2020 Review: Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card &#8211; Best for Amazon Prime Members

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HIGHLIGHTS

Requires active Prime membership
Cash back can be redeemed for statement credits or at Amazon.com checkout
Earn 5% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market
Earn 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and drugstores
Earn 1% back on all other purchases
Get a $70 Amazon.com Gift Card instantly upon credit card approval

The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature doesn’t have an annual fee, but it does require you to have a Prime subscription. So, if you’re already a Prime member, you’ve already completed the most important step. Why not earn some cash back for purchases you’re already making?

If you don’t have a Prime membership, there’s the Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card. No subscription (or annual fee) is asked of you, but the rewards are less impressive.

There aren’t many perks attached aside from the shopping and travel protections, but those could end up being plenty helpful for Amazon customers, particularly the shopping protections. If one of your new purchases breaks, you could be reimbursed for the cost. Or, if an old purchase suddenly stops working, it could still be covered thanks to the extended warranty perk. Your new Bluetooth speaker and Baby Yoda will be all the safer, just in time for the holidays.

Are you on the fence about an Amazon card? We can help with your decision. Amazon Credit Cards: Are They Worth It?

Insider Advice: Getting the Most Out of Your Card

Get it if you’re already a Prime member: You’ll be able to earn 5% cash back on purchases you’re already making, for no additional cost.
Use it at Whole Foods Market and for everyday expenses: In addition to Amazon purchases providing a little kickback, you’ll also earn 5% cash back at Whole Foods and 2% cash back on gas, dining, and drug store purchases.
Maximize your rewards: Use this card for non-Amazon purchases only when you won’t earn more with another rewards credit card.
Redeem for statement credits: Only redeem your cash for statement credits, or into a bank account, instead of at Amazon checkout. If you use rewards at checkout to reduce your purchase price, you’ll only earn rewards on that new lower amount, rather than the full price. That’ll cost you some cash back.
Don’t worry if your purchase breaks or vanishes: Have you misplaced the latest Stephen King novel? Has your new space heater stopped working, just in time for winter? If you paid for these purchases with your card, you could be reimbursed for both.
Enjoy a longer warranty: Before panicking when your coffee maker breaks, check to see how long the manufacturer’s warranty was. Depending on the terms, you could have an additional year to have them fix it.
Gain some peace of mind while traveling: You and your family will be protected thanks to travel accident insurance. Your luggage can also be reimbursed in the unfortunate event it’s misplaced by the airline, and if it’s delayed, the card issuer may cover the expenses of some necessary purchases.
Ask for help if you need it: With your card comes the Visa Signature Concierge. If you need help getting tickets to an event or finding a particular rare item, the concierge can point you in the right direction. Learn more about what your concierge can do here.
Get the best hotel rates and better rooms: With the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection, you’ll find the best rates and gain room upgrades if they’re available, among other perks.

The Rewards

Earning

Spending Rewards
5% cash back at: Amazon.com Whole Foods Market
2% cash back at: Gas Stations Restaurants Drugstores
1% cash back on all other purchases

Introductory Bonus
$70 Amazon.com Gift Card instantly upon approval

This card provides a strong rewards rate for Amazon and Whole Foods purchases. So strong, in fact, that it’s one of the highest cash back rates available. And the 2% it earns in other categories is pretty good too.

The welcome bonus is, uniquely, an Amazon gift card, and doesn’t require any spending to reach. Upon approval, it’ll immediately be added to your account, and you’ll be free to put it towards any and all Amazon purchases, including those you might have waiting on your Shopping List.

Redeeming

The cash back you earn will actually show up on your monthly statement and when you log in to your Chase account as points, which are typically worth 1¢ each. So, for a $100 gas purchase you’d get 200 points, which are worth $2.00.

Redeeming your rewards is simple enough, and you’ll have a number of different options to choose from. Once you’ve amassed at least 2,000 points, you’ll be able to:

Use your points at checkout on Amazon.com
Redeem for statement credits
Deposit as cash back into a bank account
Redeem for gift cards

However, we don’t recommend using your rewards at checkout, because that would prevent you from earning rewards on the amount you’re redeeming for.

