Best Amazon credit cards in 2024
Published 9:46 AM EDT, Fri July 12, 2024
It’s easy to rack up spending on Amazon — especially on Prime Day — and you can get just about anything under the sun, even groceries, thanks to the integration of Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh.
If you spend a lot with Amazon, you should have a strategy to get the biggest return from your expenses. But what’s the best credit card for Amazon purchases? You might want a co-branded card or a strong general rewards credit card.
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Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That’s 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards?, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO? credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Our team of experts evaluated 20 candidates for the best credit cards for Amazon. Using a data-based approach, we narrowed down the list to the top six credit cards that scored highly based on our weightings. Read our full methodology below.
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Prime Visa: *Best Amazon credit card
The information for the Prime Visa has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
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Amazon Business Prime American Express Card: *Best small-business card for Prime members
The information for the Amazon Business Prime American Express Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
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Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Best for flexible travel rewards
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Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Best premium card
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Wells Fargo Active Cash? Card: Best for flat-rate cash rewards
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Chase Freedom Flex?: *Best for rotating 5% categories
The information for the Chase Freedom Flex? has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
All information about Amazon Business Prime American Express Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored.
Prime Visa
*The information for the Prime Visa has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.
Amazon Business Prime American Express Card
*The information for the Amazon Business Prime American Express Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.
All information about Amazon Business Prime American Express Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.
Wells Fargo Active Cash? Card
The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.
Chase Freedom Flex?
*The information for the Chase Freedom Flex? has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.
Our picks at a glance
| Annual fee | Welcome bonus | Best for | Rewards rate at Amazon | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Prime Visa * The information for the Prime Visa has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. | $0 (but requires Amazon Prime membership)
| $100 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members
| Amazon overall
| 5% cash back
|
Amazon Business Prime American Express Card * The information for the Amazon Business Prime American Express Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. | $0 (but requires Amazon Prime personal or business account)
| $125 Amazon.com gift card upon approval for the card
| Small businesses with Prime memberships
| 5% cash back
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Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
| $95
| 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within three months of account opening, plus a one-time $250 Capital One Travel credit in your first card holder year
| Flexible travel rewards
| 2 miles per dollar
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Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
| $395
| 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening
| Premium features
| 2 miles per dollar
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Wells Fargo Active Cash? Card
| $0
| $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first three months
| Flat-rate cash rewards
| 2% cash rewards
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Chase Freedom Flex? * The information for the Chase Freedom Flex? has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. | $0
| $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first three months from account opening
| Rotating 5% categories
| 5% back on up to $1,500 spent in a quarter when Amazon is a rotating bonus category (otherwise 1%)
|
All information about Amazon Business Prime American Express Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored.
Overview of Amazon credit card options
There are two categories of credit cards that are good options for Amazon spending. Most obvious are the co-branded Amazon credit cards that are built for Amazon spending:
- Prime Visa
- Amazon Visa Credit Card * The information for the Amazon Visa Credit Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
- Amazon Business Prime Amex Card
- Amazon Business American Express Card * The information for the Amazon Business American Express Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
- Amazon Prime Store Card * The information for the Amazon Prime Store Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
- Amazon Secured Card * The information for the Amazon Secured Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
All information about Amazon Business American Express Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored.
Note that your eligibility for a given co-branded card depends, in part, on whether you’re a Prime member. Second, the business cards are only for those who have a business — though even activities like dog sitting through Rover or selling items on Etsy may qualify.
Beyond these options are general rewards credit cards that aren’t Amazon-specific, but fit the spending habits of those who routinely buy through Amazon. They are often good choices for any spending category, and can be either cash back or travel rewards credit cards.
Amazon-branded credit cards can also be good options for more than just Amazon-related purchases. For example:
- The Prime Visa earns 5% back on purchases made through Chase Travel?, 2% back at gas stations, restaurants and on local transit and commuting, and 1% back on everything else.
- The Amazon Visa earns 3% back on purchases made through Chase Travel, 2% back at restaurants, gas stations and on local transit and commuting, and 1% back on everything else.
All the co-branded cards except the store card and secured card also come with extended warranty protection and purchase protection that can cover you in the event of theft or damage for months after your purchase date, among other perks. Both the Amazon Store Card and Amazon Secured are closed-loop, meaning you can only use them for Amazon spending.
What is the best Amazon card for you?
Only a handful of co-branded Amazon credit cards exist. But a lot of credit cards can suit an Amazon shopper. Here are a few things to ask yourself as you sift through the horde:
- How much do you spend at Amazon companies? If you spend a lot at Amazon.com, Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh, a personal Amazon credit card is likely for you. Prime members get 5% cash back on eligible spending with no cap.
- Are you willing to pay for Amazon Prime? If you’ve already got Amazon Prime, opening an Amazon credit card will give you a whopping 5% back on eligible purchases.
- Do you shop online heavily elsewhere? If Amazon is just one of the many sites you visit, it could be better to pick up a card that rewards you for online shopping — or perhaps one that earns a flat rate on all purchases.
- What is your credit score? If your credit score is in the basement, you’re not likely to qualify for the best Amazon credit cards. Instead, you should check out the best credit cards for bad credit.
- Are you looking for a big welcome offer? Amazon credit cards are not known for their jaw-dropping intro offers, but the best credit card sign-up bonuses are worth hundreds of dollars.
