6 Amazon Prime Visa Benefits You Didn’t Know About
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Written by
Rebecca Lake
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Edited by
Emily Gadd
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Reviewed by
Jasmin Baron
If you’re looking for a cash-back credit card that pays you back when you shop online, the Prime Visa may fit the bill. Some of the most attractive Amazon Prime Visa perks include a generous rewards program, next-day redemption and the option to pay over time, interest-free. If you’re already a Prime member, those benefits and more could be just a few clicks away.
It’s one of the best Chase credit cards for people who enjoy flexibility in how and where they earn rewards. Here are six of the most compelling Prime Visa benefits to consider if you’re shopping for a new credit card.
1. Competitive Rewards
The Amazon Prime Visa is first and foremost a rewards credit card. Cardholders earn:
- 5% back at Amazon and Amazon Fresh
- 5% back at Whole Foods Market
- 5% back at Audible.com
- 5% back on Chase Travel℠
- 2% back at gas stations
- 2% back at restaurants
- 2% back on local transit and commuting
- 1% back on all other purchases
All rewards tiers are unlimited, so the more you spend with your card, the more you could get back on purchases.
If you opt for Amazon Day Delivery on eligible products, you can earn 6% on Amazon purchases. The offer applies automatically when you choose Amazon Day Delivery at checkout.
Eligible Prime Visa cardholders can also take advantage of Amazon Prime Card Bonus deals. This benefit allows you to earn 10% back or more on a rotating selection of items and categories at Amazon.com.
Each rewards category has exclusions. For example, I learned the hard way that you have to pay attention to where you use your card to buy food. Not long ago, I used my card to pay for dinner at a restaurant that was next door to a Major League Baseball stadium. I earned 2% back on the $120 check, but only got 1% back on the $70 I spent for water and snacks inside the park.
2. Next-Day Redemption
Another nice Amazon Prime Visa perk is that you don’t have to wait for days or weeks to see rewards credited to your account. Rewards for eligible purchases can hit your account as soon as the next day.
Your rewards won’t expire as long as your account is in good standing. But it’s nice to know that they’ll be available to you sooner, instead of later if you’d like to redeem them.
3. Redeem at Chase or Amazon
If you like flexibility in how you can use your credit card rewards, then you’ll love this Prime Visa perk.
There are two ways you can put your rewards to work:
- Redeem them at Amazon.com
- Redeem them at Chase.com
Amazon redemption is pretty straightforward. Every 100 points you earn is worth $1 and you can redeem as many or as few points as you’d like at checkout. Since I shop at Amazon for business supplies a lot, this is the redemption option that I prefer. And if I don’t have anything I need to buy, I apply rewards to my Amazon balance instead.
If you’d rather redeem through Chase instead you can turn your points into:
- Cash back
- Gift cards
- Travel credits
You can redeem for cash back in any amount; gift card redemptions start at 2,500 points for $25. If you’re planning a trip, you can use your points to book through Chase Travel with no blackout dates or restrictions.
Points earned with the Amazon Prime Visa don’t transfer to the Chase Ultimate Rewards® program. However, if you earn Ultimate Rewards points with another Chase credit card, you can use them to pay with points at Amazon.com.
4. Pay Over Time
It makes sense to pay your credit card bill in full every month to avoid interest. If you need a little more time to pay, however, Amazon can give it to you, interest-free.
With Amazon Pay, you can take advantage of a 0% annual percentage rate (APR) on eligible purchases over $50. You can take six or 12 months to pay off your purchase in equal payments, then a purchase APR of 19.49% - 28.24% Variable will apply.
There are a few caveats:
- You’ll need to choose Amazon Pay at checkout to activate the equal monthly payment option.
- If you choose equal payments, you won’t earn Amazon rewards on the purchase.
- To avoid interest charges, make sure to pay the full amount by the end of the 0% APR promotional period. If there is any remaining balance after this period, it will start accruing interest at your standard Purchase APR, as stated in your statement or Cardmember Agreement.
Calculating the rewards you could earn versus how much you’ll save on interest can help you decide if Amazon Pay is worth it.
5. Travel and Shopping Protections
The Amazon Prime Visa isn’t a travel credit card, but it does come with some built-in benefits for travelers. They include:
- Auto rental coverage
- Baggage delay insurance
- Roadside assistance
- Travel accident insurance
- Lost luggage reimbursement
- Travel and emergency assistance
There are, of course, limitations on what each benefit covers, but that’s common for most credit cards. Be sure to read through the card’s guide to benefits to fully understand what’s covered and what isn’t.
Aside from travel benefits, you also get purchase protection and extended warranty protection. Purchase protection is something fewer credit cards are offering, so it’s nice to know that you’re covered up to $500 if you buy an item that gets damaged or stolen soon after the purchase.
6. Amazon Gift Card
The Prime Visa doesn’t offer a traditional introductory bonus, but you can get a little something extra when you open an account: Get a $150 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members.
Frequently Asked Questions About Amazon Prime Visa Benefits
What is the disadvantage of Amazon Prime Visa?
Amazon Prime Visa benefits greatly outweigh the downsides, but there are a couple of points to know. First, you’ll generally need at least a good credit score to qualify. And as mentioned, you can’t transfer your points to the Chase Ultimate Rewards program.
Do you get 5% back on all purchases with the Amazon card?
With the Prime Visa, you’ll earn 5% back on Amazon purchases, at Whole Foods Market, and on Audible.com or Audible purchases made through Amazon. You can also get 5% back when you book through Chase Travel. All other purchases earn between 1% and 2% back, depending on the category.
Does Prime Visa hurt your credit?
The Amazon Prime Visa Card shouldn’t hurt your credit if you keep a low balance and pay on time. If you max out the card, pay late or don’t pay at all, then your credit scores could suffer.
Can I use my Prime Visa anywhere?
Since this is a Visa credit card, you can use it anywhere Visa is accepted. The rewards rate you earn on purchases depends on where you spend.
Is there an annual fee for the Amazon Visa card?
The Amazon Prime Visa has no annual fee. However, you’ll need an active Prime membership to have the card.
Can I use my Amazon Prime Visa at Walmart?
Yes, you can use your Amazon Prime Visa at Walmart since it’s a Visa credit card. However, you should expect to earn the lowest rewards rate on purchases.
