Amazon Store/Credit Cards - How do they work?

sebsy

Hi folks,

I've only ever had a debit card my entire life, never felt the need for a credit card.

However, I do like free promotional rewards and have seen one on Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com for cards and I was hoping someone could enlighten me as to how these work.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/cobrandcard/marketing.html

This offer on the UK one for example. Just reading it, as someone who has never had a credit card, it appears as simple as applying for the card and getting a free £25 gift card. But what then?

If I then never use this card, ever, have I really just got myself a free £25 to spend on Amazon? It seems unlikely to me. So how does this work?

Same with this offer on Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/iss/credit/storecardmember/ref=as_li_ss_tl?_encoding=UTF8&plattr=PLCCFOOT&linkCode=ll2&!!!!!couponscom08-20&linkId=a20a5823549bce2b29172e5dbc8db851&couponscom08-20=b6d1a01ba5c4434cac39bc0c58bbe74c

I suspect you would have to be a US resident for this, but the curiosity on how this works is the same. Is it really just a case of get the card, and the free $30 and then never use the card and you have jut got yourself a free $30 for nothing? Can't be that simple, surely?

I don't understand all the speak about finance but I can't believe you just apply for a card and get the free gift card and then never use your card or what have you, so what am I missing?

Thanks.

RFW

Without reading all the terms, it probably is that simple. There are pages on here about credit cards and use of them with cashback, etc..


I use a couple of cashback credit cards and just pay them off as I go. I never pay any interest and never pay to use the card. I get back a few hundred pounds a year. The credit card companies get paid by other customers who pay interest and from the retailer.


There is some caution to be had on applying for too much credit within a short period of time if you are doing other things that require credit (applying for a mortgage, buying car, etc), other than that it can be as simple as it seems. They just want you to use the card.

sebsy

But you say you use cashback cards and pay them off as you go.

Can I get this card, get the gift card and then literally not use the card at all, and just continue making any purchases on Amazon using my debit card like I always have done?

It seems like that is too easy.

sebsy

Oh, and I hadn't seen the Credit Cards forum, I should probably repost this over there.

theonlywayisup

You have to take each credit card offer and look at the T&C - there is no one-size-fits-all.

I use American Express and 2-4-1 vouchers and directing my normal spends through the Amex card I fly several times a year in first and business class for nothing more than the taxes (the ticket is paid by the airline's points system collected via Amex).

You need to decide what you want; cash, vouchers, points etc and then target the cards that suit you. If you've never used a credit card before then have a good read of the sticky threads on that forum.

sebsy

theonlywayisup wrote: »

You have to take each credit card offer and look at the T&C - there is no one-size-fits-all.


No, I know that, I just find it difficult to understand these things and was hoping someone would have more understanding of this particular card, maybe having used it themselves.


You need to decide what you want; cash, vouchers, points etc and then target the cards that suit you. If you've never used a credit card before then have a good read of the sticky threads on that forum.


In this instance, I just want to be able to get the free gift card and not actually ever use the card or incur any fees from having the card, that's it. Basically, I used the promotion on Amazon a month or so ago, log in to the Amazon app for the first time and get a £5 promotional credit on your account. That's what I'm hoping this essentially is, do something and get a free giftcard/credit without any fees payable by me.

Replied within quote.

theonlywayisup

sebsy wrote: »

Replied within quote.

If you want the free gift card from the Amazon.co.uk offer then you need to qualify and fulfil.

Qualify -

Qualifying criteria:
Be 18 years or over and have a regular income
Be a permanent UK resident and have lived in the UK for the last 12 months (unless you are HM Armed Forces Personnel)
Have a current UK bank account and a mobile phone number

Fulfil -

*The Gift Card will be loaded to your linked Amazon.co.uk account on approval if you qualify for Instant Spend, otherwise it will be loaded to your linked Amazon.co.uk account when you activate your card.

For this offer it is simple. Qualify for the card and if you are approved you will get the credit, either as an instant spend or linked to your amazon account.

sebsy

So I really could then just not ever use the card and that's it, free money?


That's how I was understanding it but wanted someone with more knowledge and who is able to decipher the finer terms better than me to clarify.


Thanks.

theonlywayisup

sebsy wrote: »

So I really could then just not ever use the card and that's it, free money?


That's how I was understanding it but wanted someone with more knowledge and who is able to decipher the finer terms better than me to clarify.


Thanks.

From those T&C yes.

However, don't just "not ever use the card". Make sure you cancel it once you are done with the bonus/offer/sign up gift. You do really need to have a read of the credit card forum as it will give you better understanding of how this may affect your credit rating.

sebsy

Thanks for the info.


As I say, just wanted to be clear I had things right as I didn't want to misunderstand the terms in any way, not being used to these things.


Once I get it sorted, will be sure to cancel the card the second I have the giftcard!

Inner_Zone

Duplicate thread:


https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5868574/amazon-store-credit-cards-how-do-they-work