Amazon's credit cards have become popular payment options for frequent online shoppers, offering substantial cash back rewards on everyday purchases. With a current $250 Amazon Gift Card welcome bonus for Prime members, the question arises: should you add this card to your wallet? Let's break down everything you need to know about the Amazon Prime Visa and Amazon Visa credit cards.
Two Cards, Two Audiences
Amazon offers two main credit card options through Chase Bank, each designed for different customer segments:
Amazon Prime Visa: Requires an active Amazon Prime membership ($139/year or $14.99/month) but delivers premium rewards rates.
Amazon Visa: Available to non-Prime members with competitive cash back rates, though slightly lower than its premium counterpart.
Both cards charge no annual fee, making them accessible options for building a rewards strategy around Amazon purchases.
Cash Back Rewards Structure
Amazon Prime Visa Rewards
The Prime Visa delivers industry-leading returns for Amazon ecosystem purchases:
- 5% back on Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and Chase Travel purchases
- 10% back or more on rotating selection of items and categories on Amazon.com (limited-time promotional offers)
- 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare services)
- 1% back on all other purchases
Amazon Visa Rewards (Non-Prime)
Without a Prime membership, cardholders still earn competitive rates:
- 3% back on Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and Chase Travel purchases
- 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting
- 1% back on all other purchases
The key difference is the 2 percentage point gap on Amazon-related purchases, which can add up significantly for heavy Amazon shoppers.
Welcome Bonus Analysis
Current Offer: Prime members can secure a $250 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval, while non-Prime members receive a $60 Amazon Gift Card. This is an extended limited-time promotion.
Important conditions:
- The gift card is only available to new cardmembers who don't currently hold an Amazon Visa or Prime Visa
- The amount loads directly into your Amazon.com Gift Card Balance upon approval
- The gift card never expires and can be used for any eligible Amazon purchase
- You cannot use gift cards to purchase other gift cards
To justify the Prime membership cost solely through the credit card, you'd need to spend approximately $2,780 annually on Amazon purchases at the 5% rate ($139 ÷ 5% = $2,780). However, research shows the average Prime member spends about $1,100 yearly with Amazon, suggesting the membership value comes from the combination of streaming services, fast shipping, and credit card rewards rather than the card alone.
Key Benefits Beyond Cash Back
Travel Protections
Both Amazon credit cards include valuable travel insurance benefits rare for no-annual-fee cards:
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: Coverage when renting vehicles
- Baggage delay insurance: Reimbursement for essential purchases during delays
- Lost luggage reimbursement: Financial protection for missing bags
- Travel accident insurance: Coverage during common carrier travel
- Extended warranty protection: Adds one year to manufacturer warranties of three years or less
- No foreign transaction fees: Save 3% on international purchases
Financing Options
Cardholders can access promotional financing on Amazon purchases:
- 0% APR for 6 months on purchases of $50 or more
- 0% APR for 12 months on purchases of $250 or more
Note: You must choose between earning rewards OR taking the promotional financing—you cannot do both on the same purchase. After promotional periods end, the variable APR of 18.74% - 27.49% applies.
Daily Rewards Redemption
Unlike many rewards programs requiring minimum balances or quarterly redemption windows, Amazon cards offer immediate flexibility. Rewards post to your account as soon as the next day and can be redeemed at checkout on Amazon.com with no minimum threshold. You can also redeem points through Chase.com for cash back, gift cards, or travel.
The Downsides to Consider
Limited Ecosystem Value
The exceptional 5% (or 3%) cash back rate only applies within the Amazon ecosystem. While 2% back on gas and restaurants is competitive, many specialized cards offer higher rates in these categories:
- The American Express® Gold Card delivers 4X points on restaurants (on first $50,000 annually)
- The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express provides 3% back at U.S. gas stations
Prime Membership Requirement for Maximum Value
The significant rewards gap between Prime and non-Prime versions creates a financial calculation. If you're not already using Prime's video streaming, music services, or fast shipping benefits regularly, the $139 annual fee might not justify the extra 2% cash back on Amazon purchases.
Promotional Financing Trade-Off
The either/or choice between promotional financing and earning rewards on the same purchase forces cardholders to calculate which option provides greater value—not always straightforward for larger purchases.
Variable APR on the Higher End
The 18.74% - 27.49% variable APR range sits at the higher end for cash back cards. This matters if you occasionally carry a balance, as interest charges can quickly erase rewards value.
Who Should Consider These Cards?
Prime Visa makes sense if you:
- Already maintain an Amazon Prime membership for streaming and shipping benefits
- Spend $100+ monthly on Amazon purchases
- Regularly shop at Whole Foods Market
- Want a simple no-annual-fee card with strong Amazon returns
Amazon Visa works well if you:
- Shop on Amazon occasionally but don't justify Prime membership costs
- Want 3% back without membership fees
- Need basic travel protections without an annual fee
Consider alternatives if you:
- Rarely shop on Amazon or at Whole Foods
- Prefer transferable points currencies for travel flexibility
- Want to maximize category bonuses across diverse spending
Comparison to Alternative Cards
The Amazon cards excel in their niche, but several competitors offer interesting alternatives:
For general cash back: The Citi Double Cash® Card delivers 2% back on all purchases (1% when you buy, 1% when you pay) with no annual fee—simpler but less rewarding on Amazon.
For online retail: The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express provides 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases (including Amazon) up to $6,000 annually, then 1%. This caps your high-earning potential but requires no Prime membership.
For travel rewards flexibility: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card earns transferable Ultimate Rewards points valuable across multiple airline and hotel partners, though it carries a $95 annual fee.
Making the Most of Your Amazon Card
If you decide to apply, maximize your rewards by:
- Stack with Amazon promotions: Use the card when Amazon runs special deals to compound savings
- Leverage the rotating 10% categories: Prime members should watch for special promotional categories offering elevated rewards
- Pair with a strong 2% card: Use a flat-rate 2% card for non-bonus categories to ensure solid returns across all spending
- Redeem strategically: While daily redemption is convenient, accumulating rewards for larger purchases or strategic redemptions may offer psychological benefits
Le verdict
The Amazon Prime Visa stands out as one of the strongest no-annual-fee cards for Amazon ecosystem spending, assuming you already find value in Prime membership beyond the credit card. The 5% return on Amazon purchases is unmatched, and the additional travel protections add meaningful value.
However, the card's appeal narrows significantly for non-Prime members or those who don't concentrate spending on Amazon and Whole Foods. The 3% non-Prime rate, while competitive, doesn't necessarily beat simpler flat-rate cash back cards for most spending patterns.
The current $250 welcome bonus for Prime members represents strong introductory value, effectively subsidizing more than a year of Prime membership if you were considering joining anyway. Just ensure your Amazon spending habits justify the long-term relationship.
Ready to Apply?
If the Amazon Prime Visa or Amazon Visa aligns with your spending patterns, you can apply through Amazon's credit card portal.
Apply for Amazon Credit Card →
Looking for More Rewarding Options?
Cryptocurrency enthusiasts might find better value in crypto-native credit cards offering Bitcoin rewards or stablecoin cashback. Cards like Coinbase Card and Gemini Credit Card deliver up to 4% crypto cashback without annual fees.
Compare the best crypto credit cards for 2025: Coinbase vs Gemini Crypto Credit Cards Comparison →
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Disclaimer: Credit card terms, rates, and offers are subject to change. The Amazon credit cards are issued by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. Always review current terms and conditions before applying.