Is the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa worth it?
Yes, if you are already an Amazon Prime member. The card earns 5% back on all Amazon.com and Whole Foods purchases with no annual fee beyond your Prime membership ($139/year). If you spend $300/month on Amazon, you earn $180/year in cash back. The card also provides 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores, making it useful beyond Amazon. The only downside is the 1% rate on non-bonus purchases, which is why pairing it with a flat-rate companion card maximizes your total rewards.
Does the Amazon card work at Whole Foods?
Yes, the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa earns 5% back at Whole Foods Market in addition to Amazon.com. This includes all in-store Whole Foods purchases and Whole Foods online grocery orders for delivery or pickup. For Prime members who shop at Whole Foods weekly, this represents significant savings -- a family spending $200/month at Whole Foods earns $120/year in cash back on groceries alone.
What is the best companion card to pair with the Amazon card?
The Wells Fargo Active Cash (2% on everything) is the best companion card because it fills the gap on all non-Amazon spending where the Amazon card only earns 1%. Use the Amazon card for all Amazon and Whole Foods purchases (5%), and the Active Cash for all other spending -- dining, groceries at non-Whole Foods stores, gas, utilities, and everyday purchases (2%). This two-card strategy earns more than any single card across all spending categories.
Can you use the Amazon card without Prime?
There is a non-Prime version of the Amazon card called the Amazon Rewards Visa Signature that earns 3% on Amazon purchases instead of 5%. It has no annual fee and no Prime requirement. However, the difference between 3% and 5% adds up quickly -- on $500/month in Amazon spending, you lose $120/year by not having Prime. If you shop on Amazon regularly, the Prime membership plus the 5% card almost always provides better total value.
How much can Amazon Prime members save with the right credit card?
A typical Prime member spending $500/month on Amazon earns $300/year in cash back with the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa (5% rate). Adding a 2% companion card for the remaining $2,000+/month in non-Amazon spending adds another $480+/year. Total potential rewards for a household with moderate Amazon spending and a good companion card strategy: $700-$1,000+ per year in combined cash back.
Does the Amazon card give you an instant credit line for purchases?
Yes, the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa provides an instant Amazon credit upon approval. You receive a temporary credit line that can be used immediately on Amazon.com, even before your physical card arrives. This is especially useful during Prime Day or holiday sales when you want to start earning 5% right away. The instant credit is typically $150-$500 depending on your approved credit line.
Is there a better card than the Amazon card for Amazon purchases?
For consistent Amazon purchases, no card beats the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa at 5% back on every order. However, the Discover it Cash Back offers an effectively higher rate during quarters when Amazon is a 5% rotating category -- the first-year Cashback Match doubles it to 10% on Amazon purchases during those quarters. This makes Discover better for Amazon spending in year one, but the Amazon card is better for long-term consistent earning.
Should I get the Amazon Business card instead?
The Amazon Business Prime card is designed for business owners who make purchases through Amazon Business. It offers 5% back on Amazon Business purchases (or 90-day payment terms at a reduced rate). If you run a business that orders supplies, equipment, or inventory through Amazon Business, the business card is the better choice. For personal Amazon shopping, stick with the personal Amazon Prime Rewards Visa.
