What the Chase Amazon Credit Card Does

The Chase Amazon Credit Card is a rewards card issued by Chase Bank that gives you cash back on Amazon purchases and other everyday spending. You earn a higher cash back rate on Amazon.com and Whole Foods purchases, and a lower rate on everything else. The card has no annual fee, which means you pay nothing to hold it if you never use it.

There are actually two versions: the Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card and the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card. The main difference is that the Prime version requires an active Amazon Prime membership and offers a higher cash back rate on Amazon purchases in exchange. Both cards send your rewards as Amazon.com statement credits, not as cash to your bank account.

This card is designed for people who already shop on Amazon regularly and want to turn that spending into rewards. If you rarely use Amazon, the card offers less value than a general cash back card.

Key Takeaways

  • The Amazon Rewards card earns 3% back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases and 1% on everything else, with no annual fee.
  • The Amazon Prime Rewards card earns 5% back on Amazon purchases (if you have an active Prime membership) and 2% at Whole Foods, plus 1% elsewhere.
  • Rewards post as Amazon.com statement credits, not cash, so you can only use them to buy from Amazon.
  • You need a credit score in the good to excellent range (typically 670 or higher) to have a reasonable chance of approval.
  • The card comes with purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, and other benefits that vary by version.

The Two Versions and Their Rewards Rates

The Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card is the simpler option. It earns 3% cash back on Amazon.com purchases, 3% at Whole Foods Market, and 1% on all other purchases. There is no annual fee and no Prime membership requirement. This card makes sense if you shop on Amazon occasionally but do not have Prime, or if you want a no-strings rewards card.

The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card requires you to have an active Amazon Prime membership to get the full benefit. It earns 5% back on Amazon.com purchases, 2% at Whole Foods, and 1% everywhere else. If your Prime membership lapses, your cash back rate on Amazon drops to 1% until you renew. This card is worth considering if you already pay for Prime and spend regularly on Amazon.

Both cards offer the same non-rewards benefits: purchase protection (covers items against damage or theft for 120 days), extended warranty coverage (adds up to one year to manufacturer warranties), and roadside dispatch information. Neither card offers travel insurance, lounge access, or concierge services.

How to Get Approved and What Chase Looks At

Chase reviews your credit score, income, existing debts, and credit history when you submit an process. You typically need a credit score of 670 or higher to have a good chance of approval, though some people with scores in the 650 to 669 range have been approved. Chase also looks at how much available credit you already have and whether you have missed payments in the past.

You can explore online at Chase.com or through the Amazon website. The online process takes about 10 minutes and asks for your Social Security number, income, employment status, and housing situation. Chase usually tells you within seconds or minutes whether you are approved, denied, or pending a decision. Pending decisions typically resolve within a few business days.

If you are denied, you can call Chase's reconsideration line to ask why and sometimes negotiate. If your score is borderline, waiting a few months while you pay down existing balances or correct errors on your credit report may improve your odds on a future process.

Activating Your Card and Setting Up Rewards

Once approved, your physical card arrives in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. You set up it by calling the number on the back of the card or logging into your Chase online account and following the set up prompt. You do not need to do anything special to start earning rewards — they post automatically when you use the card.

Your rewards appear as a statement credit on your monthly bill. You can see your current rewards balance in your Chase account online or in the Chase mobile app. When you want to use your rewards, you straightforward let the statement credit reduce your balance due, or you can request that Chase convert the credit to an Amazon.com gift card code that you explore to your Amazon account.

If you have the Prime Rewards version, make sure your Prime membership stays active. If it lapses, your rewards rate drops when ready. You can check your Prime status in your Amazon account settings.

Paying Your Bill and Avoiding Interest

You can pay your Chase Amazon card bill online through Chase.com, through the Chase mobile app, by phone, or by mail. The due date appears on your monthly statement. If you pay the full balance by the due date, you pay no interest. If you carry a balance, Chase charges interest at a rate that varies based on your creditworthiness and current market rates — typically between 18% and 28% APR.

Setting up automatic payments is the easiest way to avoid late fees and interest. You can choose to pay the full balance automatically each month, a fixed amount, or just the minimum payment. Paying only the minimum means you will carry a balance and pay interest, so it is worth paying more if you can.

If you miss a payment, Chase reports it to the credit bureaus after 30 days, which damages your credit score. A late payment also triggers a late fee (typically $25 to $35 for the first late payment) and may raise your interest rate.

When the Amazon Card Makes Sense and When It Does Not

This card works best if you spend at least $500 per month on Amazon and Whole Foods combined. At that level, the rewards add up faster than a flat 1% or 2% cash back card. If you have Prime and spend $1,000 or more monthly on Amazon, the 5% rate makes the card especially valuable.

The card is less useful if you shop on Amazon only a few times a year, or if you prefer to use your rewards as cash rather than Amazon credits. It is also not ideal if you carry a balance month to month, because the interest charges will quickly erase any rewards you earn.

If you want a rewards card but do not shop on Amazon much, a general cash back card like the Chase Freedom Unlimited (which earns 1.5% on all purchases) or the Capital One SavorOne (which earns 3% on dining and entertainment) may serve you better.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my rewards as cash instead of an Amazon credit?

No, rewards from the Amazon card post only as Amazon.com statement credits. You cannot transfer them to your bank account or use them anywhere except Amazon. Some other Chase cards offer cash back that you can move to a bank account, but the Amazon card does not.

What happens to my rewards if I close the card?

Any rewards you have already earned stay in your account as a statement credit and do not expire. You can use them even after you close the card. However, you stop earning new rewards once the account closes.

Do I need an Amazon Prime membership to get the card?

No. The standard Amazon Rewards card requires no Prime membership. Only the Amazon Prime Rewards version requires an active membership to earn the higher 5% rate on Amazon purchases. If you choose the Prime version and your membership lapses, you keep the card but earn only 1% on Amazon purchases until you renew Prime.

How long does it take to get approved?

Most decisions come within seconds or minutes of explore online. Some applications go to pending review and resolve within 2 to 5 business days. If you are denied, you can call Chase's reconsideration team the same day to ask about your options.

Can I have both the regular Amazon card and the Prime Rewards version?

Chase's rules typically allow you to hold only one Amazon-branded card at a time. If you want to switch from one version to the other, you usually need to close the first card or call Chase to convert it.