Key Points

• The Amazon Prime Visa offers 5% back at Amazon and Whole Foods with no annual fee beyond Prime membership.
• The current $250 welcome bonus is one of the highest offers available for a no-annual-fee cash back card.
• This card works best for frequent Amazon shoppers who already have Prime membership and want simple, automatic rewards.

Introduction

The Amazon Prime Visa has quietly become one of the most rewarding cards in your wallet—if you shop at Amazon. With 5% back at Amazon and Whole Foods, plus a limited-time $250 welcome bonus, it's delivering serious value without an annual fee. But here's what most reviews won't tell you: this card only makes sense if you're already paying for Prime membership and shopping on Amazon regularly. Let me walk you through exactly who should get this card and how to maximize the rewards.

Quick Summary

Best For: Prime members who spend $3,000+ yearly at Amazon and Whole FoodsStandout Benefit: 5% back at Amazon/Whole Foods with no annual fee (beyond Prime)Biggest Drawback: Limited value outside Amazon ecosystemCurrent Offer: $250 welcome bonus after approval (limited time)

Amazon Prime Visa Overview

The Amazon Prime Visa is issued by Chase and designed specifically for Prime members. Unlike most cash back cards, you don't pay a separate annual fee—your Prime membership ($139/year or $14.99/month) covers the card. This makes it one of the few premium rewards cards with effectively no fee if you're already a Prime member.

The card launched to compete with store cards but offers real Visa acceptance everywhere, plus additional rewards categories beyond just Amazon purchases. The current $250 welcome bonus represents the highest offer we've seen for this card, making now an ideal time to apply for the Amazon Prime Visa.

Earning Structure and Rewards

Amazon and Whole Foods (5% Back)

This is where the card shines. Every dollar spent at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, and Whole Foods Market earns 5% back with Prime membership. That's $50 back for every $1,000 spent—significantly better than most cash back cards.

Real numbers: If you spend $200/month at Amazon (common for households), that's $120 in rewards annually just from Amazon purchases.

Chase Travel (5% Back)

Book flights, hotels, and rental cars through Chase Travel and earn 5% back. This matches the earning rate of premium travel credit cards without an annual fee.

Gas Stations, Restaurants, Transit (2% Back)

The card earns 2% at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare). This makes it a solid everyday card beyond Amazon.

Everything Else (1% Back)

All other purchases earn 1% back, which is standard for no-annual-fee cards.

Prime Card Bonus Offers

Amazon frequently offers rotating bonus categories with up to 10% back on select items and categories. These change regularly and appear in your Amazon account when available.

How Rewards Work

Rewards are earned as points worth 1¢ each, but they function like cash back. You can redeem points at Amazon.com with no minimum, or redeem through Chase for cash back, gift cards, or travel. The redemption process is automatic at Amazon checkout—just select "use points" and your balance applies instantly.

Important note: Unlike Chase Ultimate Rewards, these points don't transfer to airline partners and aren't part of the Chase points ecosystem. They're simpler but less flexible than cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

Current Welcome Bonus: $250

The Amazon Prime Visa currently offers a $250 welcome bonus instantly upon approval. There's no spending requirement—you get the bonus immediately when approved, delivered as a $250 Amazon.com gift card to your account.

What this means: The $250 appears in your Amazon account within minutes of approval and can be used immediately on purchases. This is unusual—most credit cards with sign-up bonuses require you to meet a spending threshold first.

How it compares: A $250 instant bonus with no spending requirement is exceptional for a no-annual-fee card. Most comparable cash back cards offer $200 after spending $500-$1,000.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• 5% back at Amazon and Whole Foods is unmatched for Prime members, delivering significant value on everyday purchases most families make regularly
• No annual fee beyond Prime membership means there's no additional cost to maximize rewards if you're already a Prime subscriber
• $250 instant welcome bonus requires no spending threshold and can be used immediately, making it one of the best risk-free bonuses available
• 2% back on gas and restaurants makes this a useful everyday card beyond just Amazon, competitive with standalone cash back cards
• Prime Card Bonus offers provide rotating opportunities for up to 10% back on select items, adding extra value throughout the year

Cons

• Requires active Prime membership ($139/year or $14.99/month) to earn the 5% rate, otherwise you only get 3% back
• Points have limited flexibility compared to transferable rewards programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards or Amex Membership Rewards
• Value diminishes significantly if you don't shop at Amazon regularly, making this a poor choice for infrequent Amazon users
• No bonus categories for groceries outside Whole Foods, so you'll earn just 1% at most supermarkets

How Amazon Prime Visa Compares

vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited

The Chase Freedom Unlimited earns 1.5% back on everything with no annual fee and no Prime requirement. It's better if you don't shop at Amazon regularly, but the Amazon Prime Visa delivers more value for Amazon/Whole Foods spending. The Freedom Unlimited also offers Ultimate Rewards points that transfer to travel partners when paired with a Chase Sapphire card.

