If you’re one of the over 200 million Amazon Prime subscribers in the U.S., you likely find yourself spending quite a bit at this online retail powerhouse.
We’ve researched some of the top credit cards for Amazon shopping, highlighting options that can earn you up to 5% cash back on your purchases, not including any special promotions or American Express Offers.
The key to maximizing your points on Amazon buys lies in purchasing gift cards. Very few credit cards include Amazon as a bonus spending category, but several cards offer significant rewards at retailers that sell Amazon gift cards, such as grocery stores, gas stations, and office supply shops.
Earn up to 5 points per dollar spent on Amazon
A standout option for buying gift cards is the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card, which offers 5% cash back at office supply stores on the first $25,000 spent each account year.
However, if you also hold a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve® or Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, your rewards can increase to around 10%. You can convert your cash back into transferable Ultimate Rewards points, which Flying Frugal values at approximately 2.05 cents each as of February 2025.
By purchasing an Amazon gift card at retailers like Staples or OfficeMax, you can effectively earn up to 10% back. You can then use the gift card as cash at Amazon.
If you’re looking for American Express Membership Rewards points or don’t qualify for a business card, consider the American Express® Gold Card.
The Amex Gold provides 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year (1 point per dollar thereafter). This equates to an effective 8% return based on Flying Frugal’s valuations, since they value Amex points at 2 cents each as of February 2025.
The Amex EveryDay® Preferred Card is another solid choice if you’re already a cardmember, though it’s no longer open to new applicants.
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This card earns 3 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 spent per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar thereafter. Notably, it offers a 50% points bonus when used more than 30 times in a month, allowing you to earn as much as 4.5 points per dollar at grocery stores, which amounts to a 9% return based on our valuations.
Additionally, the no-annual-fee Chase Freedom Flex® card offers 5% back (or 5 points per dollar with an eligible Ultimate Rewards card) on rotating categories for up to $1,500 per quarter. Past categories have included grocery stores and Amazon.
If grocery stores aren’t an active 5% category during a quarter, the Freedom Flex still earns 3% back (or 3 points per dollar with an eligible Ultimate Rewards card) on groceries.
The information for the Amex EveryDay Preferred has been independently gathered by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or supplied by the card issuer.
Related: The best credit cards for purchasing gift cards
Important Considerations
There are numerous strategies for maximizing your Amazon gift card purchases. However, there’s an important caveat to remember: while all the mentioned cards provide purchase protection, this coverage does not apply to items acquired with gift cards instead of credit cards. Thus, you may want to avoid using gift cards for specific purchases.
Moreover, gift cards cannot be returned, but this is usually not a concern for regular Amazon shoppers. You can also use your Amazon gift cards to purchase gift cards at other third-party retailers like Starbucks, Southwest Airlines, and Airbnb.
When attempting to reach a welcome bonus, it’s wise to avoid purchasing too many gift cards, as this behavior may raise flags with credit issuers, leading to account reviews or even the forfeiture of your welcome bonus. Additionally, this might restrict your ability to earn welcome bonuses on subsequent cards you apply for.
Since each issuer has varying terms regarding their welcome bonuses, be sure to read the specific conditions of your card’s welcome offer.
Related: The best credit cards for online shopping
In Conclusion
A bit of time and diligence can significantly enhance your rewards. Achieving an effective 10% return on Amazon purchases is exceptional, yet consider the trade-offs between earning points and the purchase protections that absent gift card usage entails.
Related: Is the Prime Visa credit card worth its cost?
