What the Chase Amazon Credit Card is and who it's for

The Chase Amazon.com Rewards Visa Card is a credit card issued by Chase that gives you rewards points when you spend money. The card earns 5% cash back on Amazon.com purchases and Whole Foods Market purchases, 2% cash back at restaurants, gas stations, and transit, and 1% cash back on everything else. You do not pay an annual fee.

This card makes sense if you shop on Amazon regularly and want rewards that go directly back into your Amazon account as statement credits. The 5% rate on Amazon purchases is higher than what most other cards offer. If you rarely use Amazon or prefer rewards you can use anywhere, a different card might work better for you.

Chase also offers a version called the Prime Card for Amazon Prime members, which has slightly different rewards rates and requires a Prime membership. Both cards are Visa cards, so you can use them anywhere Visa is accepted, not just at Amazon.

Key Takeaways

  • The card earns 5% cash back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases, 2% at restaurants and gas stations, and 1% everywhere else, with no annual fee.
  • You need a credit score in the good to excellent range (typically 670 or higher) to be considered for approval.
  • Rewards post to your Amazon account as statement credits that you can use when ready on your next purchase.
  • You can open an account online through Chase's website or by phone, and the card usually arrives within 7 to 10 business days.

Credit score and income requirements

Chase does not publish a minimum credit score for this card, but approval is more likely if your score is 670 or higher. If your score is below 650, you may still be considered, but your odds are lower. Chase will also look at your income, existing debts, and payment history.

You do not need to have a Chase bank account to open this card, though having one may help your process. If you have been denied for a Chase card before, you can reapply after six months have passed.

How to open the card online

Go to the Chase website and search for "Amazon Rewards Visa Card." Click on the card offer and select "Open Now" or "explore Now." You will be taken to an process form that asks for your name, address, Social Security number, date of birth, income, and employment status.

Fill in all fields accurately. Chase will pull your credit report (a hard inquiry) to make a decision. You will usually get an answer within seconds or minutes. If you are approved, you can set up a PIN and start using the card right away through your Chase account, even before the physical card arrives in the mail.

If you are not approved when ready, Chase may ask for more information by mail or phone. Keep your process reference number handy in case you need to follow up.

When the card arrives and how to set up it

The physical card typically arrives 7 to 10 business days after approval. When it comes, sign the back and call the number on the back of the card to turn it on. You can also log into your Chase account online and turn on the card from there.

Once the card is on, you can use it when ready. Your first purchase will post to your account within one to three business days. Rewards start earning right away on every purchase.

How rewards work and when you see them

Every time you use the card, Chase tracks your purchase and assigns it a rewards rate based on where you shopped. Amazon.com and Whole Foods purchases earn 5%, restaurants and gas stations earn 2%, and everything else earns 1%. These percentages are applied as cash back.

Rewards post to your Amazon account as a statement credit once a month, usually around the time your billing statement closes. You do not have to do anything to claim them — they appear automatically. You can then use the credit on your next Amazon purchase, or you can request that Chase send you the cash instead (though this takes longer).

If you return an item you bought with the card, the rewards for that purchase are reversed. For example, if you earned 5% cash back on a $100 Amazon purchase and then returned it, that $5 in rewards disappears.

Annual fees and other costs

There is no annual fee for this card. You do not pay anything just to have it, even if you do not use it.

If you carry a balance from month to month instead of paying it off, Chase will charge you interest. The interest rate (called the APR) varies based on your creditworthiness and current market rates, but typically ranges from 18% to 27%. You can avoid interest by paying your full balance by the due date each month.

If you miss a payment, Chase charges a late fee. If you go over your credit limit, you may be charged an over-limit fee. Both of these are avoidable if you pay on time and stay within your limit.

How to manage your account and check rewards

Log into your Chase account online or through the Chase mobile app. From there, you can see your current balance, recent transactions, your rewards balance, and your due date. You can also set up automatic payments so your bill is paid on the same day each month.

To see your rewards, click on the rewards or benefits section of your account. It will show you how much cash back you have earned and when it will post to your Amazon account. You can also see a breakdown of rewards by category (Amazon, Whole Foods, restaurants, etc.).

If you notice a charge you did not make, report it through your Chase account or by calling the number on the back of your card. Chase will investigate and may reverse the charge while they look into it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an Amazon Prime membership to use this card?

No. The regular Amazon Rewards Visa Card works without Prime. If you have Prime, you may want to compare it to the Prime Card, which has different rewards rates. You can read the terms of both cards on Chase's website to see which one fits your spending better.

What happens to my rewards if I close the card?

Any rewards you have already earned will stay in your Amazon account as a statement credit and you can use them. Rewards you earn after you close the card will not post. If you close the card within the first year, Chase may view it as a sign of dissatisfaction, though there is no penalty for doing so.

Can I transfer my rewards to another card or cash them out?

Rewards from this card post as Amazon statement credits, so they are tied to your Amazon account. You cannot transfer them to another rewards program. You can request a cash refund instead of a statement credit, but this takes several weeks and is not the default option.

What if I am denied for the card?

If you are denied, Chase will send you a letter explaining the reason. Common reasons include a low credit score, high existing debt, or a recent missed payment. You can reapply after six months. In the meantime, you might work on paying down existing balances or correcting errors on your credit report.

Does this card have travel insurance or other protections?

The card includes purchase protection (covers items damaged or stolen within 120 days) and extended warranty protection (extends the manufacturer's warranty by one year). It does not include travel insurance or trip cancellation coverage. You can read the full list of benefits in the card's terms and conditions on Chase's website.