Prime Visa Review: Is It Worth It for Amazon Prime Members?

The Prime Visa is a rewards credit card designed primarily for people who already spend regularly at Amazon and Whole Foods Market.

With an eligible Amazon Prime membership, cardholders earn 5% back at Amazon.com, Audible.com, Whole Foods Market, and on purchases made through Chase Travel. The card itself has a $0 annual fee, although you need an eligible Prime membership to receive the highest Amazon-related rewards rate.

For frequent Amazon shoppers, that combination can make the Prime Visa one of the easiest ways to earn rewards on purchases they were already planning to make.

Quick Overview

The Prime Visa currently earns:

• 5% back at Amazon.com, Audible.com, Whole Foods Market, and through Chase Travel with an eligible Prime membership
• 2% back at gas stations
• 2% back at restaurants
• 2% back on local transit and commuting, including rideshare
• 1% back on all other eligible purchases

There is no annual card fee, and the card does not charge foreign transaction fees.

New Prime cardmembers can currently receive a $150 Amazon Gift Card upon approval, which is automatically loaded into their Amazon account.

How the 5% Amazon Rewards Work

The biggest reason to consider the Prime Visa is the unlimited 5% back on eligible Amazon.com purchases.

If you spend $2,000 at Amazon over the course of a year, for example, 5% back would equal $100 in rewards.

The same 5% rate also applies to eligible purchases at Whole Foods Market and Audible.com, as well as qualifying travel purchased through Chase Travel.

Unlike some cash-back cards, there is no quarterly spending limit on the standard 5% Amazon rewards rate.

Amazon and Chase may also occasionally offer 10% back or more on selected products and categories for eligible Prime Visa cardmembers. These are limited-time promotions and can change throughout the year.

Rewards Beyond Amazon

Although Amazon is clearly the card’s main attraction, the Prime Visa also provides rewards on several everyday expenses.

Cardholders earn 2% back at restaurants and gas stations, as well as on eligible local transit and commuting purchases.

That category includes certain rideshare expenses, which can be useful for people who regularly use services such as Uber or Lyft.

Other eligible purchases generally earn 1% back.

There are cards with stronger rewards for general everyday spending, but the Prime Visa can still function as more than just an Amazon-only card.

Flexible Reward Redemptions

Rewards can be used directly at Amazon.com, where cardholders can see their available points during checkout.

There is no minimum rewards balance required to redeem points toward eligible Amazon purchases.

Rewards can also be redeemed for cash back, gift cards, and travel through Chase, giving cardholders alternatives to simply applying their rewards toward another Amazon order.

Points do not expire as long as the card account remains open and in good standing under the program terms.

No Foreign Transaction Fees

The Prime Visa also has no foreign transaction fees.

That means Chase does not add a foreign transaction fee when you use the card for purchases outside the United States.

The card also includes several built-in travel and purchase protections, including eligible purchase protection, extended warranty protection, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, travel accident insurance, and rental car coverage.

Coverage limits and eligibility requirements apply, so cardholders should review the official benefits guide before relying on these protections.

The Prime Membership Requirement

There is an important distinction between having no annual card fee and having no cost associated with the Amazon ecosystem.

The Prime Visa itself has a $0 annual fee, but the 5% Amazon, Whole Foods, Audible, and Chase Travel rewards require an eligible Amazon Prime membership.

Without an eligible Prime membership, Amazon offers a different version of the rewards structure with lower earning rates.

For that reason, the card makes the most sense for people who already pay for Prime and use its benefits.

Who Is the Prime Visa Best For?

The Prime Visa may be a particularly good fit for frequent Amazon shoppers who already have Amazon Prime.

Someone who spends heavily at Amazon or Whole Foods Market can potentially earn meaningful rewards without adding an annual credit card fee.

Consumers who rarely shop at Amazon, however, may get more value from a general-purpose 2% cash-back card or another rewards card with higher rates in categories they use more frequently.

Final Thoughts

The Prime Visa has a very clear target audience.

If Amazon is already a major part of your monthly spending, unlimited 5% back on eligible Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market purchases with Prime can make the card attractive.

The $0 annual card fee, additional everyday categories, flexible redemptions, and lack of foreign transaction fees add to its usefulness.

If you are considering the Prime Visa, review the latest offer, rates, eligibility requirements, rewards, and terms directly on Chase’s official website before applying.

Credit card offers, rewards, fees, promotional rates, and terms may change. An eligible Amazon Prime membership is required for the 5% rewards rate. Always review the latest information provided by Chase before applying.