The headline 'cashback' is actually paid as Amazon rewards points rather than cash. Once a user earns at least £5 in rewards points, they can be exchanged for a £5 Amazon gift card. At the time of writing, only new Barclaycard customers can apply for the Amazon card and existing customers will not be able to switch over.
Key facts about the Amazon Barclaycard credit card
- Best for: Those who regularly buy items on Amazon
- Introductory offer: Interest-free on purchases for 6 months from the date the account is opened
- Sign up bonus: £20 Amazon gift card, though some former Amazon Classic or Platinum card users may be offered £50
- Representative APR: 28.9% APR
- Fees: No annual fee
- Rewards: 1% 'cashback' (paid in Amazon rewards that can be exchanged for gift cards) on Amazon, Audible, Kindle and Prime Video spending; 0.5% cashback on non-Amazon spending in the first year, then 0.25%; 2% cashback for Prime members during special shopping events, such as Prime Day or Black Friday. £5 in Amazon rewards can exchanged for a £5 gift card
Pros of the Amazon Platinum credit card
- 0% interest on purchases for 6 months
- Earn 'cashback' as Amazon rewards
- £20 Amazon gift card as a sign-up bonus
- Check your eligibility before you apply
Cons of the Amazon Platinum credit card
- 0.5% 'cashback' on non-Amazon spending can be beaten
- 'Cashback' is only paid in Amazon rewards rather than cash, so can only be redeemed through Amazon
- Competitors offer longer interest-free periods on purchases
- It is app-only, so you will need to use the Barclays or Barclaycard app to manage your account
How to manage your payments on the Amazon Barclaycard credit card
How to find out which credit card is best for you
Money to the Masses has partnered with Creditec* to help find the best credit card for you. By entering a few basic details, you will be able to see a tailored list of the best credit cards based on your individual circumstances. You can sort your results by the feature that interests you most, such as by card type, total fees or cashback offered. On top of this, the credit cards that have been pre-approved for you will be highlighted, meaning you can be more confident that you will be accepted if you apply. (Pre-approval does not guarantee acceptance and is still subject to additional lender checks). Your details will be used to conduct a soft credit search often referred to as an eligibility check, which means your credit score will not be affected. Click on this link to get started*.
How to apply for the Amazon Barclaycard credit card
You can check your eligibility for the Amazon Barclaycard credit card before you apply. If you are eligible, the application process should only take a few minutes.
How does the Amazon Barclaycard credit card compare to other credit cards?
The Amazon Barclaycard credit card stacks up well against similar cards from other retailers. Tesco, John Lewis and M&S all offer cards that allow users to earn points on their shopping, with a higher rate offered for purchases with that brand and a lower rate for spending elsewhere. Amazon's 1% and 0.5% 'cashback' rates are close to what these major competitors offer, though no one else currently matches Amazon's introductory voucher offer.
The value of retailer-branded cards ultimately depend on how frequently you shop with that retailer. If you are spending hundreds of pounds a month at Amazon, then it is likely a good choice. If you do most of your shopping in Tesco or Waitrose, it may be worth checking out their offerings instead. Alternatively, you could switch between multiple credit cards depending on where you are shopping.
While the Amazon Barclaycard may match its retailer-branded competitors, it does not reach the heights of the rewards card behemoth – Amex. The best rewards credit card in the UK is still the American Express Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card, which offers 1 reward point for every £1 spent and an introductory bonus of 20,000 membership rewards points for new customers when they spend £3,000 in their first three months.
Our verdict on the the Amazon Barclaycard credit card
The rewards points offer will be a great tool for heavy Amazon spenders, especially those who save their big purchases for Prime Day. The six-month interest-free period could also be a useful bonus. The rewards rate is similar to what is offered by Tesco or John Lewis, but many people will find it easier to regularly spend a lot of money at a supermarket than they would on Amazon. The value really depends on your lifestyle and your Amazon usage.
For the very top rewards, Amazon lags behind Amex, while its 0% purchases offer does not compete with the big-hitters in that area.
