What Credit Score You Actually Need for an Amazon Credit Card

Amazon cards don't have a published minimum credit score, but most people approved have scores of 670 or higher

Amazon offers several credit cards through Chase, and none of them publicly state a minimum credit score requirement. That said, the people who get approved tend to have credit scores in the "good" range or better — typically 670 and up. This doesn't mean you can't be approved with a lower score, but your chances improve significantly once you cross that threshold.

The reason Amazon doesn't publish a minimum is that Chase (the bank that issues the card) looks at your whole financial picture, not just your score. They consider your income, how much debt you already carry, your payment history, and how recently you've applied for other credit. A score of 650 with steady income and no missed payments might get approved, while a score of 700 with maxed-out cards and recent late payments might not.

The specific card you're targeting also matters. Amazon's store card (for purchases only at Amazon) has slightly looser approval standards than the Amazon Visa, which you can use anywhere. If you're turned down for one, you might succeed with the other.

Key Takeaways

• Most Amazon card approvals go to people with credit scores of 670 or higher, though Chase reviews your full financial profile, not just your score.
• Amazon offers multiple cards with different approval standards — the store card is typically easier to get approved for than the Visa.
• Your income, existing debt, and recent payment history matter as much as your score when Chase decides whether to approve you.
• If you're denied, waiting three to six months and paying down existing balances gives you a better shot at approval on a second attempt.
• Checking your own credit score through a free service does not hurt your score, but submitting a card application does create a small, temporary dip.

How Amazon card approval actually works

When you apply for an Amazon card, Chase pulls your credit report and runs what's called a "hard inquiry." This is different from checking your own score — it shows up on your credit report and typically lowers your score by a few points for a few months. Chase then looks at three main things: your credit score, your credit history (how long you've had accounts and whether you pay on time), and your current debt load relative to your income.

Your score is important, but it's not the only factor. If you have a 680 score but you've never missed a payment and you carry very little debt, you have a decent shot. If you have a 720 score but you've been denied credit twice in the last month and you're carrying balances on five other cards, that works against you. Chase is trying to predict whether you'll pay the bill, and your score is just one piece of that puzzle.

The approval decision usually comes within minutes to a few days. If you're approved, you'll see your credit limit right away. If you're denied, Chase will send you a letter explaining why — though the reason is often vague, like "insufficient credit history" or "too many recent inquiries."

The difference between Amazon's store card and Visa

Amazon has two main credit cards, and they have different approval standards. The Amazon Store Card works only at Amazon and Amazon-owned properties like Whole Foods. The Amazon Visa works anywhere Visa is accepted. The store card is generally easier to get approved for because it's less risky for Chase — they know exactly where you'll use it and can monitor your spending more closely.

If your credit score is below 670, applying for the store card first makes sense. It's a lower-stakes approval, and if you get it and use it responsibly for six months, you'll have a stronger case for the Visa later. The store card also offers 5% cash back at Amazon, which is the same reward rate as the Visa, so you're not losing anything by starting there.

Both cards charge no annual fee, so there's no cost to holding either one. The main difference is where you can use it and how easy it is to get approved.

What to do if your score is below 670

If your credit score is below 670, you have a few realistic options. First, you can still apply — you might be approved anyway, especially if your income is solid and you don't have recent missed payments. The worst that happens is you get denied, and you learn something about where you stand.

If you want to improve your odds before applying, focus on two things: paying down existing credit card balances and waiting for negative marks to age off your report. Paying down balances lowers your credit utilization (the percentage of your available credit you're using), which can boost your score by 10 to 50 points in a month or two. Negative marks like late payments or collections accounts become less damaging after two years, and they fall off your report entirely after seven years.

You can also become an authorized user on someone else's credit card account if they have good payment history and low balances. This adds their account to your credit report and can raise your score, though the effect varies depending on your credit history. Ask the primary cardholder to add you — you don't even need to use the card.

How to check your credit score before applying

Before you apply for an Amazon card, it's smart to know your score. You can check it for free through several services without hurting your credit. AnnualCreditReport.com gives you one free credit report per year from each of the three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). That report doesn't include your score, but it shows you what's on your record.

To see your actual score, use a free service like Credit Karma, NerdWallet, or your bank's credit monitoring tool (many banks offer this to customers now). These services use a "soft inquiry," which doesn't show up on your credit report and doesn't affect your score. You can check as many times as you want without any penalty.

Once you know your score, you can decide whether to apply now or spend a few months improving it first. If you're above 670, your chances are good. If you're between 600 and 670, you're in a gray zone — you might be approved, but it's not may provide. If you're below 600, waiting and improving your score will give you a much better shot.

What happens after you apply

If you're approved, your card arrives in 7 to 10 business days, and you can start using it right away. The credit limit Chase gives you depends on your score and income — it might be $500, or it might be $5,000. You can request a higher limit after six months of on-time payments.

If you're denied, you have a few options. You can call Chase's reconsideration line within 30 days and ask them to review your application again, especially if something changed (like a recent raise or a paid-off debt). You can also wait three to six months, improve your credit, and apply again. Each application creates a hard inquiry, so spacing them out matters — multiple applications in a short time makes lenders nervous.

If you're approved but the credit limit is lower than you hoped, use the card responsibly for six months and then request an increase. Paying on time and keeping your balance low shows Chase you're a safe bet, and they'll often raise your limit without another hard inquiry.

How the Amazon card affects your credit going forward

Opening a new credit card does two things to your credit score: it creates a hard inquiry (which lowers your score slightly), and it opens a new account (which also lowers your score slightly because the average age of your accounts drops). These effects are temporary — the inquiry falls off after a year, and the score impact usually fades within a few months.

After that, the Amazon card can actually help your credit if you use it responsibly. Every on-time payment adds to your payment history, which is the biggest factor in your credit score. Keeping your balance low (ideally under 30% of your credit limit) keeps your utilization ratio healthy. Over time, this builds a positive credit history and can raise your score.

The opposite is also true: if you carry a high balance or miss payments, the card will hurt your score. The Amazon card reports to all three credit bureaus, so your activity shows up on your full credit report. Use it like you'd use cash — only charge what you can pay off, or at least pay more than the minimum each month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get an Amazon card with a 600 credit score?

It's possible but unlikely. Most approvals happen at 670 and above. If your score is 600 to 670, you might be approved if your income is high and you have no recent missed payments, but you're in a risky zone. Waiting a few months to improve your score increases your chances significantly.

Does applying for an Amazon card hurt my credit?

Yes, but only slightly and temporarily. The hard inquiry lowers your score by a few points, and opening a new account lowers it a bit more. These effects fade within a few months. The bigger risk is applying multiple times in a short period — that makes lenders think you're desperate for credit.

What's the difference between the Amazon Store Card and Amazon Prime Visa?

The store card works only at Amazon and Whole Foods, while the Visa works anywhere. The store card is easier to get approved for. Both offer 5% cash back at Amazon, but the Visa also earns rewards at other stores. The store card is a good stepping stone if your credit score is lower.

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

Most decisions come within minutes to a few days. If approved, your card arrives in 7 to 10 business days. If denied, you'll receive a letter within two weeks explaining why. You can call Chase's reconsideration line within 30 days to ask them to review your application again.

Can I improve my credit score before applying?

Yes. Paying down existing credit card balances can raise your score 10 to 50 points in one to two months. Waiting for negative marks to age off your report also helps. If you're below 670, spending three to six months improving your score before applying gives you much better odds of approval.