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Card basics
| FinanceBuzz star ratings |
4.7
|
| FinanceBuzz valuations1 | Year 1: $765
Year 2: $715 |
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Welcome offer | Earn a $50 Amazon gift card upon approval of credit card application |
| Reward rate | 3% cash back at Amazon.com, Whole Foods Market, and on Chase Travel purchases; 2% cash back at restaurants and gas stations, and on local transit and commuting; and 1% cash back on all other purchases |
| Recommended credit score | Good |
| Foreign transaction fee | None |
Why we like the Amazon Visa: benefits and perks
- Welcome offer: Earn a $50 Amazon gift card upon approval of credit card application.
- Easy rewards in popular categories: The Amazon Visa earns 3% cash back at Amazon.com, Whole Foods Market, and on Chase Travel purchases; 2% cash back at restaurants and gas stations, and on local transit and commuting; and 1% cash back on all other purchases. If you are a frequent Amazon or Whole Foods shopper, these rewards can add up quickly.
- Pain-free redemptions: Redeeming points seems easy with the Amazon Visa card. As you make purchases on Amazon, choose your Amazon Visa card as the payment method. You’ll then see an option to pay with points, which can save money on Amazon purchases. Points can also be redeemed for statement credits, gift cards, and travel.
- $0 annual and no foreign transaction fee: There is a $0 annual fee with the Amazon Visa. It’s also a great card to use when traveling internationally because there are no foreign transaction fees.
- Prime benefits: If you have an eligible Amazon Prime membership, you can receive higher cash back on all Amazon and Whole Foods purchases. You will also have access to 10% cash back on a rotating selection of products and categories on Amazon.
- Additional benefits: Like many other credit cards, the Amazon Visa comes with a number of other benefits. These include an auto rental collision damage waiver, extended warranty protection, travel and emergency assistance, lost luggage reimbursement, roadside dispatch, and more.
Drawbacks of the Amazon Visa
- Welcome offer: Although this card allows you to earn a $50 Amazon gift card upon approval of credit card application, other credit cards offer much more lucrative welcome bonuses. Some offer bonuses up to $300.
- Earning categories: When looking for a cashback card, I always try to prioritize a card that will earn me the most cash back across a wide range of categories. If you aren’t a loyal Amazon shopper or you don't make frequent Whole Foods purchases, you may be better off with a cash back card that offers a flat rate on every purchase. This will give you the opportunity to earn rewards on everything you buy, not just purchases in specific categories.
- Amazon Prime not included: While it may be considered a perk that you do not have to have Prime membership to hold the Amazon Visa card, if you do want the benefits of an Amazon Prime membership, that is an additional expense.
- Customer service: While I do not have the Amazon Visa myself, I always go to the customer reviews when reviewing a product, and the reviews for this credit card are somewhat mixed when it comes to customer service. Several users cite unexpected late fees, low credit limits, confusing interest policies, and unhelpful customer service calls. For me, that’s enough to make me pause before signing up. At the very least, you should make sure to read the fine print so that you fully understand the fees you may incur.
Earning and redeeming with the Amazon Visa card
Potential earnings in years one and two
Here's a look at how your rewards can add up with the Amazon Visa card.
Remember, this is an estimation. The actual value will be determined by how much you spend and in which categories you spend.
Year one earnings: $765 in Amazon rewards
Year two earnings: $715 in Amazon rewards
These values are based on the FinanceBuzz Credit Card Rewards Valuation Model, which takes a look at rewards earned via spending, the sign-up bonus, and the annual fee. Note that you can get more value from this card if you do your grocery shopping at Whole Foods.
Best ways to earn
Earning cash back with the Amazon Visa is easy. Cardholders earn 3% cash back at Amazon.com, Whole Foods Market, and on Chase Travel purchases; 2% cash back at restaurants and gas stations, and on local transit and commuting; and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
| Categories | Rewards rate |
| Amazon.com, Whole Foods Market, and Chase Travel | 3% |
| Restaurants, gas stations, local transit and commuting | 2% |
| All other purchases | 1% |
Maximizing your redemptions
Like many other store credit cards, the Amazon Visa was created to encourage you to spend more at Amazon. Amazon is the world’s largest online retailer, and offering credit cards is a way for it to continue to expand its market.
