What Credit Score You Need for an Amazon Credit Card

Amazon's credit card has no published minimum score, but most people approved have scores of 670 or higher

Amazon does not publicly state a minimum credit score for its credit card. However, based on what cardholders report and how the card is marketed, you typically need a score around 670 or above to be approved. This is considered "fair" credit rather than "good" or "excellent," which means Amazon is more flexible than some other card issuers.

The actual decision depends on more than just your score. Amazon looks at your income, how much debt you already carry, your payment history, and how long you have been using credit. Someone with a 650 score and steady income might be approved, while someone with a 700 score and recent missed payments might not be.

Amazon offers two main credit cards: the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card (for Prime members) and the Amazon Rewards Visa Card (for anyone). Both have similar approval standards, though the Prime version may be slightly easier to get if you are already a member.

Key Takeaways

• Amazon typically approves cardholders with credit scores of 670 or higher, though approval is not may provide at any score.
• Your income, existing debt, and payment history matter as much as your score when Amazon decides whether to approve you.
• You can check if you pre-may have access to for an Amazon card without hurting your credit score, using a soft inquiry.
• If you are denied, waiting three to six months and paying down debt or fixing errors on your credit report can improve your chances.

How Amazon decides who gets approved

When you apply for an Amazon credit card, Amazon runs what is called a hard inquiry on your credit report. This means they pull your full credit history and score from one or more of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion). A hard inquiry temporarily lowers your score by a few points, usually for three to six months.

Amazon's decision is not automatic. A computer system scores your application based on your credit profile, but a person may also review it. The company looks at whether you have missed payments in the past, how much of your available credit you are currently using, how long your oldest account has been open, and whether you have recently opened many new accounts. They also verify your income and check whether you have unpaid debts or collections accounts.

This is why two people with the same credit score can have different outcomes. Someone with a 680 score, no missed payments, and low debt might be approved, while someone with a 680 score, a recent late payment, and high debt might be denied.

What to do before you apply

Before submitting an application, you can check whether Amazon will pre-may have access to you. Amazon offers a pre-qualification tool on its credit card page that uses a soft inquiry — a background check that does not lower your credit score. This gives you a sense of your chances without the risk of a hard inquiry if you are not ready to apply.

If you have not checked your credit report recently, pull a free copy from AnnualCreditReport.com (the only official site for free reports). Look for errors, late payments that should have fallen off, or accounts you do not recognize. If you find mistakes, dispute them with the bureau that reported them. Fixing errors can raise your score by 10 to 50 points or more, depending on what the error was.

If your score is below 670, consider waiting. Pay down credit card balances to lower your credit utilization (the percentage of your credit limit you are using), make all payments on time for the next few months, and avoid opening new accounts. Even small improvements can move you into approval range.

What happens if you are denied

If Amazon denies your application, you will receive a letter explaining the reason — usually something like "insufficient credit history," "recent delinquency," or "high credit utilization." This letter also tells you that you have the right to a free copy of the credit report Amazon used to make the decision.

Do not apply again immediately. Each application triggers a hard inquiry, and multiple inquiries in a short time can lower your score further and signal to lenders that you are desperate for credit. Wait at least three to six months before reapplying. In that time, focus on the specific reason you were denied. If it was high utilization, pay down balances. If it was a recent late payment, make sure your next several payments are on time and early.

If you were denied because of a thin credit file (not enough credit history), consider becoming an authorized user on someone else's credit card account, or opening a secured credit card that reports to the bureaus. Both can build your history without requiring approval from Amazon.

Comparing Amazon cards to other options

The Amazon Prime Rewards card and the standard Amazon Rewards card have similar approval standards, but they serve different people. The Prime card requires an active Prime membership and offers higher rewards for Prime members. The standard card has no membership requirement and works for anyone, but the rewards are slightly lower.

If your score is below 670, you might have better luck with a secured credit card from a bank like Capital One, Discover, or your own bank. Secured cards require a cash deposit (usually $200 to $2,500) that becomes your credit limit. They are designed for people rebuilding credit and are much easier to get approved for. After six to twelve months of on-time payments, you can often graduate to a regular unsecured card.

Another option is a store card with lower approval standards, like Target or Walmart. These cards often approve people with scores in the 600 range. The rewards are not as good as Amazon's, but they can help you build credit while you work toward the Amazon card.

Understanding the soft inquiry pre-qualification

Amazon's pre-qualification tool is genuinely useful because it does not hurt your score. When you use it, Amazon checks your credit using a soft inquiry, which does not appear on your credit report and does not lower your score. The tool tells you whether you are likely to be approved, though it is not a may provide.

Pre-qualification results are usually valid for 30 days. If you are pre-may have access to and apply within that window, your chances are strong — though still not certain, because the full application uses a hard inquiry and Amazon may see new information.

If the pre-qualification tool says you are not likely to be approved, it is usually worth listening. The tool is conservative, meaning it tends to say no when you might actually be approved, but if it says no, your actual chances are low. In that case, waiting and improving your credit makes more sense than applying and taking the hard inquiry hit.

What to expect after approval

If you are approved, Amazon will tell you your credit limit — the maximum you can charge to the card. Your limit depends on your credit profile and income. Someone with a 700 score and $60,000 income might get a $2,000 limit, while someone with a 750 score and $100,000 income might get $5,000 or more.

Your credit limit is not permanent. After six to twelve months of on-time payments, you can ask Amazon to increase it. Paying your balance in full each month and keeping your utilization low (below 30% of your limit) also signals to Amazon that you are a low-risk customer, which can lead to automatic limit increases.

Remember that getting approved is only the first step. The real benefit of the Amazon card comes from using it responsibly — paying the full balance each month, avoiding late payments, and not charging more than you can afford. This builds your credit score over time and keeps you from paying interest.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

It is possible but unlikely. Amazon typically approves people with scores of 670 or higher. If your score is 600 to 669, you might be approved if you have strong income, low debt, and no recent missed payments, but the odds are lower. Use the pre-qualification tool to check your chances without a hard inquiry.

Does checking if I pre-may have access to hurt my credit score?

No. The pre-qualification tool uses a soft inquiry, which does not lower your score or appear on your credit report. You can check as many times as you want without any impact. Only the full application uses a hard inquiry.

How long does it take to hear back after I apply?

Amazon usually gives you a decision within minutes or hours of applying online. If you apply by phone, you may get an answer on the call. If your application needs manual review, it can take a few business days. You will receive a letter in the mail with the final decision.

What if I have no credit history at all?

Amazon is unlikely to approve you with no credit history. Start with a secured credit card or become an authorized user on someone else's account to build a credit file. After six to twelve months of history, you will have a better chance with Amazon.

Can I reapply right after being denied?

You can, but it is not a good idea. Each application triggers a hard inquiry that lowers your score. Multiple inquiries in a short time can hurt your score further and make future denials more likely. Wait at least three to six months and work on the specific reason you were denied before applying again.