What Is The Amazon Prime Store Card In 2022? (+ FAQs)
The Amazon Prime Store Card is an exclusive credit card for Amazon Prime members that offers 5% cash back on all Amazon purchases. Approved members also get a $60 Amazon gift card.
With no annual fee and 0% APR financing available, it‘s designed to maximize savings for frequent Amazon shoppers. In this comprehensive 2800+ word guide, I‘ll explain everything sellers need to know about this card in 2022.
Do You Need Prime To Get The Card?
Yes, you must have an active Amazon Prime membership to qualify for the Prime Store Card. Here are the current Prime membership costs:
- Regular Prime: $14.99 per month or $139 per year
- Prime Student: $7.49 per month or $69 per year
- Discounted Prime: $6.99 per month (for select government assistance recipients)
If you don‘t have Prime yet, you can start a free 30-day trial and then apply for the card.
Tip: Take advantage of the 30-day free Prime shipping trial periodically to qualify for special cardholder promotions.
How Does the 5% Amazon Cash Back Work?
The #1 benefit of the card is 5% back on all Amazon purchases, from retail products to digital services.
You earn rewards in the form of points:
- 1 point = $1 in cash back
- 5 points per $1 spent on Amazon
For example, if you spend $100 on Amazon, you‘ll earn 500 points, equivalent to $5 in rewards.
These reward points show up as redeemable credits on your statement balance within 1-2 billing cycles. You can redeem them as either:
- Amazon credits to spend on future purchases
- Statement credit refunds to your bank account
This table shows the value of the 5% cashback at different spending levels:
| Monthly Amazon Spend | Annual Amazon Spend | Annual Cashback at 5% |
|---|---|---|
| $250 | $3,000 | $150 |
| $500 | $6,000 | $300 |
| $1,000 | $12,000 | $600 |
As you can see, the rewards add up quickly for frequent Amazon purchasers.
Pro Tip: Use the Prime Store Card for all Amazon orders and subscriptions. Even small purchases like ebooks, Prime membership fees, and Alexa skills earn 5% back.
What Are the Other Benefits and Features?
Besides the standard 5% Amazon cash back, the Prime Store Card comes with additional benefits:
Rotating 5-15% Bonus Categories
You can earn extra 5-15% back on select product categories that rotate quarterly. Past bonus categories have included:
- Restaurants
- Gas stations
- Groceries
- Furniture
- Electronics
- Amazon subscriptions
This provides nice bonuses above the standard 5% rate. Make sure to activate the rotating bonuses when notified to maximize rewards.
0% APR Financing
For larger purchases, the Prime Store Card offers 0% APR financing so you can pay over time interest-free:
- 6 months on orders $150+
- 12 months on orders $600+
- 24 months occasionally offered for large purchases
This financing deal makes it easy to split up payments on big-ticket Amazon items.
No Annual Fee
There is no annual fee to have the card, so you earn rewards year-round with no extra cost.
Many other popular rewards cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred have $95+ annual fees, so this is a nice perk.
$60 Amazon Gift Card
After approval, you‘ll receive a $60 Amazon gift card to use on future purchases. It‘s an easy bonus just for getting the card.
Between the signup bonus and 5% back, you can quickly offset the $139 Prime membership cost.
How Does the Prime Store Card Compare to Other Rewards Cards?
Here‘s how the main benefits of the Amazon Prime Store Card compare to some other top rewards credit cards:
| Amazon Prime Store Card | Chase Sapphire Preferred | Citi Double Cash | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0 | $95 | $0 |
| Signup Bonus | $60 Amazon gift card | 60,000 points ($750 value) | None |
| Rewards Rate |
|
|
|
| Financing | 0% APR on orders $150+ | None | None |
The Prime Store Card is attractive for Amazon devoted members due to its:
- High 5% back rate on all Amazon purchases
- Ability to finance large Amazon orders interest-free
- No annual fee
However, cards like the Sapphire Preferred and Citi Double Cash offer broader rewards potential across more categories and merchants.
