The Amazon Prime Visa has a $0 annual fee. But there is a cost most people miss: you need a paid Amazon Prime membership to get the card and keep its best perks.
That membership runs about $139 a year as of June 2026. So while the card itself is free, the package around it is not. This guide breaks down the true cost, the rewards, and the one catch that changes the math. APRs vary by creditworthiness, and terms and conditions apply.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Issuer | Chase |
| Network | Visa (Signature) |
| Annual fee | $0 (Prime membership required, about $139/year) |
| Purchase APR | Variable, roughly 19.49% to 28.24% as of June 2026 |
| Rewards | 5% at Amazon, Whole Foods, Amazon Fresh, and Chase Travel; 2% gas, dining, transit; 1% else |
| Welcome bonus | Around $200 Amazon gift card on approval |
| Score needed | Good to excellent, roughly 670+ FICO |
| Reports to bureaus | Yes, all three |
The $0 Annual Fee, With an Asterisk
The card charges no annual fee. You will not pay Chase a yearly fee to hold the Prime Visa.
The asterisk is Prime. To apply and to earn the full 5% at Amazon, you need an active Prime membership, which costs about $139 a year. Without Prime, the Amazon rate drops to 3%.
So the honest way to think about cost: the card is free, but it only makes sense if you were already paying for Prime for the shopping and shipping perks.
What the 5% Rate Actually Covers
The core reward is 5% back at Amazon.com, Whole Foods Market, Amazon Fresh, and on Chase Travel bookings. That is a high rate for everyday shopping at those stores.
You also earn 2% at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting, and 1% on everything else. There is no cap on the 5% categories, which is generous.
The value scales with how much you spend at Amazon and Whole Foods. A household that buys most groceries and household goods there can earn back real money each year.
Does the Fee Math Work for You?
The break-even is simple. If you spend enough at Amazon and Whole Foods that 5% back clears the $139 Prime cost, the card pays for itself. If you rarely shop Amazon, Prime is the wrong expense to carry just for a card.
Approval also requires good to excellent credit, roughly 670 FICO or higher. If your credit is thin or rebuilding and the Prime Visa is out of reach, the Aspire Mastercard is a realistic starter. It is built for rebuilding credit, reports to all three bureaus, and can grow your limit over time, helping you build toward a card like this one. Terms apply.
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard. Prequalify* For Up To $1000 Credit Limit. No security deposit. Packed with great benefits, it’s designed to give you more flexibility—and purchasing power—along with up to 3% cash back rewards!** Good anywhere Mastercard is accepted, it’s the go-to card for any lifestyle.
Standout feature
Up to 3% cashback rewards
Fees
$49 to $175; after that $0 to $49 annually; - $60 to $159 annually billed at $5 to $12.50 per month after the first year.
Pros
No Deposit Required. Prequalify for up to $1000 credit limit
Cons
High APR. 25.74% to 36%, based on your creditworthiness.
The APR and the Real Catch
The Prime Visa carries a variable purchase APR, roughly 19.49% to 28.24% as of June 2026, depending on your credit. There is no foreign transaction fee, which is a nice extra at the no-annual-fee tier.
The real catch is the interest. The 5% reward is wiped out fast if you carry a balance, so this card only pays if you clear your statement each month. Treat it as a rewards tool, not a financing tool.
If a security deposit is what is stopping you from getting a starter card, Perpay is a no-deposit, paycheck-powered option. You make small payroll-linked payments, and the activity can be reported to help build history, a low-friction path toward a card like this one. Terms apply.
Perpay Credit Card
Perpay Credit Card
Meet the only card powered by your paycheck. With automatic transfers from your paycheck, you can manage payments stress-free and build credit with ease.
Fee
$9/month plus $9 account opening fee
APR
Marketplace: 0% / Credit Card: 27.74% to 29.99% depending on your creditworthiness.
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Credit Check
No
Cashback
2% reward on purchases made in Perpay Marketplace
Benefit
2% rewards, no security deposit
Who Should Skip This Card
Skip the Prime Visa if you do not already pay for Prime, since the $139 cost undercuts the rewards. Skip it too if your credit is not yet in the good-to-excellent range, because a denial just costs you a hard inquiry.
The smart move for thin-credit shoppers is to build first. The Self Visa Credit Card pairs a small installment loan with a secured card, so your payments build both installment and revolving history at once. It reports to all three bureaus, which is exactly the kind of file Chase wants to see, and it is a deliberate way to build the history this card requires. Terms apply.
For a deeper look at what the card includes once you qualify, our Amazon Prime Visa benefits guide walks through the perks in detail.
Next Steps
Add up your yearly Amazon and Whole Foods spending. Multiply by 5%, then check whether that beats the $139 Prime cost. If it does and your credit is in the good range, the free card is a clear win.
If your score is not there yet, do not waste an inquiry. Build a few months of on-time payments with a starter or credit-builder account, watch your score rise, then apply. And whatever card you carry, pay in full each month so the rewards stay yours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Amazon Prime Visa have an annual fee?
No, the card itself has a $0 annual fee. However, you must have an active Amazon Prime membership, which costs about $139 a year as of June 2026, to apply and to earn the full 5% Amazon rate.
What happens to my rewards if I cancel Prime?
Without an active Prime membership, your Amazon and Whole Foods reward rate drops from 5% to 3%. The card stays open, but the headline perk shrinks, which changes whether it is worth keeping.
What credit score do I need for the Amazon Prime Visa?
Most approved applicants have good to excellent credit, roughly a 670 FICO or higher, and many are 700 plus. If your score is lower, building history first improves your odds and avoids a wasted hard inquiry.
Is there a foreign transaction fee?
No. The Prime Visa charges no foreign transaction fee, which is a useful perk for travel. As a Visa Signature card, it also carries protections that many no-fee cards lack.
