Where You Can Use Your Amazon Credit Card and Where You Can't
The Amazon credit card works almost everywhere Visa is accepted, but not everywhere Amazon operates
The Amazon.com Store Card and the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card are both Visa cards, which means you can use them anywhere that takes Visa — at grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, online retailers, and thousands of other places. The card itself is not limited to Amazon.com purchases. However, the rewards you earn (the cash back or points the card offers) work differently depending on where you shop, and some rewards only work at Amazon.
If you have the Store Card specifically, there is one important limit: you can only use it at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market. It does not work at other retailers, even though it is a Visa card. The Prime Rewards Visa, by contrast, works everywhere Visa is accepted.
Key Takeaways
- The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card works at any store, restaurant, or website that accepts Visa, not just Amazon.
- The Amazon.com Store Card only works at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market, despite being a Visa card.
- Rewards rates differ by card type and location — the Prime card offers higher cash back at Amazon and Whole Foods than elsewhere.
- Both cards can be used for online purchases, in-store purchases, and recurring bills anywhere Visa is accepted (except the Store Card's restriction).
- If a merchant's payment system is down or they do not accept Visa, neither Amazon card will work there.
How the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa works at different places
The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card earns different rewards depending on where you use it. At Amazon.com and Whole Foods, you earn a higher percentage back (the exact rate depends on your Prime membership status and the current offer). At all other places — restaurants, gas stations, pharmacies, utilities, subscriptions — you earn a lower flat rate back, usually around 1 percent.
This means the card is designed to reward you most when you shop at Amazon or Whole Foods, but it does not stop you from using it elsewhere. You simply earn less cash back. The card works at any merchant that has a working Visa terminal, including small businesses, international retailers, and online stores.
The Amazon Store Card is restricted to two places
The Amazon.com Store Card is different. Even though it carries the Visa logo, it only works at two locations: Amazon.com (including Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go stores) and Whole Foods Market. You cannot use it at Target, Walmart, Best Buy, or any other retailer, even if they accept Visa.
This restriction exists because the Store Card is a closed-loop card — it is designed only for Amazon's ecosystem. If you try to use it outside Amazon and Whole Foods, the transaction will be declined. This is why many people who want an Amazon card but also want to use it elsewhere choose the Prime Rewards Visa instead.
What happens when you use an Amazon card at a place that does not accept Visa
If a store only accepts American Express, Discover, or Mastercard, your Amazon card will not work there. Some small businesses, certain gas stations, and a few online retailers do not accept Visa. In those cases, you would need a different card or payment method.
Similarly, if a merchant's payment system is temporarily down, neither Amazon card will process, just like any other card would not. This is not specific to Amazon cards — it is a limitation of the merchant's system, not the card itself.
Using Amazon cards for bills, subscriptions, and recurring payments
Both Amazon cards work for setting up recurring payments like utilities, insurance, phone bills, and streaming subscriptions. When you enter the card number during setup, the system checks that it is a valid Visa card (or Store Card for Amazon services). The payment processes the same way as a one-time purchase.
One thing to watch: some billers charge a fee if you pay with a credit card instead of a bank account or check. This is not an Amazon card issue — it is the biller's policy. Always check before you set up a recurring payment to see if a fee applies.
International use and foreign merchants
The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa works internationally at any merchant that accepts Visa, including stores, restaurants, and ATMs in other countries. The Store Card, by contrast, only works at Amazon.com and Whole Foods, so it has no international use.
When you use the Prime card abroad, Visa handles the currency conversion and charges a foreign transaction fee (usually around 1 to 3 percent, depending on your card's terms). Check your card's terms before traveling to know the exact fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my Amazon credit card at Walmart or Target?
If you have the Prime Rewards Visa, yes — you can use it anywhere Visa is accepted. If you have the Store Card, no — it only works at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market. Check which card you have by looking at the front or your account details.
What if a store says they don't accept Visa?
Your Amazon card will not work there. Some retailers only accept Mastercard, American Express, or Discover. You would need a different payment method. This is rare but does happen at some small businesses and certain gas stations.
Do I earn rewards everywhere I use the Prime Rewards Visa?
You earn rewards everywhere, but at different rates. At Amazon and Whole Foods, you earn a higher percentage. Everywhere else, you earn a lower flat rate (usually 1 percent). Check your card's current terms for exact rates, as they can change.
Can I use the Store Card online at places other than Amazon?
No. The Store Card only works at Amazon.com and Whole Foods, whether you are shopping in person or online. It will be declined at any other retailer's website.
Will my Amazon card work if the store's payment system is down?
No. If the merchant's Visa terminal or payment processor is not working, no Visa card will process, including your Amazon card. This is a problem with their system, not your card.