Review
Updated
Fact Checked
Eric McWhinnie
Offer status
This offer is unavailable on The Ascent. The information related to Amazon Visa has been collected by The Ascent and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.
Amazon is known for offering just about everything, and the Amazon Visa is more proof of that. It's the rewards card for consumers without a Prime membership, and it earns 3% back in multiple categories, including Amazon and Whole Foods purchases. Read this in-depth Amazon Visa review to find out if it's right for you.
Amazon Visa
Great for: Amazon and Whole Foods cash back
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Credit Score
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
19.49%–27.49% , variable
Rewards 3% back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases, 2% back at restaurants, gas, and drugstores, 1% back on other purchases
1% - 3% back
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
$60 Amazon gift card
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Solid rewards and no annual fee make this an interesting offer for Amazon shoppers, but many will be better off upgrading to Prime and the Prime Visa.
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- Amazon and Whole Foods rewards
- Instant Amazon gift card
- No annual fee
- Consumer and travel protections
- Small welcome offer
- Limited value compared to Prime Visa
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- $60 Amazon.com Gift Card instantly upon credit card approval
- 3% back at Amazon and at Whole Foods
- 2% back at gas stations and drugstores
- 1% back on all other purchases
The information related to Amazon Visa has been collected by The Ascent and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.
Credit card comparison
We recommend comparing options to ensure the card you're selecting is the best fit for you. To make your search easier, here's a short list of standout credit cards.
| Offer | Our Rating | Welcome Offer | Rewards Program | APR | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. N/A | 1% - 5% Cashback Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically. |
Intro: Purchases: 0%, 15 months Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months Regular: 17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR |
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Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Up to $300 cash back Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases. | 1.5% - 5% cash back Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases |
Intro: 0% Intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months Purchases: 0% Intro APR on Purchases, 15 months Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers, 15 months Regular: 20.49% - 29.24% Variable |
Apply Now for Chase Freedom Unlimited®
On Chase's Secure Website. |
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Apply Now for Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
On Chase's Secure Website. |
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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60,000 bonus points Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠. | 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining and 2x on all other travel purchases Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more. |
Intro: N/A Purchases: N/A Balance Transfers: N/A Regular: 21.49%-28.49% Variable |
Apply Now for Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
On Chase's Secure Website. |
Full Amazon Visa review
This credit card is a good fit for: Occasional Amazon shoppers who want to earn more back on those purchases without paying for an Amazon Prime membership. Those who have Amazon Prime can get a more rewarding version of this card.
Top perks
There are several valuable benefits with this Amazon credit card.
Up to 3% back
Here are the cash back rates for the Amazon Visa:
- 3% back on Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods, and Chase Travel purchases
- 2% back at gas stations, restaurants (including takeout), and on local transit and commuting (including rideshares)
- 1% back on other purchases
To make it even better, you can redeem rewards at Amazon.com as soon as the next day. Most cash back credit cards pay out rewards after the end of the billing cycle, not daily like this one. Rewards can also be redeemed through Chase for cash back, gift cards, or travel.
SEE MORE: Best Credit Cards for Amazon
$60 instant Amazon gift card
Upon approval for the Amazon Visa, you receive an instant $60 Amazon gift card. Since it gets loaded to your account, you can use it immediately. It may not be one of the biggest sign-up bonuses, but it is the fastest and it doesn't have any spend requirement like many welcome offers.
Pay over time 0% APR plans
If you want to pay off larger purchases over time, you can do so interest-free with the Amazon Visa. It offers payment plans of six equal monthly payments on purchases of $50 or more and 12 equal monthly payments on purchases of $250 or more. This option is available on eligible Amazon.com purchases and with eligible retailers that offer Amazon Pay.
You don't earn cash back on purchases you finance. Also, if you don't pay off the purchase within the specified time period, you'll be charged interest on any remaining balance.
