An Amazon credit card can make a good addition to your wallet if you’re a frequent Amazon shopper or Amazon Prime member. Depending on which Amazon credit card you get, you can enjoy cashback rewards, special financing, travel protections, and Amazon gift cards.
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What is an Amazon Credit Card?
An Amazon credit card is a credit card that rewards customers and Prime members for shopping at Amazon and Amazon-owned businesses.
Amazon credit cards come in different forms, ranging from store cards to Visa cards. There are six types of consumer-focused Amazon credit cards:
- Amazon.com Store Card
- Amazon Prime Store Card
- Amazon Secured Card
- Amazon Prime Secured Card
- Amazon Rewards Visa® Signature
- Amazon Prime Rewards Visa® Signature
The Amazon store cards and secured cards are issued by Synchrony Bank, while the Amazon Visa cards are issued by Chase. All of the cards can be used to make purchases at Amazon and Amazon-owned businesses, but only the Visa cards can be used at non-Amazon-affiliated locations.
Amazon also offers business-exclusive credit cards, such as the Amazon Business American Express.
What’s the Difference Between Amazon Credit Cards?
As mentioned, the store and secured cards, and the Visa cards are issued by different banks and have different ranges of use.
Within the store, secured, and Visa card categories, Amazon credit cards are further distinguished by whether they’re available to Prime or non-Prime members. While all Amazon credit cards boast a $0 annual fee, Prime membership costs $139/year. Additionally, the secured cards require a one-time security deposit upon account opening.
Here’s a breakdown of the key differences between Amazon credit cards:
Comparing Amazon Credit Cards
| Card name | Issuer | Available to non-Prime members? | Minimum deposit required | Can be used at | APR | Rewards rate | Welcome bonus | Credit score needed to qualify |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon.com Store Card | Synchrony Bank | Yes | N/A | Amazon & Amazon-owned businesses | 25.99% (variable) | N/A | $60 Amazon gift card | Fair |
| Amazon Prime Store Card | Synchrony Bank | No | N/A | Amazon & Amazon-owned businesses | 25.99% (variable) | 5% | $60 Amazon gift card | Fair |
| Amazon Secured Card | Synchrony Bank | Yes | $100 | Amazon & Amazon-owned businesses | 10% | N/A | N/A | Poor |
| Amazon Prime Secured Card | Synchrony Bank | No | $100 | Amazon & Amazon-owned businesses | 10% | 2% | N/A | Poor |
| Amazon Rewards Visa® Signature | Chase | Yes | N/A | Anywhere Visa is accepted | 14.24%–22.24% (variable) | 1%-3% | $50 Amazon gift card | Good |
| Amazon Prime Rewards Visa® Signature | Chase | No | N/A | Anywhere Visa is accepted | 14.24%–22.24% (variable) | 1%-5% | $100 Amazon gift card | Good |
Amazon Credit Card Important Details
Should I Get an Amazon Credit Card?
FinanceJar verdict
You should get an Amazon credit card if you regularly shop at Amazon and don’t mind getting a hard inquiry on your credit report when you apply for the credit card.
You may see SYNCB/Amazon PLCC on your credit report after applying for an Amazon store card, or JPMCB Card after applying for an Amazon Visa. These are products of the respective card issuers performing hard inquiries to determine your eligibility for the card. While hard inquiries can knock a few points off your credit score, these deductions only last up to two years.
We consider the hard inquiry the biggest deterrent to applying for an Amazon credit card. Otherwise, an Amazon unsecured card comes at no additional cost, offers meaningful benefits to Amazon shoppers, and earns you an automatic gift card upon approval.
Who is an Amazon credit card for?
While anyone can apply for an Amazon credit card, Amazon cards can most benefit the following types of borrowers:
- Amazon shoppers: The Amazon store cards, secured cards, and Visa cards are all geared toward frequent Amazon shoppers who want to more easily finance their Amazon purchases or be rewarded for their Amazon loyalty. As the unsecured card options offer gift cards upon approval, anyone who can put that extra Amazon cash to good use can benefit from an Amazon credit card.
- Amazon shoppers with no/bad credit: While the Amazon secured cards don’t come with welcome bonus gift cards, they do offer credit card options to people with bad credit or limited credit history. If you’re a frequent Amazon shopper and need to build your credit history, using an Amazon secured credit card is a great way to do so.
- Amazon Prime members: Amazon Prime members enjoy the most benefits from the Amazon credit cards, including higher rewards rates and generous welcome bonuses. Additionally, Prime members will have access to Prime-exclusive discounts and deals for Amazon credit card users (e.g., 15% cash back on outdoor furniture for a limited period of time, or 10% discount on kitchen supplies).
FAQs About Amazon Credit Cards
1. Is an Amazon credit card hard to get?
Approval odds for Amazon credit cards vary. While you can more easily qualify for an Amazon store card (as you only need a credit score of around 600 or higher), the Amazon Visa cards are harder to qualify for (as they require a credit score of around 690 or higher).
The Amazon secured cards are the easiest to get, as even borrowers with bad credit or limited credit can qualify.
2. How do I apply for an Amazon credit card?
To apply for an Amazon credit card, go to the Amazon Credit Card Marketplace, select the card you want, then click “Apply Now.”
Note that the Amazon.com Store Card and Amazon Prime Store Card do not have separate applications. Which card you qualify for will depend on whether or not you have a Prime membership. The same applies to the Amazon Secured Card and Amazon Prime Secured Card.
3. Where can I use my Amazon credit card?
You can use the Amazon Rewards Visa® Signature card and Amazon Prime Rewards Visa® Signature card anywhere Visa is accepted.
You can use the Amazon store cards to make purchases at the following locations:
- Amazon Marketplace
- Amazon Business
- Amazon Prime
- Amazon Go
- Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- Audible
- Amazon Bookstore
- Amazon’s 4-star stores
- Alexa Skills
- Amazon Pay
- Amazon Fresh
- Hoot.com
- Comixology.com
The Amazon secured cards can only be used to make purchases at Amazon.com and physical Amazon stores.
4. How do I pay my Amazon credit card bill?
There are separate methods for paying Amazon store cards and secured cards, and Visa cards, depending on the issuing bank.
You can pay your Amazon store card or Amazon secured card in any of the following ways:
- Online: Log into your account on https://amazon.syf.com/login/ to pay online.
- By phone: Call Synchrony Bank at (866) 634-8379 to make payments through an automated system or customer service representative.
- By mail: Mail a check or money order to Synchrony Bank*.
*The mail address for paying your Synchrony Bank credit card bill is:
Synchrony Bank / Amazon
P.O. Box 960013
Orlando, FL 32896-0013
You can pay your Amazon Visa card in any of the following ways:
- Online: By either logging in to your account or using the Chase Mobile app.
- By phone: You can call customer service at the phone number on the back of your card or on your billing statement, or you can make a payment using the automated phone service at (800) 436-7958.
- At a Chase ATM or branch: You can use an online locator to help you find the nearest one.
- By Western Union: Use the Code City: WALNUT.
- By mail: Mail your check or money order to Chase*, and include your name and account number.
*The mail address for paying your Chase credit card bill is:
Cardmember Services
P.O. Box 6294
Carol Stream, IL 60197-6294
