I Got 6% Cash Back on My New Laptop With This Credit Card

Ahh, I love getting a new piece of tech. I recently decided to upgrade my laptop, because when I bought my old one, my career as a freelance writer and editor was a few years in the future, and I didn't realize I'd end up wanting a laptop for work.

I primarily work from a desktop computer when I'm at home, but I also take my work with me when I travel, and I was starting to crave a more robust laptop for out-of-town trips and trips to the living room couch. I decided to get a new 15" MacBook Air, and I found myself facing the important decision of where to buy it and which credit card to use.

By opting for Amazon, and using my Prime Visa, I saved money on the purchase price and earned 6% cash back in the process. Here's how.

I opted for Amazon, based on price and the Prime Visa

Shopping around is one of the best ways to save money on a costly purchase. I could have bought my new laptop from Apple directly, but as is often the case, Apple had the highest price. (I recommend Apple for refurbished computers and other tech, however -- I bought my iMac refurbished in 2022, and I got a great deal.)

I have a Best Buy store in my city, and I have a Best Buy credit card, so I checked prices there too -- still too high. I'm a brand-new Costco member, and Costco can be a good place to buy a computer, so I checked there -- but Costco's price on my preferred MacBook still came with a slightly higher price tag than Amazon. Amazon won the day based on having the lowest price and the fact that I have the Prime Visa.

The Prime Visa offers 5% cash back on Amazon purchases, and since I spend so much there, signing up for this card a few years ago was a slam dunk. And 5% back on my new laptop amounted to a nice chunk of change -- but Amazon had one more trick up its sleeve to help me earn even more back.

Prime Visa not quite right for you? Click here for a curated list of our favorite rewards cards -- some offer bonus rewards for online shopping.

Amazon Day Delivery: An extra 1% back

The standard cash back rate on Amazon purchases for the Prime Visa is 5% -- but if you don't need your purchases immediately, and instead choose Amazon Day Delivery, you can earn an extra 1% back. Getting 6% back on an expensive purchase sounded pretty great to me -- and since the original delivery date for the laptop was a day when I'd be out of town, it worked out perfectly.

Other perks of the Prime Visa

I've had the Prime Visa for several years now, and it's one of my favorite credit cards. It's offered by Chase, and this issuer is easily one of the best out there. The Prime Visa has no annual fee (you must be an Amazon Prime member, however -- and that'll cost you $139 a year or $14.99 per month), and offers generous cash back rates on common expenses:

• 5% cash back on Amazon, AmazonFresh, Whole Foods, and Chase Travel purchases
• 2% cash back at restaurants, gas stations, plus local transit and commuting (including ride-hailing)
• 1% cash back on other purchases

Admittedly, I only use the card for Amazon purchases -- there's no Whole Foods in my area, and I live outside of range for AmazonFresh delivery. Plus, I have other cards that pay the same or more on Chase Travel purchases, dining, gas, and everything else.

But as an Amazon card exclusively, the Prime Visa can't be beat. I especially love how the cash back I earn is added to my account for use as soon as the next day -- there's no waiting until the end of the statement period.

Speaking of that cash back, I have a nice chunk of it sitting in my Amazon account right now, thanks to my new laptop -- I'll be turning that into free cat food, paper towels, or perhaps some more frivolous purchase. If Amazon is your go-to for everyday items, I recommend checking out the Prime Visa -- you might like it as much as I do.