**No—having a Visa logo does not mean a card is linked to your existing bank account.** Visa is the payment network; the issuer provides the card and manages the account. Visa itself does not issue cards or lend you money. [Visa’s explanation](https://usa.visa.com/about-visa/newsroom/press-releases.releaseId.9821.html)

There are three common arrangements:

| Card type | Where the money comes from |
|---|---|
| **Debit card** | Your bank account. Purchases and cash withdrawals reduce your balance. |
| **Credit card** | Money borrowed from the issuer, up to an agreed limit. You receive a bill and repay it later. |
| **Prepaid card** | Money loaded onto the card in advance. You generally do not need a personal bank account. |

These are all types of cards Visa supports. [Visa debit cards](https://www.visa.com/en-us/personal/cards/debit), [credit cards explained](https://www.chase.com/personal/credit-cards/education/basics/how-do-credit-cards-work), [Visa prepaid cards](https://www.visa.com/en-us/personal/cards/prepaid)

With a typical **credit card, you open a new credit account**, not a new checking account. For example, if you buy something for $100, your checking balance does not immediately fall by $100; instead, you owe the card issuer $100. You can later pay the bill from your existing bank account. Setting up automatic payments links the accounts for repayment, but they remain separate.

Companies offering “their” cards usually partner with an issuer. For example, the **U.S. Amazon Visa is issued by JPMorgan Chase Bank**: Amazon supplies the brand and shopping rewards, Chase manages the credit account, and Visa supplies the payment network. [Amazon Visa agreement](https://asset.chase.com/content/dam/card/rulesregulations/en/RPA0441_0510_Web.pdf)

The signup bonus is a **customer acquisition expense**. The businesses expect that attracting you will be worth more than the bonus over time:

- The issuer earns a portion of merchants’ card transaction fees, even when you pay your bill in full. [JPMorgan’s explanation](https://www.jpmorgan.com/content/dam/jpm/merchant-services/documents/jpmorgan-interchange-guide.pdf)
- The issuer can earn interest when you carry debt, plus any applicable card fees. [How credit cards work](https://www.chase.com/personal/credit-cards/education/basics/how-do-credit-cards-work)
- Amazon’s incentive is to encourage you to shop with Amazon more often.

The $40 offer you mention is therefore a marketing incentive; its availability and conditions can change. For ordinary purchases, a card with a grace period generally lets you avoid interest by paying the **full statement balance by the due date**, provided you are not already carrying a balance. Paying only the minimum is different—you still owe the rest. [CFPB explanation](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-a-grace-period-for-a-credit-card-en-47/)