6 best ways to pay at Amazon
If you shop online, you’ve probably used Amazon before. The online retail giant is known for its ease, convenience, and enormous catalog of products in almost any category. Amazon also offers lots of deals and discounts, in addition to special savings days like Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Amazon has tons of different ways to pay, from credit cards to alternative payment methods to gift cards.
Depending on how you decide to buy, you could be missing out on savings and rewards. Here’s our guide to smart shopping at Amazon and the best ways to pay.
What to know
- To maximize rewards or cash back: Amazon offers branded credit cards with high rewards across many categories, giving you cash back for most of your shopping.
- For budgeting or payment flexibility: Alternative payment methods allow you to budget for larger purchase amounts over time, and Amazon offers their own program specifically for large purchases at the retailer.
- To avoid overspending: Debit cards and gift cards help you stay on track. Amazon also offers a secured credit card to help you build credit and reduce overspending.
Best credit cards to use Amazon
Credit cards are one of the most popular payment methods for both online and in-person shopping. They’re convenient, they’re secure, and depending on what card you have, they can offer additional perks like cash back or points. Amazon accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express.
One factor to consider when looking for the right card to use at Amazon is protection — most Amazon purchases are made online, and there are cases where a package shows up damaged or is stolen from your doorstep. Most credit cards offer shopping protections, including purchase protection, return protection, and extended warranty, which can help keep your order safe.
Because Amazon offers so many different products, you may want to consider using a different card depending on your specific purchase.
Amazon co-branded credit cards
If you use Amazon for most of your purchases, getting one of Amazon’s three branded credit cards will earn you the most bang for your buck. To qualify, you’ll need a Prime membership ($119 per year) to get full advantage of the perks.
If you have strong credit, the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card offers more rewards on most purchases. However, you can still earn cash back with the Amazon Store Card. If you’re new to credit or are rebuilding your credit, Amazon also offers a secured card to build your score over time.
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
FICO: 670 - 850
Annual fee: $0 but Prime membership is required
Introductory offer: $100 Amazon gift card
Everyday Rewards:
- 5% cash back at Amazon and Whole Foods
- 2% cash back at restaurants, gas stations, and drug stores
- 1% cash back on utilities, ridesharing services, and all other purchases
- 10% cash back on select products at Amazon.com
Amazon Store Card
There are technically two versions of this card: The Prime Store Card and The Store Card. When you apply, the card you get depends if you have a Prime membership or not. Without a Prime membership, you’ll get The Store Card (which doesn’t offer cash back).
These cards can only be used at Amazon.com, Audible, Amazon Bookstore, Amazon Web Services, and places that accept Amazon Pay. You cannot use this card at Whole Foods, so if grocery rewards are your main focus, you may want to consider a different payment method.
FICO: 640+
Annual fee: $0
Introductory offer: $10 Amazon gift card
Everyday Rewards:
- 5% cash back on all Amazon purchases
- Extra 5-15% cash back on select items throughout the year
- Financing options on eligible purchases of $150 or more at 0%, for 6, 12, or 24 months.
Amazon Prime Secured Card
FICO: n/a but upfront deposit needed and Prime membership is required
Annual fee: $0
Introductory offer: After 12 months of responsible use, you may be eligible to activate Amazon Store Card features, including 5% cash back on Amazon purchases.
Everyday Rewards:
- 2% cash back on Amazon purchases
Cash back credit cards
If you don’t want to use a branded credit card to pay for your Amazon purchase, your next best bet is to use a cash back credit card. With so many different types of products available, choose a credit card that offers cash back on all purchases, or everything you buy on Amazon.
Chase Freedom Unlimited
FICO: 670 - 850
Annual fee: $0
Introductory offer: $200 welcome bonus
Everyday Rewards:
- 1.5% cash back on all purchases
- Bonus rewards on dining, drugstore purchases, and travel booked through Chase
Citi Double Cash Card
FICO: 670 - 850
Annual fee: $0
Introductory offer: N/a
Everyday Rewards:
- 2% cash back on all purchases
- No limits to cash back rewards
Other ways to pay at Amazon
Maybe you want to spread your Amazon purchase out over time, or want more flexibility over how you pay. There are other (and sometimes better) ways to pay at Amazon besides credit cards — depending on your financial situation, it may make more sense for you to skip the credit card at check out. Here are some other options.
Using Buy Now, Pay Later at Amazon
If you want repayment flexibility while shopping at Amazon, the retailer offers a Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) service that offers payment terms, usually in installment loans over a fixed period. If you are planning on making a bigger purchase and want to budget for that purchase over time, it may make sense to use Buy Now, Pay Later.
What’s more, qualifying for a Buy Now, Pay Later plan could be easier than qualifying for a credit card, especially if you don’t have an established credit history.
Amazon Monthly Payments
Amazon has its own Buy Now, Pay Later program called Monthly Payments. This program allows you to split the cost of an item across five months with no interest or fees. The price of the item is divided into five equal installments, with your first payment due when the product ships (20% of the total price). Each payment is due 30 days after.
You can only use Monthly Payments for one qualifying product in each product category. You can qualify for Monthly Payments if your Amazon account has been active for at least one year, have a credit card tied to your Amazon account and have a positive payment history at Amazon.
There’s no credit check when using Monthly Payments, but only certain items are eligible.
