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If you are considering applying for the Amazon Visa credit card, you probably already know that it’s much more than just a store card.
Amazon’s portfolio of co-branded cards, issued by JPMorgan Chase Bank on the Visa Signature network, was designed to become a central item in your financial life.
Now, what is the true value of the Amazon Visa credit card for your spending profile? The truth is, it depends on your Amazon Prime membership.
In this article, we will thoroughly explore both versions of the Amazon Visa credit card, the Prime Visa and the standard Amazon Visa. This is to help you in your decision-making.
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Get to Know the Amazon Visa Card Types
The distinction between the two versions of the Amazon Visa credit card comes down to a 2% reward in the main categories and a significantly larger sign-up bonus.
Prime Visa
The Prime Visa is optimized for the most engaged Amazon customer. It offers the highest return rate and exclusive benefits that make the card highly competitive for those who already pay the Prime annual fee.
- Premium Core Reward: Unlimited earnings of 5% back on purchases made at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, and Whole Foods Market.
- Enhanced Travel Reward: Receive 5% back on travel bookings made through the Chase Travel portal.
- Exceptional Instant Bonus: Upon application approval, eligible Prime members receive a $150 Amazon Gift Card credited instantly.
- Exclusive Bonus Offers: Access to limited-time offers, called Prime Card Bonus, allows you to earn 10% back or more on a rotating selection of products and categories on Amazon.com.
- Zero Annual Fee and FTF: The card is offered with a $0 annual fee and, crucially, does not charge a foreign transaction fee ($0 FTF).
The $150 bonus, combined with the 5% back rate, quickly helps recover the annual cost of a Prime subscription, should you make significant purchases within the Amazon ecosystem.
Amazon Visa (Amazon Visa Credit Card)
The Amazon Visa caters to non-Prime customers. It will give you a rewards structure that is still very attractive for a zero-annual-fee retail card.
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- Standard Core Reward: Unlimited earnings of 3% back on purchases made at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, and Whole Foods Market.
- Standard Travel Reward: Receive 3% back on bookings made through the Chase Travel portal.
- Instant Bonus: Receive a $50 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval.
- Zero Annual Fee and FTF: Like the Prime version, there is $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fee ($0 FTF).
It’s important to know that if you have the Prime Visa and cancel your Prime subscription, your card will automatically be reclassified to the Amazon Visa.
Fees Charged on Amazon Cards
Both cards share the same transaction and penalty fee structure, which simplifies the choice for the consumer.
| Category of Fee | Value/Fee |
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Purchase APR (Variable) | 19.24% – 27.99% |
| Cash Advance APR | 29.24% (Variable) |
| Cash Advance Fee | 5% or $10, whichever is greater |
| Foreign Transaction Fee (FTF) | $0 |
| Late Payment Fee (Max.) | Up to $39 |
| Balance Transfer Fee | 5% or $5, whichever is greater |
| Returned Payment Fee | Up to $39 |
Step-by-step to apply for the Amazon Visa credit card
The application process to obtain the Amazon Visa credit card is managed directly by Chase and requires an average credit history.
You can quickly start the application on the Chase website or at a local bank branch.
You must meet the Visa Signature card criteria, which require a minimum credit score of 600 points, for approval.
If you lack enough points, the bank may direct you to other more basic products.
The online application requires you to follow these steps:
- Platform Access: Navigate to the specific application page on the Chase website.
- Terms Review: You must review the terms and conditions to fully understand the contract and any associated fees.
- Personal Data Entry: Provide identification information, including full name, address, date of birth, and SSN or ITIN number.
- Financial Data Entry: Detail your financial situation, such as annual income, sources of income, employment status, and housing.
- Authorization and Submission: The applicant must authorize Chase to conduct a hard credit inquiry on their report. This inquiry allows for eligibility assessment and results in a small temporary reduction in the credit score.
Apply now! Chase gives an immediate decision and instantly credits your sign-up bonus to your Amazon gift card balance.
Comparative Table of Amazon Prime and Amazon Visa Cards
For a clear and direct overview, here is a comparison of the main data for the two cards:
| Feature | Prime Visa | Amazon Visa |
| Annual Fee | $0 | $0 |
| Amazon/Fresh/Whole Foods Rewards | Unlimited 5% Back | Unlimited 3% Back |
| Chase Travel Rewards | Unlimited 5% Back | Unlimited 3% Back |
| Gas, Restaurants, Transit Rewards | Unlimited 2% Back | Unlimited 2% Back |
| Other Purchases Rewards | Unlimited 1% Back | Unlimited 1% Back |
| Initial Bonus (Instant) | $150 Amazon Gift Card | $50 Amazon Gift Card |
| Exclusive Offers | Prime Card Bonus (10%+ back) | Standard Rewards Only |
| Foreign Transaction Fee (FTF) | $0 | $0 |
| Purchase APR (Variable) | 19.24% – 27.99% | 19.24% – 27.99% |
| Recommended Credit Score | 700+ (Good or Excellent) | 700+ (Good or Excellent) |
Conclusion (Amazon Visa Credit Card)
The Amazon Visa and Prime Visa cards, issued by Chase, offer great benefits for loyal Amazon consumers.
With 5% cashback on the Prime Visa and zero annual fee, they are ideal for those who shop on the platform, in addition to exemption from international transaction fees. However, the 27.99% APR can be risky for those who carry a balance.
Despite an average rating of 3.8/5, good performance in satisfaction rankings indicates that the rewards and ease of redeeming benefits compensate.
The Prime Visa is perfect for Prime members who spend more than $100 monthly on Amazon. If you are not Prime, the Amazon Visa still offers 3% cashback and 2% in categories like gas and restaurants. Check your credit score before deciding to apply for the card.
However, if you find this Cashback too low, we recommend that you check out other cards on the market. Such as credit cards with cashback rewards.