What the Chase Amazon Visa Card is and who it's for

The Chase Amazon Visa Card is a rewards card issued by Chase Bank that gives you cash back on purchases made through Amazon and at Whole Foods, plus a smaller cash back rate on other everyday purchases. You earn 5% cash back on Amazon.com purchases (up to $1,500 per year, then 1% after that), 2% at Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh, and 1% on all other purchases. There is no annual fee.

This card makes sense if you shop on Amazon regularly and want cash back rather than points or miles. The 5% rate on Amazon purchases is higher than most general rewards cards offer, but the cap means the benefit phases out if you spend heavily. If you rarely use Amazon, a different card might serve you better.

Chase offers two versions: the Amazon Visa Signature Card (no annual fee) and the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card (also no annual fee, but requires an active Prime membership and offers slightly different rewards). This guide covers both, since the process and account management process is the same.

Key Takeaways

  • The card earns 5% cash back on Amazon purchases up to $1,500 per year, then 1% after that, with no annual fee.
  • You can open an account online through Chase's website or in a Chase branch, and you'll know within minutes whether you're approved.
  • The card arrives in 7 to 10 business days, and you can use it when ready online if you set up a temporary digital card number.
  • Cash back posts to your account monthly and can be redeemed as a statement credit, direct deposit, or gift card.
  • Your credit score, income, and credit history all factor into whether Chase approves you and what credit limit you receive.

How to open a Chase Amazon Visa Card account online

Go to the Chase website and search for "Amazon Visa" to find the card offer page. Click the button to open an account. You'll be asked for your Social Security number, date of birth, address, and annual income. Have a government-issued ID handy in case Chase asks you to verify your identity during the process.

The process takes about 10 minutes. Chase will pull your credit report (a hard inquiry) and give you a decision on the spot or within a few minutes. If approved, you'll see your credit limit and can set up online access to your account right away. If denied, Chase will mail you a letter explaining why within 30 days.

If you prefer to explore in person, visit a Chase branch with a photo ID and proof of address (a recent utility bill or lease works). A banker can walk you through the process and answer questions about the card's rewards structure. In-branch approval typically takes the same amount of time as online.

What documents and information you need before you start

Gather your Social Security number, current address, and a recent pay stub or tax return showing your annual income. Chase uses income to set your credit limit, not to determine approval, so be honest about what you earn. If you're self-employed, you can use your most recent tax return.

Have a government-issued photo ID ready — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. If you're explore online, you may not need to show it, but Chase can ask you to verify your identity by uploading a photo or answering security questions. If you're explore in a branch, bring it with you.

If you've moved recently, have proof of your current address: a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. Chase uses this to confirm where you live.

How long approval takes and when your card arrives

Chase tells you whether you're approved, pending review, or denied within minutes of submitting your online process. If your process goes to pending review, Chase will call you within one to two business days to ask follow-up questions or request documents. This usually happens if your income, credit history, or address raises a flag.

Once approved, your physical card ships within 7 to 10 business days. You can use a temporary digital card number (a virtual card) to make purchases on Amazon or anywhere Visa is accepted as soon as your account is open, even before the physical card arrives. Set this up in your Chase mobile app or online account.

If you're denied, you can call Chase to ask why and whether you can reapply. Some denials are temporary — for example, if you've opened too many credit accounts recently, waiting a few months and reapplying may work. Others reflect a credit score or history issue that won't change quickly.

How rewards and cash back work

Cash back posts to your account once per month, usually around the 15th. You don't have to do anything to earn it — it happens automatically on all purchases that may have access to. The 5% rate on Amazon.com applies to items you buy directly from Amazon, not from third-party sellers using Amazon's marketplace (though some third-party purchases do may have access to; check your statement to be sure).

Once you've earned $1,500 in cash back on Amazon purchases in a calendar year, your rate drops to 1% for the rest of that year. The calendar resets on January 1st. You can track your progress in your online account under the rewards or cash back section.

Redeem your cash back as a statement credit (which reduces your bill), a direct deposit to your bank account, or an Amazon gift card. You can redeem in any amount with no minimum. Some people wait to redeem until they have a larger balance, but there's no bonus for doing so — $5 in cash back is always worth $5.

What happens after you're approved

Once your account is open, log in to Chase.com or use the Chase mobile app to view your balance, make payments, and track rewards. Set up automatic payments so you don't miss a due date — you can pay the full balance, a fixed amount, or the minimum due. Paying in full each month avoids interest charges.

Your credit limit is set at approval and can be increased after six months of on-time payments. You can request a higher limit by calling Chase or asking in your online account. A higher limit can improve your credit score (by lowering your credit utilization ratio) and gives you more flexibility, but it doesn't change your rewards rate.

If you have questions about a charge, a reward, or your account, call the number on the back of your card. Chase customer service is available 24/7. For fraud or unauthorized charges, report them when ready — Chase has zero-liability protection, meaning you won't be responsible for fraudulent purchases.

Comparing the Amazon Visa to other rewards cards

The main trade-off with the Amazon Visa is that its 5% rate is capped at $1,500 per year in cash back, after which it drops to 1%. If you spend more than $30,000 per year on Amazon, you'll hit that cap and earn a lower rate on additional purchases. Other cards, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or the Capital One Venture X, offer uncapped rewards but charge an annual fee and may offer lower rates on specific categories.

If you don't have a Prime membership, the standard Amazon Visa Signature Card is the right choice — it has no membership requirement and the same rewards structure. The Prime version requires an active Prime subscription but offers no additional rewards, so it's only worth choosing if you already pay for Prime.

If you want a card with no annual fee and rewards on everyday purchases, the Chase Freedom Unlimited offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases with no cap. It earns less on Amazon than the Amazon Visa, but it earns the same rate everywhere else, which may suit you better if you don't shop on Amazon as often.

Frequently Asked Questions

What credit score do I need to get approved?

Chase doesn't publish a minimum credit score, but the Amazon Visa typically goes to people with a score of 670 or higher. If your score is lower, you may still be approved, especially if you have a short credit history or recent late payments. The best way to know is to explore — a single process doesn't hurt your score much, and Chase will tell you when ready.

Can I use this card outside the United States?

Yes, you can use the card anywhere Visa is accepted. However, Chase charges a 3% foreign transaction fee on purchases made outside the U.S., so the card is less valuable for international travel than some other options. If you travel frequently, a card with no foreign transaction fee may be better.

What happens if I don't pay my bill on time?

If you miss a payment, Chase charges a late fee (usually $25 to $35 for the first late payment) and a variable interest rate on your balance. Late payments also hurt your credit score and stay on your credit report for seven years. Set up automatic payments to avoid this — you can change the payment amount or date anytime.

Can I transfer my rewards to airline miles or hotel points?

No. Cash back from the Amazon Visa can only be redeemed as a statement credit, direct deposit, or Amazon gift card. If you want to transfer rewards to airline or hotel programs, you'd need a different Chase card, like the Sapphire Preferred or Ink Business Preferred.

What if I close my account — do I lose my cash back?

No. Any cash back you've already earned stays in your account and can be redeemed even after you close the card. However, you won't earn new rewards once the account is closed. If you think you might close the card, redeem your cash back first to make sure you don't forget about it.