Key takeaways
- With Amazon’s Prime Day fast approaching, now is a great time to sign up for an Amazon credit card.
- Among the options are cards that offer welcome bonuses upon approval and high ongoing rewards for everyday purchases.
- Choosing between the Amazon Prime Store Card and the Amazon Prime Visa depends on which perks you want and whether you want to earn rewards on all your purchases or just your Amazon-related purchases.
The best credit cards for shopping on Amazon let users earn the top rewards rate on everything they buy from Amazon and its associated brands, like Whole Foods. That said, there’s more than one Amazon credit card to consider, so you’ll need to do some research before you apply. And if you’re planning to take advantage of Amazon Prime Day on July 16 – 17, you’ll want to act fast.
Synchrony Bank offers the Amazon Prime Store Card, which is limited to use within the Amazon universe. If you’re looking for a card to use for purchases with Amazon and beyond, you should consider the the Prime Visa offered by Chase (formerly known as the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card).
Main Details
Although both the Amazon Store Card and the Amazon Prime Visa can enhance your shopping experience, it’s good to know which Amazon card is best for your financial situation and Amazon shopping habits. Essentially, your card of choice will boil down to your credit score, how often you shop on Amazon and whether you’re an Amazon Prime member. Here’s a quick guide to these two Amazon credit card options to help you choose the best one for your lifestyle.
| Amazon Prime Store Card | Prime Visa | |
|---|---|---|
| Rewards rate |
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| Sign-up bonus | $10 Amazon gift card upon approval | $200 Amazon gift card upon approval |
| Annual fee | $0 (but requires $139 Amazon Prime membership) | $0 (but requires $139 Amazon Prime membership) |
| Card perks |
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Amazon Prime Store Card vs. Prime Visa: Highlights
Synchrony and Chase offer two separate versions of Amazon Prime credit cards that differ mainly in the type of rewards they offer and where you can use the card. Chase offers the open-loop Amazon Prime Visa Card — meaning you can use it at more than just Amazon. Synchrony offers the closed-loop Amazon Prime Store Card, which means you can only use it on Amazon-related purchases. Comparing the two cards, the Prime Visa card wins with its welcome bonus offer of a $200 gift card, which is significantly higher than the $10 gift card offered by the other card. The Prime Visa card stands out for its rewards rate, offering 5 percent cash back on both Amazon purchases and Chase Travel portal purchases. Additionally, you can earn 2 percent cash back at restaurants, gas stations, and local transit, making it a versatile option for everyday spending.
Earning 1 percent back on non-Amazon purchases with the Prime Visa Signature card can be a nice extra perk for those who want to earn rewards on all their spending, not just at Amazon. However, the Amazon Prime Store Card’s restriction to Amazon brands limits your earning potential, so you might miss out on rewards for purchases from other retailers.