Tell me your Amazon Credit Card experience

[Chuckanut]

Dagnabbit, I was completely convinced that I would never again apply for a new credit card. Now y'all have me considering getting the Amazon one!

Some cards by Chase and Discover have periodic 5% cashback from Amazon for a quarter. Usually Discover offers that the last quarter of the year just in time for Christmas. What a coincidence!

 

[Cobra9777]

My one disappointment with the Amazon/Chase card was that the statement does not include item descriptions. Maybe that was an unrealistic expectation on my part. But I remember thinking (hoping) that the statement would have descriptions of each item I bought on Amazon. I use this for validation and categorization. But it just says Amazon, Amazon, Amazon, Amazon..., which is useless. To match it up with item descriptions is a very time-consuming reconciliation process with the order listings on the Amazon website.

 

[Walt34]

I also have the Chase Amazon card, it's the default for Amazon purchases and it's never left the house. Every once in a while I convert all the points to cash back. Thanks to someone here who pointed it out, if you use the points for a purchase you don't get the 5% back on that purchase. Okay, small potatoes, but every little bit helps.

Cobra9777 is correct in that reconciliation is sometimes a bit of a pain because the statement only gives you an order number but between that and the spreadsheet we keep for all cc purchases it's normally not an issue for us. I don't think I've ever spent more than 15 minutes on it and that one was for a large order with lots of unrelated stuff shipped at different times. Normally it isn't that complicated since it's rare that a statement runs more than one page.

Like today, I ordered some stuff for model airplanes like a metric tap and die set that has unusually small sizes bordering on what watchmakers use, and DW ordered a bunch of baby girl stuff for her niece who will deliver a baby girl in a couple of months. I guess she didn't buy enough stuff for the baby boys her niece already has....

 

[Aerides]

I also have the Chase Amazon card, it's the default for Amazon purchases and it's never left the house. Every once in a while I convert all the points to cash back. Thanks to someone here who pointed it out, if you use the points for a purchase you don't get the 5% back on that purchase. Okay, small potatoes, but every little bit helps.

Also, when you make a return on Amazon these days, the default is to issue a credit to your amazon account, not to your credit card. So I always flip it to go to the CC (takes a few extra days). Because I want to squeeze out every %, and not use a credit for a purchase and get nothing back.

 

[audreyh1]

My one disappointment with the Amazon/Chase card was that the statement does not include item descriptions. Maybe that was an unrealistic expectation on my part. But I remember thinking (hoping) that the statement would have descriptions of each item I bought on Amazon. I use this for validation and categorization. But it just says Amazon, Amazon, Amazon, Amazon..., which is useless. To match it up with item descriptions is a very time-consuming reconciliation process with the order listings on the Amazon website.

The amazon store card does describe what you purchased for each entry on the Synchrony statement.

 

[braumeister]

Also, when you make a return on Amazon these days, the default is to issue a credit to your amazon account, not to your credit card.

There must be some strange rules for that because I've had a couple in the past year that have gone to the credit card by default. Haven't had one go instead to the account that I can remember.

 

[Cobra9777]

The amazon store card does describe what you purchased for each entry on the Synchrony statement.

That's interesting. I wonder why Chase can't do the same? I might look at adding the Synchrony card.

 

[Cobra9777]

Also, when you make a return on Amazon these days, the default is to issue a credit to your amazon account, not to your credit card...

My return credits always go to the card.

 

[audreyh1]

That's interesting. I wonder why Chase can't do the same? I might look at adding the Synchrony card.

I imagine the relationship between Amazon and Synchrony is a little closer since it’s their store card rather than a regular VISA.

 

[audreyh1]

My return credits always go to the card.

Same here.

 

[W2R]

I got the Amazon Visa in the summer of 2014, and it's my only credit card. So, I can't really compare it with other cards. Also I don't know much about credit cards in general, since I haven't had any others for several decades.

I like it, though. I use Amazon more than most people for my usual purchases, and it is delightfully easy to apply my Visa rewards to those purchases since my Visa is my default credit card on Amazon. I also use it for a few other types of purchases as needed, such as gasoline, or prescription drugs from Walgreens, or my monthly gym fees.

I have it paid off in full each month, automatically. It is managed by Chase Bank and I have had no trouble with anything.

Is the Amazon Card worth the hassle to get it?

For me it wasn't a hassle to get. I didn't have a credit freeze, though! I have no idea how much hassle that might or might not be to deal with. Anyway I applied online on the Amazon site, and was approved in less than a minute IIRC. They sent the physical card to me in the mail and I was good to go.

 

[Major Tom]

Reading all these comments is inching me closer and closer to applying for the Amazon card, but something about applying for a new credit line goes against the grain with me. I already have 3 credit cards, and absolutely no other credit lines open (no auto loans, no mortgages, etc). 1 of my credit cards never gets used, and another one (a Visa) is only used when a merchant won't take my most-used card, an American Express Blue card.

My credit score is always in the 840-850 range, though my credit reports often mention that I don't have enough lines of credit open. I mean - with a score in that range, how much better can it get? Today, I wasn't able to access my Equifax account online. They were unable to verify my identity over the phone as, according to them, I don't have enough credit accounts open for them to perform the verification. As a result, it has to be done via mail. This got me to thinking that maybe I should get another credit card.

As a result, I'm slowly inching towards getting the Amazon Prime card, but it's a big decision for me. I'm very protective of my credit score, though heaven knows why, as I hardly ever need it for anything

Anyway, if I do get the card, thank you to all who have commented here. If I'm going to use CC's for all my regular purchases, I might as well be getting 5% back, which is significantly better than the 1% my Amex points get me.