Consumer and travel protections
For a no annual fee card, the Amazon Visa offers some great complimentary protections for eligible purchases and travel. These additional benefits include:
- Extended warranty protection
- Purchase protection
- Travel accident insurance
- Auto rental damage collision waiver
- Baggage delay insurance
- Lost luggage reimbursement
No foreign transaction fee
This Amazon credit card doesn't charge a foreign transaction fee. Some cards charge extra, normally 3%, for international transactions. It's nice that you can take this card abroad without worrying about additional fees.
What could be improved
The Amazon Visa does have some drawbacks that are worth mentioning.
Small welcome offer
An instant $60 Amazon gift card isn't bad, but as far as welcome offers go, it's on the small side. There are plenty of no annual fee credit cards with sign-up bonuses of $150 to $200 for new cardholders. You need to meet a spend requirement for these types of welcome offers, such as $500 of purchases in three months. If you can do that, they offer much more value.
COMPARE OPTIONS: Best Sign-Up Bonus Credit Cards
Limited value compared to Prime Visa
The other Amazon credit card is the Prime Visa, and to be blunt, it's definitely the better option. It earns a higher rate of 5% on purchases with Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and Chase Travel. To get it, you need a Prime membership.
If you shop with Amazon enough that you're considering a credit card with it, you may want to consider paying for Prime. It has plenty of benefits, plus you'll be able to get the Prime Visa and earn that 5% rate instead of 3%. On $5,000 in bonus spending per year, that's the difference between $250 and $150 in cash back.
READ MORE: Prime Visa Review
Find the best credit card for your needs
Compare credit card rewards, fees, APRs, and more using our side-by-side comparison tool.
Suggested credit score
The recommended FICO® Score to apply for the Amazon Visa is 670 or higher. Applicants who get approved typically have good credit, so if you're not there yet, you may want to improve your credit score first.
Note that Chase issues this credit card, and it's known for automatically declining applications if the consumer has already opened five or more credit cards in the last 24 months. This is known as Chase's 5/24 rule.
The Amazon Visa is right for you if:
Truth be told, the Amazon Visa serves a small niche. It's great for consumers who want to earn more at Amazon, Whole Foods, and this card's other bonus categories, but who don't want to pay for an Amazon Prime membership.
On the other hand, if you're one of the many people who already have an Amazon Prime membership, you'll qualify for the Prime Visa, which is a better card overall. And if you're looking for something with more versatile perks, it's worth reading more credit card reviews to see what else is out there.
Our credit card methodology
At The Motley Fool Ascent, we rate credit cards on a five-star scale (1 = poor, 5 = best). Our rating criteria includes rewards rates, welcome bonuses, fees, and perks like travel credits and 0% intro APR offers to evaluate our ratings.
We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best card recommendations. Learn more about how The Ascent rates credit cards.
FAQs
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The minimum credit card limit for the Amazon Visa is $500, but some cardholders have much higher credit lines. When you're approved for the card, your credit limit is determined by factors such as your credit score and income.
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There is no annual fee to use the Amazon Visa. As with any credit card, though, interest charges can accrue when not paying off balances monthly.
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Yes, students can qualify for the Amazon Visa. Like any other applicant, a student will need to meet the card issuer's credit score and income requirements for approval. If you don't have a high credit score yet or are still building your credit history, you can check out student credit cards instead.
Our Credit Cards Experts
Lyle Daly is a personal finance writer who specializes in credit cards, travel rewards programs, and banking. He writes for The Ascent and The Motley Fool, and his work has appeared in USA Today and Yahoo! Finance. He was born in California but currently lives as a digital nomad with a home base in Colombia.
Fact Checked
Eric McWhinnie
Eric McWhinnie has been writing and editing digital content since 2010. He specializes in personal finance and investing. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance.
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We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.
American Express is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Discover Financial Services is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Lyle Daly has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon, JPMorgan Chase, PayPal, Target, and Visa. The Motley Fool recommends Discover Financial Services and recommends the following options: short June 2024 $67.50 calls on PayPal. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Visa.