How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.
If you regularly shop at Amazon, the Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card provides a great opportunity to earn cash back that can be used to help offset the cost of future purchases. Along with Amazon.com, the card offers an elevated cash back rate at Whole Foods Market, restaurants, gas stations and drugstores. The $0-annual-fee card also offers an Amazon gift card immediately upon card approval.
That said, if you have an Amazon Prime membership, you may be better off with the Prime Visa, since it offer a higher cash back rate at Amazon and Whole Foods.
We highlight the pros and cons of the Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card, and show how it compares to another cash back card — the Discover it® Cash Back — to help you determine which is the right fit for you.
Intro Purchase APR
N/A
Regular Purchase APR
19.99%–28.74% (variable)
Intro BT APR
N/A
Regular BT APR
19.99%–28.74% (variable)
Annual Fee
$0
Cash Advance Fee
Either $5 or 4% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater
Foreign Transaction Fee
$0
Balance Transfer Fee
Either $5 or 4% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Cash back in popular spending categories
The Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card lets cardholders earn 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.
You can use your rewards to pay for part or all of your purchase during checkout at Amazon.com. Rewards can also be redeemed for cash back, gift cards or travel at Chase.com.
Easy-to-earn sign-up bonus
Unlike most rewards cards, which require you to spend a specific amount within a given timeframe in order to earn a sign-up bonus, the Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card comes with a $50 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval.
Annual fee
The Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card comes with a $0 annual fee.
Lower earning potential for non-Prime members
Although the Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card offers a decent cash back rate on Amazon and Whole Food Market purchases, know that you can earn a higher rate of 5% back on those purchases if the Amazon.com account through which you apply for the card has an eligible Prime membership.
With Prime membership, you may be eligible for the Prime Visa, which allows you to 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
No intro APR offer
If you carry a balance on your Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card from month to month, you will be subject to interest charges at an APR of 19.99%–28.74% (variable), since the card doesn’t offer an intro APR on purchases.
If you need to finance a large purchase and pay it off over time, you may be better off with a card that offers a 0% intro APR on purchases for a year or longer.
Eligibility limitations
Because the Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card is issued by Chase, beware that it’s subject to the issuer’s “5/24 rule.” This means, if you opened five personal credit cards from any issuer in the last 24 months, you won’t be eligible for a new Chase credit card.
The $0-annual-fee card lets you 5% cash back at different places each quarter up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically
In fact, cardholders can earn the bonus cash back rate on purchases made at Walmart and grocery stores during the third quarter of 2024, on up to $1,500 in purchases when you activate. For the first time ever, Walmart purchases – both in store and online – will earn 5% cash back.
The Discover it® Cash Back also offers the following sign-up bonus: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
Additionally, cardholders receive a 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases, after which a 18.74% - 27.74% Variable APR applies. There’s also a 0% Intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers, after which a 18.74% - 27.74% Variable APR applies.
| Credit Cards | Our Ratings | Welcome Offer | Rewards Rate | Regular APR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card*
|
$50 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval. | 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. | 19.99%–28.74% (variable) | ||
|
Discover it® Cash Back*
|
Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300. | 5% cash back at different places each quarter up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically | 18.74% - 27.74% Variable APR | ||
Prime Visa*
|
Get a $200 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members | 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 | 19.99%–28.74% Variable | ||
Chase Freedom Flex℠*
|
Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter. Plus, earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases. | 19.74% - 28.49% variable |
If you want to earn a solid cash back rate on Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market purchases, but don’t have an Amazon Prime membership, you may want to consider the Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card. Along with offering rewards in a variety of everyday spending categories, the card comes with an Amazon gift card upon approval and charges a $0 annual fee.
But if you want the opportunity to earn a higher cash back rate in a wider range of spending categories that rotate quarterly, the Discover it® Cash Back may be a better fit. Additionally, the card offers an intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for more than a year.
The information related to the Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card, Prime Visa, Discover it® Cash Back and Chase Freedom Flex℠ has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.
The content above is not provided by any issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of LendingTree alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any issuer. The offers and/or promotions mentioned above may have changed, expired, or are no longer available. Check the issuer's website for more details.
