Prime Visa Review: 5% Back on Amazon with No Annual Fee

If you’re already an Amazon Prime member, the Prime Visa is an easy way to get more value from your membership. You get 5% cash back on Amazon, Whole Foods and Chase Travel^SM purchases, along with no annual fee and simple reward redemption.

It’s also a travel-friendly card, with no foreign transaction fees and useful Chase protections like baggage and car rental protection.

However, purchases outside of bonus categories earn a lower cash back rate, and you must have an active Amazon Prime membership to qualify for the card and earn its highest rewards rates.

Recommended credit: Credit scores ranges may vary. Your individual chance at approval may vary due to factors such as creditors using a particular variation at their discretion Good / Excellent

Rewards Rate: 1% - 5% cash back

• Earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership
• Earn unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare)
• Earn unlimited 1% on all other purchases

Welcome offer: $150 Amazon gift card

• Get a $150 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members

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Rates

• Intro purchase APR: N/A
• Regular purchase APR: 18.74% - 27.49% Variable
• Intro balance transfer APR: N/A
• Regular balance transfer APR: 18.74% - 27.49% Variable
• Regular cash advance APR: 28.49% Variable
• Penalty APR: Up to 29.99%

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Fees

• Annual fee: $0
• Balance transfer fee: Either $5 or 4% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
• Cash advance fee: Either $5 or 4% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater.
• Foreign exchange fee: $0
• Late fee: $39

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Other benefits

• Extended warranty protection
• Purchase protection
• Baggage delay insurance
• Travel accident insurance
• Lost luggage reimbursement
• Auto rental coverage
• Zero liability protection

• Great rewards on Amazon, Whole Foods and Chase Travel^SM

  The Prime Visa’s strongest feature is how heavily it rewards Amazon spending. You’ll earn 5% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market, 2% back at restaurants, gas stations and drugstores and 1% back on all other purchases. This far outpaces what most general cash back cards offer and it’s a noticeable upgrade if you’re used to earning closer to 2% on those purchases.

  What I appreciate most is that the rewards don’t end at Amazon purchases. Bonus rewards on gas, dining and drugstores make it easy to keep the card in regular rotation, rather than using it just for Amazon orders. I frequently use it for gas and rideshare, which helps the rewards build even faster.

  Tip: Don’t carry a balance. Rewards lose their value quickly if you pay interest. According to LendingTree research, the average APR with a new credit card offer is around 23%, which can easily outweigh the value of cash back if you don’t pay your balance in full.

• Cash back is easy to redeem

  Prime Visa rewards typically post as soon as the next day, making this a true “daily rewards” card. You can apply rewards instantly at Amazon checkout — for part or all of a purchase — and there’s no minimum rewards balance required. Rewards can also be redeemed through Chase for statement credits, bank deposits, gift cards or travel.

  I personally like saving my rewards and applying them to a larger Amazon purchase at checkout, which feels more immediate than waiting for a statement credit. You may also qualify for rotating Chase offers, including occasional 10% back promotions at select merchants when activated.

  → See LendingTree’s full guide on minimum reward redemption amounts by card issuer.

  Tip: If you place lots of Amazon orders, set purchase alerts so fraud stands out faster. High transaction volume can make unauthorized charges easier to miss.

  See LendingTree’s full guide on how to dispute a credit card charge.

• Get an Amazon Gift Card upon approval

  One of the Prime Visa’s most appealing perks is its instant bonus: You’ll receive an Amazon gift card upon approval. There’s no minimum spending requirement to hit — your gift card is automatically added to your Amazon account, and you can use it at checkout right away.

  Currently, Prime members get a $150 Amazon gift card instantly upon approval. While this sign-up bonus is smaller than some traditional bonuses, the immediate access makes it especially appealing if you have an upcoming Amazon purchase.

  Tip: Amazon frequently increases the Prime Visa sign-up bonus around major promotions, including Prime Day, Prime Big Deal Days, Black Friday and Cyber Monday. If you’re not in a rush, waiting to apply could help you earn a higher gift card amount.

  “I waited to apply for the Prime Visa until just before Amazon Prime Day, which is how I earned a $200 gift card.”

  – Will Collicott, credit cards writer at LendingTree

• No foreign transaction fees

  The Prime Visa doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, which makes it a solid option for international travel. Many credit cards charge around 3% on purchases made outside the U.S., so avoiding those fees can lead to meaningful savings.

  Before my honeymoon, I checked which of my cards charged foreign transaction fees and ended up using the Prime Visa abroad. It was an easy choice and a nice added perk.

  → See all of LendingTree’s top picks for credit cards with no foreign transaction fees.

