Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
vs. Discover it® Cash Back Card

Both the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card and the Discover it® Cash Back Card offer compelling cash back rewards and no annual fee. The Amazon Prime Rewards Card is the superior choice for frequent Amazon and Whole Foods shoppers due to its high unlimited 5% cash back in these stores. However, if you're looking for a card with a solid introductory offer, the Discover it Cash Back has a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months.

While the Discover it Cash Back is excellent for balance transfers, the Amazon Prime Rewards Card's bonus categories and co-branded benefits with Amazon make it a standout for loyal Amazon customers.

You might prefer the Amazon Prime Rewards Card if you're a frequent shopper at Amazon or Whole Foods Market. The card offers a generous 5% cash back on these purchases and travel and shopping protections. These features make it a strong choice for loyal Amazon customers who already have or are willing to get a Prime membership.

You might prefer the Discover it Cash Back if you value flexibility in earning rewards. This card offers various ways to save, with 5% cash back in rotating categories that you activate quarterly and a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months. The first-year cash back match can also significantly boost your rewards.

Evaluating APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards, introductory offers and other features will help determine which card aligns with your spending and financial strategy. For example, frequent Amazon shoppers may lean towards the Amazon Prime Rewards Card for its high cash back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases, while those who prefer varied spending categories might find the Discover it Cash Back's rotating rewards more beneficial.

The Amazon Prime Rewards Card leads with a strong rewards program, particularly for those with an Amazon Prime membership. With an expected reward value of nearly $395 and an effective reward rate of over 1.3%, it's a solid choice for Amazon and Whole Foods enthusiasts. The 5% cash back on these purchases can add up quickly, while the 2% on dining, gas and drugstore purchases is also competitive.

However, the Discover it Cash Back card's most compelling bonus category is its 5% cash back on rotating categories. The rewards can surpass the Amazon card's benefits during certain quarters, especially if those categories align with your spending habits. For example, if the rotating category is gas stations and you have a long commute, the Discover it Cash Back card could be more beneficial during that period. The Discover it Cash Back card's rotating categories offer a strategic advantage for those willing to track and activate these bonuses each quarter.

The table below compares each card's bonus categories, helping you see where you might earn more cash back for your spending.

The Amazon Prime Rewards Card allows you to apply points instantly to Amazon.com purchases or use them as a statement credit, ensuring your points are as good as cash when shopping on Amazon. These points remain valid indefinitely, provided your account stays active.

The Discover it Cash Back offers a broader range of redemption options in addition to statement credits, including gift cards and direct deposits. You also have the flexibility to pay with cash back at certain retailers. Discover's cash back remains yours without expiration, although inactivity for 18 months could lead to forfeiture of accumulated rewards.

MoneyGeek evaluates credit cards for various use cases, such as balance transfers and cash back rewards. In this comparison, the highest-scoring use case for the Amazon Prime Rewards Card is cash back; for the Discover it Cash Back card, it's balance transfers.

For cash back cards, the most significant factors influencing scores include the effective reward rate and the regular APR. For balance transfer cards, the introductory purchase APR and the regular APR significantly influence scores. To better understand our scoring process, you can read about our ranking methodology.