The Amazon Barclaycard is a no-fee, Amazon-centric rewards card that suits frequent Amazon.co.uk shoppers and Prime members who can time bigger purchases around major sale events. You’ll earn 1% at Amazon and 0.5% elsewhere during the first 12 months (falling to 0.25% thereafter), with Prime members picking up 2% on designated event days — ideal for Prime Day or Black Friday splurges. Rewards convert directly into Amazon.co.uk Gift Cards in £5 increments, so there’s no faff with complicated catalogues or thresholds. As a spending tool, it includes six months at 0% on new purchases from account opening; after that, a representative 28.9% APR (variable) applies, subject to status. There’s no annual fee, and new approvals usually receive a £20 gift card when the account is connected to Amazon. The card runs on Visa for wide acceptance and supports Google Pay on Android, though Apple Pay isn’t currently available. It’s not designed for travel, as non-sterling purchases and overseas cash withdrawals incur a 2.99% fee; likewise, cash advances are best avoided altogether. Eligibility is currently restricted if you have — or recently had — a personal Barclaycard (within the last six months). As with any credit product, the card works best when you pay in full each month to enjoy the interest-free period and keep costs firmly under control.
Main Advantages
- Stronger earn at Amazon: 1% back at Amazon, with 2% on event days for Prime members.
- Simple app redemptions: Swap rewards for Amazon Gift Cards in £5 increments via the Barclaycard app.
- Introductory purchase breathing space: 0% on purchases for six months helps with planned, affordable spending.
- No annual fee: Keep the card long-term without ongoing cost.
- Google Pay support: Add to Google Pay on Android for contactless convenience.
Main Drawbacks
- Weak ongoing “elsewhere” rate: After 12 months, 0.25% on non-Amazon spend is modest.
- Overseas fees apply: A 2.99% non-sterling fee (and on overseas cash) limits travel value.
- Apple Pay not supported: iPhone users must rely on the physical card.
- Restricted eligibility (for now): You can’t apply if you have — or had within six months — a personal Barclaycard.
- Credit-limit flexibility may be limited: Automatic limit increases may not always be available on this product.
How to Apply — Step by Step
- Check eligibility: Use Barclaycard’s soft-search tool (no impact on your score).
- Confirm basics: UK resident, 18+, and you haven’t had a personal Barclaycard in the past six months.
- Start application: From Amazon or the Barclaycard site; provide income, address history and ID details.
- Get a decision: Usually quickly; your limit and APR are set subject to status and affordability.
- Link to Amazon: Connect in the Barclaycard app to track rewards and redeem gift cards.
- Add to Google Pay: If you use Android; set a Direct Debit to pay in full and protect your credit file.
- Plan repayments: Ensure promotional-rate purchases are fully cleared before the six-month window ends.
If you’re the household Amazon pro — managing weekly staples, birthday gifts and big-ticket tech — this card keeps the value loop beautifully tight. You earn where you spend, redeem in neat £5 chunks directly into your Amazon wallet and pay no annual fee for the privilege. Use the six-month 0% purchase period for scheduled, sensible buys, then revert to paying in full each month to keep the interest-free period intact. Focus the card on UK shopping and Amazon orders; for holidays, take a specialist no-FX-fee card to avoid the 2.99% non-sterling surcharge. The lack of Apple Pay will deter some, and existing Barclaycard customers may need to wait out the current six-month cooling-off rule before applying. For everyone else, it’s an easy, low-maintenance addition to the wallet that can offset everyday spending with a steady stream of usable Amazon credit. Check your eligibility today, apply if you’re a match, and set up a Direct Debit from day one. With a little planning — and a focus on Amazon and key sales events — you’ll squeeze maximum value from a card that’s built around how many UK households already shop.
