If you regularly shop on Amazon, Whole Foods or AWS cloud services, you may be wondering if using an Amazon-branded credit card is a smart move, since you can earn elevated rewards on your Amazon-centric spending as well as your general everyday expenses.
There are four Amazon credit cards to consider: two consumer cards and two small business cards. Each card comes with its own set of benefits and potential drawbacks.
Prime Visa
For existing Prime members who frequently shop at Amazon and Whole Foods, the 5% rewards rate is stellar. To further sweeten the deal, the Prime Visa card offers a 2% rewards category plus Visa Signature benefits.
- 5% cash back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases
- No spending required for the welcome bonus
- No foreign transaction fees
- Travel and shopping protections
- Requires an Amazon Prime membership
- No 0% introductory APR
- Low cash back for purchases outside of bonus categories
- Get a $100 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members
- Earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, and Whole Foods Market with an eligible Prime membership
- Earn unlimited 5% back on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership
- Earn unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare)
- Earn unlimited 1% back on all other purchases
- No annual credit card fee
- No more waiting. Redeem daily rewards at Amazon.com as soon as the next day
- Member FDIC
Prime Visa
The Prime Visa is one of two Amazon consumer cards. Only Amazon Prime members will be eligible for the card and earn the full 5% rewards with Amazon and Whole Foods.
Card Details
- Rewards: Earn 5% back on purchases at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership, 2% back at gas stations, restaurants and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare), and 1% back on other purchases.
- Annual fee: $0. Prime membership fee starts at $139 annually or $69 annually for a Prime Student membership.
- Foreign transaction fees: $0
- Regular APR: 19.49% - 27.49% variable APR.
- Other benefits: As a Visa Signature card, you’ll get perks including roadside dispatch, auto rental collision damage waiver, purchase protection and extended warranty protection.
Pros and Cons
There’s no other card that will earn you higher everyday rewards on your Amazon spending, so if you’re already an Amazon Prime member and spend a fair amount of money on the site, this card deserves a place in your wallet.
The annual Prime membership cost of $139, means you’d have to spend $2,780 annually on a combination of Amazon spending and/or at Whole Foods Market to break even. Of course, this doesn’t take into account some of the other benefits of Prime membership, like free next-day and two-day delivery, Prime Video, Amazon Music and Amazon Photos. Those additional perks may hold value for you, and if you already pay for an Amazon Prime membership, this card can definitely be a winner.
Alternate Pick: Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
If you’re looking for a card with rewards on all your online shopping and grocery expenses, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express (terms apply, see rates & fees) is worth a look. For no annual fee, you’ll earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and online retail purchases in the U.S. (on up to $6,000 in each category per year in purchases, then 1%), and 1% cash back on other purchases. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be easily redeemed for statement credits or at Amazon.com checkout. This means you can shop around for the best deal and still earn rewards. You’ll also receive double the welcome bonus earning a $200 statement credit after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 6 months.
Amazon Visa Credit Card*
The Amazon Visa Credit Card* is an option for those who want elevated rewards on their Amazon spending without paying for a Prime membership.
Card Details
- Rewards: Earn 3% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market and on Chase Travel purchases. Earn 2% back at gas stations, restaurants and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare). Earn 1% back on all other purchases.
- Annual fee: $0
- Foreign transaction fees: None
- Regular APR: 19.49% to 27.49% variable APR.
- Other benefits: As a Visa Signature card, you’ll get perks including roadside dispatch, auto rental collision damage waiver, purchase protection and extended warranty protection.
Pros and Cons
There’s no Amazon Prime membership required to bolster your earnings, but the rewards on Amazon purchases are lower with this card. Otherwise, this card has all the same bells and whistles as its Prime sibling. The question to ask yourself if debating whether to get this card is how much you’ll actually spend on Amazon purchases and/or Whole Foods spending. If you think you’ll spend more overall in the 1% categories, a better choice would be a card that earns a flat 2% cash back on every purchase.
Alternate Pick: Citi Double Cash® Card
There are a number of credit cards on the market that will earn 2% rewards on everything you buy without the need to track categories. One pick to consider is the Citi Double Cash® Card which earns unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases—1% when purchases are made and another 1% when they’re paid off for no annual fee. Rewards earned on the card can be used as a statement credit, direct deposit or check. Other redemption options include Shop With Points at Amazon.com, gift cards and travel.
Amazon Business Prime American Express Card*
The Amazon Business Prime American Express Card* is available to all Amazon customers seeking a card for business purchases. You are required to be an Amazon Prime member or have an Amazon Business account to be eligible for the card.
Card Details
- Rewards: Earn 5% back in rewards or 90 day terms on eligible U.S. purchases at Amazon Business, AWS, Amazon.com and Whole Foods on the first $120,000 spent in a calendar year with an eligible Prime membership, 1% thereafter. Earn 2% at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, and on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and 1% on other purchases.
- Annual fee: $0 but you will need an Amazon personal or business Prime Membership to be eligible for the card. Starting at $139 annually.
