The Amazon Visa card charges no annual fee, no matter which version you get
The Amazon Visa card does not charge an annual fee. This is true whether you choose the standard Amazon Visa or the Amazon Prime Visa — both versions cost nothing per year to hold. You pay nothing to open the account, nothing to keep it open, and nothing if you never use it.
This matters because some credit cards charge $95, $150, or more each year just for the privilege of holding them. The Amazon card skips that cost entirely. You only pay interest if you carry a balance month to month, and you only pay late fees if you miss a payment.
Key Takeaways
- Both the standard Amazon Visa and the Amazon Prime Visa have zero annual fee.
- You will not be charged for opening the account or for keeping it open unused.
- The only fees you might pay are interest on a balance you carry and late fees if you miss a payment date.
- The Amazon Prime Visa requires an active Prime membership to earn the higher cash back rate, but the card itself still has no annual fee.
How the two Amazon cards differ on rewards, not fees
Both Amazon cards have the same fee structure: zero annual cost. The difference is in the cash back you earn. The standard Amazon Visa gives you 1% cash back on most purchases and 3% on gas and restaurants. The Amazon Prime Visa gives you 5% cash back at Amazon and Whole Foods, 2% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% everywhere else — but only if you have an active Prime membership.
If your Prime membership lapses, you keep the card, but your cash back rate drops to match the standard card. The card itself never charges you a fee to hold it, regardless of your Prime status.
What other fees might apply to your account
While the card has no annual fee, you can still incur charges if you use the card in certain ways. A late payment fee applies if you miss your payment due date — the amount varies but typically ranges from $25 to $40 depending on how late you are. An interest charge applies to any balance you carry from one month to the next; the rate depends on your creditworthiness and current market conditions.
Foreign transaction fees may apply if you use the card outside the United States, though the exact amount depends on your card issuer's current policy. Cash advances — withdrawing money from an ATM using your credit card — typically come with both a fee and a higher interest rate than regular purchases.
None of these are annual fees. They only appear if you take a specific action, like paying late or using the card abroad.
Why no annual fee matters when comparing cards
An annual fee is a fixed cost you pay whether you use the card or not. If a card charges $95 per year, you need to earn at least that much in rewards or benefits to break even. With the Amazon card, there is no break-even threshold — you start ahead from day one.
This makes the Amazon card a reasonable choice even if you only use it occasionally. You are not paying for the privilege of holding plastic you might not touch for months. The card only costs you money if you actually use it in a way that triggers a fee, like carrying a balance or paying late.
The Prime membership requirement is separate from the card fee
If you want the higher cash back rate on the Amazon Prime Visa, you need an active Prime membership. Prime costs money — currently $139 per year for an annual plan or $14.99 per month for a monthly plan — but that is a separate charge from the credit card itself. The card has no annual fee regardless of whether you have Prime.
Some people find that the 5% cash back at Amazon and Whole Foods pays back the Prime membership cost if they shop there regularly. Others use Prime for shipping and video benefits and view the higher cash back as a bonus. But the card itself never charges you a fee to hold it.
How to avoid fees once you have the card
To keep your costs at zero, pay your full statement balance by the due date each month. This avoids both late fees and interest charges. If you cannot pay the full balance, pay at least the minimum payment on time to avoid late fees, though you will still owe interest on the remaining balance.
Avoid using the card for cash advances unless absolutely necessary, since these come with both a fee and a higher interest rate. If you travel internationally, check whether your card charges foreign transaction fees before using it abroad — some cards do, some do not.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay an annual fee to keep the Amazon card open?
No. The card has no annual fee, so you will never be charged just for holding it. You can keep it open indefinitely without paying anything, even if you never use it.
What if I have Prime but my membership expires?
Your card stays open and has no annual fee. Your cash back rate will drop to the standard card rate (1% most places, 3% at gas and restaurants) until you renew Prime. The card itself never charges you a fee.
Are there any hidden fees I should know about?
No hidden annual fees. You may pay late fees if you miss a payment, interest if you carry a balance, or foreign transaction fees if you use it abroad. These only appear if you take that specific action — they are not automatic charges.
Does the standard Amazon Visa have a different annual fee than the Prime version?
No. Both versions have zero annual fee. The only difference between them is the cash back rate you earn, and the Prime version requires an active Prime membership to get the higher rate.
Can I get charged a fee just for opening the account?
No. There is no fee to open the account, no fee to keep it open, and no annual fee. You only pay if you use the card in a way that triggers a specific charge, like paying late or carrying a balance.