Amazon offers two main credit cards through Chase, each with different rewards and benefits
Amazon has two branded credit cards: the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card and the Amazon Rewards Visa Card. Both are issued by Chase. The Prime card is only for Prime members and offers higher cash back on Amazon purchases. The standard Amazon card is available to anyone and offers lower rewards but no membership requirement. Neither card charges an annual fee.
The cards differ in what you earn back on purchases. The Prime card gives 5% cash back on Amazon.com and Whole Foods purchases (up to $1,500 per year, then 1%), 2% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% everywhere else. The standard Amazon card gives 3% cash back on Amazon.com purchases and 1% everywhere else. Both cards let you redeem rewards as statement credits or gift cards.
Chase decides whether to send you an offer based on your credit history, income, and existing accounts with them. You cannot request a specific offer or negotiate the terms. The offers change regularly and vary by person.
Key Takeaways
- The Amazon Prime Rewards card requires an active Prime membership and pays 5% cash back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases, while the standard Amazon card pays 3% and has no membership requirement.
- Both cards have no annual fee, and you can redeem rewards as statement credits or Amazon gift cards.
- Chase determines who receives an offer based on credit history and existing accounts; you cannot request a specific offer.
- Introductory bonuses vary and are not may provide; Chase may offer cash back or statement credits for spending within a set timeframe after opening.
- You can check whether you have a pre-approved offer by logging into your Amazon account or visiting the Chase website.
How to learn about you have a pre-approved offer
Log into your Amazon account and look for a banner or link advertising credit card offers. This usually appears on the homepage or in the "Your Account" section. If you see an offer, click it to see the full terms, including any introductory bonus and the cash back rates.
You can also visit the Chase credit cards website directly and search for Amazon cards. Chase will show you which offers you may be pre-approved for without a hard credit inquiry. A pre-approval means Chase has already reviewed your creditworthiness and believes you meet their standards; it does not mean you are may provide approval if you proceed.
If you do not see an offer, you can still explore, but Chase will perform a hard credit inquiry, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points. Pre-approved offers skip this step.
What happens when you open an Amazon credit card
After you submit your process, Chase reviews it and notifies you of approval or denial within minutes to a few business days. If approved, your card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can usually set up it online or by phone as soon as it arrives.
Once activated, you can use the card when ready for purchases. If there is an introductory bonus, it typically requires you to spend a certain amount (for example, $100 or $500) within a set timeframe (usually 3 months). The bonus posts to your account as a statement credit or cash back once you meet the spending requirement.
Your credit limit is set by Chase based on your credit score and income. You can request a higher limit after 6 months of responsible use, but Chase is not required to grant it.
Comparing the Prime card and the standard Amazon card
| Feature | Amazon Prime Rewards Card | Amazon Rewards Card |
|---|---|---|
| Prime membership required | Yes | No |
| Cash back on Amazon.com | 5% (up to $1,500/year, then 1%) | 3% |
| Cash back at Whole Foods | 2% | None |
| Cash back at gas and restaurants | 2% | None |
| Cash back everywhere else | 1% | 1% |
| Annual fee | None | None |
Choose the Prime card if you have an active Prime membership and spend regularly on Amazon or Whole Foods. The 5% rate on Amazon purchases adds up quickly if you buy groceries, household items, or electronics through the site. The 2% at gas stations and restaurants is also useful if those are regular spending categories for you.
Choose the standard Amazon card if you do not have Prime, do not plan to keep it, or do most of your shopping elsewhere. The 3% on Amazon is still solid, and the 1% everywhere else is a reasonable baseline for a no-fee card. If you rarely shop on Amazon, neither card may be worth opening.
Understanding introductory bonuses and how they work
Amazon credit card offers sometimes include an introductory bonus, such as "$100 statement credit after you spend $500 in the first 3 months" or "5% cash back for 12 months on all purchases." The exact bonus varies by offer and changes over time. Chase does not publish a standard bonus; it depends on current promotions and your creditworthiness.
To earn the bonus, you must meet the spending requirement within the stated timeframe. Spending is counted from the date your account opens, not from the date you receive the card. If you do not meet the requirement, you do not receive the bonus. The bonus posts as a statement credit or cash back once Chase confirms you have met the terms, usually within one to two billing cycles.
Bonuses are one-time offers. You cannot earn the same bonus again if you close and reopen the card. Some people open a card for the bonus, use it for the required spending, then close it or stop using it. This is a common strategy, but closing a card can lower your credit score slightly because it reduces your available credit and shortens your average account age.
How rewards are calculated and redeemed
Cash back is calculated on the purchase amount after tax. If you buy a $100 item at 5% cash back, you earn $5, not $5 plus tax. Rewards post to your account monthly and appear as available cash back in your account dashboard.
You can redeem rewards in two ways: as a statement credit (which reduces your credit card balance) or as an Amazon gift card. Statement credits are usually processed when ready. Gift cards are delivered to your email within minutes. There is no minimum redemption amount, so you can redeem $1 or $100 at a time.
Rewards do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. If you close the card, you have a limited time (usually 90 days) to redeem remaining rewards before they are forfeited. Check your cardholder agreement for the exact policy.
What to consider before opening an Amazon credit card
Opening a credit card triggers a hard inquiry, which lowers your credit score by a few points. This effect is temporary and usually recovers within a few months. If you are planning to explore for a mortgage, auto loan, or other major credit in the next few months, opening a new card may not be the right time.
Carrying a balance on the card costs money in interest. The APR (annual percentage rate) varies based on your creditworthiness but is typically in the range of 18% to 24%. If you cannot pay off your balance in full each month, the interest charges will outweigh any rewards you earn. Use the card only if you can pay it off monthly.
The rewards are only valuable if you actually spend money on the card. If you open it for a bonus but do not use it afterward, you have paid the cost of a hard inquiry for no lasting benefit. Be honest about whether you will use the card regularly enough to make it worthwhile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Prime membership to use the Amazon Rewards card?
No. The standard Amazon Rewards card is available to anyone. Only the Amazon Prime Rewards card requires an active Prime membership. If your Prime membership lapses, you can keep the card, but you will no longer earn the higher 5% rate on Amazon purchases; it will drop to 1%.
Can I transfer my rewards to another credit card or loyalty program?
No. Amazon rewards can only be redeemed as statement credits or Amazon gift cards. You cannot transfer them to airline miles, hotel points, or other programs. Once redeemed as a gift card, the balance stays in your Amazon account until you spend it.
What happens to my rewards if I close the card?
You have a limited window (usually 90 days after closing) to redeem any remaining rewards. After that period, unredeemed rewards are forfeited. Redeem your balance before closing the account to avoid losing it.
How long does it take to receive the card after approval?
Most cards arrive within 7 to 10 business days. You can set up it online or by phone as soon as it arrives, and you can use it for purchases when ready. You do not have to wait for it to arrive to start earning rewards if you add it to your Amazon account digitally.
Can I get a higher credit limit after opening the card?
Yes. After 6 months of on-time payments, you can request a credit limit increase through your Chase account online or by calling the number on the back of your card. Chase will review your request and may approve, deny, or offer a lower increase than you requested. Requesting a limit increase may trigger a soft inquiry, which does not affect your credit score.