So the Prime Card is ideal if you spend heavily on Amazon, while other cards are better for general spending flexibility.
What Credit Score Do You Need for Approval?
Most reports indicate a credit score of 670 or higher is recommended for the best approval odds for the Prime Store Card. However, approvals are still possible with lower scores.
Here are the likely approval scenarios at different credit scores:
- Excellent credit (720+): Best chance at instant approval and higher $3,000+ credit limit
- Good credit (660-719): Decent approval odds and $500 – $2,000 credit limit
- Fair credit (580-659): May need to call reconsideration for approval with $500 limit
- Limited/poor credit: Low approval odds without an existing Prime membership
Those with excellent credit tend to have the best experience. But building in authorized user status from a spouse or parent with good credit can help if your score is under 700.
Pro Tip: Check your credit reports and scores before applying. Improve any errors or inconsistencies that may be dragging your scores down.
How Do Billing and Payments Work?
Your Prime Store Card billing cycle ends once per month, generating a statement with your balance. Here are tips for payments:
- Pay in full by the due date if you want to avoid interest charges. This is required for purchases under $150.
- Take 0% financing over 6-24 months for orders above $150. Equal monthly payments are needed.
- Minimum payment is max($25, 15% of balance). But pay more to avoid high interest charges.
- APR for carried balances is a very high 28.24%. So pay in full each month if possible.
- Track your balance in your Amazon account and via email statements. Set payment reminders.
Pro Tip: Set up autopay for at least the minimum each month to avoid missed payments and credit score damage.
I recommend paying in full each month if you can, as the 28.24% APR interest rate is quite steep. The 0% financing deals are great for large purchases when used wisely.
Where Can You Use the Card?
The Prime Store Card can only be used on Amazon websites, services, and physical stores, including:
- Amazon.com – retail and 3rd party marketplace
- Whole Foods Market
- Amazon Go stores
- Amazon Books
- Amazon Pop Up stores
- Amazon Fresh
- Amazon Web Services
- Audible
- Twitch
- IMDB
- Comixology
- Zappos
- Ring
- Alexa skills/subscriptions
- Amazon Fashion
- Woot!
- Goodreads
- Amazon Business
- Amazon Drive
- Kindle/ebooks
You won‘t be able to use the card anywhere besides Amazon ecosystem merchants. It is not a Visa, Mastercard, Amex, or Discover card.
Pro Tip: Link your Prime Store Card as the default payment for your Amazon account and Amazon Alexa. This ensures you always get 5% back when ordering through Amazon.
What Do Customers Think of the Card?
The Prime Store Card gets mixed reviews across different users:
- Amazon site reviews – 4/5 stars (but 15% are 1-star reviews)
- Reddit threads – Very polarized opinions on the card
- WalletHub reviews – 3.7/5 stars average based on over 350 user reviews
Positive feedback highlights the 5% back rewards, financing options, and no annual fee.
Top complaints mention:
- Credit limits as low as $500 – $1,000
- Difficulty tracking rewards balances
- Website not showing correct card info
- Long application review period
Card satisfaction seems very tied to what credit limit you receive during approval. Those with $3,000+ limits are happier than those with $1,000 or less.
How Do You Apply for the Card?
To apply for the Amazon Prime Store Card:
Start a free Prime 30-day trial if you aren‘t a member.
Go to the Prime Store Card application page.
Click "Apply Now" and fill out the secure application with your info.
If approved, your card will be available immediately on your Amazon account.
A physical card ships in 5-7 days. Activate it once received.
Pro Tip: Check your credit score first and consider adding an authorized user if your score is under 700. This can boost approval odds.
I always recommend double checking your credit reports for errors before applying for a new card. The higher your score, the better your approval chances and credit limit.
Is the Prime Store Card Worth It for Sellers?
