.
What happens to my cash back if I close the card?
Any cash back that has already posted to your account remains yours and appears as a statement credit. Cash back earned but not yet posted may be forfeited depending on Chase's terms, so it is best to let a statement close before closing the card.
Can I transfer my cash back to other rewards programs?
Cash back can be converted to Amazon.com gift cards or used as a statement credit. It cannot be transferred to airline miles, hotel points, or other rewards programs. If you want that flexibility, a different card might be a better fit.
What credit score do I need to be approved?
Chase typically approves applicants with a credit score of 670 or higher, though approval is not may provide at any score. Your income, employment history, and existing debts also factor into the decision. You can check your score for free through most banks or credit monitoring services before you explore.