Prime Visa card review: A must-have for Prime members
The Amazon Prime Visa card is a standout option for frequent Amazon shoppers, offering a compelling rewards structure that makes it a strong contender in the cash-back credit card market. With no annual fee, cardholders can earn 5% back on purchases made at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, and Whole Foods Market, along with 2% back on gas stations, local transit, and dining. Additionally, cardholders can earn 10% back or more on selected products during promotional periods. For those who already have a Prime membership, the card also features an attractive welcome offer: a $250 Amazon gift card upon approval, making it a valuable choice for those who spend significantly on Amazon and its affiliated brands.
However, the Prime Visa card is not for everyone. A paid Prime membership is required to apply, and the card’s rewards structure primarily benefits those who regularly shop on Amazon. For individuals who do not frequently use Amazon or Whole Foods, the card may not provide enough value. While the card does come with some useful protections, such as baggage delay insurance and purchase protection, it’s important to consider whether these benefits align with your spending habits. For those who do prioritize Amazon purchases, the Prime Visa simplifies the redemption process, allowing rewards to be easily applied at checkout or redeemed for cash back or gift cards through Chase Travel.
In conclusion, the Amazon Prime Visa card is an excellent option for cash-back enthusiasts who want to maximize their rewards on everyday purchases at Amazon and Whole Foods. Its straightforward earning structure, combined with the enticing welcome offer, makes it particularly appealing as the holiday season approaches. However, for those who are not Prime members or who prefer to earn travel rewards, other cards may provide better value. Ultimately, the Prime Visa card is a smart addition for anyone looking to enhance their shopping experience on Amazon while earning cash back on their purchases.
Prime Visa card overview
Amazon’s
Prime Visa
(see
rates and fees
) is a solid earner, with bonus rewards on Amazon purchases, Chase Travel℠, gas, dining and commuting. That makes it a strong contender for those who spend big with Amazon and its affiliated brands.
Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐½
*
Card rating
is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Most of the time, we recommend saying ”
no thanks
” when a cashier (or online pop-up) asks if you want to apply for a store credit card at checkout. The discount you’ll get on your purchase is rarely as valuable as the
welcome bonuses
other cards offer, and most store cards have disappointing earning structures.
But there are a few exceptions to that rule, and the
Prime Visa
is one of them.
The Prime Visa is worth considering if you spend a lot of your budget at Amazon or Whole Foods and want the best earning rate for those purchases for no annual fee.
We recommend that applicants have a
credit score
of 670 or above to increase their chances of approval. While the card itself has no annual fee, you’ll still need a paid Prime membership to qualify.
Although it offers solid rewards, it’s not the best fit for everyone. Here’s what you need to know to decide if the Prime Visa deserves a spot in your wallet.
Prime Visa pros and cons
Pros
Cons
- No annual fee
- Bonus rewards on Amazon and Whole Foods
- Exclusive bonuses on items and categories on Amazon
- Doesn’t hold much value for those who don’t use Amazon often
- An eligible Prime membership is required
Prime Visa welcome offer
Currently, for a limited time, the
Prime Visa
offers a $250 Amazon gift card instantly upon approval, exclusively for Prime members.
THE POINTS GUY
When you consider that this is a no-annual-fee card, that’s a solid welcome bonus — especially since it’s delivered instantly upon approval, with no spending requirement. This matches the best-ever bonus we’ve seen on this card, which was only offered once this July for just a week.
Although this card has no annual fee, you need a
Prime membership
to get the Prime Visa. Since this is a Chase card, you’ll want to be under Chase’s
5/24 rule
to increase your chances of approval.
Related:
The best credit cards for Amazon purchases
Prime Visa benefits
We usually don’t expect many benefits from a card without an annual fee, but the
Prime Visa
has some surprising perks.
As a cardholder, you’ll enjoy the following protections:
Baggage delay insurance
Extended warranty protection
Lost luggage reimbursement
Purchase protection
Travel accident insurance
Additionally, the Prime Visa doesn’t charge
foreign transaction fees
, a huge plus for a card without an annual fee.