Winner: Amazon Prime Visa for Amazon shoppers; Freedom Unlimited for flexibility

vs. Blue Cash Preferred from American Express

The Amex Blue Cash Preferred earns 6% at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000/year) but charges a $95 annual fee. It's better for grocery spending at traditional supermarkets, but the Amazon Prime Visa wins for online shopping and Whole Foods specifically.

Winner: Depends on shopping habits—Blue Cash Preferred for supermarket shoppers, Amazon Prime Visa for Amazon/Whole Foods shoppers

vs. Citi Double Cash

The Citi Double Cash earns flat 2% on everything with no annual fee. It's simpler and doesn't require Prime, but earns less at Amazon (2% vs 5%). Choose this if you want a straightforward cash back card without category tracking.

Winner: Amazon Prime Visa for Amazon shoppers; Citi Double Cash for simplicity

Who Should Get the Amazon Prime Visa

Great Fit For:

• Active Prime members: If you're already paying for Prime and spending $200+/month at Amazon or Whole Foods, this card pays for itself multiple times over
• Households consolidating on Amazon: Families ordering groceries, household items, and gifts through Amazon regularly see the highest value
• Simple rewards seekers: People who want automatic 5% back without category activation or complex redemption rules

Not Ideal For:

• Infrequent Amazon shoppers: If you spend less than $1,000/year at Amazon, the value doesn't justify getting Prime membership solely for the card
• Points maximizers: Travelers focused on accumulating flexible points for premium cabin flights should prioritize cards with transferable rewards
• Non-Prime members: Without Prime membership, you only earn 3% at Amazon, making other cash back cards more attractive

Maximizing Your Amazon Prime Visa

Strategic Usage Tips

1. Stack with Prime Day deals: Combine your 5% back with Prime Day discounts for maximum savings
2. Use Subscribe & Save: Add 5-15% Subscribe & Save discounts on top of your 5% card rewards
3. Shop Whole Foods strategically: Use for all Whole Foods purchases to maximize the 5% category
4. Activate Prime Card Bonus offers: Check your account monthly for rotating 10% back offers on select categories
5. Pair with Chase Freedom for quarters: Use Chase Freedom cards for 5% rotating categories and Amazon Prime Visa for Amazon/restaurants/gas

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Paying Prime fee just for the card: Don't get Prime membership solely for this card unless you'll use Prime benefits extensively
• Forgetting to use at Whole Foods: Many cardholders only use this at Amazon and miss 5% back at Whole Foods
• Not checking bonus offers: Missing the rotating Prime Card Bonus offers means leaving 5-10% extra rewards on the table
• Ignoring the 2% categories: This card is competitive for gas and dining, not just Amazon purchases

FAQ

Is the Amazon Prime Visa worth it without Prime membership?

No. Without Prime membership, you only earn 3% back at Amazon, which isn't competitive with other cash back cards. The Amazon Prime Store Card (different from the Visa) offers 5% to non-Prime members but only works at Amazon, not everywhere Visa is accepted.

How quickly do rewards post to my account?

Amazon purchase rewards post to your account within 1-2 days. Rewards from other purchases (gas, restaurants, etc.) typically post within 2-3 business days after the transaction clears.

Can I use this card for purchases outside the United States?

Yes, the Amazon Prime Visa is a Visa Signature card accepted worldwide. However, it charges a 3% foreign transaction fee, so it's not ideal for international travel. Consider cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Capital One Venture for travel abroad.

What credit score do I need to get approved?

Chase typically requires a credit score of 670+ for approval, though some applicants with scores in the 640-670 range have been approved. If you have a shorter credit history, consider building credit with a secured card first before applying.

Does this card count toward Chase's 5/24 rule?

Yes. The Amazon Prime Visa is issued by Chase and counts as one of your five cards toward the 5/24 rule. If you're planning to apply for premium Chase travel cards like the Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve, consider your 5/24 status before applying for this card.

Final Verdict

The Amazon Prime Visa delivers exceptional value for one specific group: Prime members who spend heavily at Amazon and Whole Foods. The 5% back rate is unbeatable in its category, and the current $250 instant bonus makes this an easy decision if you're already a Prime member shopping regularly on Amazon.

The card's simplicity is both a strength and limitation. You won't get flexible points that transfer to airlines, premium travel perks, or complex bonus categories. What you will get is straightforward cash back that automatically reduces your Amazon purchases—and for many households spending $3,000-$5,000+ yearly at Amazon, that's worth far more than travel points.

If you're a Prime member spending $200+ monthly at Amazon or Whole Foods, apply for the Amazon Prime Visa to lock in the $250 bonus and start earning 5% back immediately. If you're not a regular Amazon shopper, skip this card and consider cash back alternatives like the Chase Freedom Unlimited or travel cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred that offer more flexibility.

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