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Amazon Barclaycard Visa Review: Is It Worth It for UK Shoppers?

A practical look at the UK’s Amazon-branded credit card and whether its rewards justify long-term use.

The Amazon Barclaycard Visa is Barclays UK’s co-branded credit card built specifically for Amazon.co.uk shoppers. Introduced in 2024, it aims to give regular Amazon customers a simple way to earn rewards that feed straight back into the platform. The pitch is easy to grasp: use the card, collect points, and spend those points as Amazon credit.

There’s no annual fee, and the card is open to both Prime and non-Prime shoppers—though the earning rates can differ depending on your membership status. And because it’s a Visa product, it works almost everywhere in the UK and abroad, making it convenient beyond Amazon purchases.

The earning structure is designed to reward loyalty to Amazon, with smaller returns on everyday spending elsewhere. You earn:

  • 1% in Amazon Rewards for purchases made on Amazon.co.uk
  • 0.5% on all other purchases (which drops to 0.25% after the first 12 months)

These aren’t cashback payments. Instead, you collect Amazon Rewards Points that convert into Amazon gift card credit. The best part is that redemption is automatic—the credit simply appears in your Amazon balance when it’s ready.

Prime members may occasionally see enhanced rates during special promotions, though it’s never guaranteed. Barclays also runs periodic welcome bonuses—like a £20 Amazon gift card upon approval—but these offers tend to change based on eligibility and timing.

No annual fee: You don’t pay anything to hold the card, which already puts it ahead of many high-street reward cards that charge £50 or more per year.

Simple rewards: There’s no learning curve. You earn points automatically, and those points convert automatically. If you’re already spending on Amazon, it feels effortless.

Smooth Amazon integration: You can add the card to your Amazon account immediately, making checkout faster and ensuring you earn rewards on every qualifying purchase.

Security and protection: Because it’s issued by Barclays and runs on Visa, you get standard protections such as fraud monitoring, dispute handling, and purchase security features.

If you spend somewhere around £300–£600 a month on Amazon—a range many families hit without realising—you’d earn between £3 and £6 in rewards each month. Over a full year, that’s roughly £72 in Amazon credit simply for using the card for your Amazon orders.

But the picture changes if most of your spending happens elsewhere. Earning 0.5% on non-Amazon purchases is modest, and when that reward drops to 0.25% after year one, the card becomes less compelling. At that point, several UK cashback cards outperform it on everyday spending.

FeatureAmazon Barclaycard VisaChase UK Cashback CardAmerican Express Platinum Cashback
Annual Fee£0£0£25 after first year
Amazon.co.uk Rewards1%1%0.5%–1%
Non-Amazon Purchases0.5% → 0.25%1% flat rate0.5% (first £10k annually)
Reward FormatAmazon Gift CreditCash backCash back
Best ForAmazon-focused spendersGeneral spendersModerate to high spenders

The Amazon Barclaycard Visa can deliver solid short-term value if Amazon is one of your main shopping destinations. The 1% return on Amazon orders is clean, predictable, and easy to use. But the card’s long-term value really depends on how large a slice of your monthly spending ends up on Amazon.

If your Amazon spending is less than roughly 30% of your total monthly outgoings, you may find a general cashback card more rewarding overall—especially those with a consistent 1% return on all purchases. On the other hand, if Amazon is where you do most of your repeat shopping, this card slots neatly into a routine and quietly earns credit in the background.

Written By

Jason holds an MBA in Finance and specializes in personal finance and financial planning. With over 10 years of experience as a consultant in the field, he excels at making complex financial topics understandable, helping readers make informed decisions about investments and household budgets.