The Amazon Barclaycard Visa review
- Representative example:
- When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 28.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 28.9% APR (variable).
- Earn rate at Amazon
- 1 point per £1 spent
- Earn rate (elsewhere)
- 1 point per £2 spent
- Welcome giftcard
- £20
Our verdict
Amazon and Barclaycard’s new rewards credit card: Is it the Prime choice for shoppers?The new Amazon Barclaycard rewards credit card is tailor-made for the savvy online shopper, packed with some great perks and rewards, making it almost as irresistible as a Prime Day flash sale.
Right off the bat, you’re welcomed with a £20 Amazon gift card upon approval - a little something to sweeten your next check out. You’ll also have 6 months 0% interest on purchases, where you can spread the cost of a larger purchase or finally buy that Amazon wish list you’ve been meticulously curating. Though it is important to note that any balance that isn’t included in the 0% 6-month period or repaid in full the following month will attract interest.
But where this card really shines is in its rewards system. You’ll earn 1% back on Amazon purchases, or 2% if you’re a Prime member during those all-important shopping events like Prime Day. For the other places you shop, you’ll still pocket 0.5% back on purchases.
So how do you redeem your rewards? When you’ve earned £5 in rewards, you can exchange that for a £5 Amazon gift card to use on Amazon, or you can let the rewards accumulate. As your earnings grow, you can redeem gift cards in multiples of £5.
Whilst the Amazon Barclaycard has plenty of perks, there are a few downsides to consider. This card can only be managed via the Barclays or Barclaycard app, so if you’re not keen on managing your finances from your phone, you might find it a bit of a hassle.
Also, keep in mind that after the first 12 months, the 0.5% earned back on non-Amazon purchases drops to a less enticing 0.25%. Apple Pay isn’t supported, which could be inconvenient for those who rely on contactless mobile payments. Lastly, if you already have a personal Barclaycard or had one within the past 6 months, you won’t be able to apply for the Amazon Barclaycard just yet.
If you love Amazon and don’t mind managing your card via an app, this could be a great fit. Just remember, it’s always wise to weigh your options - check out other rewards or 0% purchase credit cards to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
Pros
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0% interest for 6 months on purchases
-
£20 welcome voucher upon approval
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Earn rewards on all your spending
-
Turn rewards in Amazon gift cards
Cons
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Apple Pay not available
-
New Barclaycard customers only
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Reduced rewards rate after 12 months
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Manage your account only through the Barclays or Barclaycard app
Details
Product Overview
Issuer | Barclaycard |
Network | Visa |
Representative APR | 28.9% APR (variable) |
Annual/monthly fees | £0 |
Loyalty scheme | Rewards |
Incentive | Get 1% back in rewards when shopping on Amazon and 0.5% elsewhere. Amazon Prime members receive 2% back in rewards during eligible Amazon shopping events. |
Incentive on opening | Receive a £20 Amazon gift card upon approval. |
Purchases | 0% for 6 months reverting to 28.9% |
Purchases interest-free period (days) | 57 |
Potential costs | 3.8 ★★★★★ |
Doing its job | 3.7 ★★★★★ |
Extras | 4.7 ★★★★★ |
Overall Finder Score | 3.8 ★★★★★ |
Fees and charges
Minimum monthly payment | 1% or £5 (whichever is greater) or the total of any interest, default fees and charges plus 1% of the outstanding balance. |
Annual/monthly fees | £0 |
Foreign usage charge (EU) | 2.99% |
Foreign usage charge (rest of world) | 2.99% |
Cash advance fee | 2.99% (min. £2.99) |
Late payment fee | £12 |
Replacement card fee | £0 |
Duplicate statement fee | £0 |
Exceeding limit fee | £0 |
Additional card fee | £0 |
Dormancy fee | £0 |
Application Requirements
Minimum Age | 18 |
Availability | Available to new customers |
How does it compare?
Barclaycard's card
Other popular reward cards
Approval for any credit card depends on your status. The representative APRs shown represent the interest rate offered to most successful applicants. Depending on your personal circumstances, the APR you're offered may be higher, or you may not be offered credit at all. Fees and rates are subject to change without notice. It's always wise to check the terms of any deal before you borrow. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables is provided by Moneyfacts.
Key features of the Amazon Barclaycard credit card
- Welcome voucher. Receive a £20 Amazon gift card upon approval.
- 0% interest. Enjoy 6 months of 0% interest on purchases, ideal for spreading out the cost of larger buys.
