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 3.0 out of 5 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 July 2026. Editorial opinions are our own. Cardocrat values all points at a flat 1 cent and never inflates redemptions.