If your total comes to $100, and you redeem 2,000 points (the equivalent of $20), the amount charged to your card would be $80. From that, you’d earn $4 in cash back ($80 x 5%) instead of earning $5 from the original $100 balance ($100 x 5%). A dollar difference might not seem like much now, but over time, it could add up.

Your best bet is to redeem your rewards for statement credits, or deposit them into a bank account. That way you’ll earn the full rewards on your purchases, and could still use your redeemed rewards to help pay for them.

The Benefits

Cardmembers get a nice selection of Visa Signature shopping and travel protections. These protections will cover new purchases and help out while traveling.

Visa Signature Concierge: Need help locating tickets, making dinner reservations, or finding a certain item? Call 1-800-953-7392 to access your Visa Signature Concierge and get the help you need.
Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection: Gain access to room upgrades when they’re available, receive the best rate, access complimentary WiFi, and gain other amenities at 900 luxury hotels across the globe.
Travel Accident Insurance: You and your family are covered against accidental dismemberment or death on your travels, up to $500,000.
Lost Luggage Reimbursement: You and an immediate family member can be reimbursed for up to $5,000 if your luggage is lost.
Baggage Delay Insurance: If your baggage is delayed for six hours or more, you’ll have $100 a day for three days to buy essential items like toiletries and clothing.
Travel and Emergency Assistance: Call your benefit administrator if you need legal, medical, or emergency travel help away from home.
Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver: Decline the rental car provider’s insurance offer and charge the full amount to your card, and your eligible rental will be covered against damage and theft.
Roadside Dispatch: Call 1-800-847-2869 anytime you’re away from home and run into car trouble.
Extended Warranty Protection: If an eligible product you purchase has a manufacturer’s warranty of three years or less, you’ll get an extra year out of it.
Purchase Protection: Your eligible new purchases are protected against damage and theft for up to 120 days. You’ll get $500 per claim and $50,000 per account.

Insider tip

The Amazon Prime Rewards is a metal credit card! This adds a satisfying heft, and distinguishes it from the Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card a bit more. It’s actually one of the only metal credit cards with no annual fee.

The Terms & Fees

Purchase APR	Balance Transfer APR	Cash Advance APR
14.24% to 22.24% Variable	14.24% to 22.24% Variable	24.99% Variable

Annual Fee	Foreign Transaction Fee
$0	None

Balance Transfer Fee	Cash Advance Fee
5%, $5 minimum	5%, $10 minimum

Penalty APR	Late Fee	Returned Payment Fee
None	Up to $39	Up to $39

The Bottom Line

The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card is a pretty good deal, and if you’re a frequent Amazon shopper, you won’t want to miss out on the potential rewards it offers.

If you’re already paying for Prime, adding this card to your arsenal should be a no-brainer. You’d earn rewards for purchases you’re likely already making. But if you aren’t a Prime member and don’t feel like signing up, you could always consider the Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card.

While the perks that come with the Prime Rewards card aren’t super impressive, they could help you get more out of your Amazon.com purchases by protecting them against the winds of change.

How Do I Apply for the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card?

To apply now for the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature, just follow the link below. You’ll be directed to Amazon’s website where you can securely apply. You’ll likely hear back instantly about whether you’ve been approved or denied.

What Credit Scores Do I Need To Qualify for the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card?

Amazon’s site indicates you could be approved with fair credit, but obviously, the higher the credit rating the better.

To qualify for fair credit, your credit scores would need to fall within the ranges of 580–669 for FICO and 650–699 for VantageScore.

However, credit card issuers will take other information into account while making the decision. Issuers will consider things like your income and any monthly mortgage or rent payments, meaning even if your scores are below those ranges, you might still be approved.

But that also means even if your scores are as high or higher than what’s recommended, you could still be denied.

Qualifications and Requirements

Must have or create an Amazon account
Must be a Prime member
Must be 18 to apply
Personal information: Name, date of birth, Social Security number, U.S. citizenship status
Address and contact information: Home address, phone number, email address
Financial information: Total annual income, monthly mortgage or rent payment

Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card

Our rating

Min. credit levelFair

Details

Annual Fee$0

Regular APR14.24% to 22.24% Variable

securely on the issuer's website

HIGHLIGHTS

Requires active Prime membership
Cash back can be redeemed for statement credits or at Amazon.com checkout
Earn 5% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market
Earn 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and drugstores
Earn 1% back on all other purchases
Get a $70 Amazon.com Gift Card instantly upon credit card approval

Frequently Asked Questions

What benefits does the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card have?

