Essential Insights
Stacking up your Amazon cash back haul is entirely doable through multiple avenues — from turbocharged cash back credit cards to the Amazon-specific plastic in your wallet. If you’re an Amazon Prime subscriber, the perks ramp up further with complimentary shipping and steep discounts to sweeten the deal. And let’s not overlook the prime-time events like Amazon Prime Day and the fresh Big Deal Days that bring jaw-dropping bargains.
Amazon’s knack for simplifying shopping and slashing the time it takes is undeniable. But with a handful of savvy moves, you can snag extra perks without compromising on convenience. We unpack how tapping into cash back reward cards, Amazon co-branded credit cards, savvy shopping portals, and more can bulk up your savings on every Amazon buy.
Here’s a lineup of eight stellar tactics to rake in cash back on Amazon purchases.
1. Rock a Cash Back Credit Card
When you swipe a cash back credit card for Amazon shopping, it fast-tracks your way to padding your wallet — especially if Amazon is your go-to hangout. Plenty of cards are out there, but top contenders offer juicy returns:
- Chase Freedom Flex® awards 3% cash back in a category of your choosing — online shopping included. Keep in mind, this 3% applies up to $2,500 per quarter across select categories, with a steady 1% back beyond that.
- Discover it® pumps 5% back on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500 when you activate). Although their Amazon-specific card is no longer issued, Discover blends lucrative cash back on Amazon and Whole Foods with everyday categories like dining and gas.
- Amazon Prime Visa targets Prime devotees, often welcoming new cardholders with an instant Amazon Gift Card. The rewards stack up as:
| Rotating 10%+ back | Selected categories on Amazon.com with active Prime membership |
| Unlimited 5% back | Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market & Chase Travel with Prime membership |
| Unlimited 2% back | Gas stations, restaurants, local transit, and rideshares |
| Unlimited 1% back | All other purchases |
This card also throws in perks like concierge service, access to luxury hotels, and robust travel and purchase protections to sweeten the wallet and the journey.
2. Lock in with the Amazon Prime Store Card
The Amazon Prime Store Card earns you 5% back on Amazon.com and Whole Foods but sticks firmly to Amazon’s ecosystem — it’s a closed-loop card, so your rewards stop outside Amazon’s realm. New cardholders get an $80 Amazon gift card right after approval.
Let’s glance at how the Amazon Prime Visa stacks up against the Amazon Prime Store Card:
| Rewards Rate | 5% on Amazon, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods & Chase Travel; 2% on restaurants & gas; 1% on others | 5% on Amazon.com & Whole Foods (in-store code) |
| Sign-Up Bonus | $250 Amazon Gift Card (limited time, Prime members only) | $60 Amazon Gift Card |
| Annual Fee | None (requires $139 Prime membership) | None (requires $139 Prime membership) |
| Additional Benefits |
|
None beyond rewards |
3. Stack Rewards by Shopping via Cashback Portals
Want to layer your savings like a pro? Start by initiating Amazon purchases through cashback portals such as BeFrugal or TopCashBack. These platforms credit you a percentage back once you create an account and agree to their terms.
When paired with a cash back card like the Amazon Prime Visa, you could be reaping up to 13% total back — 5% from your card plus up to 8% from the shopping portal. That’s some serious stacking power.
4. Score Deals at Amazon Warehouse
Eyeing massive savings? Amazon Warehouse is your treasure trove of open-box, nearly-new, or used goodies from top-notch brands. Packaging might be a little banged up, but the quality inside often speaks for itself.
Because deals vanish fast — first come, first served — you’ll want to pounce when you spot a gem. And since this is all on Amazon’s turf, you can pay your way, including with reward-optimized cards.
5. Explore Amazon’s Spectrum of Savings Tools
Your hunt for bargains is far from over once you check out the warehouse. Amazon’s arsenal of savings paths includes:
- Today’s Deals: Flash sales that flare up abruptly and wrap up by day’s end.
- Subscribe and Save: Auto-renew essentials to score free shipping plus 5-15% or higher discounts.
- Amazon Coupons: Exclusive site coupons stacking with other discounts on everyday must-haves like toiletries and skincare.
- Woot! Deals: Lightning sales with monstrous markdowns, coupled with Prime shipping if you’re in the club.
6. Leverage Free Shipping Perks
While free shipping isn’t cash back per se, it slashes your spending significantly — especially if you’re an Amazon Prime fan. Get two-day free shipping on eligible items and, in many places, upgrade to same-day or Saturday delivery if you meet minimums.
By tapping into these shipping benefits, your Prime membership stretches further — pairing faster delivery with cash back rewards intact.
7. Employ Price Tracking Tools to Nail the Best Bargains
Amazon’s prices often dazzle with affordability, yet if you’re doubting your deal, price tracking tools like CamelCamelCamel and Keepa let you peek into an item’s price trajectory. Not exactly cash back but check the historical lows before buying, and you’ll maximize your savings.
8. Ride the Wave of Amazon Prime Day
A crown jewel for Prime members, Amazon Prime Day unlocks exclusive steals, including Buy With Prime and invite-only specials. Here, some goods flex with cash back rates soaring up to 25% when using an eligible Amazon card — far beyond the usual 5% baseline.
What’s the Deal with Amazon Big Deal Days?
Don’t mix this up with Prime Day. Amazon’s Big Deal Days, a two-day extravaganza (next scheduled for October 8-9, 2024), puts Prime members front and center for spectacular discounts across a wide range of products. Think of it as a warm-up act before Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
This extended shopping spree eases holiday spending by spreading out deals over a longer window, giving Prime members more breathing room.
In Summation
If you’re among the millions who swear by Amazon, you might be stunned at just how many ways there are to juice your cash back returns. Whether you wield a cash back credit card optimized for retail, or stick with Amazon’s specialized cards, your rewards can swell significantly.
Plus, stacking deals with Amazon warehouse finds, Prime Day offers, and strategic use of shopping portals can turbocharge your savings. If you haven’t yet picked a cash back card, exploring options tailored to your spending style will pay dividends down the line.
*Details regarding Chase Freedom Flex® and Amazon Prime Store Card sourced independently by Bankrate; these specifics have not been vetted by the card issuers.
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