My Brother Earns 5% Back on Everything He Buys at Amazon Thanks to This No-Fee Card

If you're like most Americans, you probably shop on Amazon at least a few times a month. But what if every Amazon order earned you 5% back -- automatically?

That's exactly what my brother does. He's not a credit card hacker or finance nerd (that's me). He just uses the Prime Visa (see rates and fees) for all his Amazon buys, and it slowly racks up cash back on everything he buys.

Here's why the Prime Visa is a no-brainer for any regular Amazon shopper.

5% cash rewards on every Amazon order

With the Prime Visa you earn unlimited 5% cash rewards at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership.

Here's what that looks like in cash back depending on your regular Amazon spending.

Even modest Amazon spenders can earn $100 to $300 a year with almost zero effort.

And since the card has a $0 annual fee, those rewards aren't getting eaten up by costs on the backend.

Additional cash back on restaurants, gas, and transit

There's no harm in only using the Prime Visa for purchases in the 5% back categories.

In fact, that's what my brother does. He sets it as the default payment method for his Amazon checkout, then uses a top travel card for the rest of his spending.

But it's worth noting that the Prime Visa offers decent rewards in other categories:

• 2% cash rewards at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare)
• 1% cash rewards on all other purchases

If you're a frequent Amazon shopper who also eats out or commutes regularly, these bonus categories are a nice cherry on top.

All the rewards you earn show up as Amazon Rewards points, which you can redeem for statement credits, direct deposits, gift cards, or apply straight toward your next Amazon checkout.

Instant gratification and a $150 bonus gift card

One of the best perks of the Prime Visa is how fast everything happens. If you're approved, there's no need to wait for the physical version to arrive.

In fact, Amazon can automatically add it to your account as a payment option so you can start earning 5% back on purchases immediately.

Even better, new cardholders receive an instant welcome bonus: Get a $150 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members.

What you need to qualify

A couple important notes before you apply. Here's what you'll need:

1. Amazon Prime membership. This gets you the top rewards rates, and you'll be eligible for the gift card welcome bonus.
2. A decent credit score. Applicants with a good to excellent credit score (typically a FICO® Score of 670 or higher) are the best qualified for this card.

And like any card application, it's not just about your credit score -- you'll also need to share things like your income, address, and job info. All of it helps determine whether you're approved and what credit limit you'll get.

If you're already an Amazon Prime member, the Prime Visa is one of the easiest ways to earn rewards on spending you're already doing.

My brother thinks of it as a 5% discount on every Amazon order. He earns enough cash back to fully cover the cost of his Prime membership, and way more.

Explore today's top rewards cards and find more that match your spending style.