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What category do Amazon purchases fall into for credit card rewards?

Amazon.com purchases usually code as an online retailer. They earn online shopping bonuses where a card has one, and the base rate everywhere else, whatever the item. Whole Foods codes separately as a supermarket.

One merchant, many products

Amazon sells groceries, electronics and household goods, but every purchase carries Amazon's own merchant code. Buying food on Amazon does not earn a grocery bonus.

Marketplace orders from third-party sellers are still billed by Amazon, so they code the same way.

Digital purchases, such as Kindle books or Prime Video rentals, can carry a different digital goods code.

Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh

Whole Foods stores generally code as supermarkets and earn grocery bonuses on most cards.

Amazon Fresh stores and Amazon Fresh delivery are less consistent. Some code as supermarkets, some as Amazon. Check one statement before you rely on a rate.

Amazon's co-branded Visa pays its top rate at both Amazon and Whole Foods, which makes it simple if you shop at both.

Which card to use

If you shop on Amazon often, a card that names Amazon in its bonus is usually best.

Otherwise, look for a card with an online shopping category, and confirm the issuer's definition includes Amazon. Most do.

Rotating 5% cards feature Amazon in some quarters. Use them then, up to the cap.

Common follow-ups

Does Amazon count as a grocery store for credit cards?
No. Amazon.com codes as an online retailer, even for grocery orders. Whole Foods stores are the exception and usually code as supermarkets.
Do Amazon gift card reloads earn rewards?
Usually yes, at the same rate as an Amazon purchase, because the merchant is still Amazon.
Does Prime membership earn rewards?
Yes. The Prime fee is an Amazon charge and earns whatever your card pays at Amazon. Some cards also credit Prime as a subscription.

Figures come from issuer terms published at the time of writing and are estimates, not guarantees. Your own card agreement governs what you earn. Updated October 2026.

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CardSwipe support will never ask for account numbers, passwords, card numbers, or any other credential, for any reason. Reward rates are estimates based on published issuer terms, not guarantees. CardSwipe is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any card issuer named on this site, and carries no paid placement: rankings are computed from published issuer terms alone.