• Buy now, pay later on eligible Amazon purchases

  The Prime Visa offers a buy now, pay later option on eligible Amazon purchases. Instead of earning rewards, you can choose to split qualifying purchases into equal monthly payments, with a 0% promo APR for six months on purchases of $50 or more or 12 months on purchases of $250 or more when you use the card at Amazon.com or at eligible retailers with Amazon Pay. Then a 18.74% - 27.49% Variable APR applies.

  Is this feature worth it?

  It can be useful if you’re making a bigger purchase and want to spread payments out without interest. However, once the interest-free period ends, APRs can be high depending on the offer, and many consumers struggle with managing these loans.

  According to LendingTree research, 41% of buy now, pay later users reported paying late on at least one BNPL loan in the past year, which can lead to fees and credit issues if you’re not careful.

  Personally, I don’t use this feature. I’d rather pay the purchase upfront and earn 5% back, since financing means giving up rewards and potentially paying interest.

  Why this matters: Credit card debt is already at record levels. LendingTree research shows that Americans’ total credit card balance is $1.233 trillion as of the third quarter of 2025, highlighting how easy it is for financing options to turn into long-term debt if not used carefully.

• Travel and purchase protections

  The Prime Visa gives you access to Chase cardholder benefits, which is especially impressive for a card with a $0 annual fee. These protections can add meaningful value and peace of mind, particularly when traveling or making larger purchases.

  Because the Prime Visa is issued by Chase, it’s easy for me to manage alongside my Chase Freedom Unlimited^®, and I already knew what to expect from Chase’s protections. Cardholders receive benefits such as:

  • Auto rental coverage
  • Baggage delay insurance
  • Extended warranty protection

  • Lost luggage reimbursement
  • Travel accident insurance
  • Purchase protection

  → See all of LendingTree’s picks for the best Chase credit cards.

• Must have an Amazon Prime membership

  To apply for and earn the Prime Visa’s highest rewards rates, you need an active Amazon Prime membership. If you’re already a Prime member, this won’t be an issue, but if not, you’ll need to factor in the cost of membership when deciding whether the card is worth it. Without Prime, you’ll only be able to apply for the Amazon Visa, which earns cash back at a lower rate.

  Amazon Prime currently costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year, with discounted pricing available for young adults and students at $7.49 per month. Beyond credit card rewards, a Prime membership includes a wide range of benefits, such as free shipping and returns on Amazon purchases.

  → See all of LendingTree’s picks for the best Amazon credit cards.

• Subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule

  Because the Prime Visa is issued by Chase, it’s subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule. In general, Chase may deny your application if you’ve opened five or more credit cards with any issuer in the past 24 months.

  That can be a hurdle if you’ve been signing up for cards recently, even if you have strong credit otherwise. If you’re close to the limit, it may be worth waiting until you’re under 5/24 before applying.

  Tip: If you’re not sure how many cards you’ve opened recently, LendingTree Spring can help you review your credit card accounts and opening dates.

• Can be hard to qualify for

  Because the Prime Visa is issued by Chase, approval standards are stricter than average. Most successful applicants have good / excellent credit, and denials are commonly tied to recent credit activity or being over Chase’s 5/24 rule, even with strong scores.

  Approval odds can vary, though. Some applicants report better results if they already have a relationship with Chase or a long-standing Amazon account.

  Tips to improve your approval odds:

  • Check whether you’re under Chase’s 5/24 rule before applying
  • Look for preapproval offers to gauge eligibility
  • Existing Chase customers may have an edge

• You must choose between cash back and the promo APR

  With the Prime Visa’s promotional financing, there’s a trade-off: You must choose between earning cash back or using the promo APR — you can’t do both on the same purchase.

  For most people, the card’s value comes from earning 5% back, not financing. If your goal is to pay over time, a card with a true 0% intro APR may be a better fit.

  Tip: Many 0% intro APR cards offer interest-free periods of 12 to 21 months and allow you to keep rewards on purchases, making them a stronger option for large financed expenses.

The best Amazon credit card depends on your Prime membership status and how you plan to use the card. The table below compares rewards, fees and welcome offers across Amazon’s main credit card options.

