This card, along with the lower-tier Secured card, can now be used inside Whole Foods stores. However, you cannot simply swipe the physical card. Instead, you generate a payment QR code in the app and have it scanned to pay at checkout, similar to the payment codes used by Alipay or WeChat Pay.
The good news is that with this payment method, Prime members can still earn 5% back.
Right now, this card offers an $80 welcome bonus for Prime members. If you spend a lot at Amazon and Whole Foods, this card or the Chase Amazon card could be worth considering.
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Synchrony Amazon Store Card Review
Synchrony Amazon Store Credit Card
Amazon 5% cashback; no annual fee!
- Welcome bonus: $80 Amazon GC (Prime card opening gets it instantly; non-Prime only gets $10)
- Rewards: Amazon 5%; cannot be used elsewhere
- Redemption: Direct cash back redemption
- Annual fee: $0
- Apply now>>
Benefits
- Amazon Financing: When shopping at Amazon, you can get special no-interest financing. As long as you pay the balance in full within the promotional period, you won’t owe interest.
- 6 month Special Financing on purchases of $149 or more
- 12 month Special Financing on purchases of $599 or more
- 24 month Special Financing is available on select Amazon-sold items
- Extra rewards on select Amazon items: This card also has a hidden perk: certain purchases on Amazon may earn extra rewards. For example, in the past some Kindle products have earned an extra 10% back.
Drawbacks
- This card can only be used at Amazon.com and at Whole Foods via QR-code checkout; it cannot be used elsewhere.
- According to people who have applied, the initial credit limit on this card is usually quite low and increases slowly.
My Take
The biggest selling point of this card is the unlimited 5% back at Amazon year-round, plus no annual fee, so it can be worth keeping long term. Since it cannot be used elsewhere, it makes the most sense only if you spend a lot on Amazon. Otherwise, you may be better off using Chase Freedom or Discover during quarterly 5x bonus categories to stock up on Amazon gift cards for future Amazon purchases, without specifically applying for this card. Also, don’t forget to use AMEX Offer deals to buy Amazon gift cards at a discount.
How to get Prime for less: If you do not already have Prime but want to apply for this card, make sure you become a Prime member first. The Prime-member welcome bonus of $60 is much better than the $10 offer for non-Prime customers. Also, non-Prime cardholders do not earn rewards on Amazon purchases, so there is basically no point in holding this card without Prime.
- Student Prime: You can get a six-month free trial, then continue at half price for just $49. Amazon Student signup link
- Non-students: If you are no longer a student, you can refer to this article for ways to get Amazon Prime at a discount: How to Save Money Shopping on Amazon. You can also first buy discounted Amazon gift cards to help pay for Prime.
If you want a card that works well both for Amazon spending and for other everyday purchases, you can consider the two cards below. Both also offer 5% back on Amazon, along with other benefits:
- Chase Amazon Rewards: 5% at Amazon and Whole Foods with Prime, 3% without Prime; 2% on dining and gas; 1% on all other purchases, with no cap
- AMEX Amazon Business: 5% at Amazon, Amazon Business, AWS, and Whole Foods; 2% on dining, gas, and wireless telephone services; 1% on everything else
Application
- Approval difficulty: We recommend applying after you have at least 6 months of credit history. Store cards are generally easier to get approved for.
- Things to watch out for: There were previously reports online that during the application process, a Synchrony Card Security Program screen would appear. This is a useless insurance product, and if you enroll, you will be charged recurring fees. I personally tested the application and it now seems this option is no longer there, but you should still pay attention during the application process.
According to the application page, if you are not approved for this card, you may automatically be approved instead for an Amazon Secured Card. That card requires a security deposit before you can spend, and it earns only 2% back at Amazon. However, after 12 months, if your credit history is in good standing, you may be able to upgrade to the regular Prime Store Card and get the same benefits.
