Prime Visa card review: A must-have for Prime members

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

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. It earns 5% back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases, a substantial return for a card with no annual fee.

We recommend 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

Prime Visa welcome offer

Currently, the Prime Visa offers a $200 Amazon gift card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members.

This is higher than the standard $150 Amazon gift card offer, so we recommend taking advantage of it now because it’s only for a limited time.

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.

Although the 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.

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.

With this card, you’ll also enjoy 10% back on a rotating selection of items and categories. Finally, cardholders usually get access to early deals during Prime Day and can earn boosted rewards during these sales events.

Related: How to track your luggage with Apple AirTags

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

You’ll earn 1% back on all other purchases.

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 everyday 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. No matter which redemption option you choose, you’ll get a value of 1 cent per point.

Other cards allow you to use your rewards to pay for your Amazon purchases, but we only recommend this route if you have the Prime Visa.

For instance, Chase Ultimate Rewards points are worth 2.05 cents apiece, according to TPG’s June 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 1 cent each, 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%). Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. For more details, 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. For more details, 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). For more details, 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 — all for no annual fee. And the limited-time welcome offer of an instant $200 Amazon gift card makes the card even more appealing.

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.