Amazon Barclaycard — 1% back on Amazon and 0% on purchases for 6 months

Did the promise of a £20 Amazon gift card and earning rewards on your Amazon shopping with the Amazon Barclaycard catch your eye? As one of the UK’s biggest retailers, a co-branded card seems like a no-brainer, especially with no annual fee.

But in a world of 1% cashback cards, what is an “Amazon Reward point” *really* worth? Is this card a genuinely good deal, or just a clever marketing tool that locks you into the Amazon ecosystem? And what’s the catch with that 3-month 0% balance transfer offer?

You’ve come to the right place. In this detailed review, we are breaking down every single aspect. We’ll cover:

• A deep dive into the Amazon Rewards points and their *real* cashback value (we’ve done the maths).
• An honest look at the card’s main “trap”: the 3-month 0% balance transfer offer.
• A transparent table of all the fees and costs (including the 30.9% APR).
• The major drawbacks you must know before you apply (like the £20k income rule).
• The exact, up-to-date eligibility criteria from Barclaycard.
• A step-by-step guide to the “Check eligibility” application process.

By the end of this page, you’ll know for sure if the Amazon Barclaycard deserves a place in your wallet.

A Deep Dive into the Core Benefits

This card’s value is built on one simple idea: rewarding your Amazon loyalty. But the value is very different depending on one key factor: whether you have Amazon Prime.

Benefit 1: The Rewards Rate (The Main Event)

This is the most important part of the card, and we need to do some maths. The card earns “Amazon Rewards points”, which can be redeemed at the checkout or as a gift card.

The redemption rate is: 1,000 points = £5 Amazon Gift Card.

This means 1 Amazon Reward point is worth 0.5p. Now let’s look at what you earn:

If you are an Amazon Prime Member:

• You earn 1.5 points for every £2 spent at Amazon.co.uk.
• Maths: (1.5 * 0.5p) / £2.00 = 0.75p / £2.00 = 0.75% cashback at Amazon.
• You earn 0.5 points for every £2 spent everywhere else.
• Maths: (0.5 * 0.5p) / £2.00 = 0.25p / £2.00 = 0.25% cashback everywhere else.

If you are NOT an Amazon Prime Member:

• You earn 0.75 points for every £2 spent at Amazon.co.uk.
• Maths: (0.75 * 0.5p) / £2.00 = 0.375p / £2.00 = 0.375% cashback at Amazon.
• You earn 0.5 points for every £2 spent everywhere else (this is the same).
• Maths: 0.25% cashback everywhere else.

As you can see, the rewards are *significantly* better for Prime members, but even 0.75% is not a market-leading rate. However, it’s one of the only Visa/Mastercard options for earning rewards directly on Amazon purchases.

Benefit 2: The £20 Welcome Bonus

This is a simple, tangible perk. When you are approved and spend £200 on the card in the first 60 days, you will receive a £20 Amazon gift card. This is a very easy target to hit (just one big ‘weekly shop’ and a tank of petrol) and effectively gives you 10% back on your first £200 of spending. It’s a solid, no-nonsense welcome gift.

Benefit 3: Backed by a “Big Four” UK Bank

This card is issued by Barclaycard, a core part of Barclays, one of the largest and most trusted “Big Four” banks in the UK. This isn’t a flimsy store card; it’s a proper, regulated credit card. You get the security that comes with a major high-street bank, including FSCS (Financial Services Compensation Scheme) protection on any credit balances, a full-featured mobile app, and robust fraud protection. It’s also a Visa, meaning it’s accepted everywhere, unlike an Amex.

All Fees and Costs at a Glance

Here are the numbers. This card has a high APR, so it is designed to be paid off in full every month.

The Drawbacks: What to Know Before You Apply

This card is a decent choice for Amazon loyalists, but it has some significant flaws. Here is what you must be aware of.

Drawback 1: The Cashback Rate is Very Low

Let’s be blunt: 0.75% (if you’re a Prime member) and **0.25%** (everywhere else) is not a good cashback rate. Many cards on the market offer 1% or 1.25% on all spending (like the Amex Platinum Cashback) or 1% from a Mastercard (like the Chase card). The *only* reason to accept this low rate is if you want a simple, all-in-one Visa card that is linked to your Amazon account and don’t want to think about it. For savvy “FinExperts,” this rate is disappointing.

Drawback 2: The 3-Month 0% Balance Transfer Offer is a TRAP

This is the card’s single biggest trap. The card offers 0% for 3 months on balance transfers, but charges a 3.49% fee. This is a *terrible* deal.

You are paying a high fee for almost no benefit. A 3-month window is not long enough to pay off a serious debt. Competitors like NatWest or MBNA offer **20+ months** for a similar fee. This offer is a gimmick. **Do NOT get this card for balance transfers.**

Drawback 3: It’s a Terrible Card for Travel

This is the card’s biggest irony. It’s a rewards card from Amazon—a global company—that is useless for global travel. The 2.99% foreign transaction fee will be added to every purchase you make abroad. This fee will cost you more than any points you could possibly earn. Leave this card at home when you go on holiday.

Drawback 4: The £20,000 Income Requirement

This is a recent and very high hurdle. Barclaycard states you must have an income of at least £20,000 to be eligible. This is a very high requirement for a “store card” that offers such a low cashback rate. Many people who would benefit from a simple Amazon card may not meet this high income threshold.

