Amazon Store Card vs Amazon Visa: A Comprehensive Comparison

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If you're an Amazon shopper, you've probably considered applying for an Amazon Store Card or Amazon Visa to earn rewards on your purchases. The Amazon Store Card offers a 5% discount on all purchases made on Amazon, with no annual fee.

The Amazon Visa, on the other hand, offers a 3% cashback on purchases made at Amazon, as well as 2% cashback at gas stations and restaurants and 1% cashback on all other purchases. The Visa card also comes with a $100 sign-up bonus after spending $500 in the first 3 months.

Both cards are designed for frequent Amazon shoppers, but they cater to different spending habits and preferences. The Amazon Store Card is ideal for those who want a straightforward discount on their purchases, while the Amazon Visa is better suited for those who want a more complex rewards structure.

Why Get an Amazon Store Card or Visa?

If you're an Amazon loyalist, getting an Amazon Store Card or Visa can be a great way to earn rewards on your purchases. The Amazon Store Card offers 5% back in rewards points on eligible purchases, which is an outstanding rewards rate.

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For Prime members, the Amazon Prime Visa is a good choice, offering 5% back in rewards points on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases, as well as other benefits like travel accident insurance and no foreign transaction fee. You can also earn rewards on purchases made through Chase Travel and at restaurants, gas stations, and on local transit and commuting.

However, if you don't shop on Amazon often, a general cash back card might be a better option, providing more flexibility in earning and redeeming rewards. The Amazon Visa, also issued by Chase, offers competitive rewards for no annual fee, making it a good choice for regular Amazon shoppers.

Here are some benefits of the Amazon Prime Visa:

  • Travel accident insurance
  • No foreign transaction fee
  • Travel upgrades through the Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection
  • Rental car coverage
  • Lost luggage reimbursement
  • Extended warranties
  • Baggage delay insurance
  • Roadside dispatch

These benefits add an unexpected level of value to the Amazon Prime Visa, making it a great choice for Prime members who spend liberally at Amazon and its other brands.

Features and Benefits

With an Amazon card, you can earn up to 5% cash back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases, which is a high cash back rate for Amazon.

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Both the Amazon Prime Visa and Amazon Prime Store Card offer 5% back on Amazon.com purchases if you have a current Amazon Prime membership.

You won't be eligible for zero-interest financing if you select this option with the Amazon.com Store Card, so be aware of that.

The Amazon Prime Visa offers 5% back at Whole Foods, which may be a very tempting rewards rate if you're a frequent Whole Foods shopper.

Here are some benefits of the Amazon Prime Visa:

  • No foreign transaction fees when traveling abroad
  • Travel accident insurance
  • Baggage delay insurance
  • Auto rental collision damage waiver
  • Lost luggage reimbursement

The Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card offers no annual fees, which is a plus.

You can earn 3% cash back on Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, and Whole Foods Market with the Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card.

Here's a comparison of the cash back rates for Amazon cards:

The Amazon Business Prime American Express Card offers 5% back on U.S. purchases at Amazon Business, AWS, Amazon, and Whole Foods, up to $120,000 annually.

If you're a small-business owner who spends big at Amazon, those 5% rewards can add up and offset your Prime membership.

Pros and Cons

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Understanding the benefits and drawbacks of Amazon credit cards can help you decide if they're right for your spending habits and financial goals.

The key advantages of an Amazon credit card include rewards in the form of cashback or points that can be redeemed for purchases on Amazon. You can earn up to 5% cashback on purchases made on Amazon, which can add up quickly.

One major drawback of Amazon credit cards is the potential for overspending. If you're not careful, you might end up buying more than you need or want just to earn rewards.

Usage and Redemption

The Amazon Store Card and Amazon Visa both offer rewards programs, but how do you actually use and redeem those rewards? There are three redemption options available for the closed-loop Amazon Prime Store Card's rewards.

You can choose to redeem your rewards points for a one-time statement credit, which is a straightforward option. Alternatively, you can opt for automatic statement credit at the end of each billing cycle, which can help you stay on top of your rewards earnings.

