If there’s one thing Amazon loves, it’s special deal days. You’re probably familiar with Amazon’s Prime Day. And its latest event is in full swing: Amazon’s Big Spring Sale, which runs through March 25.
During this sale, you could save hundreds of dollars on new tech, clothes, appliances and more. And if you want to maximize your savings, consider using a credit card that earns rewards for your spending.
The best credit card to use during Amazon’s Big Spring Sale
The credit card that will help you earn the most in cash back, and potentially save money, is the Prime Visa. If you’re approved, you’ll instantly receive a $100 Amazon gift card, plus you’ll earn 5% cash back on the Amazon purchases you make. That’s one of the highest rewards rates available.
For these reasons, the Amazon Prime Visa card is CNET’s pick for the best credit card for shopping on Amazon. There is a catch though. While this card doesn’t have an annual fee, you’ll need to be an Amazon Prime member to apply. A Prime membership costs $139 per year or $15 per month.
The Prime Visa is built to be used for all things Amazon. From its rewards to its welcome bonus, frequent Amazon shoppers can get tons of value from this card. Its welcome bonus -- an instant $100 Amazon gift card that you receive upon approval -- is a rare find. Most credit cards require you to spend a certain amount in a set period of time to earn a welcome bonus.
The card also includes useful features like purchase protection and an extended warranty, which could help protect your new purchases.
Learn more in our Prime Visa review.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 19.49% – 27.49% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either $5 or 4% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
The Prime Visa is built to be used for all things Amazon. From its rewards to its welcome bonus, frequent Amazon shoppers can get tons of value from this card. Its welcome bonus -- an instant $100 Amazon gift card that you receive upon approval -- is a rare find. Most credit cards require you to spend a certain amount in a set period of time to earn a welcome bonus.
The card also includes useful features like purchase protection and an extended warranty, which could help protect your new purchases.
Learn more in our Prime Visa review.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 19.49% – 27.49% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either $5 or 4% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Credit cards to consider if you’re not a frequent Amazon shopper
If you don’t shop Amazon frequently enough to warrant applying for the Prime Visa, there are two other cards that can help you earn a competitive return when shopping Amazon’s Big Spring Sale. However, you won’t earn quite as much as you would with the Prime Visa, and you’ll need to spend more to earn their welcome bonuses.
Your first option is the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express*. You can earn 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1% afterwards. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit. This isn’t as high as the Prime Visa’s 5%, but it’s still a good rate.
The Blue Cash Everyday also has a welcome bonus. You can earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases within the first six months of account ownership. It’s worth considering if you also want to earn a competitive rate for groceries and gas purchases. (It’s my favorite credit card to use for both of these categories.)
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is a great all-around credit card that tops CNET’s Best Credit Card list. With the Active Cash, what you see is what you get. You’ll earn a flat 2% cash-rewards rate on purchases, with no limitations.
It doesn’t have an annual fee, but does come with an easy-to-earn welcome bonus: you’ll earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first three months. It’s a lower spending threshold than the Blue Cash Everyday, but not as easy as the Prime Visa’s instant gift card offer.
Compare Credit Cards for Amazon’s Big Spring Sale
- Intro Offer
-
Get a $100 Amazon Gift Card Get a $100 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members
- Annual fee
- $0
- APR
- 19.49% – 27.49% Variable
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Recommended Credit A credit score is used to indicate an applicant’s credit worthiness and may provide guidance about account eligibility. It does not necessarily guarantee approval for any financial product.
- Good – Excellent
- Rewards rate
-
1% – 5% Earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership; Earn unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare); Earn unlimited 1% back on all other purchases
- Intro Offer
-
$200 cash rewards Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months. Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Annual fee
- $0
- APR
- 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening
- Recommended Credit A credit score is used to indicate an applicant’s credit worthiness and may provide guidance about account eligibility. It does not necessarily guarantee approval for any financial product.
- Good – Excellent
- Rewards rate
-
2% Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
- Intro Offer
-
Earn $200 Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
- Annual fee
- $0
- APR
- 19.24% – 29.99% Variable
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% on Purchases for 15 months
- Recommended Credit A credit score is used to indicate an applicant’s credit worthiness and may provide guidance about account eligibility. It does not necessarily guarantee approval for any financial product.
- Good – Excellent
- Rewards rate
-
1% – 3% 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.; 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.; 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.; 1% Cash Back on other purchases
The bottom line
The Prime Visa offers the best rewards rate for shopping Amazon’s Big Spring Sale, but it might not be the ideal card for people who won’t shop with Amazon much after the sale ends.
The other two cards -- the Blue Cash Everyday and the Wells Fargo Active Cash -- let you earn flexible rewards outside of Amazon’s brands. They offer less instant gratification but still provide great value.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express, click here.
*All information about the Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express has been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
The editorial content on this page is based solely on objective, independent assessments by our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships. It has not been provided or commissioned by any third party. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products or services offered by our partners.