- Foreign transaction fees: None
- Regular APR: 19.49% - 27.49% variable
- Other benefits: Instead of earning 5% rewards, cardholders can choose 90-day terms on U.S. purchases at Amazon Business, AWS, Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market to repay a balance without incurring interest. As an American Express card, the card comes with baggage insurance, car rental loss and damage insurance, extended warranty, purchase and return protections.
Pros and Cons
Amazon Prime members earn 5% cash back on Amazon purchases—which includes the Amazon Web Service (AWS) cloud platform—on up to the first $120,000 in spending per calendar year, then 1%. If your business spends significantly at Amazon but under the $120,000 cap, this could snag you some solid savings. However, those with expenses beyond the Amazon ecosystem or those who want more flexibility in a business rewards card are likely to prefer a business card with a different structure.
Where this card shines is its optional 90 days terms in lieu of earning rewards on your purchases. For those who need the extra time to pay down large debts, this option can be far more valuable than earning single digit rewards.
Alternate Pick: The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
If your annual spending is far below $50,000 but you still want strong rewards on your business expenses, look at a card like The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express (terms apply, see rates & fees). This card offers 2 Membership Rewards points per dollar on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners up to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, then 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. That’s simpler to keep track of and there’s no annual fee or associated membership requirement to apply.
Featured Partner Offers
Amazon Business American Express Card*
The Amazon Business American Express Card* essentially offers the same benefits as the Amazon Business Prime American Express Card*, but with lower term options.
Card Details
- Rewards: Earn 3% back in rewards or 60 day terms on U.S. purchases at Amazon Business, AWS, Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market. The 3% rate applies to the first $120,000 in purchases each calendar year. Earn 2% back at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, and on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and 1% on other eligible purchases.
- Annual fee: $0
- Foreign transaction fees: None
- Regular APR: 19.49% - 27.49% variable
- Other benefits: Instead of earning 3% rewards, cardholders can choose 60-day terms on U.S. purchases at Amazon Business, AWS, Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market to repay a balance without incurring interest. As an American Express card, the card comes with baggage insurance, car rental loss and damage insurance, extended warranty, purchase and return protections.
Pros and Cons
Earning 3% back on your Amazon spending is okay but the real value in this card lies in the 60-day financing option. Unlike a card with a promotional 0% APR offer, you can choose 60-day terms every time you make an Amazon purchase. That extra time may be more meaningful to you than the 3% rewards rate. But if you don’t spend much on Amazon, another card can offer greater rewards in the areas where you spend the most.
Alternate Pick: Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
You may find that a flat-rate card like the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card will earn more in rewards. This card earns 1.5% cash back rewards on every business purchase making it a great option for businesses with varied expenses. The $750 bonus cash back after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening is a huge benefit. You’ll also get auto rental coverage, roadside dispatch, extended warranty protection, travel and emergency assistance. The flexible redemption options afforded by Chase Ultimate Rewards make this a solid choice since you won’t be bound to Amazon for your reward usage.
Bottom Line
If you’re a heavy duty Amazon and/or Whole Foods spender, an Amazon rewards credit card could be a smart move to save money. You’ll generally find the most value comes from the Prime Visa and the Amazon Business Prime American Express Card* if you’re already an Amazon Prime member. Of course, if you rarely shop with Amazon, it probably doesn’t make sense to get an Amazon-branded card. In such a case, you may want to consider a general rewards or cash-back card, as these cards will net you better returns without locking you into Amazon’s ecosystem.
Find the Best Rewards Credit Cards of 2024
To view rates and fees for Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express please visit this page.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the benefits of an Amazon credit card?
The biggest benefit of an Amazon credit card is the elevated cash back earned by shopping with Amazon, Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh. Prime Members can earn 5% back on these purchases or receive 90-day terms to pay back purchases on the business cards. Rewards are reduced to 3% for non-members and 60-day terms on the business card.
How do I delete a credit card on Amazon?
To delete a credit card from your Amazon account using the mobile app, first sign in. Then click Your Payments to see the cards in your Amazon wallet. Select the card you wish to delete, then click on Remove from wallet. You should receive a delete confirmation and then a notification letting you know your payment method was successfully removed.
To delete a credit card from your Amazon account through the website, sign in and navigate to Your Account and select Your Payments. Select the card you wish to delete and then hit Edit under the card’s name. Select Remove from wallet to remove it from your account.
What credit score is needed for an Amazon credit card?
Amazon credit cards are issued by Chase and American Express. While neither card issuer publicly displays necessary credit scores for their cards, Amazon lists minimum criteria for fair (above 640), good (above 680) and excellent (above 720) credit scores to be approved for its credit cards. Since Amazon is lite on the details, consumers can use their pre-qualify option to determine if you meet their card requirements
How do I cancel an Amazon credit card?
Canceling an Amazon credit card is like canceling any other credit card. The easiest way is to call the card issuer, Chase or American Express, by using the customer service number on the back of your card.
