Amazon Credit Card

Since Amazon.com first launched in July 1995, it has drawn thousands of online shoppers to its many stores, and today eager consumers can choose an Amazon credit card to help with all their shopping needs.

About Amazon.com

An Amazon.com credit card is the perfect choice for frequent online shoppers.

Amazon.com’s self-proclaimed mission is “to be the Earth’s most customer-centric company where people can find and discover anything they want to buy online.” With easy-to-use interfaces, different search options, and dozens of categories to choose from, that mission is rapidly becoming fulfilled as Amazon.com
makes its place as a household name. From a humble beginning as an online bookstore, today shoppers can find music, auctions, toys, movies, and more in one convenient location. Baby, wedding, and other gift registries also make it useful for people who want to give gift ideas to others. Amazon.com has partnered with Borders, Target, Toys “R” Us and other well-known merchants in order to provide an exceptional range of products to interested consumers, and the site’s affiliate program allows individuals to become merchants themselves and earn money from ads and links on their personal websites.

Headquartered in Seattle, Amazon.com’s reach is far beyond a few home computers. The site is now one of the most popular shopping portals online, and it truly does carry everything from A to Z.

The Amazon Credit Card

To increase the convenience of shopping online, consumers can apply for an Amazon credit card from Chase Bank USA. This Visa card offers shopping flexibility to consumers and is particularly useful for individuals who shop frequently at Amazon.com because of the point rewards: 3 points for every dollar on Amazon.com purchases (not including auctions, international website purchases, or purchases from merchants who process their own credit card transactions). All other purchases earn 1 point per dollar, and every 2,500 points is automatically redeemed for a $25 Amazon.com gift certificate.

Another benefit of choosing this card is the introductory zero percent annual percentage rate (APR) for up to six months that covers both new purchases and balance transfers. This can help consumers with other high-interest cards consolidate their debts and save hundreds of dollars on finance charges if they are able to repay the balances before the end of the promotional period. Another introductory bonus is an automatic $30 discount on the first purchase that will be applied as a credit to the new cardholder’s account.

Because online shopping can be dangerous and the potential for fraud and misrepresentation is high, the Amazon credit card offers cardholders several layers of protection. The most notable is the zero liability protection against unauthorized purchases, but interested patrons should note that the protection does not extend to ATM transactions.

Business Cards

Because more and more businesses are conducting transactions online to purchase supplies and equipment, Amazon also offers a business card option. In addition to the benefits for standard cardholders, the business credit card also features unique numbers on each employee card to facilitate tracking for different expenditures. Online account management tools include the ability to set spending limits, create itemized statements, and personalize both tax and expense reports.

Student Cards

Students also have card options with Amazon.com, though for the time being the benefits are the same as those for standard cardholders. Nevertheless, an initial credit card through Amazon.com can help students establish a reputable credit history to bolster their financial standing.

Signing Up for an Amazon Credit Card

It’s easy to sign up for an Amazon card online; the questionnaire takes only a few minutes to fill out and the instant approval option lets approved cardholders begin shopping immediately with their new account. Certain qualifications must be met, however, such as having a valid address already listed with Amazon.com, and the instant approval option will not work when purchasing downloadable items such as e-books.

Amazon Credit Card Problems

Before applying for any credit card, interested individuals should always investigate the fine print to be sure the card will suit their financial situation. For an Amazon credit card, the APR varies from 17-24 percent depending on the current balance and individual’s credit history, while the APR for cash advances is 24.24 percent. There is a 3 percent fee for balance transfers and cash advances, and late payments will be penalized either $15 or $39 depending on the balance. Should an eager shopper exceed their credit card limit, they will be assessed a $39 over-limit penalty.

In Conclusion

An Amazon credit card can be a great choice for individuals who frequently shop online, particularly if one of their favorite merchants is Amazon.com. With great benefits and an array of protective measures for online purchases, this card is a smart choice for smart shoppers.
[tag]credit-card,amazon[/tag]