09 Jul How To Get A $250 Amazon Credit Just In Time For Prime Day
The Prime Visa is only available to Amazon Prime members ($139 for an annual membership and $14.99 for a monthly membership) but is very rewarding for Amazon purchases.
- High rate of return at Amazon and Whole Foods
- Easy-to-earn welcome bonus
- Requires an Amazon Prime membership
- If you choose the promo APR you won’t earn rewards on those purchases
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select’s editorial staff.
- Limited-Time Offer: Get a $250 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members through 7/14
- Best Amazon Gift Card offer ever for Prime Visa
- Earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership
- Prime Card Bonus: Earn 10% back or more on a rotating selection of items and categories on Amazon.com with an eligible Prime membership
- Earn unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare)
- Earn unlimited 1% back on all other purchases
- No annual credit card fee
- No more waiting. Redeem daily rewards at Amazon.com as soon as the next day
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 4% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Here’s more on the Prime Visa credit card, plus other cards for Amazon shopping.
Prime Visa bonus
The Prime Visa’s welcome offer doesn’t require any spending to earn, just a Prime membership: From July 7 to July 14, new Prime members can get a $250 Amazon gift card instantly upon approval for the card.
This is $50 higher than the previous welcome offer of a $200 gift card, and both the Prime Visa and the earned gift card will be instantly available for use on Amazon.com if approved. The majority of online applications are decided in just 15 seconds, so you won’t have to wait long to start spending if you’re approved.
Amazon is also offering an elevated rate of rewards for Prime Day, with Prime Visa holders able to earn a total of 7% back on eligible Amazon.com purchases when they choose “No-Rush Shipping” from July 8 through July 11. This is 2% higher than the regular rate of 5% back, making it a nice boost for those Prime Visa members looking to maximize their Prime Day purchases.
Should you apply for the Prime Visa?
If you’re already paying for an Amazon Prime membership, applying for the Prime Visa is a no-brainer. The card will essentially have no annual fee and offers strong rewards rates on Amazon purchases, plus several travel protections like auto rental coverage and travel accident insurance.
For those who aren’t currently Amazon Prime members, this elevated welcome offer makes now a good time to sign up for the Prime Visa. A membership only costs $139 per year and the gift card you’ll automatically earn for being approved is worth $250 — more than offsetting the membership price for the first year.
The Prime Visa earns its highest 5% rewards rate on Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh and at Whole Foods Market. While it earns 2% back in categories like gas stations and restaurants, Amazon purchases are where it generates the most value. The cost of the Amazon Prime membership might be covered the first year with the welcome bonus, but if you’re not getting value out of your card throughout the year, the cost of the membership your second year might not be worth it.
Keep in mind that the Prime Visa is issued by Chase and will count toward Chase’s 5/24 rule, something to consider if you plan on applying for multiple Chase cards.
Other cards for Amazon shopping
If you’re looking for a more versatile credit card, but one that still works well at Amazon, there are a couple options to consider.
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is a good alternative as it offers 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases, up to $6,000 per year, then 1%. The card has a $0 annual fee (see rates and fees) and requires no additional membership. You’ll also be able to check out at Amazon.com using the Reward Dollars earned, but that may not always be the best way to redeem those points.
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express has no annual fee and earns bonus rewards on a wide range of common expenditures.
- Up to $264 in streaming service and meal kit credits every year (subject to auto renewal)
- High cash-back rates in popular spending categories
- No annual fee
- The best bonus cash-back categories are capped
- Has a foreign transaction fee
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select’s editorial staff.
- Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
- No Annual Fee.
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, 20.24% to 29.24% variable APR.
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
- 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
- Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
- Thinking about getting the Disney Bundle which can include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Everyday® Card. Enrollment required.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you’re approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you’re approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Foreign transaction fee
2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars
If you’d rather not worry about credit card spending categories, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card earns a flat 2% cash back on every purchase. The card also comes with an interest-free period, so you can pay down any large Prime Day purchases over time without accruing interest, as long as you pay off your balance before the intro period ends.
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is great if you want simplicity thanks to its flat-rate 2% unlimited cash rewards on purchases and $0 annual fee.
- High flat-rate return on purchases
- Intro-APR for purchases and qualifying balance transfers for a year
- No annual fee
- Cell phone protection
- Has a foreign transaction fee
- Limited redemption options unless you pair it with a Wells Fargo card that allows point transfers
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select’s editorial staff.
- Select Learn More to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
- $0 annual fee.
- No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
Balance Transfer Fee
Intro balance transfer fee of 3% for 120 days from account opening, then up to 5%, min: $5
Foreign Transaction Fee
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For rates and fees for the Blue Cash Everyday Card, click here.
Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.