The Amazon Store Card is a credit card, but it works differently than a general-purpose card

Yes, the Amazon Store Card is a credit card. It carries a credit limit, reports to the three major credit bureaus, and lets you carry a balance from month to month. But it is not a Visa or Mastercard — it is a closed-loop card, meaning you can use it only at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market. You cannot use it at other retailers, restaurants, or gas stations.

The card is issued by Chase Bank USA and functions like any other credit card in terms of how interest accrues, how payments work, and how it affects your credit. The main operational difference is where you can swipe it and what rewards it earns.

Key Takeaways

  • The Amazon Store Card is a credit card issued by Chase that you can use only at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market, not at other merchants.
  • You can carry a balance month to month and pay interest on what you owe, just like any other credit card.
  • The card reports to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, so it affects your credit score and credit history the same way a Visa or Mastercard would.
  • Interest rates and fees vary based on your creditworthiness and the current market, and the card has no annual fee.

How the Amazon Store Card differs from a general-purpose credit card

A general-purpose credit card like a Visa or Mastercard works at millions of merchants worldwide. The Amazon Store Card works only at two places: Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market locations. If you try to use it elsewhere, the transaction will be declined.

Because the card is closed-loop, Amazon controls the entire experience — the approval process, the rewards structure, the customer service, and the terms. You do not have the option to use it as a backup payment method at other stores, which makes it less flexible than a card that works everywhere.

The rewards structure also differs. The Amazon Store Card earns 3% back on Amazon purchases and 1% back on Whole Foods purchases, with no cap on how much you can earn. A general-purpose rewards card might earn 1% to 2% on all purchases, or higher rates on specific categories like groceries or gas.

How interest and payments work on the Amazon Store Card

The Amazon Store Card carries a variable interest rate, which means the rate can change over time based on market conditions and your creditworthiness. Chase sets the rate when you open the account and updates it periodically. The rate you receive depends on your credit score and credit history at the time of approval.

Interest accrues daily on any balance you carry past the due date. If you charge $500 and pay it in full by the due date, you pay no interest. If you pay $300 and carry $200 to the next month, interest begins accruing on that $200 immediately. The interest compounds daily until you pay off the balance.

Payments are due on a set date each month, usually 21 to 25 days after your statement closes. You can make payments online through your Amazon account, by phone, by mail, or through automatic bank transfers. The card has no annual fee, so you only pay interest if you carry a balance.

How the Amazon Store Card affects your credit

The Amazon Store Card reports to all three credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — just like any other credit card. This means it shows up on your credit report and affects your credit score in the same ways a Visa or Mastercard would.

Opening the card triggers a hard inquiry, which temporarily lowers your score by a few points. The card itself then becomes part of your credit mix, your available credit, and your payment history. If you make on-time payments, it helps your score. If you miss a payment or carry a high balance, it hurts your score.

The credit limit you receive also counts toward your total available credit. If you have a $1,000 limit on the Amazon Store Card and a $5,000 limit on another card, your total available credit is $6,000. Using a high percentage of that total (above 30%) can lower your score, even if you pay on time.

What happens if you close the Amazon Store Card

Closing the card does not erase it from your credit report. The account will remain visible for up to seven years, showing its history of payments and balances. This is actually beneficial if you have a good payment history — the account continues to help your credit score even after it is closed.

When you close the card, your available credit decreases, which can raise your credit utilization ratio if you still carry balances on other cards. For example, if you close a card with a $1,000 limit and still owe $2,000 on another card with a $5,000 limit, your utilization jumps from 29% to 40%.

You can request to close the account by calling Chase customer service or through your online account. Chase will confirm the closure and send you a written confirmation. Any remaining balance must still be paid in full — closing the account does not erase what you owe.

Comparing the Amazon Store Card to the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa

Amazon also offers the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card, which is a general-purpose credit card issued by Chase. This card works everywhere Visa is accepted, not just at Amazon and Whole Foods. It earns 5% back on Amazon purchases (for Prime members), 2% at Whole Foods and gas stations, and 1% everywhere else.

The key difference is flexibility. The Visa works at any merchant that accepts Visa, while the Store Card works only at Amazon and Whole Foods. The Visa also requires a Prime membership to earn the 5% rate on Amazon purchases. The Store Card has no membership requirement and earns 3% on all Amazon purchases regardless of Prime status.

Some people carry both cards — the Store Card for Amazon purchases (to earn 3% without a Prime requirement) and the Visa for everything else. Others choose one or the other based on where they spend most of their money.

What to know about promotional financing offers

The Amazon Store Card periodically offers promotional financing, such as 0% APR for 6 to 12 months on purchases over a certain amount. These offers are advertised during checkout on Amazon.com and appear in your account dashboard if you are targeted for one.

Promotional financing means you can charge a purchase and pay no interest during the promotional period, as long as you pay off the full promotional balance by the end date. If you do not pay it off in full, the deferred interest is added to your balance all at once, and you owe interest retroactively from the original purchase date.

For example, if you charge $1,000 with 0% APR for 12 months and pay $800 by the end of the period, you owe the remaining $200 plus all the interest that would have accrued over 12 months. This makes promotional offers risky if you cannot commit to paying off the full balance before the period ends.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Amazon Store Card outside the United States?

The Amazon Store Card works on Amazon.com and Whole Foods locations worldwide, but only if you are in a country where those services operate. If you travel internationally, you can still use the card on Amazon.com if you have internet access, but you cannot use it at physical Whole Foods stores outside the US.

What is the credit limit for the Amazon Store Card?

Credit limits vary based on your credit score, income, and credit history. Chase does not publish a minimum or maximum limit. You can request a credit limit increase after you have held the card for at least six months and made on-time payments.

Does the Amazon Store Card have a grace period?

Yes. If you pay your full statement balance by the due date, you pay no interest on new purchases. The grace period is typically 21 to 25 days from the statement closing date. If you carry a balance, interest accrues on new purchases immediately — there is no grace period on new purchases when you have an existing balance.

What happens if I miss a payment on the Amazon Store Card?

A missed payment is reported to the credit bureaus and appears on your credit report. Your account may be charged a late fee, and your interest rate may increase. If you miss a payment by 30 days or more, the account may be sent to collections, which severely damages your credit score.

Can I transfer a balance from another card to the Amazon Store Card?

No. The Amazon Store Card does not accept balance transfers from other credit cards. You can only charge new purchases to the card. If you want to move a balance from another card, you would need to transfer it to a different card that accepts balance transfers.