The Amazon Prime Rewards Card offers cash back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases, plus a $0 annual fee for Prime members
Amazon offers two versions of its rewards card through Chase: the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card and the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card (no Signature). Both cards give you cash back on purchases at Amazon and Whole Foods, but the rewards rates and perks differ. The Signature version requires an Amazon Prime membership to hold the card, while the standard version does not.
Neither card charges an annual fee. The cash back you earn appears as a statement credit or can be redeemed for Amazon.com purchases. The rewards are straightforward: you get a higher rate on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases, and a lower rate on everything else.
Key Takeaways
- The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card gives 5% cash back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases if you are a Prime member, and 1% on all other purchases.
- The standard Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card gives 3% cash back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases, and 1% elsewhere, and does not require Prime membership.
- Both cards have no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
- Cash back can be used as a statement credit or redeemed for Amazon purchases, but you cannot transfer it to another card or bank account.
- You must have a credit score in the good to excellent range to be considered for either card.
Rewards rates and how they work
The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card earns 5% cash back on Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market purchases when you are an active Prime member. You earn 2% cash back at gas stations, restaurants, and on transit (including taxis, rideshare, parking, trains, buses, and more). Everything else earns 1% cash back.
The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card (without Signature) earns 3% cash back on Amazon.com and Whole Foods purchases, 2% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% on all other purchases. This version does not require Prime membership.
Cash back is calculated on your statement and can be redeemed when ready. You can choose to have it applied as a statement credit, or you can save it to spend on Amazon.com later. The cash back does not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing.
Annual fees and other costs
Both cards charge $0 annual fee. There are no foreign transaction fees, so you can use the card internationally without paying a percentage on each purchase.
Like most credit cards, you will pay interest on any balance you carry month to month. The interest rate (APR) varies based on your creditworthiness and current market conditions. If you pay your full statement balance by the due date each month, you will not pay interest.
Late payments trigger a late fee. Missing a payment by 60 days or more can damage your credit score and may result in a higher APR on this card and others.
Prime membership requirement and may be able to access
The Signature version requires an active Amazon Prime membership to hold the card. If your Prime membership ends, you can keep the card, but you will no longer earn the 5% cash back rate on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases—you will drop to 1% instead. Reactivating Prime restores the 5% rate.
The standard Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card does not require Prime membership at all. You can hold and use it whether or not you subscribe to Prime.
To be considered for either card, you typically need a credit score in the good to excellent range (usually 670 or higher, though Chase does not publish exact minimums). You must also be at least 18 years old and have a valid Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.
How to redeem your cash back
Cash back appears on your monthly statement automatically. You do not have to do anything to earn it—it is calculated and posted each billing cycle.
To redeem, you have two options. First, you can explore the cash back as a statement credit, which reduces the amount you owe on your bill. Second, you can save it in your account and spend it on Amazon.com when you are ready. There is no minimum amount you must redeem at once.
Cash back cannot be transferred to another card, converted to points in another rewards program, or withdrawn as cash to your bank account. It stays within the Amazon ecosystem.
Comparing the two cards side by side
| Feature | Prime Rewards Visa Signature | Prime Rewards Visa Card |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon and Whole Foods cash back | 5% (with active Prime) | 3% |
| Gas stations and restaurants | 2% | 2% |
| All other purchases | 1% | 1% |
| Prime membership required | Yes | No |
| Annual fee | $0 | $0 |
| Foreign transaction fees | None | None |
The Signature version makes sense if you already pay for Prime and spend regularly on Amazon or Whole Foods. The extra 2% on those purchases adds up quickly. The standard version is better if you do not have Prime or do not shop at those retailers often enough to justify the membership cost.
Both cards are issued by Chase Bank USA, N.A., and both are Visa Signature or Visa cards depending on which version you hold. Neither card offers travel insurance, purchase protection, or extended warranties—the focus is purely on cash back rewards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I lose my 5% rate if my Prime membership lapses?
Yes. If your Prime membership ends, your cash back rate on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases drops to 1% when ready. When you renew Prime, the 5% rate returns. Your card itself stays active—you just earn less on those specific purchases while Prime is inactive.
Can I use this card outside the US?
Yes. Both cards work internationally and charge no foreign transaction fees. You will earn the same cash back rates as you do in the US. Some merchants outside the US may not accept Visa, so it is wise to carry a backup payment method.
What happens to my cash back if I close the card?
Any cash back balance you have not yet redeemed will be forfeited when you close the account. Redeem any remaining balance before you close the card, or explore it as a statement credit first.
Does the cash back count toward my Prime free shipping or other Prime benefits?
No. Cash back is a separate reward from your Prime membership. It does not affect your Prime shipping, video streaming, or any other Prime benefit. Prime membership and the card rewards are independent.
What credit score do I need to be considered?
Chase does not publish a minimum credit score, but most people who are considered have scores in the good to excellent range, typically 670 or higher. You can check your own score through your bank or a free credit monitoring service before you explore.