The rewards points have a valuation of 1 point equaling $1, making the redemption process very simple to understand.

Where to Use

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You can use Amazon credit cards at a wide range of locations, but the specifics depend on the type of card you have.

The Prime Visa, Amazon Visa, Amazon Business Prime American Express Card, and Amazon Business American Express Card can be used anywhere Visa or American Express is accepted, which is millions of locations worldwide.

These cards are great for everyday spending, whether you're buying groceries, shopping online, or traveling abroad.

The Amazon Store Credit Card and Amazon Secured Card, on the other hand, can only be used for purchases on Amazon and at Amazon-owned businesses.

This limited usage makes them ideal for those who primarily shop on Amazon and want to take advantage of special financing options.

Here's a breakdown of the different Amazon credit cards and where you can use them:

Redemption Options

Redemption options for the Amazon Prime Store Card's rewards are straightforward and flexible. You can choose from three redemption options that make it easy to use your rewards.

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One-time statement credit is a great option if you need to offset a large purchase. You can redeem your rewards points as a one-time statement credit and pay off your bill in full.

Automatic statement credit at the end of each billing cycle is another convenient option. This way, you'll receive a credit on your statement every month, making it easy to stay on top of your rewards.

On eligible Amazon.com purchases, you can also redeem your rewards points. This option is perfect if you're planning to make a purchase on Amazon and want to use your rewards to offset the cost.

Here are your redemption options in a nutshell:

The rewards points valuation is also worth noting. With 1 point equaling $1, you can easily understand the value of your rewards and make informed decisions about how to use them.

What's Best for Me?

If you're trying to decide between the Amazon Store Card and the Amazon Visa, it ultimately comes down to how you plan to use the card. If you want to finance purchases on Amazon, the Amazon Prime Store Card or Amazon.com Store Card might be the way to go.

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You can use these cards to make purchases on Amazon, but you'll only be able to use them within the Amazon universe. If you want a card you can use anywhere, your decision gets a bit more complicated.

If you're an Amazon Prime member, the Amazon Prime Visa is a great option. It earns rich rewards both on Amazon and in other everyday spending categories. In fact, you could potentially make up the cost of your annual Prime membership fee with the rewards you earn.

If you're not a Prime member, you might do better with the non-Prime Amazon Visa, but you'd also do just as well with a general flat-rate credit card like the Citi Double Cash Card.

Here's a quick rundown of the two main options:

If you own a business and Amazon is your go-to shop, you'll have to do the math to see whether your expenses with Amazon can offset the cost of a Prime membership. If so, then the Amazon Business Prime American Express Card makes the most sense. It offers 5% back on U.S. purchases at Amazon Business, AWS, Amazon, and Whole Foods for up to $120,000 annually.

Final Thoughts

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So, is the Amazon Credit Card good? Yes, especially if you are an active customer of the platform. Most of the cards we discussed here will allow you to save on purchases and get back a portion of the money in the form of points, which you can then convert into money at a rate of 100 points per $1.

You can link the Prime system to your account and increase the benefits even further. This integration helps smooth over any differences between the card options, enabling you to pick the card that best aligns with your shopping habits and preferences while still enjoying significant benefits.

The Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card is the best choice, offering lots of cashback opportunities. This card rewards the brand’s loyal customers with additional Amazon Prime benefits, favorable lending terms, and very little fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of Amazon Store Card?

The Amazon Store Card is a credit card designed for Prime members to make purchases at Amazon-owned stores with promotional financing and cash-back rewards. Its primary purpose is to provide a convenient payment option with added benefits for Amazon shoppers.

Is the Amazon Store Card hard to get?

Getting approved for the Amazon Store Card is relatively accessible, with an average credit score of 665 and 732 being the most common score among approved applicants. However, credit score is just one factor in the approval process, so there's more to the story.

Joan Corwin

Lead Writer

Joan Corwin is a seasoned writer with a passion for covering the intricacies of finance and entrepreneurship. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, she has established herself as a trusted voice in the world of business journalism. Her articles have been featured in various publications, providing insightful analysis on topics such as angel investing, equity securities, and corporate finance.

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