The benefits include Visa Signature Concierge, which can help you find event tickets, make dinner reservations, or locate a specific item, and Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection. The luxury hotel collection will give you the best rates, supply room upgrades when they’re available, and provide other amenities like complimentary WiFi.

There’s also a handful of shopping and travel protections. These include purchase protection, extended warranty, rental car insurance, and travel accident insurance. In addition, you’ll be able to earn cash back on all of your purchases.

What’s the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card’s credit limit?

The minimum credit limit for this card is $500, but your credit limit will be determined by several factors. Those factors include your credit scores and your income, meaning it will vary from person to person. If you’re not happy with your initial credit limit, you can request an increase in time.

What happens if I cancel my Amazon Prime membership?

If you lose your Amazon Prime membership, you’ll still be able to use your card, but your rewards rate will drop from 5% cash back at Amazon and Whole Foods to 3%. The next time your card is renewed, you’ll be issued the Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card instead.

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Alternatives to the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card

Amazon’s not your favorite way to shop? Here are some alternatives that might suit you better.

Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card

Our rating:

securely on the issuer's website

Why We Picked It
Rewards
Key Features
Highlights

The Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card is the non-Prime version of the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature card.

As such, it features slightly less impressive rewards, offering 3% cash back for Amazon and Whole Foods purchases rather than 5%. The other rewards are the same, as are the benefits. Meaning your Amazon purchases will still be protected, and so will you while you travel.

The main difference, aside from the rewards, is that you don’t need to be an Amazon Prime member to get it.

Spending Rewards
3% cash back at: Amazon.com Whole Foods Market
2% cash back at: Gas stations Restaurants Drugstores
1% cash back on all other purchases

Introductory Bonus
$50 Amazon.com gift card instantly upon account approval

Visa Signature Concierge: Visa can help you find tickets for entertainment events, locate items to purchase, and make dinner reservations, among other things.
Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection: Get the best rate, access to room upgrades when they’re available, and amenities like in-room WiFi at 900 hotels around the world.
Shopping protections: Purchase protection and extended warranty
Travel protections: Travel accident insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, baggage delay insurance, travel and emergency assistance services, rental car insurance, and roadside dispatch
Purchase and Balance Transfer APR: 15.74%–23.74% Variable
No foreign transaction fee
Annual Fee: $0

Earn 3% cash back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market
Earn 2% cash back at gas stations, restaurants, and drugstores
Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
See your rewards earnings at Amazon checkout
Visa Signature benefits, including a Concierge and the Luxury Hotel Collection
No annual fee or foreign transaction fees

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Our rating:

securely on the issuer's website

Why We Picked It
Rewards
Key Features
Highlights

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express (Review) has one of the highest cash back reward rates around, and earns on purchases you’re already making.

It has an annual fee, though it’s less than the cost of an Amazon Prime membership. And, with its impressive 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 spent annually, then 1%) and on select U.S. streaming services, you should earn enough rewards to cover that fee. Those streaming services even include Amazon Prime Video.

You can also use the Blue Cash Preferred to purchase gift cards, including Amazon’s, which most grocery stores carry. This handy tactic allows you to earn that 6% rate on more than just groceries, expanding your earnings to other stores and even restaurants.

You’ll still get a nice selection of shopping and travel protections, including one the Amazon card doesn’t offer: If the retailer won’t take back a purchase you’ve made, return protection could help you be reimbursed for it regardless.

