Where You Can Use Your Amazon Credit Card and When It Makes Sense

Amazon credit cards work almost everywhere Visa or Mastercard is accepted, not just on Amazon

The Amazon credit card comes in two versions: the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card and the Amazon Prime Store Card. The Visa Signature version works anywhere in the world that takes Visa — that includes grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, online retailers, and thousands of other merchants. The Store Card only works on Amazon.com and at Whole Foods Market, which Amazon owns.

Most people who ask this question are holding the Visa version and wondering if they're locked into shopping only on Amazon. You're not. You can use it exactly like any other Visa card. The difference is that you earn higher rewards on Amazon purchases and Whole Foods purchases, but you still earn rewards everywhere else too.

Key Takeaways

• The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card works at any merchant that accepts Visa, including grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, and other online retailers.
• The Amazon Prime Store Card only works on Amazon.com and at Whole Foods Market locations.
• You earn higher cash back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases, but you still earn rewards on all other purchases made with the Visa version.
• Both cards require an Amazon Prime membership to get the best rewards rates, and that membership costs money each month or year.

How the two Amazon cards differ in where you can use them

If you have the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card, you can swipe or insert it anywhere Visa is accepted. That includes Target, Costco, local restaurants, gas pumps, pharmacies, and any online store that takes credit cards. You can also use it for cash advances at ATMs, though that comes with a fee and a higher interest rate than regular purchases.

If you have the Amazon Prime Store Card, your card only works on Amazon.com and at Whole Foods stores. You cannot use it anywhere else. This card is designed for people who do most of their shopping on Amazon and want a simpler rewards structure. If you need a card that works everywhere, you need the Visa version instead.

The Store Card does not have a Visa or Mastercard logo on it, so merchants outside Amazon and Whole Foods will not be able to process it. If you try to use it at a regular store, the payment will be declined.

Rewards you earn when using the card outside Amazon

With the Visa Signature version, you earn cash back on every purchase, but the rate depends on where you shop. On Amazon.com and Whole Foods, you earn 5% cash back (if you have Prime) or 3% without Prime. At gas stations and restaurants, you earn 2% cash back. On everything else, you earn 1% cash back.

That 1% cash back on non-Amazon purchases is lower than some other general-purpose credit cards offer. Cards like the Citi Double Cash or the Capital One Quicksilver earn 2% cash back on all purchases with no category restrictions. If you rarely shop on Amazon, the Amazon card's rewards structure may not be worth it compared to a flat-rate card.

The Store Card has no rewards outside of Amazon and Whole Foods, so there is no reason to use it anywhere else.

What happens when you use the card internationally

The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card works in most countries where Visa is accepted. However, you will pay a foreign transaction fee of 3% on any purchase made outside the United States. That means if you buy something for $100 while traveling, you pay an extra $3 in fees on top of the purchase price.

Some credit cards waive foreign transaction fees, so if you travel frequently, you may want a different card for international purchases. The Visa Signature designation does give you some travel protections like emergency card replacement and travel accident insurance, but those do not offset the 3% fee for most people.

When the Amazon card makes sense to use versus other cards

The Amazon Visa makes the most sense if you have an Amazon Prime membership and you spend a significant amount on Amazon each month. The 5% cash back on Amazon purchases adds up quickly if you buy groceries, household items, or anything else regularly through the site. At Whole Foods, the 5% also applies, so if you shop there, that is another place where the card pulls ahead of general-purpose cards.

Outside Amazon and Whole Foods, the card's 1% or 2% cash back is competitive but not exceptional. If you have another card that earns 2% on all purchases, you might use that card for non-Amazon spending and reserve the Amazon card for Amazon-specific purchases. Many people carry two cards for exactly this reason — one for everyday spending and one for category bonuses.

If you do not have an Amazon Prime membership, the rewards rates drop to 3% on Amazon and Whole Foods, and 1% everywhere else. Without Prime, the card becomes less attractive unless you shop on Amazon very frequently.

How to check if a merchant accepts Visa before you go

Most large retailers and restaurants accept Visa, but some smaller merchants, local businesses, or specialty shops may not. Before you rely on the Amazon card at an unfamiliar place, look for the Visa logo on the storefront, on their website, or in their window. You can also call ahead and ask if they take Visa.

Some merchants accept only cash or specific payment methods. Farmers markets, some food trucks, and certain independent shops sometimes fall into this category. Gas stations almost always accept Visa at the pump, but a few older pumps may require a chip reader or PIN entry, which works fine with the Amazon card.

What to do if your card is declined somewhere

If your Amazon Visa is declined at a merchant that should accept Visa, the most common reasons are: the card has expired, you have hit your credit limit, there is a fraud hold on the account, or the merchant's payment system is temporarily down. Call Amazon's customer service number on the back of your card to find out which one it is. They can tell you immediately if there is a problem with your account or card.

If the merchant's system is down, you can try again in a few minutes or use a different payment method. If your card is expired, you can request a replacement card through your Amazon account, and it usually arrives within 7 to 10 business days. If you have hit your credit limit, you need to pay down your balance before you can use the card again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Amazon Store Card at other stores if I link it to my Amazon account?

No. The Store Card only works on Amazon.com and at Whole Foods, regardless of how you set it up. It does not have a Visa or Mastercard network behind it, so no other merchant can process it. If you need a card that works everywhere, you need the Visa Signature version instead.

Do I lose rewards if I use the Amazon card at a non-Amazon store?

No, you still earn rewards, but the rate is lower. You earn 2% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% on everything else. You only earn the higher 5% rate on Amazon.com and Whole Foods purchases. The rewards are automatic and appear in your account within a few days.

What if I use the Amazon card to pay a bill online, like my electric bill?

You can use the Amazon Visa to pay most bills online, and you will earn 1% cash back on the payment. However, some utility companies and service providers charge a convenience fee (usually 2% to 3%) if you pay with a credit card instead of a bank account or check. That fee can wipe out or exceed the cash back you earn, so check before you pay.

Does the Amazon card work at ATMs to withdraw cash?

Yes, but you should avoid it. Cash advances on the Amazon card charge a fee (usually 3% of the amount withdrawn, with a minimum fee) and a higher interest rate than regular purchases. That interest starts accruing immediately, with no grace period. If you need cash, use your debit card or a bank ATM instead.

Can I use the Amazon card if I cancel my Prime membership?

Yes, the card still works, but your rewards rates drop. Without Prime, you earn 3% on Amazon and Whole Foods instead of 5%, and 1% everywhere else. The card itself does not stop functioning — only the rewards rates change. You can reactivate Prime anytime to get the higher rates back.