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Best Credit Cards for October Prime Day 2026 (Prime Big Deal Days, Oct. 6-7)
September 27, 2026
The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.
Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days, often called October Prime Day, runs October 6 and 7, 2026. It's a two-day sale for Prime members, and it's the last big Amazon event before Black Friday.
The deals get the headlines, but the card you pay with decides how much you get back. Using a 5% card instead of a 1% card on a $500 cart is the difference between $25 and $5 back. Here are the cards worth using, and a few that look good but won't earn much this time.
What Is the Best Credit Card for October Prime Day?
For most Prime members, the Prime Visa is the strongest pick. It earns 5% back on Amazon.com purchases with an eligible Prime membership, and that rate has no cap.
If you don't want an Amazon card, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express (See Rates & Fees) and the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card both earn elevated rewards on online shopping, including Amazon, and keep earning at other retailers after the sale ends.
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Prime Visa: Best for Amazon Shoppers
The Prime Visa from Chase earns:
- 5% back on Amazon.com, Whole Foods Market, Woot!, Twitch, and Chase Travel℠ purchases with an eligible Prime membership
- 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting, including rideshares
- 1% back on all other purchases
There's no annual fee beyond your Prime membership, which you need anyway to shop the sale. Chase typically offers an Amazon gift card upon approval, so check the current amount before you apply.
Tip: During past Prime events, Amazon has offered Prime Visa cardholders extra rewards for choosing slower delivery options. Look for those options at checkout if you don't need your order right away.
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Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: Best for Shopping Beyond Amazon
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express (See Rates & Fees) earns 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year (then 1%). That covers Amazon, but also Target.com, Walmart.com, and the other retailers running competing sales the same week.
It also earns 3% at U.S. supermarkets and 3% at U.S. gas stations, each on up to $6,000 per year (then 1%), and 1% on other eligible purchases. There's no annual fee. Cash back comes as Reward Dollars you can redeem as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
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Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards: Best for Flexibility
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 3% cash back in a category you choose, and online shopping is one of the options. It also earns 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, on the first $2,500 in combined 3% and 2% category purchases each quarter (then 1%), and 1% on everything else.
You can change your choice category once a month. Set it to online shopping for October, then switch to dining, gas, or travel later in the year.
If you bank with Bank of America, the Preferred Rewards program can raise those rates further based on your balances. Bank of America also runs first-year bonus rates on this card at times, so check the current offer before applying.
Other Cards Worth Knowing
Amazon Store Card
If you aren't approved for the Prime Visa, the Amazon Store Card earns 5% back at Amazon.com with an eligible Prime membership. It only works within Amazon's family of stores, so it's a single-purpose card.
Chase Freedom Flex®
The Chase Freedom Flex® has featured Amazon as a quarterly 5% category in the past. Check this quarter's categories before you rely on it. If Amazon isn't included, Prime Day purchases earn only 1%.
A Flat 2% Card
If none of your cards has an Amazon or online shopping bonus, a flat 2X or 2% card like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card or Citi Double Cash still doubles what a 1% card earns, with no categories to track.
How Much Can the Right Card Save You on Prime Day?
Here's what a $500 Prime Day cart earns with each type of card:
- Prime Visa (5%): $25 back
- Blue Cash Everyday (3% online retail): $15 back
- Bank of America Customized Cash (3% online shopping): $15 back
- A standard 1% card: $5 back
Calculation formulated by Kudos, based on each card's base reward rate on a $500 Amazon.com purchase, before any promotions or category caps.
Tips to Get More Out of October Prime Day
Make sure your Prime membership is active. The deals are for Prime members only, and Amazon offers a 30-day free trial for eligible new members. The Prime Visa's 5% rate also requires an eligible Prime membership.
Check for Pay with Points offers. Amex and other issuers sometimes run targeted promotions during Prime events that take a percentage off your order when you redeem a small number of points. Check your Amazon payment options before you check out, and only redeem the minimum the offer requires.
Watch your category caps. If you're planning a large purchase, check how much of your annual or quarterly bonus cap you've already used.
Don't carry a balance for a deal. Interest charges wipe out a 5% reward quickly. If you need time to pay off a big purchase, look at a card with an intro APR offer instead.
Kudos tip: Not sure which card in your wallet earns the most at Amazon? Kudos shows you the best card for every purchase at checkout, so you don't have to remember which card has which category.
For more ways to stack savings, see our guide to stacking Prime Day savings with credit card rewards.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is October Prime Day 2026?
Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days runs October 6 and 7, 2026, for Prime members in the U.S.
Do I need a Prime membership to shop Prime Big Deal Days?
Yes. The deals are exclusive to Prime members. Eligible new members can start a 30-day free trial.
Which credit card earns the most at Amazon?
The Prime Visa earns 5% back on Amazon.com purchases with an eligible Prime membership, with no cap. The Amazon Store Card also earns 5% with Prime but can only be used within Amazon's family of stores.
Can I use Amex points on Amazon?
Yes, you can pay with Membership Rewards points at Amazon checkout, but the value is usually lower than other redemptions. Targeted Prime Day promotions are the exception, so check for them before you redeem.
Bottom Line
If Amazon is where most of your online shopping happens, the Prime Visa is the card to use on October 6 and 7. If you shop across several retailers, the Blue Cash Everyday or Bank of America Customized Cash will earn more over the rest of the year. Either way, check your card's bonus categories and caps before you check out.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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