For Amazon-focused sellers, the Prime Store Card can definitely be worth it. Here‘s a look at the key benefits when used strategically:
Earn rewards on seller fees – the 5% back applies to Amazon fees like referral, FBA, storage fees, etc.
Financing inventory purchases – get extra time to sell before paying back large inventory orders.
Build business credit – responsible use builds positive credit history.
Consolidate spending – manage business/personal Amazon expenses in one place.
Maximize Amazon loyalty – shows commitment as a seller to Amazon‘s ecosystem.
Simplify accounting – single card for all Amazon expenses to track.
Just be sure to use the card responsibly by paying balances off in full. The high interest rates make it risky to carry a revolving balance.
Dedicated Amazon sellers can find great value in the 5% back and 0% financing perks when used strategically.
Does the Card Impact Prime Membership Benefits?
Having the Amazon Prime credit card does not impact your standard Prime membership benefits like:
- Free 2-day shipping
- Prime video streaming
- Prime music
- Prime reading ebooks
- Prime photo storage
- Prime deals/savings
- Whole Foods discounts
You receive all the normal Prime member perks in addition to the card rewards and financing offers. They are separate programs.
So there is no downside to getting the card as a Prime member – it simply enhances the savings.
Can the Card Be Used for Amazon Business Purchases?
Yes, the Prime Store Card works for both personal and Amazon Business purchases.
As long as you are logged into your Business Prime account, the card earns 5% back just like on personal Amazon purchases.
This makes it easy to manage both business and personal spending while earning rewards. Just link the card to your Business login.
Does the Card Offer Purchase Protection or Extended Warranties?
The Prime Store Card does not offer additional purchase protection or extended warranty coverage like some premium cards do.
However, you still get the standard Amazon A-to-Z guarantee and any manufacturer warranties that come with products purchased on Amazon.
And Amazon has one of the most generous return policies available, so you can easily exchange or refund unsatisfactory items.
For the highest level of purchase protection, go with a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred instead. But the Prime Card still gives peace of mind shopping on Amazon.
Can the Card Be Used Outside the US?
Unfortunately, the Prime Store Card only works within the United States currently.
It cannot be used for international transactions or Amazon sites in other countries.
If you need a card for international purchases, go with a Visa or Mastercard with no foreign transaction fees instead. The Prime Card is exclusively for domestic Amazon spending.
Does the Card Offer a Signup Bonus for New Applicants?
Yes, when approved for the card you‘ll instantly receive a $60 Amazon gift card to use on future purchases. This gives you $60 to spend right away.
While a modest one-time bonus, combined with the ongoing 5% back rewards, it‘s an easy perk just for getting approved.
Some premium travel rewards cards offer huge 50,000+ point bonuses, but have $95+ annual fees. The Prime Card bonus comes without the fee.
Pro Tip: Use your $60 gift card to purchase inventory or other eligible business expenses to maximize the value.
Are There Any Downsides or Hidden Fees?
A few potential downsides to note:
- High APR – 28.24% interest if carrying a balance
- Low credit limits – many users report $500 – $2,000 limits
- Difficult approval terms – good credit score required
- Must have Prime – added $139/year membership cost
- Amazon only – no flexible rewards redemptions
Read all terms at application to avoid surprises. Within these limits, used wisely, the Prime Card can be very beneficial for dedicated Amazon sellers.
The Bottom Line – Is It Worth Getting?
For Amazon-focused Prime members who shop frequently, the Prime Store Card is definitely worth considering.
The ability to earn 5% back on all Amazon orders is significant. No other card offers a flat 5% cashback rate on all Amazon purchases.
Zero interest financing on large orders also provides financial flexibility to serious Amazon sellers and shoppers alike.
Just be wise with credit limits if approved, pay in full when possible, take advantage of rotating bonus categories, and leverage 0% financing strategically on big purchases.
Within its niche, for avid Amazon users, the Prime Store Card delivers rewards that easily outweigh the $139 annual Prime membership fee. The more you shop Amazon, the more value it provides.
