Amazon doesn't publish a minimum credit score, but most people approved have scores of 670 or higher

Amazon Credit Card applications go through Chase, which doesn't announce a specific credit score requirement. However, based on what cardholders report and how Chase typically evaluates applications, you'll have the strongest chance with a score around 670 or above. Below 650, approval becomes less likely but not impossible — it depends on your full financial picture, not just the number.

The reason Chase doesn't publish a minimum is that they look at more than your score. They consider your income, how much debt you already carry, how long you've had credit accounts open, and whether you've missed payments recently. A score of 680 with steady income and no recent late payments can beat a score of 720 with maxed-out credit cards and a missed payment from three months ago.

If your score is below 650, you can still apply, but rejection is more common. The application itself doesn't hurt your score — only a hard inquiry does, and that typically drops your score by a few points for a few months. If you're denied, you can reapply after improving your score or waiting a few months for older negative marks to matter less.

Key Takeaways

  • Amazon Credit Card approvals typically go to people with credit scores of 670 or higher, though Chase considers your full financial history, not just your score.
  • Chase pulls a hard inquiry when you apply, which may lower your score by a few points temporarily, but the application itself costs nothing.
  • If you're denied, waiting three to six months while paying down debt or letting older negative marks age can improve your chances on a second application.
  • The card offers 5% cash back at Amazon and Whole Foods, 2% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% elsewhere, so the rewards are worth pursuing once your score is in range.

How Chase evaluates your application beyond your score

Your credit score is one signal among several. Chase also looks at your debt-to-income ratio — how much you owe compared to what you earn. If you make $60,000 a year but carry $40,000 in credit card debt, that ratio is high and raises red flags, even if your score is decent. Conversely, a lower score with minimal debt and solid income can sometimes win approval.

Chase also checks how long you've had credit accounts open and whether you've missed payments in the last two years. A single late payment from six months ago weighs more heavily than one from three years ago. If you've never missed a payment but your score is lower because you carry high balances, you're a better bet than someone with a higher score but a recent 30-day late mark.

Your income matters too. Chase wants to see that you can afford the card's credit limit. If you're self-employed or have variable income, bring recent tax returns or pay stubs to show stability. If you're denied, it's often because Chase sees your income as too low relative to your existing debt, not because your score is a few points too low.

What to do if your score is below 670

If your score is in the 600 to 669 range, you have two realistic paths: apply now and accept the risk of rejection, or spend two to three months improving your score before applying. There's no penalty for applying and being denied — the hard inquiry will fade, and you can try again later.

To raise your score quickly, focus on paying down credit card balances. Your credit utilization ratio — how much of your available credit you're using — has an immediate effect. If you have $5,000 in available credit across all cards and you're using $4,500, dropping that to $2,000 can raise your score by 20 to 50 points in one or two billing cycles. You don't have to pay off the balance in full; you just need the statement balance to be lower when the card reports to the credit bureaus.

Avoid opening new credit accounts while you're trying to raise your score. Each new account triggers a hard inquiry and lowers your average account age, both of which temporarily hurt your score. If you have a recent late payment, the damage fades over time — a 30-day late from six months ago matters less than one from last month, and it matters almost nothing after two years.

When to apply and what to expect

Apply when you're ready to use the card. There's no benefit to applying and waiting months to activate it. Chase may close the account if you don't use it, and you'll have wasted the hard inquiry. If you're approved, you'll usually know within minutes to a few days. If you're denied, Chase will send a letter explaining why — read it carefully, because it tells you what to fix.

Once approved, your credit limit will depend on your creditworthiness. Someone with a 750 score and low debt might get $5,000 or more; someone with a 680 score and higher debt might get $1,000 to $2,000. You can request a higher limit after six months of on-time payments, and Chase will often grant it without another hard inquiry.

The Amazon Credit Card comes in two versions: one for Prime members (5% cash back at Amazon and Whole Foods, 2% at gas and restaurants) and one for non-Prime members (3% at Amazon, 2% at Whole Foods, gas, and restaurants). Both have no annual fee. If you're not a Prime member, becoming one costs $139 per year, so do the math on whether the extra 2% cash back at Amazon justifies the membership cost for your spending.

How to strengthen your application before you apply

If you're on the borderline, a few steps can tip the scales in your favor. First, make sure your credit report is accurate. You can check your report for free at AnnualCreditReport.com, which is the official government site. Look for errors — a late payment that wasn't yours, an account you closed that still shows as open, or a debt you've already paid. Disputes can take 30 days to resolve, so start early if you find mistakes.

Second, become an authorized user on someone else's credit card if possible. If a family member with excellent credit adds you to their card, that account's history and low balance can boost your score. You don't even have to use the card — the benefit comes from the account appearing on your credit report. This can raise your score by 10 to 100 points depending on the account's age and balance.

Third, if you have any collections accounts or charge-offs, consider paying them off or negotiating a settlement. A paid collection still shows on your report, but it signals that you resolved the debt. Some creditors will remove the account entirely if you pay in full and ask for removal in writing — get any agreement in writing before you pay.

What happens if you're denied

A denial doesn't mean you'll never get the card. Chase will tell you why they denied you — usually "insufficient credit history," "too many recent inquiries," "recent delinquency," or "too much existing debt." Each reason points to a specific fix.

If the reason is insufficient credit history, you may need to wait six months to a year while building a longer track record. If it's recent delinquency, wait at least six months after the late payment before reapplying. If it's too much existing debt, focus on paying down balances. If it's too many recent inquiries, wait three to six months — each inquiry's impact fades over time.

You can call Chase reconsideration line after a denial to ask if there's anything you can do to reverse the decision. Sometimes they'll approve you if you offer to accept a lower credit limit or if you can explain a recent hardship that caused a late payment. It's worth a call, but don't expect miracles — if their system said no, a phone call rarely changes it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does applying for the Amazon Credit Card hurt my credit score?

Yes, but only temporarily. Chase does a hard inquiry, which typically lowers your score by 5 to 10 points. The impact fades after a few months and disappears after two years. Multiple applications within a short time (like applying for several cards in one week) hurt more than a single application.

Can I get the Amazon Credit Card with a 600 credit score?

It's unlikely but not impossible. Chase typically approves people with scores of 670 or higher. With a 600 score, you'd need strong income, minimal debt, and no recent late payments to have a real chance. You can apply and see what happens — the worst outcome is a denial and a temporary score dip.

What's the difference between the Prime and non-Prime Amazon Credit Card?

The Prime version offers 5% cash back at Amazon and Whole Foods; the non-Prime version offers 3% at Amazon and 2% at Whole Foods. Both offer 2% at gas stations and restaurants (non-Prime offers 1% elsewhere). Prime membership costs $139 per year, so the extra 2% at Amazon only makes sense if you spend enough there to offset that cost.

How long after being denied can I apply again?

There's no official waiting period, but applying again within 30 days is usually pointless — your credit report hasn't changed. Wait at least three to six months, use that time to improve your score or income, and then apply. Each application triggers a hard inquiry, so space them out to avoid multiple inquiries stacking up on your report.

Will Chase tell me why I was denied?

Yes. Chase sends a letter within 30 days explaining the reason for denial. The letter also includes information about your right to see your credit report and dispute any errors. Read it carefully — it tells you exactly what to work on before your next application.