Prime Visa vs Apple Card

Both cards cost $0/yr. The Prime Visa leads on gas stations; the Apple Card on everyday spending.

Card data as of October 12, 2026.

Overview

Annual fee
Prime Visa
$0
Apple Card
$0
Welcome offerCurrent public offer
Prime Visa
$150 gift card
Apple Card
—
Rewards
Prime Visa
Cash back
Apple Card
Cash back
Foreign transaction fee
Prime Visa
None
Apple Card
None
Network
Prime Visa
Visa Signature
Apple Card
Mastercard

Earn ratesPer $1 spent

Dining
Prime Visa
2%
Highest
Apple Card
1%
Gas Stations
Prime Visa
2%
Highest
Apple Card
1%
Transit
Prime Visa
2%
Highest
Apple Card
1%
Everything else
Prime Visa
1%
Apple Card
1%

Statement creditsAs the issuer states them · — means none on record

Travel
Prime Visa
—
Apple Card
  • Extra 2% Booking.com Travel Credits · $2 per transaction
Rideshare & transit
Prime Visa
—
Apple Card
  • $60 Uber One trial · $60 one-time

Perks & access— means none on record

Car rental
Prime Visa
—
Apple Card
  • 5%+ off Hertz rentals + perks
Other perks
Prime Visa
—
Apple Card
  • Share card with family and teens
  • Interest-free payments on Apple gear
  • Color-coded spending insights

Protections & insuranceLimits where published · — means none on record

Trip insurance
Prime Visa
  • Up to $500,000 travel accident coverage
Apple Card
—
Purchase & returns
Prime Visa
  • $500 per claim on damage or theft
Apple Card
  • Zero Liability on unauthorized transactions
  • No fees on international purchases
  • Biometric security on every purchase
Other protections
Prime Visa
—
Apple Card
  • No late fees or penalty APR
  • 24/7 lost/stolen card assistance worldwide

Pros & cons

Pros
Prime Visa
  • 5% back at Amazon.com, Audible.com, Whole Foods Market and on Chase Travel with an eligible Prime membership
  • 5% back on Chase Travel portal bookings with no cap
  • 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and transit - solid everyday categories
  • $150 Amazon Gift Card welcome bonus with no minimum spend required
  • No annual fee on the card itself (Prime membership separate)
Apple Card
  • No annual fee, no late fees, and no penalty APR
  • Daily Cash deposited immediately rather than monthly
  • 3% back at Apple and select merchants (Uber, Walgreens, Nike, etc.)
  • 2% back on all Apple Pay purchases
  • No foreign transaction fees
Cons
Prime Visa
  • Requires an eligible Amazon Prime membership to earn 5% (3% without Prime)
  • Rewards locked to Amazon ecosystem - cannot transfer to airlines/hotels
  • Only 1% back on non-category purchases - below average for catch-all spending
  • No premium travel protections like trip delay insurance or lounge access
  • Sign-up bonus is gift card, not flexible cash or points
Apple Card
  • Only 1% back when using physical card (non-Apple Pay)
  • Requires iPhone to apply and manage the card
  • No sign-up bonus
  • No travel-related benefits or protections
  • Limited 3% merchant list compared to category cards
Add a 3rd or 4th card to this comparison →

Category-by-Category Winner

The Prime Visa wins in 3 of 3 categories. The Apple Card leads in 0.

W

Gas Stations

Prime Visa earns 2X vs 1X

W

Transit

Prime Visa earns 2X vs 1X

W

Dining

Prime Visa earns 2X vs 1X

Year One vs Ongoing Value

Modeled net value (bonus categories at unconditional rates, caps applied). Spend mix: dining 15%, groceries 15%, gas 10%, travel 10%, everything else 50%. Statement credits use the same recurring usable estimates as each card's detail page; first-year-only credits count in year one only. Welcome offers valued at each card's program rate shown on this page.

Modeled value is close across spend levels — especially once statement credits are counted.

ScenarioPrime VisaApple CardOngoing winnerYear-one winner
Light spender: $1,000/month
Rewards: $150
Credits (our usable estimate): $0
− Annual fee ($0)
Ongoing: $150
Year one: $300
Rewards: $120
Credits (our usable estimate): $35
− Annual fee ($0)
Ongoing: $155
Year one: $185
Close — depends on how much of the credits you usePrime Visa
Heavy spender: $4,000/month
Rewards: $600
Credits (our usable estimate): $0
− Annual fee ($0)
Ongoing: $600
Year one: $750
Rewards: $480
Credits (our usable estimate): $35
− Annual fee ($0)
Ongoing: $515
Year one: $545
Prime VisaPrime Visa

Which Card Is Right for You?

Get the Prime Visa if you:

  • +Spend $300+/month on restaurants and dining out

The Bottom Line

Modeled value is close across spend levels — especially once statement credits are counted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which card earns more rewards, the Prime Visa or Apple Card?
Both cards earn 1X on everyday purchases. The difference is in bonus categories — check the earn rate comparison above for a full breakdown.
What benefits does the Prime Visa have that the Apple Card doesn't?
The Prime Visa focuses on earn rates, while the Apple Card offers travel credits.
Should I get the Prime Visa or the Apple Card?
Both cards have the same $0/yr fee. Choose based on which bonus categories match your spending — check the earn rate comparison above.

Editorial disclosure: CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card data comes from issuers' published terms; catalog last published October 12, 2026, and each card page shows when its terms were last checked. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or content.

Editorial disclosure: CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card data comes from issuers' published terms; catalog last published October 12, 2026, and each card page shows when its terms were last checked. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or content.