Is the Amazon prime visa credit card worth it?

Is the Amazon Prime visa credit card worth getting? That’s what I wanted to know when I saw their ad in November to get a $200 gift card when you sign up for their credit card. See, I didn’t have any money leftover for Christmas last year. It’d been a very rough year financially. To be honest, that’s the only reason I really considered it. I can genuinely say I’m glad I got this card. It’s been a different experience having a cash back credit card for the first time. I actually make a little money back from my purchases. Sometimes I even get small purchases for free with my points.
 
As someone who wrote a book on being frugal, you might expect me to be against credit cards. I’m actually not. What I advise avoiding is credit card debt. When I was around 20, I got my first credit card to build my credit score. That helped me. I paid it off in full almost always. When I couldn’t, I did my best to pay it off as soon as possible. It helped me in times of car problems and unexpected expenses that I didn’t have the savings for. Other than that, I tried not to use it. 16 years later, that was still my only credit card. The interest rate is decent. I didn’t have any complaints. I realize now I was also using a card that didn’t offer any benefits.
 
Avoiding credit cards or saving them for emergencies only is old frugal. Using credit cards to make money with cash back is new frugal. I’ve always been an old frugal gal. I’m all about saving money by living an old-fashioned lifestyle and being content with simple things. I’m learning that a lot of these newer ways to make a little money here and there actually add up. I’m still old frugal lifestyle, but I’m now someone who uses apps to save money and snaps receipts for gift cards… and uses a cash back credit card because I have discovered that I can actually save money by using a cash back card on things I’m going to buy anyway.
 
When I got the Amazon card 4 or 5 months ago, I realized I could actually save money by opting for a method of payment that does cash back… if and ONLY IF the amount is paid in full each month. I personally use Amazon at least once a month. I buy my shampoo and all my supplements on there. Of course, my fun shopping is often through Amazon too. Let’s be real. I love Amazon! They have everything. It’s worth it for me as a regular Amazon shopper to get that cash back and put it towards necessary purchases or use the points for a gift.
 
What do I like about this card?

• It’s 5% cash back on Amazon purchases. If you choose one day later shipping, it’s often 6% cash back. I always opt for that extra percent. Little things add up.
• There’s no limit to the cash back either. It doesn’t cap at $100 or anything like that. You can earn money back all year long.
• They do bonus cash back on certain items. Some things earn 10%, 15%, 20%, or even 25% cash back. That’s a pretty good deal!
• If you shop at Whole Foods or with Amazon Fresh, there’s 5% back there too.
• If you use Amazon pharmacy, you get 5% cash back on your medication!
• There’s 2% cash back at restaurants and gas stations.
• There’s a couple other things they have cash back deals on such as Audible, Chase Travel, and commuting.
• And there’s 1% on everything else. Even if what you buy or where you shop is not listed as one of the perks, you still get some money back from every purchase.
• For larger purchases (such as the fridge I just bought because mine died) they have the option to do interest-free equal monthly payments. As much as I like to pay up front and avoid debt, sometimes those dying appliances and broken car windshields come when we don’t have the cash to spare. Having an option for interest-free payments is really nice.
• The card itself has benefits as well. You can even redeem your points for a statement credit. Take that cash back they gave you and use it towards your credit card payment. AND they have the option of depositing that cash back directly into your bank account.

They have even more perks than that. Those are just the ones I favor.
 
The frugal part of me will tell you it’s absolutely necessary to pay off your card in full every month or those interest rates will get you. It’s not saving money if you get hit with interest. The Amazon shopper in me will tell you if you are also a frequent Amazon shopper this is one card that’s worth having. I’m going to shop on Amazon anyway. I might as well get cash back when I do so I can get discounts on the next purchase or use that cash back towards my credit card bill.
 
If you’re an Amazon shopper and you’d like to sign up for this cash back card, do so here.
 
Don’t forget to pay off your card in full every month!
 
If you are someone who likes saving money – or maybe you’re someone who is reading this because you’re addicted to Amazon and need more shopping money in your budget – I’d love to teach you the frugal lifestyle. My book, Happily Frugal, has over 1,000 ways to save money. It teaches comprehensive budgeting, saving money in every area of your budget (including shopping!), debt reduction, and financial goals.

Learn more about Happily Frugal

Sign up for the Amazon prime visa