How to apply for an Amazon credit card
Applying for an Amazon credit card is similar to applying for any other credit card. To get a co-branded Amazon card, you’ll first have to sign into your Amazon account. This helps Amazon to know which card to offer you.
You can only apply for the Prime Visa if you’re an Amazon Prime customer. Otherwise, you’ll be sent to the plain old Amazon Visa application.
Beyond that, you’ll need to enter details such as your Social Security number (SSN) and some financial information. You’ll also need to answer a security question that you’ve already established through your Amazon account. Other information, such as your name and address, should be autofilled from your Amazon profile.
How to maximize rewards with an Amazon credit card
You can use the rewards you earn on co-branded Amazon cards to offset your Amazon cart at checkout. With little exception, this is a bad use of your points. That’s because you’ll earn lots of rewards for Amazon spending — so lowering your final bill will reduce the amount of rewards you receive. Instead, request a statement credit when you’re ready to cash out.
If you don’t have a co-branded card, be sure to look out for points promotions. For example, a targeted Chase offer in November 2023 gave cardholders up to 50% off their carts if they paid at least partly with Chase points.
American Express cards come with a benefit called Amex Offers. These are digital offers that can help you save money or earn bonus rewards on everyday expenses, sometimes including Amazon purchases. Simply add the relevant offers to your credit card, and you’ll be rewarded when you satisfy its terms.
Methodology
Our money and data analytics teams evaluated 20 credit cards that had the potential to be one of the best Amazon credit cards. We then narrowed down our list of the best Amazon cards by giving them a star rating out of five based on the following factors and our editorial judgment:
Rewards value (25%)
Many credit cards earn rewards, but not all credit card points and miles are worth the same amount. We used spending data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and estimates of rewards values from The Points Guy to determine which cards dole out the best rewards value.
Welcome bonus value (25%)
Many cards offer bonus cash back, points or miles to consumers who spend a certain amount in their first months with the card. We calculated how much those bonuses are worth using points valuations from The Points Guy, and boosted cards that offer more value.
Pricing and fees (25%)
Cards with no or low annual fees, no or low foreign transaction fees and competitive variable APRs received a boost compared to cards with higher fees and rates.
Benefits (20%)
Cards that offer benefits such as cell phone protection, purchase protection, extended warranty and a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers received a boost.
Annual credits and bonuses (5%)
Credit cards that come with credits and bonuses for spending in categories including groceries, dining, entertainment and gas received a boost.
What didn’t make the cut
Listed above are our picks for the best credit cards for Amazon shoppers. There are a handful of other credit cards that do well with Amazon spending, but they weren’t quite good enough to make the cut for a number of reasons. For example:
- Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card * The information for the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. : You can elect to earn 3% back on online shopping, but you’re capped at $2,500 in combined spending in this and the card’s 2% bonus back categories each quarter. After you hit the cap, you’ll earn 1% back.
- Blue Cash Everyday? Card from American Express: You’ll earn 3% cash back on U.S. online retail shopping, but you’re subject to a yearly $6,000 cap. After that, you’ll earn 1% back (terms apply, see rates and fees).
- U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards? Visa Signature? Card * The information for the U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards? Visa Signature? Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. : You’ll get an incredible 6% return back for two retailers of your choosing (including Amazon), but you’re capped at $1,500 in spending each quarter. After that, you’ll earn 1.5% back. The card also charges a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- Other Amazon credit cards: The Amazon Visa and the Amazon Business American Express Card both scored well and neither requires a Prime membership, making them more accessible. But if you spend enough with Amazon to justify opening a co-branded card, a Prime membership is likely also worth the cost. If you have subpar credit, you could consider the Amazon Secured, which requires a refundable security deposit to open and can only be used for eligible Amazon and Whole Foods spending. Similarly, the Amazon Store Card will only work on eligible spending with Amazon.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
An Amazon credit card is worth it for those who spend a lot with Amazon. Co-branded Amazon credit cards reward you for eligible purchases with Amazon. Co-branded small business cards can be good fits for businesses that spend a lot with Amazon Business or AWS.
You can use your Amazon consumer credit card anywhere Visa is accepted, and Amazon’s small business cards can be used anywhere American Express is accepted. Only the Amazon Store Card and Amazon Secured are restricted to eligible Amazon purchases.
You’ll generally need at least a good credit score (at least 670 on FICO’s scale) to open rewards credit cards, including an Amazon credit card. However, Amazon’s secured card and store card should be easier to obtain for those with less than perfect credit.
You typically can’t get free Amazon Prime simply by holding a credit card. However, Prime gets you access to co-branded cards with higher rewards rates on eligible Amazon spending. These rewards can potentially offset the annual cost of a Prime subscription.
To view rates and fees for Blue Cash Everyday? Card from American Express, please visit this page.
All information about Amazon Business American Express Card, Amazon Business Prime American Express Card, Amazon Prime Store Card, Amazon Secured Card, Amazon Visa Credit Card, Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card, Chase Freedom Flex?, Prime Visa and U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards? Visa Signature? Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines, hotel chain, or other commercial entity and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of such entities.
This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended and should not be understood to constitute financial, investment, insurance or legal advice. All individuals are encouraged to seek advice from a qualified financial professional before making any financial, insurance or investment decisions.
Note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed or may no longer be available.