	Who’s it best for?	Annual fee	Rewards rate	Welcome offer
Prime Visa	Prime members	$0	1% - 5% cash back Earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and on Chase Travel℠ purchases with an eligible Prime membership, unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare), and unlimited 1% on all other purchases	$150 Amazon gift card Get a $150 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members
Amazon Visa	Non-Prime members	$0	1% - 3% cash back 3% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and on Chase Travel℠ purchases, 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare), and 1% back on all other purchases.	$50 Amazon gift card Get a $50 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval
Amazon Prime Store Card	Prime members with fair credit	$0	5% back at Amazon.com Amazon Prime members can earn 5% back at Amazon.com	$60 Amazon gift card $60 Amazon Gift Card upon approval
Amazon Secured Card	Prime members with limited / poor credit	$0	2% cash back 2% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market with an eligible Prime membership	N/A
Amazon Business Prime American Express Card	Business owners with a Prime membership	No annual fee	1% - 5% cash back 5% Back or 90-Day Terms on U.S. purchases at Amazon Business, AWS, Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market with eligible Prime membership. You can earn 5% Back on the first $120,000 in purchases each calendar year, 1% Back thereafter. 2% Back at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, and on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers. 1% Back on other purchases.	$125 Amazon gift card Eligible Prime Members get a $125 Amazon Gift Card upon approval for the Amazon Business Prime American Express Card.
Amazon Business American Express Card	Business owners without a Prime membership	$0	1% - 2% cash back 2% back at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, and on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers, 1% back on other purchases	$100 Amazon.com gift card $100 Amazon.com gift card upon approval.

→ See LendingTree’s top picks for the best credit cards for Amazon.

Prime Visa vs. Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card

The Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card may be a better choice than the Prime Visa if you prefer simple, consistent cash rewards. You’ll earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases. So you don’t have to track bonus categories or focus spending at specific stores.

It can also pair well with the Prime Visa. I have both cards and use the Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card to cover purchases that don’t earn bonus rewards elsewhere, helping me earn more than 1% back on everyday spending.

→ See LendingTree’s full review of the Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card.

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Prime Visa vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

The Chase Freedom Unlimited^®, also issued by Chase, is a good alternative to the Prime Visa if you spend frequently on dining, takeout, drugstores or travel booked through Chase. It earns elevated cash back in those categories, along with a higher base rate than the Prime Visa on non-bonus purchases.

It can also pair well with the Prime Visa. Because both cards are issued by Chase, they’re easy to manage together, and using the Chase Freedom Unlimited^® for everyday purchases helps you earn more than 1% back when you’re not shopping on Amazon. I also have the Chase Freedom Unlimited^® and primarily use it for dining, while saving the Prime Visa for Amazon purchases.

→ See LendingTree’s full review of the Chase Freedom Unlimited^®.

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Prime Visa vs. Chase Freedom Flex^®

The Chase Freedom Flex^® may be a better choice than the Prime Visa if your spending varies throughout the year. It offers 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories on up to $1,500 in purchases per quarter (1% thereafter), plus elevated rewards on everyday spending like dining and drugstores. Chase’s quarterly calendar often includes Amazon, particularly around the holidays, which makes it a good option for seasonal purchases on Amazon.

That said, the bonus categories require activation, and you may only get a bonus on Amazon purchases for a single quarter in a year, if at all. The card also charges a foreign transaction fee of 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars, which makes it less appealing for travel.

→ See LendingTree’s full review of the Chase Freedom Flex^®.

The Prime Visa is a strong choice if you already have an Amazon Prime membership and want to earn elevated cash back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases with no annual fee. It’s best if your spending is heavily concentrated at Amazon and if you value simple, automatic rewards over flexibility.

But if you’re looking for broader rewards or more versatility, there are other options:

• For consistent cash rewards on all purchases, the Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card lets you earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
• For stronger everyday rewards on dining and drugstores, the Chase Freedom Unlimited^® can deliver better value outside Amazon.
• For rotating bonus categories, including occasional Amazon bonuses, the Chase Freedom Flex^® may be a better fit if you don’t mind activating categories.

→ See LendingTree’s top picks for cash back credit cards.

We take a comprehensive, data-driven approach to identify the best cash back credit cards. We use an objective rating and ranking system that evaluates over 200 credit cards from more than 50 issuers. All recommendations are made by LendingTree’s editorial team, completely independent of affiliate partnerships or compensation. Every card is selected based on its merit and ability to help people achieve their financial goals. We use the following criteria to make our picks:

• Average value over two years (50% of rating): We calculate the cash back earned for the average cardholder using Bureau of Labor Statistics data and an annual spend of $20,000, minus the annual fee. This value includes sign-up and annual bonuses. We look at the average rewards earned over two years to balance out a card’s ongoing value with its first-year value.
• Flexibility of rewards (30% of rating): We consider how easy the rewards are to use, looking at factors like expiration dates and minimum thresholds to redeem.
• Other features (20% of rating): We also compare a card’s benefits, such as purchase and travel protections, against benefits from other cards.