You’ll get the most value from this card’s rewards by using your credit card points on Amazon purchases. When you choose your Amazon rewards card as the payment option, you will see your available points and can choose to use them for select purchases.
You can also earn cash back for your rewards points in the form of statement credits or electronic deposits into a bank account. Rewards can also be used to purchase gift cards and travel through the Chase travel portal. Redemption values can vary on these options.
Who should get the Amazon Visa?
If you’re a loyal Amazon shopper, the Amazon Visa may be a good option for you. It offers 3% cash back on Amazon.com, Whole Foods Market, and Chase Travel purchases. Plus, you don’t need to be a Prime member to apply for this card. It’s a good card to use when shopping on Amazon.
Beyond Amazon and Whole Foods purchases, it is a decent cash back card. With this card, you’ll also earn 2% cash back at restaurants, gas stations, local transit and commuting and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
If you don’t shop much at Amazon, other cash back credit cards may offer a higher earning rate in spending categories that matter the most to you.
Amazon Visa card FAQs
Can you use the Amazon Visa card anywhere?
Visa is accepted at most merchants worldwide, so your Amazon Visa can be used almost anywhere.
How can I get cash from the Amazon Visa credit card?
To get cash from your Amazon Visa credit card, you’ll need to take out a cash advance through any ATM that accepts Visa credit cards. Simply insert your card into the ATM, enter your PIN if you previously set it, and choose the withdrawal or the cash advance option.
Keep in mind that a cash advance from Amazon Visa will charge you a fee of either $5 or 4%, whichever is greater, of the amount of each transaction. Cash advances also typically have high APR rates and begin accruing interest immediately. This makes them a costly option to access cash. Learn more about how cash advances work.
What credit score do you need for the Amazon card?
No credit score requirements are published for the Amazon Visa. Typically, you’ll need a good credit score to qualify for most cards, which is a score above 700.
Which Amazon card is best?
Determining the best Amazon credit card depends on your needs and whether you are an Amazon Prime member. Prime members should consider the Prime Visa to take advantage of higher earning rates at Amazon and Whole Foods Markets.
It requires an Amazon Prime membership, which adds another cost each year. If you want to earn Amazon rewards but aren’t interested in Prime, stick with the Amazon Visa.
Other cards to consider
Prime Visa
Amazon has another credit card available with higher earning rates than the Amazon Visa card. The Prime Visa earns 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. This Visa card has a $0 annual fee and requires an eligible Prime membership to qualify. You can earn a $150 amazon gift card instantly upon approval exclusively for prime members.
For more details, read our Prime Visa review.
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
There are other excellent cash back cards besides ones offered by Amazon, such as the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card. New cardmembers can earn a $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card has a $0 annual fee and comes with a 0% introductory APR on purchases for 15 billing cycles (then 18.74% - 28.74% Variable). It also has great rewards-earning potential, earning 3% cash back in the category of your choice and 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and 1% on all other purchases.
For more details, read our Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card review.
Easy Cash Back for Amazon and Whole Foods
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Amazon Visa
Why We Like It
Earn a $50 Amazon gift card upon approval of credit card application
See how these cards compare:
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Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
- $0 annual fee
- Enhanced cash back in a popular spending category of your choice
- Long intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
- You can swap out your highest spending category each month, so you can maximize earnings
Bottom line
The Amazon Visa can be a good choice for Amazon and Whole Foods Market shoppers seeking a rewards card with $0 annual fee. Plus, new cardholders can earn a $50 Amazon gift card upon approval of credit card application.
However, this card’s perks and benefits aren’t as useful outside Amazon and Whole Foods. If you mostly shop at other online retailers or grocery stores, you may find a better fit in our list of the best credit cards for earning cash back.
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