The Two Amazon Credit Cards and How to Start
Amazon offers two credit cards through Chase: the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card and the Amazon Prime Store Card. The Visa Signature is a standard credit card you can use anywhere; the Store Card works only at Amazon and Whole Foods. Both require you to be an Amazon Prime member to open one. You start by visiting Chase's website directly or Amazon's own credit card landing page, entering your basic information, and going through Chase's review process — which usually takes a few minutes to a few hours.
The difference between the two matters for how you'll use them. The Visa Signature card earns rewards at any merchant and reports to all three credit bureaus, so it builds your credit history. The Store Card earns higher rewards at Amazon and Whole Foods but only reports to the bureaus if you carry a balance or miss a payment — meaning it may not help your credit score if you pay in full each month. Both cards charge no annual fee.
Key Takeaways
- You must be an active Amazon Prime member to open either Amazon credit card; the application will verify your Prime status before approval.
- The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature works everywhere and reports to credit bureaus; the Store Card works only at Amazon and Whole Foods and may not build credit if you pay in full.
- You apply directly through Chase's website or Amazon's credit card page, and Chase's decision usually comes within hours.
- Both cards charge no annual fee, but the Visa Signature requires you to maintain Prime membership to keep the card active.
What You Need Before You Apply
Chase will ask for your Social Security number, date of birth, income, and employment status. Have your most recent tax return or pay stub handy if you're asked to verify income — though Chase often approves or denies without asking for documents. You'll also need a valid government ID and a current address.
Your credit score matters, but Chase does not publish a minimum. People with scores in the 600s have been approved; people with scores above 750 are usually approved quickly. If you have recent late payments, collections, or a very high debt-to-income ratio, Chase is more likely to deny you or ask for additional information.
One hard requirement: you must have an active Amazon Prime membership. Chase verifies this during the application. If your Prime membership has lapsed, renew it before you apply — the application will check again at the moment you submit.
The Application Process Step by Step
Go to Chase's Amazon credit card page or to Amazon's own credit card section. Click the button to apply for the card you want. You'll be taken to Chase's application, which asks for your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, employment information, and annual income. Fill in every field accurately — Chase cross-checks this information against credit bureau records and will deny you if there are major discrepancies.
After you submit, Chase's system checks your credit report and runs its approval model. Most decisions come within minutes. Some applications are flagged for manual review, which can take up to 24 hours. If Chase approves you, you'll see a confirmation on screen and receive an email with your card number and account details. If denied, you'll see the reason — usually "too many recent inquiries," "insufficient credit history," or "income too low relative to debt."
Your physical card arrives in 7 to 10 business days. You can use your card number to make purchases online immediately after approval, even before the physical card arrives.
What Happens If Chase Denies You
A denial does not mean you can never get the card. Chase's decision is based on the information at that moment. If you were denied because of recent late payments or high debt, waiting 3 to 6 months and then reapplying often works — especially if you've paid down balances or made on-time payments in the meantime. Each application triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report, which stays for two years, so space out applications by at least 30 days.
If you were denied for insufficient credit history, you might build credit first with a secured card from another issuer, then return to the Amazon card in 6 to 12 months. If you were denied for income, you can reapply if your income has genuinely increased — Chase will ask for verification.
You can call Chase's reconsideration line at the number on your denial letter to ask whether additional information would change the decision. Sometimes mentioning a higher income, a co-signer, or a deposit will move a denial to an approval, but Chase does not always offer this option.
Keeping Your Card Active and Managing Your Account
Once approved, your card is active immediately. You can set up autopay through your Chase account to pay the full balance each month, a fixed amount, or just the minimum. The card reports to the credit bureaus monthly, so on-time payments build your credit score over time.
The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature requires you to maintain an active Prime membership. If your Prime membership lapses, Chase may close the card or convert it to a different product. Check your Prime renewal date and make sure it stays current.
If you want to close the card later, call Chase or use your online account to request closure. Closing a card does not hurt your score immediately, but it does reduce your available credit, which can raise your credit utilization ratio if you carry balances on other cards. Paid-off balances on closed cards do not count toward your utilization, so closing a card you don't use is usually fine.
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature vs. Store Card: Which One to Choose
Choose the Visa Signature if you want a card that works everywhere and builds your credit history. It earns 5% back on Amazon purchases (with Prime), 2% at Whole Foods and restaurants, and 1% everywhere else. It reports to credit bureaus every month, so it helps your credit score even if you pay in full.
Choose the Store Card if you shop almost exclusively at Amazon and Whole Foods and do not care about building credit with this particular card. It earns 5% back at Amazon and Whole Foods but 0% everywhere else. It only reports to credit bureaus if you carry a balance, so it may not help your credit score if you always pay in full. The tradeoff is that the Store Card sometimes offers higher sign-up bonuses or promotional financing periods.
You can hold both cards at the same time, though most people choose one. If you already have the Store Card and want the Visa Signature later, you can apply for it separately — Chase treats them as different products.
Common Reasons for Denial and How to Respond
| Reason for Denial | What It Means | What to Do Next |
|---|---|---|
| Too many recent inquiries | You applied for credit multiple times in the last 30 days | Wait 30 to 90 days before reapplying; space out credit applications |
| Insufficient credit history | You have few or no credit accounts reporting to bureaus | Build credit with a secured card or become an authorized user; wait 6 to 12 months |
| Income too low relative to debt | Your debt-to-income ratio is above Chase's threshold | Pay down existing balances or increase income; reapply in 3 to 6 months |
| Recent late payments | You missed a payment in the last 12 to 24 months | Make all payments on time for 6 months; reapply after that period |
| Not an active Prime member | Your Prime membership is expired or inactive | Renew your Prime membership and reapply immediately |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be a Prime member to use the card after I get it?
Yes, for the Visa Signature card. Chase requires you to maintain an active Prime membership to keep the card open. If your Prime membership expires, Chase may close the card or convert it to a non-Prime product. The Store Card does not have this requirement, but it only works at Amazon and Whole Foods anyway.
Can I use my card number before the physical card arrives?
Yes. After Chase approves you, you receive your card number immediately via email or in your online account. You can use this number for online purchases at Amazon, Whole Foods, and anywhere else (if you have the Visa Signature) right away. The physical card typically arrives in 7 to 10 business days.
What if I'm denied and I call Chase to reconsider?
Chase has a reconsideration process, but it's not may provide to work. Call the number on your denial letter and explain your situation — mention if your income is higher than what you reported, if you have a co-signer, or if you can make a deposit. Chase may reverse the decision or ask for documentation. There's no harm in calling, but do not expect a reversal unless your circumstances have genuinely changed.
Does applying for the Amazon card hurt my credit score?
The application triggers a hard inquiry, which temporarily lowers your score by a few points. The impact fades after a few months. Once the card is open and you use it responsibly, the positive payment history and available credit will help your score over time — especially with the Visa Signature, which reports monthly.
Can I have both the Visa Signature and Store Card at the same time?
Yes. Chase treats them as separate products, so you can hold both. Most people choose one based on where they shop, but there's no rule against having both open. Having two cards does increase your total available credit, which can help your credit utilization ratio.