The Amazon credit card comes in two versions, and the one you can get depends on whether you have a Prime membership
Amazon offers two credit cards through Chase: the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card (for Prime members) and the Amazon Rewards Visa Card (for non-members). Both earn cash back on Amazon purchases, but the Prime version earns more. You can open either one online through Chase's website or Amazon's own site, and the process takes about 15 minutes. Chase will check your credit during the process, which creates a hard inquiry on your credit report.
The main difference between them is the rewards structure. The Prime card earns 5% cash back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases (up to $1,500 per year, then 1%), 2% at restaurants and gas stations, and 1% everywhere else. The standard Amazon card earns 3% on Amazon purchases and 1% on everything else. Neither card has an annual fee.
You do not need to be a Prime member to open the standard card, but you cannot get the Prime version without an active Prime membership. If you cancel Prime later, your card stays active but you lose the higher rewards rates.
Key Takeaways
- The Amazon Prime Rewards card requires an active Prime membership and earns 5% cash back on Amazon purchases, while the standard Amazon card has no membership requirement and earns 3%.
- Both cards are issued by Chase and require a credit check, so your credit score and history will affect whether you are approved and what interest rate you receive.
- You can open either card online in about 15 minutes through Chase or Amazon's website, and the card typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days.
- The cash back on Amazon purchases is capped at $1,500 per year on the Prime card (earning 5%), then drops to 1% after that threshold.
- Neither card has an annual fee, but both charge standard credit card interest rates if you carry a balance.
What Chase looks for when you open an Amazon card
Chase reviews your credit score, credit history, and income when you submit an process. There is no published minimum credit score for the Amazon card, but Chase typically approves applicants with scores in the 670 range or higher, though approval is possible with lower scores depending on other factors. The company also looks at how much debt you already carry, how long you have had credit accounts open, and whether you have missed payments.
You will need to provide your Social Security number, date of birth, annual income, and employment status. Chase may also ask for your address history. If you have recently opened many credit accounts or have recent late payments, your odds of approval drop. If Chase denies your process, you can call the reconsideration line at the number on your denial letter to discuss your situation with a human reviewer, though this rarely changes the outcome.
The process process and what happens next
Start by going to Chase's website or Amazon's credit card page and selecting which card you want. You will enter your personal information, Social Security number, and income. Chase will then perform a hard inquiry on your credit report, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points. The entire process takes 10 to 15 minutes.
You will usually get an when ready decision — approved, denied, or pending. If approved, your card ships within 7 to 10 business days. If pending, Chase will call you within a few days to ask follow-up questions. If denied, you receive a letter in the mail explaining why, and you can call the reconsideration line within 30 days to ask Chase to review the decision again.
Once your card arrives, set up it through the Chase website or app, then set up your account to manage payments and track rewards. You can also link the card to your Amazon account so rewards post automatically.
How the cash back and rewards actually work
Cash back posts to your credit card account as a statement credit, not as a separate payment. You can use it to pay down your balance or let it accumulate. On the Prime card, the 5% rate applies to Amazon.com purchases and Whole Foods in-store purchases, but the 5% is capped at $1,500 in combined purchases per year — after that, you earn 1%. The 2% rate on restaurants and gas stations has no cap. The 1% rate on all other purchases also has no cap.
On the standard Amazon card, the 3% rate applies only to Amazon.com purchases and has no cap. The 1% rate applies to everything else with no cap. Neither card earns rewards on balance transfers or cash advances. If you close the card, you keep any cash back you have already earned, but you stop earning new rewards.
Interest rates and fees you should know about
The Amazon card has no annual fee, but it does charge interest if you carry a balance. The interest rate (called the APR, or annual percentage rate) depends on your credit score and credit history — Chase will tell you the rate when you are approved. Current rates typically range from 16% to 24%, though your actual rate could be different. If you pay your full balance by the due date each month, you pay no interest.
The card also charges late fees if you miss a payment, typically $25 to $35 depending on how late you are. There is no foreign transaction fee, so you can use the card abroad without an extra charge. If you transfer a balance from another card, Chase charges a balance transfer fee of 3% to 5% of the amount transferred.
When the Amazon card makes sense and when it does not
The Amazon Prime card is worth opening if you have a Prime membership and spend at least $100 per month on Amazon — the 5% cash back adds up quickly. If you also eat out or buy gas regularly, the 2% on those categories makes it even more valuable. The standard Amazon card makes sense if you shop on Amazon but do not have Prime, or if you want a second card just for Amazon purchases.
The card is not worth opening if you carry a credit card balance month to month. The interest you pay will far exceed any cash back you earn. It is also not ideal if you rarely shop on Amazon or other retailers — the rewards are too narrow to justify another card in your wallet. If you already have a general cash back card that earns 2% on all purchases, the Amazon card only beats it if you spend enough on Amazon to make the higher rate worthwhile.
How the card affects your credit and what to do with it
Opening the card creates a hard inquiry that lowers your credit score by a few points for about three months. It also lowers your average account age if you have not had many accounts open for a long time. However, it increases your total available credit, which can help your score if you keep the balance low. Over time, an on-time payment history on the card will help your credit score more than the initial dip hurts it.
To protect your score, keep your balance below 30% of your credit limit and pay on time every month. Do not open multiple cards in a short period, as each hard inquiry and new account lowers your score. If you decide the card is not for you, you can close it anytime, though closing it will remove that available credit from your profile and may lower your score slightly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Prime membership to open the Amazon credit card?
No, but you can only open the standard Amazon Rewards card without Prime. The Prime Rewards card requires an active membership. If you have Prime and later cancel it, your card stays open but you lose the 5% rewards rate on Amazon purchases.
What is the minimum credit score needed to open an Amazon card?
Chase does not publish a minimum, but most approvals happen with scores of 670 or higher. Approval is possible with lower scores depending on your overall credit history and income. If you are denied, you can call the reconsideration line to ask Chase to review your process again.
How long does it take to get the card after I open it?
The process decision is usually when ready or within a few days. Once approved, the physical card ships within 7 to 10 business days. You can use the card number for online purchases before the physical card arrives if Chase provides it in your account.
Can I use the Amazon card outside of Amazon?
Yes. The Prime card earns 2% at restaurants and gas stations and 1% everywhere else. The standard card earns 1% on non-Amazon purchases. Neither card has a foreign transaction fee, so you can use it internationally without extra charges.
What happens to my rewards if I close the card?
Any cash back you have already earned stays in your account and you can use it as a statement credit. You stop earning new rewards once the card is closed. You can close the card anytime without penalty.