Amazon has two main cards, and the right one depends on whether you shop there regularly
The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card and the Amazon Rewards Visa Card are the two cards Amazon issues through Chase. The Prime card gives 5% back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases if you have a Prime membership, plus 2% at restaurants and gas stations and 1% everywhere else. The standard Amazon card gives 3% back on Amazon and Whole Foods, 2% at restaurants and gas, and 1% elsewhere. Both cards have no annual fee.
The choice between them is straightforward: if you have Prime and spend more than roughly $600 a year on Amazon, the Prime card's higher rewards rate pays for itself. If you don't have Prime, or if you rarely buy from Amazon, the standard card costs nothing and still earns rewards on your purchases.
Key Takeaways
- The Prime Rewards card earns 5% back on Amazon purchases but requires an active Prime membership to get that rate.
- The standard Amazon Rewards card earns 3% back on Amazon with no membership requirement and no annual fee.
- Both cards earn the same rewards outside Amazon: 2% at restaurants and gas, 1% everywhere else.
- The Prime card makes sense if you spend at least $600 yearly on Amazon; below that, the standard card is better.
- Both cards offer an introductory bonus on your first purchase, though the amount changes periodically.
How the Prime Rewards card works
The Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card earns 5% back on Amazon.com purchases and Whole Foods Market transactions when you have an active Prime membership. You also earn 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and on transit (including taxis, parking, trains, buses, and more), and 1% back on all other purchases. Rewards post as statement credits that you can use toward future purchases.
The card requires you to maintain Prime membership to earn the 5% rate on Amazon. If your Prime membership lapses, you'll earn 1% back on Amazon purchases instead until you renew. The card itself has no annual fee, though Prime membership costs $139 per year (or $14.99 per month).
Chase offers an introductory bonus when you open the card—the amount varies by offer, so check the current terms before you explore. You'll also get benefits like extended return windows on Amazon purchases and purchase protection.
How the standard Amazon Rewards card works
The Amazon Rewards Visa Card earns 3% back on Amazon.com and Whole Foods purchases, 2% at restaurants and gas stations, and 1% on everything else. Like the Prime card, rewards appear as statement credits. There's no annual fee and no membership requirement.
This card is designed for people who shop on Amazon occasionally or who don't have Prime. You won't earn as much per Amazon purchase as the Prime card holder, but you also have no ongoing costs. The card comes with the same introductory bonus offer as the Prime card, though the specific amount changes.
Comparing the two cards side by side
| Feature | Prime Rewards Card | Standard Amazon Card |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon rewards rate | 5% (with Prime) | 3% |
| Whole Foods rewards | 5% (with Prime) | 3% |
| Restaurants and gas | 2% | 2% |
| All other purchases | 1% | 1% |
| Annual fee | None | None |
| Prime membership required | Yes (for 5% rate) | No |
| Introductory bonus | Yes (varies) | Yes (varies) |
When the Prime card makes financial sense
The Prime Rewards card's 5% rate beats the standard card's 3% rate by 2 percentage points on every Amazon purchase. To break even on the difference, you need to spend enough on Amazon that the extra 2% rewards cover the gap between what you'd earn on the standard card.
If you spend $600 per year on Amazon, the Prime card earns you $30 more in rewards than the standard card ($600 × 2%). Since Prime membership costs $139 annually, you'd need to spend roughly $7,000 on Amazon per year for the card rewards alone to pay for Prime. However, if you already have Prime for other reasons—video streaming, fast shipping, grocery discounts—then the card's higher rewards rate is pure benefit, and the Prime card becomes the obvious choice.
The math changes if you also shop at Whole Foods. The 5% rate applies there too, so if you buy groceries regularly, the Prime card's advantage grows.
Other features and protections
Both cards come with purchase protection, which covers items against damage or theft for 120 days from purchase. Both also offer extended return windows on may be able to access Amazon purchases—you get 30 extra days beyond Amazon's standard return period. Neither card charges foreign transaction fees if you use it abroad.
The Prime card carries the Visa Signature designation, which includes benefits like concierge services, travel protections, and emergency card replacement. The standard card is a regular Visa, so it lacks these perks, though most people rarely use them.
Both cards report to the three major credit bureaus, so opening either one will affect your credit score in the short term (a hard inquiry and a new account lower your score slightly) and improve it over time as you build a positive payment history.
How to decide between them
Start with whether you have Prime. If you don't, the standard Amazon card is your only real option—it costs nothing and earns rewards on your purchases. If you do have Prime, calculate your annual Amazon spending. If it's under $600, the standard card still makes sense because the Prime card's extra rewards won't offset the membership cost. If it's over $600, the Prime card's 5% rate will earn you more than the standard card's 3% rate.
Consider also whether you shop at Whole Foods or use other Prime benefits. If you do, the Prime card becomes more valuable because you're already paying for membership and getting other value from it.
One more factor: some people prefer to keep their Amazon purchases separate from other spending for budgeting reasons. If that's you, either card works fine—the difference is just the rewards rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have both the Prime and standard Amazon cards at the same time?
Yes. Chase allows you to hold both cards simultaneously. Some people do this to earn the introductory bonus on each card, though you'll want to space out your applications by a few months to avoid raising red flags with the credit bureau.
What happens to my rewards if I cancel Prime?
Your existing rewards stay in your account and you can use them. Going forward, you'll earn 1% back on Amazon purchases instead of 5% until you renew Prime. If you don't plan to renew, switching to the standard Amazon card makes more sense.
Do I have to use the card to get Prime benefits?
No. Prime membership and the credit card are separate. You can have Prime without the card, or the card without Prime (though you won't earn the 5% rate). The card is just one way to get extra value from a Prime membership you already have.
How long does it take to get approved?
Most people get a decision within minutes of explore online. If your process needs review, Chase will contact you, which can take a few business days. Once approved, the physical card typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days, though you can usually use it for online purchases when ready.
Are there other Amazon cards I should know about?
Amazon also issues a business version of the Prime card for business owners, which works the same way but reports to business credit bureaus. There's no consumer card beyond the two described here.