Using your Capital One rewards on Amazon can be a fantastic way to save money on your everyday (and not-so-everyday!) purchases. Imagine getting that new gadget, book, or even your weekly groceries with points you've already earned. It's like a little bonus for being a smart spender!
However, like all reward redemptions, it's crucial to understand how it works to maximize your value. While convenient, redeeming points directly on Amazon isn't always the best value, especially for travel rewards. But for cash back, it can be a perfectly viable option.
So, are you ready to unlock the power of your Capital One rewards on Amazon? Let's dive in!
Step 1: Are You Eligible? Let's Check!
Before we get too excited about all the freebies, the very first step is to ensure your Capital One card is eligible for the "Shop with Points" program on Amazon. Not all cards are, although many popular ones are.
Take a moment right now and grab your Capital One credit card. Look at its type. Is it a Quicksilver, Venture, Savor, or Spark card?
Generally, most Capital One consumer and business rewards cards are eligible. This includes:
- Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
- Capital One Spark Cash Plus
- Capital One Spark Cash Select
- Capital One Spark Miles for Business
- Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business
Important Note: Only primary cardholders are typically eligible to link their rewards to Amazon's Shop with Points.
If your card is on this list (or you have another Capital One rewards card), fantastic! Let's move on. If not, don't worry, Capital One offers many other ways to redeem your rewards, like statement credits or gift cards.
Step 2: Linking Your Capital One Account to Amazon – The Setup Phase
This is where the magic begins! You need to establish a connection between your Capital One rewards account and your Amazon account.
Sub-step 2.1: Navigating to the Right Place
- Open your web browser and go to Amazon.com.
- Log in to your Amazon account if you aren't already.
- Once logged in, you have a couple of ways to find the "Shop with Points" section:
- Option A (Direct Link): The easiest way is to directly visit Amazon's Capital One rewards page. You can usually find this by searching "Capital One Shop with Points Amazon" on Google or by checking Capital One's website for the direct link.
- Option B (Through Your Amazon Account):
- Hover over "Account & Lists" in the top right corner.
- Click on "Account."
- Under the "Shopping programs and rentals" section, look for "Shop with Points" and click on it.
Sub-step 2.2: Enrolling Your Card
- On the "Shop with Points" page, you should see a list of credit card programs. Look for "Capital One" and click on "Link your rewards account" or "Enroll now" next to it.
- Amazon will likely prompt you to select the Capital One card you wish to enroll. If it's not already listed under your payment methods, you might need to add it first.
- Follow the on-screen instructions. This will typically involve:
- Entering the name on your Capital One credit card.
- Inputting your credit card number.
- Providing the expiration date.
- Click "Add your card" or "Enroll."
You should receive an email confirmation from Amazon once your card and rewards account have been successfully linked. This process usually enrolls your card automatically in the Shop with Points program.
Pro-Tip: Sometimes, there might be temporary issues with manual enrollment on Amazon's side. If you encounter a message like "Manual enrollment is temporarily unavailable," it's worth checking back later or contacting Capital One or Amazon customer service for an update.
Step 3: Using Your Rewards at Checkout – The Exciting Part!
Now that your accounts are linked, it's time to put those rewards to good use!
Sub-step 3.1: Shopping as Usual
- Browse Amazon.com and add eligible items to your cart as you normally would. Keep in mind that some items are not eligible for Shop with Points redemption (we'll cover this in the FAQ).
- When you're ready to purchase, click "Proceed to checkout."
Sub-step 3.2: Applying Your Capital One Rewards
- On the checkout page, you'll see your order summary and payment options. Under the "Payment method" section, you should now see your linked Capital One card with an option to "Use Capital One Rewards" or a similar phrase.
- Click the checkbox or toggle next to "Use Capital One Rewards."
- You will then see your available rewards balance displayed. This balance will be shown in its equivalent dollar value.
- For cash back cards, this is usually a straightforward 100 rewards = $1.
- For miles cards, the redemption value is typically less favorable on Amazon (e.g., 125 miles = $1, meaning 0.8 cents per mile).
- You can choose to apply the full amount of your available rewards or a partial amount toward your purchase. There's usually a field where you can input the specific dollar amount of rewards you want to use.
- If your rewards don't cover the full purchase amount, the remaining balance will be charged to your linked Capital One card (or another payment method you select). This is super convenient as you can combine rewards with your credit card for a single transaction.
