Amazon isn't only the world's largest e-commerce marketplace; it's also the issuer of consumer and business credit cards. These credit cards come with generous rewards, no annual fees, and competitive annual percentage rates, making them attractive for many small business owners.
With several Amazon credit cards to choose from, the right one for you depends on your spending patterns, credit score and business needs.
Why you should consider an Amazon business credit card
Business credit cards have some nice benefits if you pay off your balance each month. By far the biggest perks of a small business credit card are the sign-up bonuses and the rewards you receive on eligible purchases. Rewards come as cash back or points that you can redeem for gift cards, travel, entertainment, products and services. The more you spend on your business credit card, the more cash back or reward points you accumulate. [Want more options? Check out our Guide to Choosing a Business Credit Card.]
Credit card issuers reward customers in three common ways:
- With a flat-rate card, you receive the same cashback percentage or reward points on all your purchases.
- With a tiered reward system, you get different points for different spending categories. For instance, you may get 5% back for gas but 2% on travel.
- Rotating reward credit cards give you cash back or rewards points on a schedule, so you could get 3% on travel one quarter and 5% on gas the next.
Amazon's credit cards, both consumer and business, have tiered rewards. They award you with different percentages of cash back based on the spending category. The most generous rewards are reserved for spending with Amazon.
"For businesses that heavily use Amazon products or Amazon services, this would be attractive," Gerri Detweiler, education director at online business lender Nav, told business.com. "Its cards are comparable with the interest rates other credit cards charge."
If you're a frequent Amazon shopper, there is a card for you. Read on to learn what Amazon has to offer.
Amazon business credit cards
Amazon Business American Express Card
Amazon's baseline business credit card is the Amazon Business American Express Card. Its welcome offer is a $100 Amazon gift card upon approval, and it gives customers 3% cash back or 60-day interest-free payment terms on U.S. purchases from Amazon Business, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market. Customers can choose between the 3% cash back and the 60-day payment term at each checkout.
There is no annual fee on the Amazon Business American Express Card, which is available to any business with an Amazon account. Amazon caps the rewards you can receive at $120,000 each year, though. After that, it's 1% cash back.
The Amazon Business American Express card also gives you 2% cash back at restaurants, gas stations and wireless telephone services when you make purchases directly from the service providers. All other purchases get you 1% back.
The perks don't end with the rewards. Business credit card owners get an enhanced view of their purchases through Amazon's platform that lists each item purchased, business-only pricing on more than 5 million products, and the ability to set up multiple card users.
Depending on your credit score, the annual percentage rate (APR) ranges from 14.24% to 22.24%.
Amazon Business Prime American Express Card
Geared toward Amazon Prime customers, the Amazon Business Prime American Express Card gives you 5% back on your first $120,000 in purchases at Amazon Business, AWS, Amazon.com, and Whole Foods Market, and 1% thereafter. You can choose 90-day interest-free terms instead of the 5% back on a purchase-by-purchase basis at checkout.
Cardholders also get 2% back on direct purchases from restaurants, gas stations and wireless telephone services. The standard 1% back applies to all other purchases. As with the Amazon Business American Express Card, the APR ranges from 14.24% to 22.24%, depending on your credit score.
Small business credit card holders get enhanced data views for insight into their purchases, no foreign transaction fees, and points that never expire.
"These credit cards lean into Amazon's products and services," said Ted Rossman, industry analyst at CreditCards.com. "The rewards are best when you buy Amazon, Amazon Business, Amazon Web Services and Whole Foods."
Amazon consumer credit cards
Business credit cards have a lot of perks, but they can be hard to get – particularly amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Issuers are being more cautious with extending new credit cards and credit lines," Detweiler said. "In this environment, you might find it tougher to get approved for a credit card."
The credit card company's decision to approve an application is based on the business owner's personal credit score, the income from the business and other sources of revenue. It also requires the business owner to sign a personal guarantee. If your business can't pay the balance, Detweiler said, the credit card issuer can come after you personally. [Read related article: How to Apply for a Business Credit Card]
If you don't think you'll be approved for a business credit card, you still have options for an Amazon credit card. Amazon has two consumer credit cards you may be eligible for.
Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card
The Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card gives its holders 3% back on Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market purchases; 2% back at restaurants, gas stations and drugstores; and 1% back on all other purchases. You get a $50 Amazon gift card as a welcome bonus when you're approved. The card offers interest-free financing on purchases over $50, with no annual credit card fees or foreign transaction fees.
The APR on the Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card ranges from 15.74% to 23.74% depending on your credit score. This credit card is for individuals who don't have an Amazon Prime account.
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
Available only to Amazon customers with a Prime account, the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card gives you 5% back on all Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market purchases, and 2% back at restaurants, gas stations and drugstores. All other purchases get you 1% back. You also get up to 20% back on rotating Amazon categories.
Like the non-Prime version, this card has interest-free financing on purchases over $50 and no annual or foreign transaction fees. The APR ranges from 14.24% to 22.24% depending on your credit score.
Amazon credit cards vs. other options
Amazon's suite of credit cards has a lot of associated rewards, but they only make financial sense if you shop a lot on Amazon or use its business services. If you are not an avid Amazon user, want cash back or rewards in more categories, or want a 0% APR introductory rate, these cards are not your best options. Nor do they make sense if your credit score is questionable.
"The Amazon cards are niche ones," Rossman said. "You could use it elsewhere, but it makes the most sense if you are buying from Amazon."
If you are in the market for a business credit card but not a loyal Amazon customer, Rossman pointed to the following options.
Spark Cash from Capital One
Spark Cash from Capital One is for business owners who want to keep it simple. It gives you unlimited 2% cash back on all your purchases, a one-time $500 cash bonus if you spend $4,500 on the card within three months of opening an account, and no annual fee for the first year. After that, it's $95 annually. The variable purchase APR is 20.99%.
Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card
With the Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card, you get three points per dollar on the first $150,000 you spend on travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone and online advertising purchases. If you spend $15,000 in the first three months, you get 100,000 bonus points. Once you max out your spending, you earn an unlimited one point per $1 spent on all purchases. As long as the account remains open, points do not expire. The APR on this card is 15.99% to 20.99%.
American Express Blue Business Cash Card
Another general-purpose cash back card, the American Express Blue Business Cash Card rewards cardholders with 2% cash back on purchases up to $50,000 and 1% back on all purchases thereafter. American Express also entices business owners with a sign-up bonus statement credit of up to $300 if you use the card for eligible purchases from Dell Technologies, DocuSign and FedEx during the first three months. There is a 0% introductory APR on purchases for the first 12 months, and then the APR ranges from 13.24% to 19.24%, depending on your credit score and other factors. There is no annual fee for the American Express Blue Business Cash Card.