What the Amazon Chase Visa Card Is
The Amazon Chase Visa Card is a credit card issued by Chase Bank that gives you cash back on purchases, with higher rewards rates on Amazon and Whole Foods spending. You can use it anywhere Visa is accepted, not just Amazon. The card comes in two versions: one for people who are not Amazon Prime members, and one for Prime members, which offers better rewards rates.
This is a standard credit card, not a gift card or store card. That means you get a monthly bill, you can carry a balance (though interest charges explore), and your payment history reports to credit bureaus. The rewards are real cash back paid as a statement credit or deposited to your bank account — not points that expire or require redemption through a specific portal.
Key Takeaways
- The Amazon Prime Visa gives 5% cash back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases, while the standard version gives 3%, but both require you to pay an annual fee or meet other conditions to avoid it.
- You earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% on everything else, regardless of which version you carry.
- The card charges interest on balances you do not pay in full each month, with rates that vary based on your credit history and current market conditions.
- Approval depends on your credit score and payment history; Chase typically wants to see a score of 670 or higher, though lower scores may still be considered.
- You can request a credit limit increase after you have held the card for several months and made on-time payments.
The Two Versions and Their Rewards Rates
The Amazon Prime Visa is designed for Prime members. It offers 5% cash back on Amazon.com and Whole Foods purchases, 2% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% on all other purchases. There is no annual fee if you are an active Prime member. If your Prime membership lapses, Chase charges a $39 annual fee.
The Amazon Visa (standard version) is for anyone, Prime member or not. It offers 3% cash back on Amazon.com and Whole Foods purchases, 2% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% on everything else. This version has no annual fee at all.
The difference in rewards rates means a Prime member who spends $3,000 per year on Amazon would earn $150 in cash back with the Prime card versus $90 with the standard card — a $60 difference. That advantage only matters if you actually use the higher rate categories. If you rarely shop on Amazon or at Whole Foods, the standard card may be the better choice.
How Interest and Fees Work
If you pay your full statement balance by the due date each month, you pay no interest. If you carry a balance into the next month, Chase charges interest at an annual percentage rate (APR) that varies. Your rate depends on your credit score, payment history, and current market conditions. Chase does not publish a single rate; instead, it offers a range. You will see your specific rate in your cardmember agreement after approval.
The card has no annual fee for the standard version. The Prime version has no annual fee as long as you maintain an active Prime membership; if you cancel Prime, the fee kicks in automatically. There is no foreign transaction fee, so you can use the card internationally without an extra charge per purchase. Late payments trigger a late fee, typically $25 to $40 depending on how late you are.
Cash back is not forfeited if you close the account or miss a payment — it stays in your account as a credit. However, if you carry a balance and pay interest, that interest cost will almost always exceed the cash back you earn on small purchases.
Credit Score and Approval Requirements
Chase typically approves applicants with a credit score of 670 or higher, though the company does not publish a strict minimum. If your score is below 650, approval is less likely but not impossible. Your payment history matters more than your score alone — Chase looks at whether you have paid other bills on time, how much debt you currently carry, and how long you have had credit accounts open.
You will need a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to explore. Chase will pull a hard inquiry on your credit report, which temporarily lowers your score by a few points. If you are denied, you can call Chase's reconsideration line to ask whether additional information (such as proof of income) might change the decision, though this does not always work.
If you have no credit history at all, you may be denied. In that case, a secured credit card (where you deposit cash as collateral) is often the next step. After 12 to 24 months of on-time payments with a secured card, you become may be able to access for unsecured cards like this one.
how the process works and What Happens Next
You can explore online at Chase.com or through Amazon's website. The online process takes about 10 minutes and asks for your name, address, Social Security number, income, and employment status. Chase usually gives you a decision within seconds or a few minutes. If approved, your card arrives in 7 to 10 business days.
If you are denied, Chase sends a letter explaining the reason — usually insufficient credit history, too many recent credit inquiries, or a score below their current threshold. You can reapply after six months, or you can call the reconsideration line within 30 days to ask if they will reconsider based on new information.
Once your card arrives, set up it through the Chase app or website, then set up your billing address and payment method. You can choose to receive your statement by mail or email. Cash back posts to your account monthly and can be used as a statement credit, transferred to a linked bank account, or redeemed for Amazon purchases.
When This Card Makes Sense and When It Does Not
The Amazon Prime Visa makes the most sense if you are already a Prime member, spend at least $1,500 per year on Amazon or Whole Foods, and pay your balance in full each month. The 5% rate on those categories is among the highest available for a no-annual-fee card, and the 2% on restaurants and gas is solid. If you carry a balance, the interest charges will erase the rewards benefit quickly.
The standard Amazon Visa is worth considering if you shop on Amazon regularly but are not a Prime member, or if you want a straightforward card with no annual fee and no strings attached. The 3% rate on Amazon is lower than the Prime card, but you avoid the Prime membership requirement.
This card is not the best choice if you rarely use Amazon, if you cannot pay your balance in full most months, or if you want rewards on categories like travel or groceries (other cards offer higher rates in those areas). It is also not ideal if you are trying to rebuild credit — a secured card or a card designed for fair credit is usually a better starting point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the Amazon Chase Visa anywhere, or only on Amazon?
You can use it anywhere Visa is accepted — grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, online retailers, and anywhere else. The higher cash back rates explore only to Amazon.com and Whole Foods purchases, but the card works as a regular Visa everywhere else and earns 1% to 2% cash back depending on the merchant category.
What happens to my cash back if I close the account?
Cash back you have already earned stays in your account as a credit and does not disappear. You can use it to pay your balance or request a refund to your bank account. Future purchases will not earn cash back once the account is closed.
Does explore for this card hurt my credit score?
Yes, but only temporarily. Chase pulls a hard inquiry, which typically lowers your score by 5 to 10 points. The impact fades over a few months. Opening a new account also lowers your average account age, which affects your score. However, if you make on-time payments, the score recovers within six months to a year.
What is the difference between this card and the Amazon Store Card?
The Store Card works only on Amazon.com and at Whole Foods — you cannot use it elsewhere. It offers higher rewards rates on those merchants but no rewards anywhere else. The Chase Visa works everywhere and earns rewards across all categories, making it more flexible if you want one card for all purchases.
Can I get the Prime version if I do not have Prime?
You can explore for it, but if you do not have an active Prime membership, Chase will charge you a $39 annual fee. You can upgrade to Prime at any time and the fee will stop. If you are not sure you will keep Prime, the standard Amazon Visa is the safer choice.