The Two Amazon Credit Cards and How to Get One

Amazon offers two credit cards through Chase: the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card and the Amazon Prime Store Card. The Visa Signature is a general-purpose card you can use anywhere; the Store Card works only at Amazon and Whole Foods. Both require you to be an Amazon Prime member to open one. You start by visiting Chase's website, selecting which card matches your spending, and completing an online application that takes about 10 minutes. Chase will tell you immediately whether you are approved, and if you are, your card ships within 5 to 7 business days.

The main difference between them is where you can spend. The Prime Rewards Visa Signature earns 5% back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases (with a Prime membership), 2% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% everywhere else. The Prime Store Card earns 5% back at Amazon and Whole Foods, but 0% elsewhere — it is only useful if you shop almost entirely within those two places. Neither card has an annual fee.

Key Takeaways

  • You must have an active Amazon Prime membership before you can open either Amazon credit card.
  • The Prime Rewards Visa Signature works at any merchant and earns cash back on groceries, gas, and restaurants; the Prime Store Card only works at Amazon and Whole Foods.
  • Chase approves or denies you on the spot during the online application, and the card arrives within 5 to 7 business days if approved.
  • Both cards have no annual fee, but the Visa Signature requires a credit score in the mid-600s or higher to have a reasonable chance of approval.

What You Need Before You Apply

Have your Social Security number, date of birth, and current address ready. Chase will ask for your annual income and employment status. You do not need to provide tax returns or pay stubs during the application — Chase verifies income through a soft pull of your credit report and sometimes through third-party data. If you have moved recently, use your current address, not a previous one.

Your credit score matters. Chase typically approves applicants with a score of 650 or higher for the Prime Rewards Visa Signature, though approval is possible with lower scores depending on your credit history and income. The Prime Store Card has slightly looser requirements and may be easier to get if your score is below 650. If you have been denied for credit recently or have unpaid collections, your odds of approval drop significantly.

The Online Application Process

Go to Chase.com or Amazon.com and look for the credit card offer. Both sites link to the same Chase application. Select which card you want, then click "Apply Now." You will be taken to a Chase page that asks for your personal information: name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, income, and employment details. The form takes about 5 to 10 minutes to complete.

After you submit, Chase runs a hard inquiry on your credit report and checks your identity. Within seconds to a few minutes, you will see a decision on screen. If approved, you will receive a confirmation number and an email. If denied, the screen will tell you why — usually insufficient credit history, too many recent inquiries, or income too low relative to existing debt. If you are denied, you can reapply after 30 days, but Chase will not reconsider the same application.

What Happens After Approval

Once approved, your card ships to the address you provided on the application. Standard shipping takes 5 to 7 business days. You can check the status of your card by logging into your Chase account online or calling the number on your approval email. Do not call Amazon — they do not manage the card; Chase does.

When your card arrives, activate it through Chase's website or mobile app before you use it. You will need your card number and the last four digits of your Social Security number. After activation, you can use it immediately at Amazon, Whole Foods, or anywhere else (depending on which card you got). Your first statement closes 25 to 30 days after your first purchase, and payment is due about 21 days after that.

How the Rewards Work and When You Get Them

Rewards post to your account as a statement credit or as Amazon.com account credit, depending on which you choose during setup. For the Prime Rewards Visa Signature, you earn 5% back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases when you are a Prime member. Without an active Prime membership, you earn only 1% on those purchases. The 2% category (gas stations and restaurants) and the 1% category (everything else) do not require Prime membership.

Rewards appear in your account within one to three business days of the transaction posting. You can redeem them as a statement credit (which reduces your bill) or as Amazon.com credit (which you spend like a gift card). There is no minimum redemption amount, and rewards do not expire as long as your account stays open and in good standing.

Closing an Amazon Credit Card

If you decide you no longer want the card, you can close it by calling Chase at the number on the back of your card. There is no penalty for closing it, and you do not lose any rewards you have already earned. However, closing a card can lower your credit score slightly because it reduces your total available credit and may raise your credit utilization ratio on other cards.

Before you close the card, redeem any remaining rewards balance. After you close it, you can no longer earn rewards on new purchases, but any rewards already posted to your account stay there. If you close the card and later want to reopen it, you will have to apply again and go through the full approval process.

What to Do If You Are Denied

If Chase denies your application, you will receive a letter in the mail within 7 to 10 days explaining the reason. Common reasons are insufficient credit history, too many recent credit inquiries, or a credit score below the card's minimum threshold. You can dispute the information on your credit report if you believe it is wrong — request your free credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com and look for errors.

You can reapply after 30 days have passed since your denial. Before you do, work on the issue that caused the denial: pay down existing balances to lower your utilization, wait for recent inquiries to age off your report, or build credit history by becoming an authorized user on someone else's account. The Prime Store Card is sometimes easier to get than the Visa Signature, so if you were denied for the Visa, try the Store Card instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be a Prime member to use the card after I open it?

You must be a Prime member to open the card, but if your membership lapses after you open it, the card still works. However, you will no longer earn the 5% rewards on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases — you will earn only 1% instead. The 2% and 1% categories on the Visa Signature are not affected by Prime status.

Can I have both the Prime Rewards Visa and the Prime Store Card at the same time?

Yes. Some people carry both because the Visa Signature works everywhere and the Store Card earns 5% at Amazon and Whole Foods without the 2% and 1% categories. However, Chase may deny you for the second card if you opened the first one very recently — wait at least 30 days between applications.

What is the credit limit on an Amazon credit card?

Chase does not publish a standard credit limit. Your limit depends on your credit score, income, and credit history. Limits typically range from $500 to $10,000 or more for well-may have access to applicants. Chase will tell you your limit when you are approved, and you can request a higher limit after you have had the card for at least 6 months and made on-time payments.

How long does it take to see my first rewards?

Rewards post within one to three business days of your purchase posting to your account. Your first purchase may take one to three days to post after you make it, so you might see rewards within a week of your first transaction. You can check your rewards balance in your Chase account online or in the mobile app.

Can I transfer my rewards to another card or cash them out?

No. You can redeem rewards only as a statement credit or as Amazon.com credit. You cannot transfer them to another credit card, convert them to cash, or move them to a different rewards program. Once you redeem them as a statement credit, the credit appears on your next bill.