Who Can Apply for This Card?

This is a “prime” credit card, so the eligibility criteria are stricter than for a credit builder card.

You MUST:

• Be 18 years old or over.
• Be a permanent UK resident.
• Have a minimum annual income of £20,000.
• Have a good credit history and a history of making payments on time.
• Have a UK bank account and a UK mobile number.

You are NOT eligible if:

• You have been declared bankrupt in the last 6 years.
• You have had **4 or more** new credit products in the last 6 months.

Barclaycard’s “soft check” eligibility tool is the best way to know if you’ll be accepted without harming your credit score.

How to Apply for the Amazon Barclaycard

Applying for the Amazon Barclaycard is a straightforward, online process. The best feature is the “soft check” (eligibility checker) which allows you to see if you’ll be approved without harming your credit score.

Step 1: Visit the Official Barclaycard Page

Start by heading to the official Amazon Barclaycard page. You can use the secure button on our site to go directly there.

Step 2: Start Your Eligibility Check

On the Barclaycard page, click the “Check your eligibility” button. This will take you to the secure application portal. This first step is the “soft search” and will not be visible to other lenders.

Step 3: Fill in Your Details

You will need to complete the eligibility form with your personal and financial details. This includes:

• Your personal details (name, date of birth).
• Your UK address history for the last 3 years.
• Your employment status and annual income (must be over £20,000).

Step 4: Get Your Personalised Offer

The “soft check” will give you an instant decision. It will tell you if you are “pre-approved” and will confirm your guaranteed credit limit and APR. This gives you 100% certainty before you commit.

Step 5: Accept the Offer (The ‘Hard Search’)

If you are happy with the pre-approved offer, you can then click to formally apply. This is the only part of the process that will perform a “hard search” on your credit file. Once you accept, you can get an instant decision and your card will be sent in the post.

The Amazon Barclaycard vs. Its Alternatives

How does this card stack up against other “all-rounder” rewards cards?

Alternative 1: Amex Platinum Cashback Everyday Card

This is the UK’s gold standard for simple cashback.

Pros: Offers 1% cashback (rising to 1.25%) on *all* spending (after an introductory 5% offer). This 1% is significantly better than the Amazon card’s 0.75% (at Amazon) and 0.25% (elsewhere).

Cons: It’s an American Express card, so it’s not accepted in as many small shops as the Amazon Visa. It also has a 2.99% foreign fee.

Verdict: If you are a savvy spender and want the highest possible cashback rate, the Amex card is far superior. If you want a single, simple Visa card for Amazon, the Barclaycard is “easier”.

Alternative 2: The Chase Credit Card

This is the new “fintech” all-rounder, available by invite only.

Pros: The Chase card offers 1% cashback on all spending for the first year. Crucially, it has 0% foreign transaction fees, making it a brilliant travel card.

Cons: The 1% cashback expires after 12 months. It’s also invite-only.

Verdict: The Chase card is a better product. It offers higher cashback (for a year) and is also a world-class travel card. The Amazon card is a poor substitute, *unless* you cannot get a Chase invitation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How much is an Amazon Reward point worth?

It’s simple: 1 point = 0.5p. You need 1,000 points to get a £5 Amazon gift card.

2. Is the 0.75% cashback for Prime members a good deal?

It’s okay, but not great. It’s better than 0%, but other cards (like Amex or Chase) offer 1% or more. The Amazon card’s main benefit is that it’s a Visa, so it’s accepted everywhere, and the points are applied to your Amazon account automatically.

3. Do I have to be a Prime member to get this card?

No. You can get the card as a non-Prime member, but your cashback rate on Amazon purchases is halved to a tiny **0.375%**. We would not recommend the card at this rate.

4. Should I use this card for a balance transfer?

Absolutely not. The 0% for 3 months offer is a trap. You pay a 3.49% fee for almost no benefit. Get a specialist 0% balance transfer card from NatWest or MBNA instead.

5. Is this a good card for travelling?

No. It is a terrible travel card. It charges a 2.99% fee on all non-sterling transactions. Get a specialist 0% fee card (like Halifax Clarity or Chase) for your holidays.

Our Final Verdict: Is This the Card for You?

The Amazon Barclaycard is a “convenience” card, not a “high value” card. Its cashback rates are low, and its other features (balance transfer, foreign spending) are very poor. Its £20 welcome bonus and £0 annual fee are its only real saving graces.

It is designed for one person: the die-hard Amazon Prime loyalist who values the simplicity of a single Visa card, is happy with a small (but automatic) reward, and meets the high £20,000 income requirement.

This card is ideal for you if:

• You are an Amazon Prime member.
• You have a good credit score and an income over £20,000.
• You want a simple, single Visa card for all your spending and don’t want to “play the game” with better (but more complex) Amex cards.
• You always pay your bill in full every month (this is non-negotiable).

This card is NOT for you if:

• You are a savvy cashback hunter (the 0.75%/0.25% rates are too low; get an Amex).
• You want a card for travel (the 2.99% fee is a deal-breaker; get a Chase card).
• You need to transfer a debt (the 3-month 0% offer is a trap).
• You don’t have Amazon Prime (the 0.375% rate is not worth it).
• You don’t earn £20,000 (you won’t be eligible).