AMERICAN EXPRESS
It seems like we hear a new horror story of someone’s lost luggage every day, so having baggage protection on top of earning bonus rewards on your
Apple AirTags
purchase through Amazon is a great benefit.
Finally, cardholders usually get access to early deals during Prime Day and can earn boosted rewards during these sales events.
Earning cash back on the Prime Visa
The
Prime Visa
earns 5% back on the following categories:
Amazon.com
Amazon Fresh
Whole Foods Market
Travel booked through
Chase Travel
It also earns 2% back in these categories:
Gas stations
Local transit and commuting
(including ride-hailing services)
Restaurants
Finally, cardholders can earn 10% back or more on a rotating selection of products and categories on Amazon.
You’ll earn 1% back on all other purchases.
OSCAR WONG/GETTY IMAGES
No other card consistently offers this high of a return on Amazon purchases, so this earning structure is excellent for anyone who spends a large portion of their budget at Amazon and Whole Foods.
If you want to stick to just one card, the additional 2% back categories are decent for day-to-day spending.
However, you can get higher earning rates on gas, restaurants and other
everyday spending
categories with other cards, so the Prime Visa works best as just one part of a larger card strategy.
Related:
The best rewards credit cards for each bonus category
Redeeming cash back on the Prime Visa
One of the Prime Visa’s best qualities is the ease of redeeming rewards. You’ll see your rewards on your Amazon checkout screen and can use them to pay for part or all of your purchases at Amazon.com.
Alternatively, you can redeem your rewards for
cash back
, gift cards or travel through Chase Travel.
DARIA NIPOT/GETTY IMAGES
Other cards allow you to use your rewards to pay for your Amazon purchases, but the redemption value you’ll get for your rewards is generally less than what the Prime Visa can provide.
For instance, Chase Ultimate Rewards points are worth 2.05 cents apiece, according to TPG’s November 2025
valuations
— but you get less than 1 cent per point if you use those points to pay for a purchase on Amazon.com.
On the other hand, your Prime Visa rewards are worth the same whether you use them to cover an Amazon purchase, receive cash back or book travel through Chase Travel.
Related:
How to get maximum value from your Chase Ultimate Rewards
Which cards compete with the Prime Visa?
If you don’t have a Prime membership or don’t spend much of your budget at Amazon or Whole Foods, one of these cards may be a better choice for you:
If you want to earn more on other online purchases:
The
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
has no annual fee (see
rates and fees
) and earns 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1% back). Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout. To learn more, check out our
full review of the Amex Blue Cash Everyday
.
If you want to earn more on dining and drugstore purchases:
The
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
(see
rates and fees
) has no annual fee and earns bonus rewards on dining and drugstores, with no spending cap. To learn more, check out our
full review of the Freedom Unlimited
.
If you want to earn a flat rate on all your purchases:
The
Citi Double Cash® Card
(see
rates and fees
) has no annual fee and earns 2% back on all purchases (1% when you buy and 1% when you pay). To learn more, check out our
full review of the Citi Double Cash
.
For additional options, see our list of
best cash-back credit cards
and
best store credit cards
.
Related:
Store vs. cash-back credit cards: Which one should I get?
Is the Prime Visa worth it?
If you already have a Prime membership and want to earn cash-back rewards, the
Prime Visa
is a good card to start with or add to your existing portfolio. However, if you don’t have a Prime membership or are focused on earning
travel rewards
, you’ll probably get more value from a different card.
Bottom line
The
Prime Visa
is a great choice if you prefer cash back over complex travel rewards. It earns an unbeatable 5% back at Amazon and Whole Foods, with straightforward redemption options, for no annual fee.
The welcome offer of an instant $250 Amazon gift card makes the card even more appealing, especially with the holiday season fast approaching.
But if you plan to use points and miles for your next big trip, you’ll want to use a card that earns travel rewards on your Amazon purchases instead.
No matter which route you choose, you can’t go wrong with a card that earns rewards every time you click “Buy now” on Amazon.
Apply here:
Prime Visa
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express, click
here
.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
