What Credit Score You Need for an Amazon Credit Card

Amazon credit cards typically require a credit score of 670 or higher, though the exact minimum varies by which Amazon card you're considering and which bank issues it.

Amazon offers several credit cards through different banks. The most common is the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card, issued by Chase, which generally targets people with fair credit or better — usually a score around 670 and up. Amazon also offers a store card (the Amazon Store Card) through Synchrony, which sometimes approves people with lower scores, though the exact threshold isn't published.

Your credit score is one piece of the decision, not the only one. Banks also look at your income, how much debt you already carry, your payment history, and how long you've had credit accounts open. Someone with a 680 score and steady income might get approved while someone with a 700 score and recent missed payments might not.

Key Takeaways

• The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card typically requires a credit score around 670 or higher, though Chase does not publish an exact minimum.
• The Amazon Store Card through Synchrony may approve applicants with lower scores, but the bank does not disclose its minimum requirement.
• Your credit score is only one factor — banks also consider your income, existing debt, and payment history when deciding whether to approve you.
• You can check your own credit score for free through AnnualCreditReport.com or through your bank, and knowing it before you apply helps you choose the right card.

How credit scores affect your approval odds

A credit score is a three-digit number that summarizes your borrowing history. The most common score is the FICO score, which ranges from 300 to 850. Lenders use it as a shorthand for how likely you are to pay back borrowed money on time.

Credit card companies publish "preferred" credit score ranges rather than hard cutoffs. Chase, which issues the Amazon Prime card, generally prefers applicants with scores in the "good" range — typically 670 to 739 — or higher. That does not mean you cannot be approved below that range, but your odds drop. It also does not mean approval is may provide above it.

Your score comes from five main factors: payment history (35 percent of your score), amounts you owe relative to your credit limits (30 percent), length of your credit history (15 percent), mix of credit types like cards and loans (10 percent), and recent credit inquiries (10 percent). If you have missed payments or carry high balances, your score will be lower, and that matters more to the bank than the score alone.

Checking your score before you apply

You can see your credit score for free through several routes. The federal government requires each of the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — to give you one free credit report per year at AnnualCreditReport.com. That report does not include your score, but it shows the payment and debt information the score is based on.

Many banks and credit card companies now show your score for free if you log into your account. Chase, for example, displays your score in the mobile app and online portal. Credit monitoring services like Credit Karma and Experian also show your score at no cost, though they may advertise other products to you.

Checking your own score does not hurt it. A "soft inquiry" — when you check your own credit or when a company pre-screens you — does not lower your score. A "hard inquiry" — when you formally apply for credit — does lower it slightly, usually by a few points, and the effect fades over time.

What happens if your score is below 670

If your score is below 670, you have several options. The Amazon Store Card through Synchrony sometimes approves people with lower scores, though the bank does not publish its minimum. You could apply and see what happens — the hard inquiry will lower your score a few points, but that effect is temporary.

You could also work on raising your score before applying. The fastest way is usually to pay down existing credit card balances. If you owe $5,000 across multiple cards with a combined $10,000 limit, your utilization ratio is 50 percent. Paying that down to $2,500 (25 percent utilization) can raise your score noticeably within a month or two. Paying all bills on time for several months also helps, as does not opening new credit accounts right before you apply.

Another option is to look for credit cards designed for people building or rebuilding credit. These cards often have lower credit score requirements, though they usually come with higher interest rates and annual fees. Once you use one responsibly for six months to a year, your score will improve and you can apply for the Amazon card.

How the Amazon card application actually works

When you apply for the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card online, Chase pulls your credit report and score instantly. The decision usually comes within minutes — you either see an approval, a denial, or a message that they need more time to review.

If you are approved, the card arrives in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. If you are denied, Chase sends you a letter explaining the main reason — usually credit score, insufficient credit history, or too many recent inquiries. You can call Chase to ask for more detail, though the representative cannot override the decision.

If you are denied, you can apply again after your score improves, but waiting at least three to six months is wise. Each application creates a hard inquiry, and multiple inquiries in a short time lower your score and make lenders more cautious.

Comparing Amazon cards and their score requirements

Amazon offers different cards for different situations. The Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card is the main one and requires the highest credit score — generally 670 or above. It offers rewards on Amazon purchases and at Whole Foods, plus a sign-up bonus if you meet spending requirements.

The Amazon Store Card (issued by Synchrony) is a store-only card with no annual fee. Synchrony tends to approve people with a wider range of credit scores, including some with scores below 670, though it does not publish its minimum. The rewards are higher on Amazon purchases, but you cannot use it anywhere else.

The Amazon Business Prime Rewards Card is for business owners and has similar score requirements to the regular Prime card. If you do not have an Amazon Prime membership, the regular Prime card requires you to have one to use the rewards, though you can still apply without it.

What to do if you are denied

A denial is not permanent. Credit scores change as you pay bills, pay down debt, and time passes. Missed payments stop affecting your score after seven years. Hard inquiries fall off after two years.

After a denial, focus on the factors you can control. Make every payment on time, even if it is just the minimum. Pay down balances on existing cards. Do not open new credit accounts unless you need them. Check your credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com for errors — mistakes happen, and disputing them can raise your score.

In three to six months, your score will likely improve enough to reapply. When you do, you will have a better chance of approval and may may have access to for better terms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get approved for an Amazon credit card with a 650 credit score?

It is unlikely with the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card, which typically requires 670 or higher. The Amazon Store Card through Synchrony has a lower threshold and may approve you, but Synchrony does not publish its exact minimum. Your best option is to apply for the Store Card or wait a few months to raise your score.

Does applying for an Amazon credit card hurt my credit score?

Yes, but only slightly and temporarily. The application creates a hard inquiry, which typically lowers your score by a few points. The effect fades over three to six months. Multiple applications in a short time have a larger impact, so space out credit applications if possible.

What if my credit score is 700 or higher but I still get denied?

Credit score is only one factor. Chase also looks at your income, existing debt, recent payment history, and how long you have had credit accounts. If you have recent missed payments, high debt relative to income, or a very short credit history, you can be denied even with a good score. Call Chase to ask why you were denied.

How long does it take to get approved for an Amazon credit card?

Most decisions come within minutes of applying online. If Chase needs more information, they may take a few business days. Once approved, the physical card arrives in 7 to 10 business days, though you can usually use it for online purchases immediately.

Can I use the Amazon Store Card if I do not have an Amazon Prime membership?

Yes. The Store Card works whether or not you have Prime. However, the Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card requires an active Prime membership to earn the highest rewards rate, though you can still apply and use the card without Prime.