What the Amazon Store Card is and who issues it

The Amazon Store Card is a credit card issued by Synchrony Bank that you can use to make purchases at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market. Unlike a general-purpose credit card, it works only at those two retailers — you cannot use it at other stores or online merchants. Synchrony Bank handles the account, sets the interest rate, and manages your monthly bill.

Amazon offers the Store Card alongside a separate product called the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa, which is a Visa card you can use anywhere. The Store Card has no annual fee and offers cash back rewards on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases. The trade-off is that you are locked into one retailer's ecosystem, and the card's terms — particularly the interest rate and promotional financing offers — differ from the Visa version.

Key Takeaways

  • The Amazon Store Card works only at Amazon.com and Whole Foods, not at other retailers, and is issued by Synchrony Bank.
  • The card charges a variable interest rate that changes based on market conditions and your credit profile, and Synchrony sets the rate when you open the account.
  • Promotional financing offers (such as 0% APR for a set period) are common but apply only to purchases above a minimum amount, usually $25 to $100.
  • If you carry a balance beyond a promotional period, you will owe interest retroactively on the full purchase amount unless you pay it off in time.
  • The card reports to the three major credit bureaus, so on-time payments help your credit score, but missed payments will harm it.

Interest rates and how promotional financing works

The Amazon Store Card charges a variable APR (annual percentage rate) that Synchrony determines based on your credit score and credit history at the time you apply. The rate is not fixed — it can change over time as market interest rates move. You will see your current APR on your monthly statement and in your online account.

Amazon frequently advertises promotional financing offers, such as 0% APR for 12 months on purchases of $100 or more. These promotions are real, but they come with a critical catch: if you do not pay off the full promotional purchase by the end of the promotional period, Synchrony charges you interest retroactively on the entire amount from the original purchase date. For example, if you buy a $500 item with 0% APR for 12 months and still owe $100 after 12 months, you will owe interest on the full $500, not just the $100 remaining.

Promotional offers also have minimum purchase amounts that vary by promotion. A common threshold is $25 or $100, meaning smaller purchases do not may have access to for the 0% rate. Read the terms carefully when you see a promotion, because the fine print specifies which products may have access to and what the minimum purchase is.

Rewards and cash back

The Amazon Store Card earns cash back on purchases at Amazon and Whole Foods. The exact rate depends on the promotion at the time you apply — common offers include 3% cash back on Amazon purchases and 2% on Whole Foods, though these rates change. Cash back is credited to your account and can be used toward future purchases or, in some cases, redeemed for other rewards.

Cash back does not reduce your balance due — it is a separate credit that Amazon applies to your account. If you carry a balance and pay interest, the cash back you earn does not offset that interest. For example, if you earn $10 in cash back but pay $50 in interest charges, you are still out $40.

How payments work and what happens if you miss one

Your monthly statement is due by a set date each month, which Synchrony will tell you when you open the account. You can pay online through your Synchrony account, by phone, by mail, or through automatic payments set up in advance. Synchrony reports your payment history to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — the three major credit bureaus — so on-time payments help build your credit score.

If you miss a payment, Synchrony will charge a late fee (the amount varies but is typically $25 to $40 for the first late payment) and report the missed payment to the credit bureaus. A single late payment can lower your credit score by 100 points or more. If you miss a payment by 30 days or more, Synchrony may increase your interest rate to a penalty APR, which is significantly higher than your regular rate.

If you fall behind on payments, Synchrony may freeze your account, preventing you from making new purchases. After 120 to 180 days of non-payment, the account may be sent to a debt collector or charged off, meaning Synchrony writes it off as a loss and sells the debt to a third party.

Credit limit and how to request an increase

When you open an Amazon Store Card account, Synchrony assigns you a credit limit based on your credit score, income, and credit history. This limit is the maximum you can charge to the card. If you try to charge more than your limit, the transaction will be declined.

You can request a credit limit increase through your Synchrony online account or by calling the customer service number on the back of your card. Synchrony may grant an increase without a hard inquiry into your credit (a soft pull), or it may perform a hard inquiry, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points. The outcome depends on your account history and current credit profile.

Annual fees and other costs

The Amazon Store Card has no annual fee. You do not pay anything simply for holding the card. However, you will pay interest if you carry a balance past a promotional period, and you will pay late fees if you miss a payment. Some cardholders also incur foreign transaction fees if they attempt to use the card internationally, though the card is designed for U.S. purchases only.

If you use the card for a cash advance (withdrawing cash against your credit line), Synchrony charges a cash advance fee, typically 3% to 5% of the amount withdrawn, plus a higher interest rate that begins accruing immediately. Cash advances are expensive and should be avoided unless you have no other option.

How the Store Card affects your credit score

Opening a new credit card account triggers a hard inquiry, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points. The new account also lowers your average account age, which can reduce your score further. However, these effects fade over time, and the long-term impact depends on how you use the card.

If you make on-time payments and keep your balance low relative to your credit limit, the Store Card will help your credit score by adding to your payment history (35% of your score) and lowering your overall credit utilization ratio. If you carry a high balance or miss payments, the card will damage your score. The card also counts toward your total available credit, which can help your utilization ratio if you do not use much of the limit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Amazon Store Card outside of Amazon and Whole Foods?

No. The card works only at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market locations. If you try to use it elsewhere, the transaction will be declined. If you need a card that works everywhere, Amazon also offers the Prime Rewards Visa through Chase Bank.

What happens if I do not pay off a promotional purchase in time?

Synchrony charges you interest retroactively on the full purchase amount from the original date, not just the remaining balance. For example, a $500 purchase with 0% APR for 12 months will accrue interest on all $500 if you still owe anything after 12 months. Set a phone reminder before the promotional period ends so you do not miss the deadline.

Does the Amazon Store Card report to credit bureaus?

Yes. Synchrony reports your payment history, balance, and credit limit to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. On-time payments help your credit score, but missed payments or high balances will hurt it. The card can be a useful tool for building credit if you use it responsibly.

What is the interest rate on the Amazon Store Card?

The rate is variable and depends on your credit score and credit history when you apply. Synchrony does not publish a standard rate — it varies by applicant. You will see your specific APR in your account details and on your monthly statement. The rate can change over time as market conditions shift.

Can I transfer a balance from another credit card to the Amazon Store Card?

The Amazon Store Card does not offer balance transfers. You can only charge new purchases to the card. If you want to move debt from another card, you would need to use a different card that offers balance transfer options.