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

Yes, you can use your Amazon credit card almost everywhere, but the rewards change depending on where you shop

The Amazon credit card works at any store, website, or service that accepts Visa. That includes grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, utilities, and thousands of other places. You are not locked into Amazon purchases — the card functions like any other Visa card for everyday spending.

The catch is that your rewards rate drops outside Amazon. At Amazon.com and Whole Foods (which Amazon owns), you earn higher cash back — typically 3% to 5% depending on the card version and purchase category. Everywhere else, you earn 1% cash back on most purchases, or sometimes nothing at all if you have an older version of the card.

This matters because it changes whether using the card makes financial sense. At Amazon, the rewards are competitive. At a random store, you might earn more with a different card.

Key Takeaways

• The Amazon credit card is a Visa and works anywhere Visa is accepted, including stores, restaurants, and online retailers.
• You earn the highest cash back (3% to 5%) when you shop at Amazon.com and Whole Foods, but only 1% cash back everywhere else.
• Outside Amazon and Whole Foods, a flat-rate cash back card or a card that rewards your most common spending category may earn you more.
• The card has no annual fee, so there is no cost to carrying it alongside another card for non-Amazon purchases.

How the rewards structure actually works

Amazon offers two main versions of the card: the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card and the Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card (for non-Prime members). Both work everywhere Visa is accepted, but the rewards differ.

At Amazon.com and Whole Foods, Prime members earn 5% cash back on Amazon purchases, 2% at Whole Foods, and 2% on restaurants, gas stations, and transit. Non-Prime members earn 3% at Amazon and 1% everywhere else. Outside these categories, both versions earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.

The 1% cash back outside Amazon is lower than what you might get from other cards. A flat-rate cash back card typically offers 1.5% to 2% on every purchase, with no category limits. If you spend more outside Amazon than inside it, that difference adds up over time.

When the Amazon card makes sense to use

The card is worth pulling out when you are shopping at Amazon, Whole Foods, or (if you are a Prime member) at restaurants or gas stations. Those are the moments when the higher cash back rate kicks in and you come out ahead compared to a flat-rate card.

For everyday purchases at other stores — groceries at a non-Whole Foods store, pharmacies, clothing retailers, or online shopping elsewhere — a different card may earn you more. A 2% flat-rate card beats the Amazon card's 1% on these purchases.

The good news is that the Amazon card has no annual fee, so you do not have to choose. Many people carry it alongside another card and use each one where it earns the most. This strategy works as long as you remember which card to grab.

Using the card for online shopping outside Amazon

You can use the Amazon credit card at any online retailer that accepts Visa — Target, Walmart, Best Buy, clothing sites, travel booking sites, and thousands of others. The card will process like any Visa card, and you will earn 1% cash back on the purchase.

However, many of these retailers offer their own rewards programs or partner with other cards that earn higher rates. Target's RedCard earns 5% on Target purchases. Walmart+ members earn 2% cash back at Walmart. If you shop at these stores regularly, their branded card or membership program may beat the 1% you earn with the Amazon card.

The Amazon card is most useful for online shopping at retailers where you do not have a loyalty card or where you shop infrequently. It is a solid default, but not necessarily the best choice everywhere.

What happens at stores that do not take Visa

Some stores and services only accept American Express, Discover, or their own branded cards. Gas stations, for example, sometimes offer discounts if you use their branded card. In these cases, you cannot use the Amazon card at all — you will need a different payment method.

This is rare in the United States, but it happens. Before signing up for the Amazon card as your primary card, think about where you shop most. If you have a regular store or service that does not take Visa, you will need a backup card anyway.

International use and travel

The Amazon credit card is a Visa, so it works in most countries where Visa is accepted. However, the card charges a 1% foreign transaction fee on purchases made outside the United States. This is standard for many cash back cards, but some travel-focused cards waive this fee.

If you travel internationally and plan to use a credit card, the Amazon card will work, but you will pay slightly more than you would with a card that does not charge foreign fees. For frequent international travelers, a travel rewards card may be a better choice.

How to check if a store takes Visa

Look for the Visa logo at the checkout counter or on the store's website. Most stores in the United States display payment logos near the register or in their online payment options. If you are unsure, you can ask a cashier or check the store's website before you go.

Gas pumps, ATMs, and vending machines that accept Visa will display the logo on the machine itself. Online retailers show accepted payment methods during checkout — Visa is almost always listed.

If a store does not take Visa, it will usually say so clearly. This is uncommon in mainstream retail, but it does happen with some small businesses, local shops, or services that only accept cash or a specific card type.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Amazon credit card at Costco?

No. Costco has an exclusive agreement with Visa but does not accept the Amazon credit card specifically. You can use any other Visa card at Costco, but not the Amazon card. If you are a Costco member, their Costco Visa card earns higher rewards on Costco purchases.

Do I earn rewards on Amazon credit card payments?

No. Paying your credit card bill does not earn rewards, whether you pay online, by phone, or by mail. Only purchases earn cash back. Payments are treated as a transfer of money, not a purchase.

What if I use the Amazon card at a store and they only accept Mastercard?

The transaction will be declined. The Amazon card is Visa only. You will need a different payment method. This is rare — most stores that accept credit cards accept Visa — but it can happen with some smaller businesses or international merchants.

Does the Amazon card work at Amazon Fresh or Amazon Go stores?

Yes. Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go are owned by Amazon, so purchases there earn the same rewards as Amazon.com — 5% for Prime members and 3% for non-Prime members. These count as Amazon purchases, not Whole Foods purchases.

Can I use the card internationally if I do not have a PIN?

Yes. Credit cards do not require a PIN for most purchases abroad — you sign or use contactless payment just like in the United States. However, some ATMs and certain merchants may ask for a PIN. Contact your card issuer before traveling to set up a PIN if you think you might need one.