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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 joint effort with Amazon, built to appeal to shoppers who rely on Amazon for everything from weekly essentials to big-ticket purchases. Since launching in 2024, it has positioned itself as a straightforward way to turn normal spending into Amazon credit—no complicated reward charts, no rotating categories.

There’s no annual fee attached, and both Prime and non-Prime customers can apply. The difference comes in the earning rates, which may shift slightly for Prime members during special promos. Because it runs on the Visa network, the card works just about everywhere, making it easy to use even if you don’t spend most of your time browsing Amazon.

The earning structure is split into two simple tiers:

  • 1% in Amazon Rewards on Amazon.co.uk purchases
  • 0.5% on everything else for the first year, dropping to 0.25% afterward

Your rewards don’t appear as cash; instead, they accumulate as Amazon Rewards Points that convert straight into Amazon gift card balance. There are no hoops to jump through—the system loads the credit directly into your Amazon account once enough points are collected.

Prime members sometimes enjoy slightly better earning rates during limited promotions, though nothing is guaranteed or permanent. Barclays also offers occasional welcome perks—often a modest Amazon gift card—but these vary by customer profile and timing.

No annual fee: Not having to pay anything to hold the card is appealing, especially when many reward cards in the UK still charge annual fees north of £50.

Straightforward rewards: If you already shop on Amazon, the setup feels almost invisible. Your points accumulate automatically, and the redemption happens in the background.

Easy Amazon connection: You can sync the card to your Amazon profile in a few seconds, meaning every Amazon order earns rewards without thinking about it.

Solid security features: As a Barclays-issued Visa card, it includes fraud alerts, purchase protection, and the usual safety features expected from a major UK lender.

If your household spends £300–£600 a month on Amazon—which isn’t unusual once groceries, home supplies, and kids’ items are factored in—you’ll earn back a small but steady stream of credit. That can translate to around £72 a year without changing any habits.

But the story is different for those who only occasionally shop on Amazon. The 0.5% return on everything else is mediocre, and once it drops to 0.25% after the first 12 months, the card loses most of its appeal outside the Amazon ecosystem. Other UK cards deliver far better rewards on general 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 spendersHigher monthly spenders

In the short term, the Amazon Barclaycard Visa works well for anyone who buys frequently from Amazon and wants a no-fee way to build up store credit. The 1% return is predictable and easy to make use of.

The long-term picture depends heavily on your spending habits. If Amazon represents a meaningful portion of your monthly outgoings, the card fits neatly and earns in the background. But if Amazon is more of an occasional stop, a flat-rate cashback card—especially one offering 1% on everything—might bring more flexibility and better value across the board.

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.