Don't Wait: Score an Instant $200 Amazon Gift Card Ahead of Prime Day With This Card
Zooey Liao/CNET
With the threat of tariffs driving up prices across the country, Amazon's four-day Prime Day event could help you save money on everyday essentials or home gadgets and tech. If you plan to shop this event, the Prime Visa* just increased its instant gift card welcome bonus to $200.
It's rare for a credit card to offer a welcome bonus that you don't have to "earn" by spending a certain amount with the card. And while the Prime Visa technically has no annual fee, you'll need to be an Prime member to get approved for this card, which costs $139 annually.
I've had the Prime Visa card for going on four years, and it comes in handy when I need last-minute gifts or everyday essentials. I also like that it earns 5% back on all purchases at Amazon and Whole foods, and often earns even higher rewards on select items during events Prime Day.
How do you earn a $200 Amazon gift card with the Prime Visa?
All you have to do to earn this $200 gift card is get approved for a new Prime Visa credit card. Once approved for the Prime Visa, you'll receive the Amazon gift card right away. Most cards require you to spend a certain amount in the first few months of account ownership to "earn" a bonus, but the Prime Visa card doesn't. The gift card is automatically added to your Amazon Prime account when you're approved for this card.
What are the Prime Day benefits of the Prime Visa card?
Amazon's flagship card is a great all-around rewards card, since it offers 5% back on travel booked through Chase and 2% back at gas stations, restaurants and rideshare services. You can also earn 7% back or more on eligible Amazon items from July 8 to 11 when you opt for no-rush delivery, and 10% back on select products.
Checking out on Amazon is certainly convenient, but I also like to shop small. You can do both by shopping through Amazon's small business shopping hub. It's not the smoothest shopping experience, but it's worked well for me in a pinch.
Is the Prime Visa the best card for shopping Prime Day?
It's difficult to find another card that offers all of the same Amazon perks as the Prime Visa. But this card only makes sense if you're a Prime member and regular Amazon shopper. If you're not a Prime member, check out the card's younger sibling, the Amazon Visa, which earns 3% back at Amazon. It's not as rewarding but has no annual fee and comes with a $50 gift card on approval.
Don't shop Amazon often enough to justify either card? No problem. Our CNET credit card editor, Evan Zimmer, recommends the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express for groceries and gas and the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card* for pretty much everything else. There's also the Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express, which has no annual fee and offers rewards with select U.S. online retailers, including Amazon.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express, click here.
*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
*All information about the Prime Visa and Wells Fargo Active Cash card has been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
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