The Two Routes to an Amazon Credit Card

Amazon offers two credit cards: the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card and the Amazon Prime Store Card. The Visa card works everywhere Visa is accepted and earns rewards on all purchases. The Store Card works only at Amazon and Amazon-owned retailers like Whole Foods, but has no annual fee and no credit score minimum stated publicly. Both are issued by Chase Bank.

To get either card, you go directly to Amazon's website, click the credit card offer, and complete Chase's application. There is no separate process — you apply through Amazon, and Chase makes the approval decision. The application takes about 10 minutes and asks for your name, address, Social Security number, income, and employment details.

Approval or denial comes immediately after you submit. If you are approved, you can use the card in your Amazon account right away, often within minutes. A physical card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.

Key Takeaways

  • The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card requires an active Prime membership and earns 5% back on Amazon purchases, 2% at Whole Foods and gas stations, and 1% elsewhere.
  • The Amazon Prime Store Card has no annual fee, no stated credit score requirement, and works only at Amazon and Whole Foods, earning 3% back on those purchases.
  • You apply directly through Amazon's website, and Chase tells you whether you are approved or denied within seconds of submitting.
  • If approved, you can use the card in your Amazon account immediately, though the physical card takes 7 to 10 business days to arrive by mail.
  • Both cards require you to be at least 18 years old and have a valid Social Security number and U.S. address.

What Chase Looks At When You Apply

Chase pulls your credit report from one or more of the three major bureaus — Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion — and checks your credit score. The Visa card typically goes to people with a score of 670 or higher, though Chase does not publish a minimum. The Store Card has been approved for people with lower scores, but Chase does not state a public minimum there either.

Chase also looks at your income, existing debts, and payment history. If you have recent late payments, collections, or charge-offs, approval becomes less likely. A hard inquiry appears on your credit report and stays there for two years, though it stops affecting your score after about three months.

If you are denied, you can call Chase's reconsideration line at the number on your denial letter and ask them to review your application again. Recon calls sometimes succeed if you can explain a recent change in income or correct information Chase got wrong.

Prime Membership and the Visa Card

The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card requires an active Prime membership to open the account. If you do not have Prime, you cannot apply for this card. Prime costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year as of 2024, though the price varies by year.

The card itself has no annual fee. The 5% cash back on Amazon purchases applies only while your Prime membership is active. If your membership lapses, the card stays open, but you earn only 1% back on Amazon purchases until you renew.

You do not need Prime to apply for the Store Card — it has no membership requirement.

How the Rewards Work on Each Card

The Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card earns rewards as follows: 5% back on Amazon.com purchases and Amazon Fresh, 2% back at Whole Foods and gas stations, 1% back on all other purchases. Rewards post to your account as a statement credit that you can use toward your next Amazon purchase or redeem for cash back. There is no cap on how much you can earn.

The Prime Store Card earns 3% back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases and 1% back on everything else. Rewards also post as statement credits. The Store Card does not earn rewards outside Amazon and Whole Foods, so it is useful mainly if you shop heavily at those retailers.

Both cards charge interest on unpaid balances. The interest rate (APR) varies by person and is shown in your approval documents. If you carry a balance, interest accrues daily from the purchase date, and you pay it when you pay your bill.

What Happens After You Are Approved

Once Chase approves you, you receive a confirmation email with your card number and expiration date. You can add this number to your Amazon account immediately and start using the card for purchases. The card appears in your Amazon wallet and can be set as your default payment method.

Your physical card arrives by standard mail in 7 to 10 business days. When it arrives, the number on the physical card matches the number you received by email, so there is no delay in using the card.

Your first billing statement arrives about 30 days after your first purchase. The statement shows your purchases, interest (if any), fees, and rewards earned. You can pay online through your Amazon account, through Chase's website, or by mail. Payments are due by the date shown on your statement, typically 21 to 25 days after the statement closes.

Reasons Chase Might Deny You

Chase denies applications for several reasons: a credit score below their threshold, recent late payments or collections, too much existing debt relative to your income, or too many recent credit inquiries (which suggest you are applying for credit everywhere at once).

If you have been denied for a Chase card in the past, you can reapply after six months. Applying again sooner rarely changes the outcome. If your credit has improved — you paid down debt, resolved a collection, or your score rose — reapplying makes sense. If nothing has changed, waiting is the better move.

You can also apply for the Store Card instead of the Visa if you were denied the Visa. The Store Card has a lower stated credit score requirement and may approve you when the Visa does not.

Fees and Interest Rates

Neither the Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card nor the Prime Store Card charges an annual fee. There is no monthly fee, no foreign transaction fee, and no fee for paying your bill online.

Late fees apply if you miss your due date. As of 2024, Chase charges up to $40 for the first late payment and up to $40 for subsequent late payments within six months. If you are more than 60 days late, the late fee can be higher, and Chase may report the late payment to the credit bureaus.

Interest rates vary by person and are shown in your approval documents. If you carry a balance, interest accrues daily on the unpaid amount. Paying your full statement balance by the due date avoids interest entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for both the Visa and Store Card at the same time?

Yes, you can apply for both in the same day. However, each application triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report. Applying for two cards at once is less risky than applying for many, but it still shows lenders you are seeking new credit. Space your applications a few months apart if you are concerned about the impact on your score.

What if I do not have a Prime membership but want the Visa card?

You must have an active Prime membership to open the Visa card account. If you do not have Prime, you can start a free 30-day trial, open the card during the trial, and then decide whether to keep Prime. If you cancel Prime after opening the card, the card stays open, but you lose the 5% back on Amazon purchases.

How long does it take to use the card after approval?

You can use the card immediately after approval — within minutes. Chase emails you the card number right away, and you can add it to your Amazon account and make a purchase the same day. The physical card takes 7 to 10 business days to arrive, but you do not need it to shop online.

What happens to my rewards if I close the card?

Rewards you have already earned stay in your account as a statement credit and can be used or redeemed even after you close the card. New purchases on a closed card earn no rewards. If you close the card, contact Chase to confirm what happens to any pending rewards.

Can I transfer my balance from another card to the Amazon card?

The Amazon cards do not offer balance transfer options. You cannot move debt from another card onto an Amazon card. You would need to pay off the other card separately or use a different card that offers balance transfers.