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Fortune
Fortune
Casey Bond

Amazon addict? This cash back card pays you to shop

Photo of the Prime Visa CC over a yellow background with blue abstract shapes. (Credit: Photo illustration by Fortune; Original photo by Amazon)

Why we like this card: The Prime Visa offers impressive cash back that goes beyond just Amazon purchases. Prime members stand to get a lot of value out of this card, especially if they’re avid travelers, too. The fact that there’s no annual fee is an added bonus.

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • Competitive rewards
  • Amazon gift card for new cardholders

Cons

  • Eligible Prime membership required
  • No 0% introductory APR offer

Prime Visa: Overview

APR

  • Intro: N/A
  • Purchase: 19.49%–27.49% variable
  • Balance transfer: 19.49%–27.49% variable, plus a fee of either $5 or 4% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
  • Cash advance: 29.99% variable, plus a fee of either $5 or 4% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater
  • Penalty: up to 29.99% variable

Annual fee: $0

Foreign transaction fee: None

Late payment fee: up to $39

My Chase LoanSM fee: Monthly fee of 1.72% of the amount of each eligible purchase transaction or amount selected to create a My Chase Plan

The Prime Visa offers a suite of benefits tailored specifically for Amazon Prime members. It offers a generous rewards structure that allows cardholders earn cash back on every purchase, with the highest rewards rate of 5% on purchases at Amazon, Whole Foods, and Chase Travel. Cardholders also earn a competitive 2% back on restaurants, gas stations, and local transit and commuting, including rideshare. All other purchases earn 1% back.

In addition to cash back, cardholders also enjoy features such as purchase protection, extended warranty protection, rental car coverage, and more. Plus, new cardholders automatically receive a $100 Amazon gift card loaded to their account when they are approved. Despite these many benefits, the card doesn’t charge an annual fee. Overall, this card is a solid option for Prime members who spend a lot on Amazon and travel purchases.

Prime Visa: Rewards

The Prime Visa offers a generous cash back structure:

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

Eligible Prime cardmembers can also earn 10% back or more on a rotating selection of items and categories on Amazon.com.

Additionally, Prime members get a $100 (or more) Amazon gift card instantly loaded into their account upon approval.

How to redeem Prime Visa rewards

There are a few different ways to redeem your cash back rewards.

Shop with points

One of the most convenient ways to redeem cash back is by using it when you shop at Amazon.com. During checkout, you can use your rewards to pay for part or all of your purchase. There’s no minimum rewards balance required. When redeemed through this method toward eligible purchases, each 100 points equals $1.00.

Redeem for travel

You can also use your points to purchase airline tickets, hotel rooms, car rentals, and more by booking through the Chase Travel portal.

Get cash back

If you’d like to redeem your rewards for cash back, you can opt to receive a statement credit or get a check mailed to you.

Additional benefits

In addition to cash back, the Prime Visa offers the following benefits and perks:

  • Auto rental col­li­sion damage waiver: Receive secondary rental coverage on most cars when you decline the rental company’s collision insurance and charge the entire rental cost to your card. 
  • Baggage delay insurance: If your baggage is delayed by more than six hours, you can get reimbursed for essential purchases up to $100 a day for three days.
  • Extended warranty protection: Extends the time period of the U.S. manufacturer’s warranty by an additional year, on eligible warranties of three years or less.
  • Lost luggage reimbursement: You’re covered up to $3,000 per passenger If you or an immediate family member check or carry on luggage that is damaged or lost by the carrier.
  • Roadside assistance: Help will be dispatched if you experience a roadside emergency, and roadside service fees will be billed to your card.
  • Travel accident insurance: You are eligible for accidental death or dismemberment coverage of up to $500,000 when you pay for your air, bus, train, or cruise transportation with your card.
  • Travel and emergency assistance services: Contact the benefit administrator for legal and medical referrals or other travel and emergency assistance if needed. Keep in mind that you’ll be responsible for the cost of any goods or services obtained.
  • Pur­chase pro­tec­tion: New purchases are covered for 120 days against damage or theft up to $500 per claim and $50,000 per account.

Is the Prime Visa right for you?

The Prime Visa is designed for Amazon Prime members. So if that’s not you, this card won’t offer as much value as other cash back cards on the market. 

Credit cards similar to the Prime Visa

If you’re shopping around for a cash back credit card, it’s a good idea to compare a few options before making a decision. Consider these alternatives to the Prime Visa.

Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card vs. Prime Visa

Designed for cardholders who aren’t Prime members, the Amazon Visa is nearly identical to the Prime Visa, except that it offers 3% cash back on Amazon, Whole Foods, and Chase travel purchases. If you’re not interested in spending the money on a Prime membership but are still a regular Amazon customer, the Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card may be a good option.

U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card vs. Prime Visa

Another way to get a high cash back rate on Amazon purchases, or another retailer of your choice, is opting for the U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards card. Each quarter, you can select two retailers from a list of 24 and earn 6% back on a combined $1,500 of spending for the quarter. This list includes Amazon.com, Best Buy, Chewy.com, Disney, Nordstrom, and more. Keep in mind that if you forget to choose your 6% stores, you’ll earn just 1.5% back instead. There’s also an annual fee of $95, which is waived in the first year.

Frequently asked questions

Does Prime Visa affect credit score?

Applying for the Prime Visa will result in a hard inquiry on your credit report, which has a negligible impact on your score. Payment activity is also reported to the credit bureaus.

What is a Prime Visa card?

The Prime Visa card is a cash back credit card designed for Amazon Prime members who want to earn money back on their spending.

Is Amazon Prime Visa card worth it?

If you are a Prime member and frequently shop at Amazon and Whole Foods, the Prime Visa card is likely worth it.


Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.

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