Spending Rewards
6% cash back: U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 spent annually, then 1%) Select U.S. streaming services
3% cash back: U.S. gas stations Transit
1% cash back on all other purchases

Introductory Bonus
$250 statement credit for spending $1,000 in the first 3 months

Amex Offers: You’ll have access to extra cash back at a wide variety of merchants, and the selection changes now and then.
Entertainment Access: Provides pre-sale tickets to a variety of sports, music, and cultural events, as well as access to certain exclusive experiences
Lowest Hotel Rates Guaranteed: If you book an eligible prepaid hotel room through Amex Travel and then find the same room being advertised online for a lower price, you can be refunded for the difference. You must submit your claim before the check-in date, and be sure to check your card details because some restrictions apply.
Complimentary ShopRunner membership: Cardholders will have access to free two-day shipping and returns through the ShopRunner service.
Shopping protections: Purchase protection, return protection, and extended warranty
Travel protections: Rental car insurance, Global Assist Hotline
Purchase APR: 0% for 12 months, then 13.99% - 23.99% Variable
Annual fee: $95

Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 3 months.
6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
1% Cash Back on other purchases.
Low intro APR: 0% for 12 months on purchases from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 13.99% to 23.99%.
Plan It® gives the option to select purchases of $100 or more to split up into monthly payments with a fixed fee.
Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
$95 Annual Fee.
Terms Apply.

American Express is a Credit Card Insider advertiser.

Citi^® Double Cash Card - 18 month BT offer

Our rating:

securely on the issuer's website

Why We Picked It
Rewards
Key Features
Highlights

The Citi^® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer (Review) is one of the best choices available for flat-rate, no annual fee cash back cards.

While it doesn’t earn nearly as much as the Amazon card, it doesn’t require any subscriptions or annual fee, and offers a pretty good rate for every purchase. There are no bonus categories to keep track of, and you won’t be restricted in where you’ll earn the most rewards. So if you have a wide variety of expenses, the Double Cash could be the right move.

Or you could always use the cards together. Use the Amazon card when shopping with Amazon and Whole Foods, and the Double Cash for everything else.

Spending Rewards
2% cash back for every purchase you make (must pay at least the minimum due on time): 1% back when you make a purchase 1% back when you pay for that purchase

Free FICO credit score: See your Equifax-based FICO Bankcard Score 8 on statements, online, and by mobile app.
Citi Concierge: Get restaurant suggestions, reservations, travel arrangements, shopping research, and more.
Citi Entertainment: Get preferred access and pre-sale tickets to events and experiences, from music to movies.
Purchase APR: 13.99% – 23.99% (Variable)
Balance Transfer APR: 0% for 18 months on Balance Transfers, then 13.99% – 23.99% (Variable)
Annual fee: $0

Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
Balance Transfer Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 13.99% – 23.99%, based on your creditworthiness.
Balance Transfers do not earn cash back.
If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 13.99% – 23.99% based on your creditworthiness. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi’s discretion.

Citi is a Credit Card Insider advertiser.

Costco Anywhere Visa^® Card by Citi

Our rating:

securely on the issuer's website

Why We Picked It
Rewards
Key Features
Highlights

The Costco Anywhere Visa^® Card by Citi (Review) is a pretty good offer from Costco, which, similar to Amazon, houses one of the largest collections of products around. If you prefer to go out shopping yourself, maybe Costco is a better fit than Amazon.

While there isn’t an annual fee, the card does require you to be a Costco member. As of publication, the price of a Costco membership is $60 a year, which is nearly half of what Amazon Prime will run you annually.

But with that reduced membership fee comes less impressive rewards (only 2% back at Costco). However, if you don’t feel like shelling out for an Amazon Prime membership and still want a nice selection of goods to choose from, a Costco membership paired with a Costco card is definitely a viable option.

Spending Rewards
4% cash back on eligible Gas, including gas at Costco; up to $7,000 per year, then 1% back
3% cash back: At Restaurants On Travel
2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com
1% cash back on all other purchases

Shopping protections: Purchase protection and extended warranty
Purchase and Balance Transfer APR: 15.24% (Variable)
No foreign transaction fee
Annual fee: $0 (Costco membership required)

Discover one of Citi’s best cash back rewards cards designed exclusively for Costco members
4% cash back on eligible gas for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter
3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases
2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com
1% cash back on all other purchases
No annual fee with your paid Costco membership and enjoy no foreign transaction fees on purchases
Receive an annual credit card reward certificate, which is redeemable for cash or merchandise at U.S. Costco warehouses, including Puerto Rico
The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 15.24%. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi’s discretion.

Citi is a Credit Card Insider advertiser.

Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card

Our rating

Min. credit levelFair

Details

Annual Fee$0

Regular APR14.24% to 22.24% Variable