Sub-step 3.3: Review and Place Your Order
- Review your order details carefully, ensuring the rewards have been applied correctly and the remaining balance is as expected.
- Click "Place your order."
That's it! Your Capital One rewards will be deducted from your balance, and your purchase will be on its way. You've successfully used your rewards to save money on Amazon!
Step 4: Managing Your Shop with Points Preferences (Optional but Recommended)
Amazon offers some flexibility in how you use your rewards.
Sub-step 4.1: Setting Default Redemption
- Go back to your Amazon "Shop with Points" page (as described in Sub-step 2.1).
- Under your linked Capital One card, you might see an option to "Use rewards first" or automatically apply rewards to every Amazon purchase.
- Consider carefully whether you want this option toggled on. While convenient, it means your rewards will be used automatically without you needing to select them each time. This might not be ideal if you prefer to save your rewards for larger purchases or other redemption options.
- You can always toggle this option off if you change your mind.
Sub-step 4.2: Unlinking Your Account
If for any reason you wish to stop using your Capital One rewards on Amazon, you can easily unlink your account from the same "Shop with Points" management page on Amazon. Look for an "Un-enroll" or "Remove" option next to your Capital One card.
Be Aware: Some users have reported temporary issues with re-enrolling cards after unlinking them. If you anticipate wanting to use your rewards on Amazon again in the future, it might be better to simply disable the "use rewards first" option rather than completely unlinking.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions about using Capital One rewards on Amazon:
How to Check My Capital One Rewards Balance for Amazon?
You can check your available Capital One rewards balance directly on the Amazon checkout page when you select your Capital One card and choose to use rewards. Your full balance will be displayed. You can also view your balance by logging into your Capital One account online or through their mobile app.
How to Know Which Capital One Cards Are Eligible?
Most Capital One consumer and business rewards credit cards are eligible, including Quicksilver, Venture, Savor, and Spark cards. When you go to Amazon's "Shop with Points" page and attempt to link a card, Amazon will inform you if your specific Capital One card is eligible.
How to Combine Capital One Rewards with Other Payment Methods?
Yes, you absolutely can! If your Capital One rewards don't cover the entire purchase amount, Amazon allows you to pay the remaining balance using your linked Capital One credit card or another payment method saved in your Amazon account.
How to Get the Best Value for My Capital One Rewards on Amazon?
For Capital One cash back rewards, the value on Amazon is typically 1 cent per point ($1 in cash back equals $1 on Amazon), which is generally a good value. However, for Capital One miles (from Venture cards), the redemption value on Amazon is usually lower (e.g., 0.8 cents per mile). You often get better value for miles when redeemed for travel through Capital One Travel or by transferring to airline/hotel partners. So, for miles, Amazon might not offer the best value, but it offers convenience.
How to Earn Points When Using Rewards on Amazon?
When you redeem your Capital One rewards to pay for a purchase on Amazon, you are not spending new money on your credit card, so you will not earn additional rewards on the portion of the purchase paid for with points. You will only earn rewards on any remaining balance that is charged to your Capital One card.
How to Troubleshoot Linking Issues?
If you're having trouble linking your Capital One account, first ensure you're entering the correct card details and that your card is eligible. Clear your browser's cache and cookies, or try a different browser. If the issue persists, contact Amazon customer service or Capital One customer service for assistance.
How to Unlink My Capital One Account from Amazon?
You can unlink your Capital One rewards account from Amazon by going to your Amazon "Shop with Points" page within your account settings. There, you should see an option to "Un-enroll" or "Remove" your Capital One card from the program.
How to Use Only a Portion of My Capital One Rewards?
During the Amazon checkout process, after selecting your Capital One card as the payment method and choosing to use rewards, you will typically see a field where you can manually enter the exact dollar amount of rewards you wish to apply to your purchase.
How to Know What Purchases Are Eligible?
Most products sold directly by Amazon are eligible for Shop with Points redemption. However, certain categories are generally excluded, such as: Amazon Appstore apps, Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market purchases, Amazon Kindle eBooks, cellphones with service, digital music, and other select digital downloads.
How to Use Capital One Shopping Rewards on Amazon?
Capital One Shopping is a separate program from your Capital One credit card rewards. Capital One Shopping rewards are typically redeemed for e-gift cards. You would redeem your Capital One Shopping rewards for an Amazon e-gift card through the Capital One Shopping portal, and then apply that gift card to your Amazon account balance to use for purchases. It's a different process than directly using credit card rewards.