What the Amazon Credit Card is and who offers it
The Amazon Credit Card is a rewards card issued by Chase Bank that gives you cash back when you shop on Amazon and at other retailers. Chase is the bank behind the card — they handle the account, set the terms, and process your payments. Amazon partners with Chase to offer the rewards program, but Chase is the actual card issuer and the company you make payments to.
There are two versions of this card: the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card (for Prime members) and the Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card (for non-Prime members). Both earn rewards on Amazon purchases, but the Prime version offers a higher cash-back rate on Amazon shopping. You do not need to be a Prime member to hold the non-Prime version, though most people who carry an Amazon card are Prime members.
The card is a standard credit card, which means you borrow money from Chase when you use it, and you pay it back each month. It is not a debit card, a prepaid card, or a gift card — it is a line of credit that reports to the three major credit bureaus and affects your credit score.
Key Takeaways
- The Amazon Credit Card is issued by Chase Bank and earns cash back on Amazon purchases and other shopping, with higher rewards for Prime members.
- You must have a credit history and pass a credit check to open the card, and your credit score will be affected by the new account and how you use it.
- The card has no annual fee, but you pay interest on any balance you carry past the due date unless you pay in full each month.
- Rewards post to your Amazon account as a statement credit and can be used toward Amazon purchases or redeemed for cash back in some cases.
- You manage the card through the Chase website or mobile app, where you can view your balance, make payments, and track rewards.
How to open an Amazon Credit Card account with Chase
You can open an account online through Chase's website or Amazon's website — both routes lead to the same process. You will need your Social Security number, a valid government ID, your current address, and information about your income and employment. Chase will run a hard credit inquiry, which means they pull your full credit report and score. This inquiry temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points.
The process takes about 10 minutes. Chase usually tells you whether you are approved, denied, or need to wait for a decision within seconds or minutes. If you are approved, your card ships within 7 to 10 business days. You can start using the card number for online purchases before the physical card arrives if Chase offers that option on your approval screen.
If you are denied, Chase will send you a letter explaining the reason — usually insufficient credit history, too many recent credit inquiries, or a low credit score. You can reapply after addressing the issue, but explore again when ready will trigger another hard inquiry and hurt your score further.
Understanding the rewards structure and cash-back rates
The Amazon Prime Rewards card earns 5% cash back on Amazon purchases and Prime Video purchases, 2% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% on everything else. The non-Prime Amazon Rewards card earns 3% on Amazon purchases and 1% on everything else. Both cards have no annual fee and no cap on how much cash back you can earn.
Cash back appears as a statement credit on your Chase account — it reduces the amount you owe. You do not receive it as a separate payment or deposit. If you want to convert rewards to actual cash, some cardholders report being able to redeem through Chase's Ultimate Rewards portal, though this option is not may provide on every Amazon card account.
Rewards are calculated on the purchase amount before tax. If you return an item, the cash back for that purchase is reversed. Rewards post to your account within one to three billing cycles after the purchase posts.
What happens if you carry a balance or miss a payment
If you do not pay your full statement balance by the due date, Chase charges you interest on the remaining balance. The interest rate (called the APR, or annual percentage rate) varies based on your credit score and creditworthiness — it typically ranges from around 18% to 27%, but your specific rate will be shown in your approval documents. Interest accrues daily on any unpaid balance.
If you miss a payment entirely, Chase reports the late payment to the credit bureaus after 30 days. A single late payment can lower your credit score by 100 points or more. After 60 days, the late payment is reported again. After 180 days of non-payment, Chase may close the account and send the debt to a collection agency.
If you are struggling to pay, contact Chase before the due date — they sometimes offer hardship programs that lower your interest rate or pause payments temporarily. Waiting until after you miss a payment makes negotiation much harder.
How to manage your account and make payments
You manage your Amazon Credit Card through Chase's website (chase.com) or the Chase mobile app. You can view your current balance, statement history, available credit, and rewards total. You can also set up automatic payments, make one-time payments, change your billing address, and read statements.
Payments can be made online through Chase, by phone at the number on the back of your card, by mail (though this is slower), or through automatic payment. If you set up autopay, you can choose to pay the full statement balance, a fixed amount, or just the minimum payment each month. Paying the full balance avoids interest charges.
The payment due date is the same each month (for example, the 15th). If the due date falls on a weekend or holiday, Chase moves it to the next business day. Payments made online typically post within one business day.
How the card affects your credit score and credit history
Opening the card creates a new account on your credit report, which temporarily lowers your score by a few points because of the hard inquiry and the new account. Over time, if you pay on time and keep your balance low, the card helps your score by adding to your credit history and showing responsible credit use.
Your credit score is affected by five main factors: payment history (35%), amounts owed (30%), length of credit history (15%), credit mix (10%), and new credit (10%). The Amazon card helps most with payment history and credit mix, but hurts slightly with new credit. Keeping your balance below 30% of your credit limit is important — if your limit is $1,000 and you carry a $500 balance, that is 50% utilization, which lowers your score.
Chase reports your account activity to all three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) each month. Late payments, high balances, and closed accounts all appear on your report and affect your score for years.
What to do if you lose your card or suspect fraud
If your card is lost or stolen, call the number on the back of your card or contact Chase directly. Chase will cancel the card when ready and mail you a replacement within 7 to 10 business days. You can use your account online during this time, and you can request a temporary card number for online shopping.
If you see charges you did not make, report them to Chase as soon as you notice them. Federal law (the Fair Credit Billing Act) limits your liability to $50 for unauthorized charges, and most card issuers waive even that if you report fraud quickly. Chase will investigate the charge, and if it is determined to be fraudulent, the charge is removed from your account.
To reduce fraud risk, enable purchase notifications in the Chase app so you are alerted to every transaction. You can also set spending limits or turn the card on and off through the app on some accounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be an Amazon Prime member to get the Amazon Credit Card?
No. There are two versions — one for Prime members (which earns 5% back on Amazon) and one for non-Prime members (which earns 3% back). You can hold either card regardless of your Prime status, though the Prime version offers better rewards if you shop on Amazon regularly.
What is the credit limit, and can I request a higher one?
Chase sets your initial credit limit based on your credit score, income, and credit history. It typically ranges from $500 to several thousand dollars. You can request a credit limit increase after six months of responsible use by contacting Chase through the app or website. Hard inquiries may or may not be required depending on the type of increase request.
Can I use the card outside the United States?
Yes, the card works internationally at merchants that accept Visa. However, Chase charges a foreign transaction fee of 3% on purchases made outside the U.S. This fee is added to your statement. If you travel frequently, a card with no foreign transaction fee may be a better choice.
What happens to my rewards if I close the card?
Any rewards you have already earned remain in your Amazon account and can be used. However, you stop earning new rewards once the card is closed. Closing the card also removes it from your credit history over time, which can slightly lower your credit score because it reduces your available credit and credit history length.
How do I dispute a charge on my statement?
Log into your Chase account, find the transaction, and select "Dispute this charge" or contact Chase by phone. You have 60 days from the statement date to dispute a charge. Chase will investigate and either reverse the charge, ask the merchant for proof, or deny the dispute. During the investigation, the charge may be temporarily removed from your balance.