- Rewards. Earn 1% back on Amazon purchases and 2% if you’re a Prime member during key shopping events like Prime Day; you can also earn 0.5% back on non-Amazon purchases (though this drops to 0.25% after the first 12 months).
- Exchange rewards for gift cards. Transfer your rewards into a £5 Amazon gift card when you’ve accumulated £5, or let your rewards build up for future use.
- App-only management. The card is managed exclusively through the Barclays or Barclaycard app, which may not suit everyone.
- No Apple Pay. The card doesn’t support Apple Pay, which is potentially inconvenient for those who prefer making contactless payments using their mobile.
What rewards can I get with the Amazon Barclaycard?
When you use your Amazon Barclaycard, you’ll rack up rewards based on where you shop:
- Amazon rewards. Earn 1% back on Amazon purchases, or 2% back if you’re an Amazon Prime member during special events like Prime Day.
- Everyday rewards. Earn 0.5% back on purchases made elsewhere (0.25% after the first 12 months).
Please note, rewards can’t be earned on cash withdrawals or purchases which are subsequently returned or refunded.
How do Amazon rewards work?
- When you’ve earned £5 in rewards, you can transfer and add a £5 Amazon gift card to your Amazon account.
- Alternatively, you can carry on earning and then transfer gift cards in multiples of £5.
- You’ll find your gift cards in your Amazon account within 2 hours of transferring them.
- You can then apply gift cards to your purchases when you check out at Amazon.
Remember that you can only redeem rewards via the Barclays or Barclaycard app.
Repayment options
You can make manual repayments through Barclaycard's app by logging in to your online banking or over the phone (0800 151 0900). Alternatively, you may wish to set up a direct debit.
A direct debit protects you from forgetting to make a repayment and either damaging your credit score, getting hit with a penalty fee (£12) or losing any promotional rates as a result.
You can arrange a direct debit for repayments when you apply for the credit card. The table below shows the options available.
Choose from the following direct debit options for your monthly repayments:
Minimum amount | |
---|---|
Fixed amount | |
Fixed percentage | |
Full amount |
How to apply for this Barclaycard
If you've compared cards and settled on The Amazon Barclaycard Visa, completing the secure online application form takes about 15 minutes. Before you apply, check that you meet the eligibility requirements and have the information and documents you'll need to make the process as straightforward as possible.
Frequently asked questions
What credit limit will I get with The Amazon Barclaycard Visa?
If Barclaycard offers you this deal, it will specify a personalised credit limit based on Barclaycard's assessment of your situation. The minimum limit offered on this card is £500, and Barclaycard does not specify a maximum. Once you've had the card for a while and shown Barclaycard you're reliable, you may wish to apply for a credit limit increase.
Can I withdraw cash using The Amazon Barclaycard Visa?
Although it's possible, withdrawing cash from a credit card account is generally not a good idea, as "cash-like transactions" (such as withdrawing cash at an ATM, getting cashback at the till, spending at a casino or buying currency) often incur steep fees and/or higher rates of interest.
The cash advance fee on The Amazon Barclaycard Visa is 2.99% (min. £2.99). For example, if you withdraw £50, you'll incur a fee of £2.99. Withdraw £250 and you'll incur a fee of £7.48.
The interest rate on this part of your balance will be 28.9%, which is the same as the standard purchase rate (chargeable from the day of the transaction – the card's usual "up to 57 days interest-free" grace period won't apply).
How much does it cost to use The Amazon Barclaycard Visa abroad?
Non-sterling transactions are subject to a 2.99% charge (which is very standard). For example, if you spend 200 euros (£165.54), it'll cost you around £4.95 in fees.
What is the minimum payment on The Amazon Barclaycard Visa?
Each month, you must pay at least 1% of your balance at that point or £5.00 – whichever of the 2 figures is greater. So if you had, say, £450.00 outstanding, you'd pay £5.00, and if you had £2,000.00 outstanding, you'd pay £20.00.
Paying only the minimum required amount each month is generally not advisable as it tends to be a very expensive way to borrow money, which can lead to persistent debt.
Finder credit card scores
Our experts score rewards credit cards to determine their value against similar products on the market. We look at a number of important factors, like welcome bonuses, introductory and ongoing earn-rates, any caps or restrictions on the points you can earn, plus the potential costs involved with running the card both in the short and longer term.
You can read more about our scoring criteria on our credit card methodology page.