Amazon credit cards are issued by Chase Bank, not Amazon itself
The Amazon credit card — officially called the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card or the Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card, depending on which version you hold — is issued by Chase Bank USA, N.A., a subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase & Co. Amazon does not issue its own credit card. Instead, Amazon partners with Chase to manage the account, set terms, and handle the underwriting and servicing.
This matters because Chase is the entity that decides whether to open your account, sets your credit limit, charges your annual fee (if any), and handles disputes or billing questions. When you call the customer service number on the back of your card, you reach Chase representatives, not Amazon employees. Your monthly statement comes from Chase. Your payment goes to Chase.
Amazon's role is to design the rewards structure — how many points you earn per dollar spent, where you earn bonus points, and what those points are worth — and to handle the redemption side. But the credit card itself is a Chase product.
Key Takeaways
- Chase Bank issues all Amazon credit cards; Amazon sets the rewards terms but does not hold the account.
- You apply through Chase's system, and Chase makes the approval decision based on your credit report and income.
- Your monthly statement, payment processing, and customer service all come from Chase, not Amazon.
- There are two main versions: the Amazon Prime Rewards card (for Prime members) and the standard Amazon Rewards card, each with different earning rates and annual fees.
- If you have a problem with your account, you contact Chase; if you have a problem with how rewards are calculated, you may contact either Chase or Amazon depending on the issue.
Why Chase and not Amazon directly
Amazon does not have a banking license and does not hold deposits or issue credit. Federal law requires that a bank issue a credit card and hold the account. Chase has the banking infrastructure, the regulatory approval, and the experience managing millions of credit card accounts. Amazon has the customer base and the rewards program design.
This partnership structure is standard in the credit card industry. Many retailers and tech companies partner with banks to offer branded cards: Target uses Synchrony, Costco uses Visa and Citi, Best Buy uses Citi. The retailer designs the rewards; the bank issues the card and manages the risk.
What version of the Amazon card do you have
There are two main versions. The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card requires an active Prime membership and offers higher earning rates: 5% back on Amazon.com purchases (up to $1,500 per year, then 1%), 2% back at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% back on all other purchases. There is no annual fee if you are a Prime member.
The Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card has no Prime requirement and no annual fee. It earns 3% back on Amazon.com purchases, 2% back at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% back elsewhere. The earning rates are lower, but there is no membership cost.
Both are issued by Chase. Both use the Visa Signature network. Both allow you to redeem points as a statement credit toward your Amazon account or as a direct deposit to a bank account (though the redemption rate may differ).
How to contact Chase about your Amazon card
The customer service number is on the back of your card. You can also log into your account at amazon.com/cc or through the Chase mobile app if you have linked your Amazon card there. Chase handles billing questions, disputes, credit limit increases, and account changes.
If you are calling about a rewards issue — for example, you believe you earned points that did not post — Chase can usually look into it, but the investigation may involve Amazon's systems. Be prepared to provide the transaction date, merchant name, and the amount you spent.
If your card is lost or stolen, call the number on the back immediately. Chase will cancel it and issue a replacement, usually within 5 to 7 business days.
How your credit report and approval work
When you apply for an Amazon credit card, you are applying to Chase. Chase pulls your credit report from one or more of the three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion), reviews your income and existing debt, and makes a yes-or-no decision. Amazon does not see your credit report or income information. Chase does not share that data with Amazon.
Your approval odds depend on your credit score, income, and existing Chase accounts. If you already have a Chase card in good standing, approval is more likely. If you have recent late payments or high debt relative to income, Chase may decline or offer a lower credit limit.
Once approved, your account is managed by Chase's systems. Your credit limit, interest rate, and terms are set by Chase based on your creditworthiness at the time of approval. Amazon cannot override these decisions.
Interest rates and fees
The Amazon Prime Rewards card has no annual fee for Prime members. The standard Amazon Rewards card has no annual fee for anyone. Both cards carry a variable interest rate (APR) that Chase sets based on the prime rate and your creditworthiness. The rate you receive may differ from the rate another cardholder receives.
As of the most recent public disclosures, the APR ranges have been in the mid-teens to low-20s for most cardholders, but this varies. You can see the exact APR range for your situation before you submit your application.
There are no foreign transaction fees on either card. There is no late fee if you pay on time. If you miss a payment, Chase charges a late fee (the amount depends on how late you are) and may report the late payment to the credit bureaus.
What happens if you close your account or lose Prime membership
If you cancel your Prime membership, you can keep the Amazon Prime Rewards card open. It will simply convert to the standard Amazon Rewards card earning rates (3% on Amazon.com instead of 5%). Chase will not close your account or charge you a fee for the downgrade.
If you close the card yourself, Chase closes the account. Any remaining points in your rewards balance can usually be redeemed before closure, but check your account terms. Closing a card can affect your credit score slightly because it reduces your available credit and may increase your credit utilization ratio on other cards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my Amazon credit card outside of Amazon?
Yes. Both versions are Visa Signature cards and work anywhere Visa is accepted. You earn 2% back at gas stations and restaurants and 1% back on all other purchases outside Amazon. You do not earn the higher Amazon.com rate unless you are shopping on Amazon.com or Amazon-owned sites.
What if I have a dispute with a purchase on my Amazon card?
Contact Chase using the number on the back of your card. Chase handles the dispute process under Visa's rules. You have up to 60 days from the statement date to report an unauthorized charge or billing error. Chase will investigate and either credit your account or explain why the charge is valid.
Does Amazon see my credit card information when I use it on Amazon.com?
No. When you use your Amazon credit card to pay on Amazon.com, the transaction is processed through Visa's network and Chase's systems. Amazon sees that you made a purchase and charged it to a card, but Amazon does not see your full card number, expiration date, or CVV. This is standard for all credit card transactions.
Can I transfer my Amazon card balance to another card?
Yes, but you would need to contact Chase to request a balance transfer to another card you own. Chase may offer a promotional rate on balance transfers, or you may be able to transfer to a different card issuer. Check your account terms or call Chase to see what options are available.
What if I want to close my Amazon card and switch to a different rewards card?
You can close your account anytime by calling Chase. Before you do, redeem any remaining points and consider the impact on your credit score. If you are switching to a different card, apply for the new card first, wait for approval, and then close the Amazon card. This minimizes the temporary dip in your credit score.