Amazon Visa Review
Overview
The Amazon Visa is the no-Prime version of the Prime Visa: same idea, but it earns 3% on Amazon instead of 5%, and it does not require a Prime membership. If you shop on Amazon but do not pay for Prime, it is a reasonable free card.
But honestly, if you shop on Amazon enough to want this card, you probably have Prime anyway, in which case the Prime Visa and its 5% is the better choice.
Think twice if: you have Prime, because the Prime Visa earns 5% on Amazon instead of 3% for the same zero fee.
Our 6.5 out of 10 rating
Each score weighs the rewards rate, value after the annual fee, welcome offer, points flexibility, and perks, with every point valued at a flat 1 cent. This is our editorial assessment to help you compare cards, not a guarantee of approval or of the value you will get.
Rewards: how it earns
You earn 3% on Amazon and Whole Foods, 2% on dining, gas, and transit, and 1% on everything else, with no annual fee and no Prime required. The 3% on Amazon is fine, but it is noticeably behind the Prime Visa’s 5%, so this really only makes sense if you do not have Prime.
| Category | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh | 3x | Bonus category |
| Dining and restaurants | 2x | Bonus category |
| Gas | 2x | Bonus category |
| Transit and rideshare | 2x | Bonus category |
| Travel | 1x | Base rate |
| Streaming | 1x | Base rate |
| Everything else | 1x | Everything else |
The fine print on rates: The headline rate is 3% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, and Whole Foods (no Prime membership required), plus 3% on travel booked through Chase Travel. The 3% grocery rate applies only at Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh, not at other supermarkets, where you earn 1%.
Every point and mile above is valued at a flat 1 cent, the same honest standard we use for every card. Run your own spending through the calculator to see what this card would actually return for you.
Pros and cons
- No annual fee and no Prime required
- 3% on Amazon and Whole Foods
- Instant $50 gift card welcome
- Earns 3% on Amazon versus 5% on the Prime Visa
- Only worthwhile if you do not have Prime
- Cash back only, no transfer upside
The welcome bonus
The welcome is a small instant perk: a $50 Amazon gift card upon approval. Modest, but free.
Is it worth the annual fee?
There is no annual fee, so there is nothing to justify. It is free to hold; the only knock is that the Prime version simply earns more if you have Prime.
First-year value vs ongoing value
| Welcome bonus | $50 Amazon Gift Card upon approval |
| To earn it | None required |
| Est. first-year value* | $580 |
| Est. ongoing value / yr* | $530 |
The welcome bonus makes year one the high point: roughly $580 in value once you count the bonus, this card’s rewards, and its credits, minus the no fee. After that, the honest figure is about $530 a year, so judge whether it earns its keep on the ongoing number, not the first-year headline.
*First-year value counts the welcome bonus, estimated rewards, and annual credits, minus the annual fee; ongoing value is a typical year after. Every point at a flat 1 cent, on average spending.
Benefits and protections
Beyond the rewards, the perks and protections worth knowing about include:
- No foreign transaction fees
- Visa Signature benefits including travel and purchase protections
Statement credits
- $60 Amazon gift card upon approval (Amazon balance, not a cash welcome bonus)
Who should get it, and who should skip it
If you shop on Amazon but genuinely do not want Prime, this card gives you a respectable 3% back for free. It is a fine, no-cost option for the occasional Amazon shopper.
But if you have Prime, or would benefit from it, get the Prime Visa instead and earn 5% on the same spending. For most Amazon shoppers, that is the better card.
Frequently asked questions
Best-card guides featuring this card
Offer details verified against issuer sources as of August 2026. Editorial opinions are our own. Cardocrat values all points at a flat 1 cent and never inflates redemptions.
