Amazon Credit Card Minimum Credit Score Requirements
Amazon does not publish a specific minimum credit score for either the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card or the Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card. However, both cards are typically issued to people with good to excellent credit, which most lenders define as a score of 670 or higher. In practice, approval rates are highest for applicants with scores of 740 and above.
The absence of a stated minimum means Amazon's decision relies on more than your score alone. The card issuer — Chase Bank — reviews your full credit report, including payment history, existing debt, income, and recent credit inquiries. A lower score does not automatically disqualify you, but it makes approval less likely and may result in a lower credit limit if you are approved.
Your actual odds depend on which version of the card you apply for. The Prime Rewards card (which requires an active Prime membership) tends to have slightly more flexible approval patterns than the standard Amazon Rewards card, though neither has published approval thresholds.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon credit cards are typically approved for people with credit scores of 670 or higher, though no official minimum is stated.
- Chase Bank, the card issuer, reviews your full credit report — not just your score — so approval depends on payment history, debt levels, and income as well.
- A score below 670 does not may provide denial, but your chances of approval drop significantly and your credit limit may be lower.
- Recent hard inquiries, high credit utilization, or recent missed payments can lower your approval odds even if your score is in the acceptable range.
How Your Credit Report Affects Your Approval Odds
Chase reviews your credit report in detail when you submit an application. Your credit score is a summary of that report, but the report itself contains information the score does not capture. A missed payment from two years ago still appears on your report and may weigh against you, even if your score has recovered since then.
Payment history is the heaviest factor — it accounts for 35% of your FICO score. If your report shows recent late payments (within the last 12 months), Chase is likely to deny your application or offer a very low limit. Payments that are 30 days late or more are the most damaging. A single 30-day late payment can drop your score by 100 points or more, depending on your overall credit profile.
Credit utilization — the percentage of your available credit you are currently using — also matters. If you are using more than 30% of your available credit across all cards, Chase may view you as a higher risk. For example, if you have $10,000 in total credit limits and $4,000 in balances, your utilization is 40%, which can hurt your approval odds.
The number of recent hard inquiries on your report also signals risk. Each time you apply for credit, a hard inquiry appears on your report. Multiple inquiries within a short period (especially within 30 days) suggest you are seeking credit aggressively, which lenders interpret as financial stress. Inquiries stay on your report for two years but have the most impact in the first three months.
What to Do If Your Credit Score Is Below 670
If your score is below 670, you have several options before applying. The simplest is to wait and build your score first. Paying down existing balances, making all payments on time for several months, and avoiding new credit inquiries will raise your score over time. Most people see measurable improvement within three to six months of consistent on-time payments.
You can also check your credit report for errors before applying. You are may have access to to one free report per year from each of the three major bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — through AnnualCreditReport.com. Errors are common and can lower your score unfairly. If you find an error, dispute it with the bureau in writing; corrections typically take 30 to 45 days.
If your score is very low (below 600), the Amazon card is unlikely to approve you. In that case, consider applying for a secured credit card first. Secured cards require a cash deposit (usually $200 to $2,500) that serves as your credit limit. They report to all three bureaus and help you build credit. After 12 to 24 months of on-time payments, you can graduate to an unsecured card like the Amazon card.
How Hard Inquiries and Recent Applications Affect Your Chances
When you apply for the Amazon card, Chase performs a hard inquiry on your credit report. This inquiry stays visible for two years but has the strongest impact on your score in the first month. If you have had multiple hard inquiries in the past 30 days — from other credit card applications, auto loans, or mortgage shopping — your approval odds drop significantly.
The exception is rate shopping for mortgages and auto loans. Credit bureaus treat multiple inquiries for the same type of loan within 14 to 45 days as a single inquiry for scoring purposes. Credit card inquiries do not receive this treatment, so each card application counts separately.
If you have applied for other credit cards recently, wait at least 30 days before applying for the Amazon card. This gives the previous inquiry time to age and reduces the appearance of aggressive credit-seeking. If you have been denied for another card in the past month, waiting 60 to 90 days before applying for the Amazon card improves your odds.
Credit Limit and What It Means for Your Score
Even if you are approved, your credit limit may be lower than you expect. Chase typically offers limits between $1,000 and $5,000 for first-time applicants, though some people receive higher limits. Your limit depends on your credit score, income, and existing debt. A lower limit is not a reflection of your creditworthiness — it is a risk management decision by Chase.
Your credit limit affects your credit utilization ratio. If you receive a $1,500 limit and carry a $500 balance, your utilization is 33%, which is higher than ideal. Over time, as you make on-time payments, you can request a credit limit increase. Chase typically reviews requests after six months of account activity. A higher limit lowers your utilization ratio and can improve your credit score.
Timing Your Application for the Best Outcome
The best time to apply for the Amazon card is when your credit score is stable or rising, you have no recent hard inquiries, and you have not missed any payments in the past 12 months. If you are working to improve your score, wait until you have at least three to six months of on-time payments behind you.
Avoid applying during periods of financial stress — for example, right after a job loss or a large unexpected expense. These events often lead to missed payments or increased debt, both of which lower your score and make approval less likely. If you have just paid off a large balance, wait 30 days before applying so the lower utilization ratio has time to be reported to the bureaus and reflected in your score.
If you are a Prime member, the Prime Rewards card may be slightly easier to obtain than the standard Amazon Rewards card. Prime membership is not required for approval, but it may signal to Chase that you are an established Amazon customer with a stable financial relationship to the company.
What Happens After You Apply
Chase typically notifies you of a decision within one to three business days of your application. You will receive a decision by email or phone, depending on how you applied. If you are approved, your card ships within 5 to 7 business days. If you are denied, Chase will provide a reason code, though the explanation is often vague (for example, "insufficient credit history" or "too many recent inquiries").
If you are denied, you have the right to request your credit report and score from the bureau Chase used. You can also call Chase's reconsideration line within 30 days of denial to ask if additional information — such as a higher income or a co-signer — would change the decision. Reconsideration calls rarely overturn denials, but they occasionally result in approval with a lower limit.
If you are approved but receive a lower limit than expected, you can request an increase after six months of on-time payments. Do not request an increase sooner; Chase will perform another hard inquiry, which can lower your score further.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get approved for the Amazon card with a 650 credit score?
Approval is unlikely but not impossible. A 650 score is below the typical range for this card, but Chase reviews your full report, not just your score. If you have no recent late payments, low debt, and stable income, you might be approved with a very low credit limit. Your odds improve significantly if you wait three to six months and raise your score to 670 or higher.
Does applying for the Amazon card hurt my credit score?
Yes, the hard inquiry lowers your score by a few points, usually 5 to 10 points. The impact is temporary and fades over time. However, if you are denied and apply again within 30 days, the second inquiry compounds the damage. Space applications at least 30 days apart.
What if I was denied for the Amazon card?
Call Chase's reconsideration line within 30 days of denial. Have your income and employment information ready. Chase may approve you with a lower limit or ask you to reapply in a few months. If you are denied again, focus on raising your credit score for three to six months before applying elsewhere.
Does the Prime Rewards card have different credit score requirements than the standard Amazon card?
Amazon and Chase do not publish separate requirements, but the Prime Rewards card may have slightly more flexible approval patterns because it requires an active Prime membership, which signals customer loyalty. In practice, both cards target the same credit score range (670 and above).
How long does a hard inquiry stay on my credit report?
Hard inquiries remain visible on your report for two years, but they have the strongest impact on your score in the first three months. After six months, the impact is minimal. After one year, most lenders ignore them entirely.