What the Amazon Store Card and Amazon Visa actually are

Amazon offers two different credit cards, and they work in completely different ways. The Amazon Store Card is a closed-loop card that works only at Amazon and Whole Foods. The Amazon Visa (officially the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card) is a regular Visa that works anywhere Visa is accepted. Both are issued by Chase Bank, but they have different rewards, different interest rates, and different approval standards.

If you already have a credit card, you know the basic idea: you borrow money, use it to buy something, and pay it back later with interest if you don't pay the full balance. The Amazon cards add a rewards layer — you earn cash back or promotional financing on purchases. But the rewards and the cost of borrowing are not the same between the two, and one is much easier to get approved for than the other.

Key Takeaways

  • The Amazon Store Card works only at Amazon and Whole Foods but offers higher cash back rates (up to 5%) and promotional financing deals that the Visa does not.
  • The Amazon Visa works everywhere and earns rewards at all merchants, but the cash back rates are lower (1% to 3%) and you need stronger credit to be approved.
  • Both cards charge interest on unpaid balances, and the interest rate depends on your credit score and credit history — it is not the same for everyone.
  • Promotional financing offers (like "no interest for 12 months") are common on the Store Card but come with strict terms: you must pay the full amount by the important date or all the interest charges back-calculate to the purchase date.
  • Neither card requires an Amazon Prime membership, but the Visa gives better rewards to Prime members.

How rewards work on each card

The Amazon Store Card pays cash back only on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases. You earn 3% cash back on Whole Foods purchases and 1% to 5% on Amazon purchases depending on what you buy — groceries and household supplies earn 5%, most other things earn 1%. The cash back appears as an Amazon.com credit that you can use on your next purchase. It does not pay out as money to your bank account.

The Amazon Visa pays cash back on all purchases, everywhere. Prime members earn 3% at Amazon, 2% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% everywhere else. Non-Prime members earn 2% at Amazon and 1% everywhere else. This cash back can be redeemed as a statement credit (money off your bill) or as an Amazon.com credit, giving you more flexibility than the Store Card.

The difference matters if you shop mostly at Amazon and Whole Foods. The Store Card's 5% rate on groceries and household supplies beats the Visa's 1% or 2%. But if you buy groceries at other stores, use the card for gas or restaurants, or want cash back you can use anywhere, the Visa is the better earner.

Interest rates and how they are set

Both cards charge a variable interest rate, meaning the rate can change over time. The actual rate you receive depends on your credit score, your payment history, and how much debt you already carry. Chase does not publish a single rate — they publish a range. For the Store Card, that range is typically 16.99% to 25.99% APR. For the Visa, it is typically 16.99% to 25.99% APR as well.

If you have a credit score above 750 and no missed payments, you might get approved at the lower end of that range. If your score is between 650 and 700, or you have recent late payments, you might get the higher rate. The only way to know your actual rate is to explore or call Chase after you receive your card.

This matters because the difference between 17% and 26% is real money. On a $1,000 balance, 17% costs you about $14 per month in interest if you make no payment. At 26%, it costs about $22 per month. Over a year with no payment, that is $168 versus $264 — a $96 difference on the same debt.

Promotional financing offers and how they trap people

The Amazon Store Card frequently offers promotional financing deals: "No interest for 12 months on purchases of $100 or more" or "No interest for 24 months on purchases of $500 or more." These are real — you truly pay no interest during the promotional period. But they come with a hidden cost that catches people off guard.

If you do not pay the full promotional balance by the end of the period, all the interest that was waived back-calculates to the original purchase date. So if you bought $1,000 on a 12-month no-interest offer and paid $900 by month 12, you owe $100 plus 12 months of interest at the card's regular rate (let's say 22%) on that remaining $100. That is about $22 in interest charges that suddenly appear on your bill. If you miss the important date by even one day, the interest applies.

The Amazon Visa does not offer promotional financing. It charges the regular interest rate from day one on any balance you carry.

Approval odds and what you need to explore

The Amazon Store Card is easier to get approved for than the Visa. Chase markets the Store Card to people with fair credit (scores around 600 to 700), while the Visa typically requires good credit (700 and above). If you have been turned down for other credit cards or have a thin credit history, the Store Card is worth trying first.

To explore for either card, you need to be at least 18 years old, a U.S. resident, and have a Social Security number. You will need your current income, employment status, and housing information. The process takes about 5 minutes online, and you usually get an when ready decision or a decision within a few days.

explore for a credit card triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points. If you are rejected, that inquiry stays on your report for two years, even though you were not approved. For this reason, do not explore for both cards at the same time — explore for the Store Card first, and if you are approved, wait a few months before trying the Visa.

Annual fees and other costs

Neither the Amazon Store Card nor the Amazon Visa charges an annual fee. You can hold the card and never use it without paying anything.

Both cards charge a late fee if you miss a payment. The fee is typically $25 to $35 for the first late payment and up to $40 for subsequent late payments within six months. Both cards also charge a cash advance fee (usually 3% of the amount) if you use the card to withdraw cash from an ATM, and a foreign transaction fee (usually 3%) if you use the card outside the United States.

The most expensive cost is interest on a carried balance. If you charge $2,000 and pay only the minimum each month, you will pay hundreds of dollars in interest over time. The card's website shows you an estimate of how long it will take to pay off a balance if you make minimum payments — always read this before you carry a balance.

When to use each card

Use the Amazon Store Card if you shop frequently at Amazon or Whole Foods and can pay off the balance in full each month. The higher cash back rates (especially 5% on groceries and household supplies) make it worth carrying if you are disciplined about not carrying a balance. The promotional financing offers are useful if you are making a large purchase and know you can pay it off before the important date.

Use the Amazon Visa if you want a card that works everywhere, you are a Prime member, or you have a credit score above 700. The 3% cash back at Amazon and 2% at gas stations and restaurants adds up across all your spending. The ability to redeem cash back as a statement credit (not just an Amazon credit) gives you more control over your rewards.

Do not use either card if you cannot pay the balance in full each month. The interest rate is high enough that the rewards you earn will be wiped out by interest charges within a few months. If you are carrying debt on another card, pay that down first before opening a new card.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need Amazon Prime to use these cards?

No. Both cards work without Prime membership. But the Visa gives better rewards to Prime members (3% at Amazon instead of 2%), so if you already pay for Prime, the Visa is a better choice. The Store Card rewards are the same whether you have Prime or not.

What happens if I miss a payment?

You will be charged a late fee ($25 to $40 depending on how late you are), and the missed payment will be reported to the credit bureaus and damage your credit score. If you miss a promotional financing important date, all the waived interest charges back-calculate to the purchase date and appear on your bill when ready.

Can I transfer a balance from another credit card to one of these?

The Amazon Store Card does not offer balance transfers. The Amazon Visa may offer balance transfer options, but they typically come with a balance transfer fee (usually 3% to 5% of the amount transferred) and a promotional interest rate that expires after a set period. Call Chase to ask about current balance transfer offers.

Which card should I explore for if I have fair credit?

Start with the Amazon Store Card. It has lower approval standards and is designed for people with credit scores between 600 and 700. If you are approved and use it responsibly for six months, you can then try the Visa, which requires stronger credit.

How do I redeem my cash back?

On the Store Card, cash back automatically appears as an Amazon.com credit in your account — you cannot cash it out. On the Visa, you can redeem cash back as a statement credit (reducing your bill), as an Amazon.com credit, or as a deposit to your bank account. You choose the redemption method in your Chase account online.