The Chase Amazon Prime Visa is a co-branded rewards card that gives you cash back on Amazon purchases and other spending
The Chase Amazon Prime Visa Card is a credit card issued by Chase Bank in partnership with Amazon. It offers cash back rewards on Amazon.com purchases and other everyday spending, plus a few perks tied to Prime membership. You do not need to be an Amazon Prime member to open the card, though the rewards structure assumes you are.
The card comes in two versions: the standard card and the Visa Signature version. Both charge an annual fee, though Chase occasionally waives the first year. The rewards rates and benefits differ slightly between the two, and the Visa Signature version costs more but includes additional protections like purchase protection and travel insurance.
This is a standard rewards card, not a financing tool. If you carry a balance, you pay interest on it at the card's variable APR, which changes with the prime rate. The rewards do not offset interest charges, so the card works best if you pay the full statement balance each month.
Key Takeaways
- The standard card earns 5% cash back on Amazon.com purchases (up to $1,500 per year, then 1% after) and 2% at gas stations, restaurants, and transit; the Visa Signature version adds 3% on other purchases.
- Both versions charge an annual fee that Chase sometimes waives for the first year, and the fee is not refunded if you close the card mid-year.
- You must pay your full balance each month to avoid interest charges that quickly erase the value of cash back rewards.
- The card reports to all three credit bureaus, so opening it affects your credit score in the short term and builds credit history over time.
- Cash back posts as a statement credit or can be transferred to an Amazon account as a gift card balance.
Rewards structure and earning rates
The standard Chase Amazon Prime Visa earns 5% cash back on Amazon.com purchases, but only up to $1,500 in combined purchases per year. After you hit $1,500 in purchases, the rate drops to 1% for the rest of the calendar year. This means the maximum cash back you can earn on Amazon purchases is $75 per year on the standard card.
Outside Amazon, the standard card earns 2% cash back at gas stations, restaurants, and transit (including taxis, rideshare, parking, trains, buses, and more). All other purchases earn 1% cash back. The Visa Signature version removes the $1,500 cap on Amazon purchases, so you earn 5% all year, but it costs more in annual fees and earns only 2% on other purchases instead of 3%.
Cash back is posted as a statement credit each month, or you can request it be added to your Amazon.com account as a gift card balance instead. There is no minimum redemption amount, and cash back does not expire as long as your account remains open.
Annual fees and when Chase waives them
The standard Chase Amazon Prime Visa charges an annual fee. The Visa Signature version charges a higher annual fee. Chase periodically offers new cardholders a waiver of the first year's fee, though this offer changes and is not always available.
The annual fee is charged once per year on your card's anniversary date. If you close the card before that date, you do not owe the fee. If you close it after the fee posts, Chase does not refund it. Some cardholders set a calendar reminder to call Chase before their anniversary date and ask if the fee can be waived based on their account history — this sometimes works, but there is no may provide.
To decide whether the card makes financial sense, calculate your expected annual cash back and compare it to the annual fee. If you spend less than a certain amount per year, the fee may outweigh the rewards. Chase's website has a rewards calculator that shows the math for your spending pattern.
How the card affects your credit and what happens when you open it
Opening a new credit card triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points. This inquiry stays on your report for about two years but stops affecting your score after roughly six months. At the same time, the new account lowers your average account age, which also affects your score temporarily.
Once the card is open, it helps your credit in two ways: it adds to your total available credit (which lowers your credit utilization ratio if you keep balances low), and it builds a history of on-time payments if you pay the bill on time each month. After six to twelve months of responsible use, the initial score dip usually reverses.
The card reports to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, so the activity shows up on all three of your credit reports. If you are planning to explore for a mortgage or other major loan soon, opening a new card in the weeks before your process can hurt your timing.
Interest rates and what happens if you carry a balance
The Chase Amazon Prime Visa has a variable APR, meaning the rate changes when the Federal Reserve changes the prime rate. The exact APR you receive depends on your credit score and credit history — people with excellent credit get lower rates, while those with fair or poor credit get higher rates.
Interest is calculated daily on any balance you do not pay in full by the due date. If you carry a $1,000 balance at an APR of 20%, you pay roughly $200 in interest over a year. The 5% cash back on Amazon purchases ($50 per year, at most) does not come close to offsetting that cost. The card is designed for people who pay the full balance each month and never pay interest.
If you are currently carrying balances on other cards, opening this card to earn rewards while paying interest is a losing trade. Focus on paying down existing debt first.
How to redeem cash back and transfer it to Amazon
Cash back posts to your account automatically each month as a statement credit. You can see the amount in your Chase online account or mobile app under "Rewards" or "Cash Back." You do not have to do anything to receive it — it straightforward reduces your next bill.
If you prefer, you can request that your cash back be transferred to your Amazon.com account as a gift card balance instead of appearing as a statement credit. This is done through your Chase account settings or by calling the customer service number on the back of your card. The transfer usually posts within a few business days.
There is no minimum amount you must accumulate before redeeming, and cash back does not expire. If you close the card, any unredeemed cash back is forfeited, so redeem it before you cancel.
Comparing this card to other Amazon and rewards cards
The Chase Amazon Prime Visa is one of several cards that offer rewards on Amazon purchases. The Amazon Store Card (not issued by Chase) offers higher cash back on Amazon purchases but no rewards outside Amazon and requires you to be an Amazon Prime member. The Amazon Business Prime Card targets business owners and has different rewards tiers.
If you do not shop on Amazon regularly, a flat-rate cash back card (like the Chase Freedom Unlimited or Citi Double Cash) may return more cash overall, since they earn the same rate on all purchases instead of concentrating rewards on one retailer. A flat 1.5% or 2% card beats the Amazon card's 1% on non-Amazon purchases.
If you travel frequently, a travel rewards card may be more valuable than a cash back card, since travel points can be redeemed for flights and hotels at rates that exceed their cash value. The choice depends on where you spend the most money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be an Amazon Prime member to open the card?
No. You can open the card without Prime membership. However, the rewards structure assumes you shop on Amazon regularly, so the card is most valuable for Prime members who make frequent purchases.
What happens to my cash back if I close the card?
Any unredeemed cash back is forfeited when you close the account. Redeem all accumulated cash back before you cancel the card, either as a statement credit or by transferring it to your Amazon account.
Can I use this card outside the United States?
Yes, Visa cards work internationally, but you will pay a foreign transaction fee (usually 3% of the purchase amount) on purchases made outside the U.S. The card does not offer any special benefits for international travel.
How long does it take to receive the card after I open the account?
Chase typically mails the card within 7 to 10 business days. You can request expedited shipping in some cases, though this may cost extra. You can also use a temporary digital card number in your Chase app to make purchases online before the physical card arrives.
What is the difference between the standard card and the Visa Signature version?
The Visa Signature version removes the $1,500 annual cap on 5% Amazon cash back, earns 3% on other purchases instead of 2%, and includes additional protections like purchase protection and travel insurance. It costs more in annual fees, so the choice depends on your spending level and whether you value those protections.