 

[REWahoo]

Maj. Tom, get the card. Why turn down a 5% discount on your Amazon purchases?

And get over trying to maintain a credit score of 840-850. As I understand it, once you have a score of 780-800 you qualify for the best rates/maximum benefits. Anything above that is just overkill.

 

[Amethyst]

No hassle at all. Only use for Amazon purchases. Usually I get 3% Amazon credit, except during free Prime trials (I have never paid for Prime) when it's 5% credit. Cannot see any downside.

 

[tulak]

Another happy Amazon Prime CC user. A 5% discount at Amazon and Whole Foods is a no-brainer. I also apply my awards to the credit card balance every month or so (when I remember). I don't use this card anywhere else.

 

[Amethyst]

Why settle for 1%, when the Citi Master Card will give you 2% on everything? None of this "remembering which categories give you bonus points this quarter" stuff, either.

Also, I just started using BOA Visa for online purchases - they're offering 3% rebate (and there was a $200.00 reward for spending the first $1,000.00, which I was already going to do). If they stop that 3% offer, I'll cut up my card.

If I'm going to use CC's for all my regular purchases, I might as well be getting 5% back, which is significantly better than the 1% my Amex points get me.

 

[jazz4cash]

My one disappointment with the Amazon/Chase card was that the statement does not include item descriptions. Maybe that was an unrealistic expectation on my part. But I remember thinking (hoping) that the statement would have descriptions of each item I bought on Amazon. I use this for validation and categorization. But it just says Amazon, Amazon, Amazon, Amazon..., which is useless. To match it up with item descriptions is a very time-consuming reconciliation process with the order listings on the Amazon website.

If you review purchases on the Chase app, there is a link to the Amazon website order history with a description, pic, and shipping status. That’s more detail than any other card statement or web summary I have.

 

[audreyh1]

Not surprisingly, people interchange two different Amazon cards.

The OP specifically mentions Synchrony bank, which issues the Amazon Store Card. It provides a 5% reward on Amazon purchases.

Sounds like most people here use the Amazon VISA issued by Chase which offers a 5% reward on Amazon purchases for Prime members. It is a general purpose credit card which also offers smaller rewards for a few other categories, and 1% back overall.

We started with the Chase Amazon VISA which initially offered 3% rewards to prime members with a sign up bonus, but we didn’t carry it or use it for non-Amazon purchases as we had other credit cards with better rewards. When Amazon introduced their 5% rewards Store Card a few years later we jumped on it, and used it exclusively at Amazon. We liked having an Amazon only card. A couple of years later Chase matched the 5% reward at Amazon for Prime members, but we never used the cards again. Eventually Chase gave up on us and closed our cards.

 

[mpeirce]

My one disappointment with the Amazon/Chase card was that the statement does not include item descriptions.

That’s one thing I like about the Apple Card, it does list what was purchased from Apple. Looking at mine I see a book (including it’s title), a movie we rented, and our Apple One subscription. I also noticed it shows the location of the Best Buy store where I bought something.

My only complaint is that the Apple Card isn’t visible to mint.com. Hopefully soon.

 

[Pellice]

Amazon Visa occasionally has special discounts that last for several months. Last year it was 2% off all purchases from about February through May. This year it's 2% off grocery store purchases, again through May. I normally use my Costco Visa for most purchases, but these temporary offers were slightly better.

I also like the video and music benefits.

 

[Ready]

I got 15% off on some TP-Link smart dimmer switches by using the Amazon Chase card when they had a promotion. I’ve seen a few other promotions as well where they offer a significant discount for using their card.

 

[braumeister]

That’s one thing I like about the Apple Card, it does list what was purchased from Apple.

Only in the app, not on the monthly statement.

 

[Amethyst]

I didn't know that. Let our Store card expire long ago. I'll look into this more closely, thanks.

Sounds like most people here use the Amazon VISA issued by Chase which offers a 5% reward on Amazon purchases for Prime members. It is a general purpose credit card which also offers smaller rewards for a few other categories, and 1% back overall.

.

 

[lucky penny]

I also have the Chase Amazon card, it's the default for Amazon purchases and it's never left the house. Every once in a while I convert all the points to cash back. Thanks to someone here who pointed it out, if you use the points for a purchase you don't get the 5% back on that purchase. Okay, small potatoes, but every little bit helps.

I do this too!-- ever since seeing that tip here. I use the cash back as a statement credit. It requires an extra step when the bill arrives but for me it's worth it: you give up the illusory, brief thrill of getting purchases for "free" by using points, in exchange for the even better feeling of coming out a little bit ahead (& outsmarting Bezos, though maybe that's illusory too).

 

[jollystomper]

My one disappointment with the Amazon/Chase card was that the statement does not include item descriptions. Maybe that was an unrealistic expectation on my part. But I remember thinking (hoping) that the statement would have descriptions of each item I bought on Amazon. I use this for validation and categorization. But it just says Amazon, Amazon, Amazon, Amazon..., which is useless. To match it up with item descriptions is a very time-consuming reconciliation process with the order listings on the Amazon website.

In my online chase amazon account, when I click on the Amazon transaction detail, it displays the Amazon order number. This is how I link the card purchases to the orders. If I click on the order number it will directly link to the Amazon online order information.

I just checked my paper bill, and it also shows the amazon order number on the bill.