How to apply:
- Sign in and verify your account is eligible for Monthly Payments by clicking “enable monthly payments”
- Select an eligible product and select the payment options
- Pay your first month, plus taxes and shipping
Amazon Equal Pay Financing & Special Financing
Amazon’s Equal Pay program is used if you have a larger purchase and need a longer amount of time to pay it off. The payoff period for Amazon Equal Pay ranges from 6-24 months, depending on the size of your order — orders must be at least $150 to qualify. The cost of the item is split equally over the payment period, interest-free.
Using Affirm at Amazon
The retailer also allows shoppers to finance their online purchases via Affirm, a BNPL service. Affirm applies to eligible items over $50. You can apply for Affirm directly at checkout or on Amazon’s home page. Once approved, you’ll be able to select Affirm as your payment method at checkout and get tailored payment options.
You can pay for your purchase in equal payments over 3-48 months, depending on the cost of your order:
- 3-6 months: $50+
- 12 months: $100+
- 18 months: $250+
- 24 months: $500+
- 36 months: $1,000+
- 48 months: $1,500+
Affirm has an APR of 10 - 30%, depending on your credit. There’s no minimum credit score to apply, but will perform a soft credit check. The company will determine your eligibility based on how long you’ve been using Affirm, the purchase price and if you have any outstanding loans with Affirm.
Alternate payment options at Amazon
There are also third-party services that offer Buy Now, Pay Later via an app or browser extension.
Because Amazon offers its own financing options, the retailer limits some alternative payment options that may be accepted at other retailers. Here’s how to decide which one is right for you.
Afterpay
Amazon doesn’t accept Afterpay directly at checkout, but Afterpay does offer a one-time use credit card that can be used like a regular credit card to make your purchase. Amazon registers this as a credit card.
How it works: Generate your one-time credit card in the Afterpay app and enter the card details into Amazon’s checkout. Your purchase is divided into four equal interest-free installments and each installment is due every two weeks, with the first payment due at checkout.
Fees: You may be charged a late fee of up to $8. All fees are capped at 25% of the purchase value.
How to qualify: There’s no minimum credit score to apply, but Afterpay will perform a soft credit check. The company will determine your eligibility based on how long you’ve been using Afterpay, the purchase price and if you have any outstanding loans with Afterpay.
Klarna
How it works: Klarna offers a few different payment options.
- Pay in 4: Your purchase is divided into four equal interest-free installments and each installment is due every two weeks, with the first payment due at checkout.
- Pay in 30: You pay nothing for 30 days, then pay the full purchase price
- Financing: You can pay for a purchase with a loan of up to 36 months.
- APR & fees: Interest rates for financing range from 0% to 24.99%. You may be charged a late fee of up to $7.
How to qualify: There’s no minimum credit score to apply, but Klarna will perform a soft credit check. The company will determine your eligibility based on how long you’ve been using Klarna, the purchase price and if you have any outstanding loans.
Zip
How it works: Your purchase is divided into four equal interest-free installments and each installment is due every two weeks, with the first payment due at checkout.
Fees: Zip charges a convenience fee of $1 for each payment. This means your purchase will cost an extra $4. Zip also charges late fees of $5, $7, or $10, depending on your state.
How to qualify: Zip uses your information at checkout and most likely reviews if there’s enough money available on your credit or debit card and purchase size. Zip doesn’t do a hard credit check, which makes it easier to get approved.
Using gift cards at Amazon
If you’ve received an Amazon gift card, it’s easy to redeem. Just upload the gift card number to your account once you’ve received it, and the balance will be available next time you shop.
Prepaid gift cards from credit card companies like Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are also accepted.
Payment options not available at Amazon
Unlike other retailers like Walmart or Target, you cannot use PayPal on Amazon purchases. Why? Amazon has its own digital payment processing service called Amazon Pay. Similar to PayPal, Amazon Pay stores your payment methods within its system, keeping your information secure and making it easier to pay.
You’re able to use Amazon Pay outside of Amazon, if the retailer accepts it. To pay using Amazon Pay:
- Select the Amazon Pay button at checkout.
- Log in to your Amazon Pay account
- Follow the checkout process
- Choose the stored payment method you’d like to use to complete your order.
- Receive a receipt from Amazon Pay after the payment has been completed
Using your EBT at Amazon
Amazon allows you to use your EBT card at checkout online in most states. To pay with your EBT card, update your payment information online and save your information like you would with any other card.
Once you add your EBT card, you can shop for groceries and deals by looking out for items labeled SNAP EBT eligible. Once you reach checkout and select your payment method, you can enter the amount of EBT cash you’d like to use and your EBT PIN. If there’s any amount leftover you can use a debit card or credit card.
Which payment method should I use at Amazon?
Amazon is all about flexibility, and how you decide to pay is no exception. Which method you use depends largely on what you want to buy, your goal with the purchase, and your financial situation.
If you’re focused on maximizing your rewards and cash back on your Amazon purchases, consider a Amazon-branded credit card or cash back credit card.
If you want to budget for a larger item over time, consider using a Buy Now, Pay Later service like Amazon’s Monthly Payments or Affirm.
If you want to pay for items without worrying about owing money down the road, you may want to stick to cash, checks, gift cards, debit cards, or Amazon’s secured credit card.
