Overview
The Prime Visa card is one of our favorite cashback cards for many reasons. It doesn’t cost a thing to own, its earning rates are stellar, and its introductory offer is the closest thing to free money you’ll find anywhere. It speaks for itself.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t hone in on some extra-specific ways to maximize the card. In this article, we’ll take a look at some strategies and general advice on how to maximize the Prime Visa card.
- Best for: Regular Amazon customers
Prime Visa
$150 Amazon Gift Card
Offer Details:
Get a $150 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members
Why we like it
The Prime Visa is one of the few store cards that pulls it weight. With a whopping 5% cashback on Amazon purchases, those with an itchy trigger finger when it comes to online shopping can reap some serious rewards. It may not be a points-earning product, but few other cards can come close to the value offered on Amazon spending. Its introductory offer of a $150 Amazon gift card is a nice addition, considering it has no spending requirement.
Reward details
Prime Card Bonus: Earn 10% back or more on a rotating selection of items and categories on Amazon.com with an eligible Prime membership
Earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and on Chase Travel℠ purchases with an eligible Prime membership
Earn unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare)
Earn unlimited 1% back on all other purchases
Pros & Cons
Pros
High cashback rate on Amazon
Strong intro offer with no spending requirement
No annual fee
Cons
Need an Amazon Prime membership to earn rewards
Few perks
Less useful beyond Amazon
Terms Apply
What is the Prime Visa Card?
In case you’re not familiar, the Prime Visa is Amazon’s co-branded credit card. Think of it like one of those horrible store cards you were offered every time you checked out at a clothes in the mall — only not horrible. Great in fact.
With no annual fee and an excellent 5% cashback rate on Amazon purchases, it’s almost a complete no-brainer for anyone who uses the online shopping hub more than a few times a year. Better yet, it’s currently running an introductory offer of $150 in Amazon e-gift cards — just for being accepted. You read that correctly. There’s no spending requirement and no hoops to jump through. As long as you’re a Prime member and are accepted for the card, you’ll get the $150.
Once you start using it, you’ll grab 5% cashback on all Amazon purchases as well as Chase Travel, Whole Foods Market, and Amazon Fresh. There’s also up to 10% cashback on rotating categories and specific items, so keep a look out for those.
If you want to know all the details about this card, you can learn more here.
The Best Ways to Maximize The Prime Visa
Use it on Amazon
This is going to sound dumb but believe it or not, the best way to use your Prime Visa is to use it on Amazon. That may sound self-explanatory, but if you’re a points and miles whiz, you probably avoid cashback like the plague. The reality is though, that no card is going to pull 5x points per dollar or more on your Amazon purchases.
At this point, you have a decision to make. Is it better to earn 2x miles per dollar or 5 cents back per dollar? Even though miles could be worth more in the long run with strong transfer partners, you’ll only be able to double or triple the value every so often. Using the cashback card ensures you’re getting a good return without any of the complicated fluff.
Get your timing right
The $150 introductory offer is generous. Few cards offer that much for so little effort. And while it’s easy to head straight to Amazon and buy the first thing you stumble on, there’s more to be gained from a little patience. Amazon runs plenty of sales throughout the year, including its annual Prime Day event. Waiting to use the $150 when sale prices kick in will allow you to maximize that bonus by grabbing something properly epic.
Wait for rotating categories
Following on from the previous suggestion, waiting for some of those rotating categories is a good call, too. With cashback rates as high as 10% on specific purchases, the returns can be huge. Of course, that doesn’t mean you should force a purchase just for the sake of it. It just means you should check in from time to time and see if there’s anything you need that matches up.
Our favorite Amazon products
Amazon’s travel product selection is nothing short of enormous. Within its Luggage & Travel Gear category alone, shoppers can browse through tens of thousands of listings. This variety means travelers can find just about anything they need, from basic packing cubes and toiletry bags to high-tech gadgets and niche comfort items. Here are some of our favorite
Technology
Organization & packing
In-flight essentials
The Point
The Prime Visa is an excellent cashback card that offers an incredible introductory bonus offer. Anyone who already has Prime and makes regular purchases on Amazon can take full advantage of these tips, making the card a no-brainer.
- Best for: Regular Amazon customers
Prime Visa
$150 Amazon Gift Card
Offer Details:
Get a $150 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members
Why we like it
The Prime Visa is one of the few store cards that pulls it weight. With a whopping 5% cashback on Amazon purchases, those with an itchy trigger finger when it comes to online shopping can reap some serious rewards. It may not be a points-earning product, but few other cards can come close to the value offered on Amazon spending. Its introductory offer of a $150 Amazon gift card is a nice addition, considering it has no spending requirement.
Reward details
Prime Card Bonus: Earn 10% back or more on a rotating selection of items and categories on Amazon.com with an eligible Prime membership
Earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and on Chase Travel℠ purchases with an eligible Prime membership
Earn unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare)
Earn unlimited 1% back on all other purchases
Pros & Cons
Pros
High cashback rate on Amazon
Strong intro offer with no spending requirement
No annual fee
Cons
Need an Amazon Prime membership to earn rewards
Few perks
Less useful beyond Amazon