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

The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card and the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card (the non-Signature version) are issued by Chase. Chase doesn't announce a hard cutoff, but based on what cardholders report and how Chase typically structures its cards, you're more likely to be approved if your score is in the "good" range — usually 670 and up. That said, people with scores in the 650–670 range do get approved sometimes, especially if they have other strengths in their application.

The reason Chase doesn't publish a minimum is that they look at more than just your score. They also check your income, how much debt you already carry, how long you've had credit accounts open, and whether you've had recent missed payments or collections. A score of 680 with steady income and no recent problems might get you approved faster than a score of 720 with recent late payments or high credit card balances.

If your score is below 650, approval becomes much less likely — not impossible, but uncommon enough that you should consider other options first.

Key Takeaways

  • Most Amazon card approvals go to people with credit scores of 670 or higher, though Chase does not publish an official minimum.
  • Your score is only one piece of Chase's decision; your income, existing debt, and payment history matter just as much.
  • If your score is below 650, you may want to build your score first or look at secured card options before applying.
  • A hard inquiry from your application will lower your score by a few points temporarily, so apply only when you're ready to use the card.
  • Amazon also offers a store card through Synchrony with different approval standards, which may be easier to get if you're rebuilding credit.

Why Chase looks beyond your credit score

Your credit score is a snapshot of your borrowing history — how much you owe, whether you pay on time, how long you've had accounts. But it doesn't tell Chase whether you have the income to pay a credit card bill or whether you're about to apply for five other cards at once. That's why they pull your full credit report and ask for income information.

If you have a score of 700 but you're carrying $50,000 in credit card debt on a $40,000 salary, Chase sees risk. If you have a score of 680 but you earn $100,000 a year, have only one other credit card with a low balance, and haven't missed a payment in five years, you look safer to them. The score is the starting point, not the whole story.

What happens when you apply

When you submit an application for the Amazon card, Chase runs a hard inquiry on your credit report. This is a real check of your credit history, and it will show up on your report for two years. More importantly, it will lower your credit score by a few points — usually between 5 and 10 points — temporarily. The impact fades over a few months as long as you don't apply for other credit in the meantime.

You'll get a decision within minutes or a few days. If Chase approves you, you'll see your credit limit. If they deny you, they'll send you a letter explaining why (though the reason is often vague, like "insufficient credit history" or "too many recent inquiries"). You can call the reconsideration line to ask if there's anything you can do, but Chase rarely reverses a denial on the same day.

Building your score before you apply

If your score is below 650 and you're not in a rush, spending two to four months building it first will improve your odds. The fastest ways are: paying down credit card balances (this lowers your credit utilization, which is how much of your available credit you're using), making all payments on time, and not applying for new credit in the meantime.

Even small improvements help. Moving from 620 to 650 doesn't sound like much, but it can be the difference between a denial and an approval. If you have no credit history at all — you've never had a credit card or loan — you may need to start with a secured card first to build a track record that Chase will recognize.

The Amazon Store Card as an alternative

Amazon also offers a store card through Synchrony Bank, separate from the Chase Visa card. The Synchrony Amazon Store Card has lower approval standards than the Chase card and is often easier to get if your score is below 670. The tradeoff is that it only works at Amazon and Whole Foods, whereas the Chase card works everywhere Visa is accepted.

If you're rebuilding credit, getting approved for the Synchrony card first, using it responsibly for six months, and then applying for the Chase card can be a smart two-step approach. By then your score will have improved, and you'll have a recent account in good standing, which Chase likes to see.

What to do if you're denied

A denial doesn't mean you can never get the card. It means Chase didn't see enough evidence that you'd pay them back. Before you apply again, address the reason if you can figure out what it was. If it was recent late payments, wait until they're older (six months or more). If it was high credit card balances, pay them down. If it was too many recent applications, wait at least three months before applying again.

You can also call Chase's reconsideration line within 30 days of your denial and ask if there's anything you can do — sometimes they'll reconsider if you can explain a recent hardship or if you're willing to accept a lower credit limit. But be honest: if your situation hasn't changed, reconsideration is unlikely to work.

Secured cards and credit-builder loans if you're starting from scratch

If you have no credit history or a very damaged one, neither the Chase card nor the Synchrony card will approve you. In that case, a secured credit card is the standard first step. You deposit cash (usually $200 to $2,500) as collateral, and the card issuer gives you a credit limit equal to that deposit. You use it like a normal card, pay the bill on time, and after 6 to 12 months of good behavior, many issuers will convert it to an unsecured card and return your deposit.

A credit-builder loan is another option. You borrow a small amount (usually $500 to $1,000) from a credit union or online lender, and the money goes into a savings account you can't touch. You make monthly payments, and after you've paid it off, you get the money back. It costs you a small amount in interest, but it builds your payment history faster than a secured card alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will applying for the Amazon card hurt my credit score?

Yes, but only temporarily. The hard inquiry will lower your score by 5 to 10 points, and this effect fades over a few months. If you're approved and you use the card responsibly, the new account will eventually help your score by adding to your credit mix and showing you can manage multiple types of credit.

Can I get the Amazon card with a score of 650?

It's possible but uncommon. Chase approves some people in the 650–670 range if they have strong income, low existing debt, and a clean payment history. Your best bet is to call Chase's reconsideration line after a denial and ask what would help, or to spend a few months building your score first.

What's the difference between the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card and the regular Prime Rewards card?

The Signature version offers additional benefits like travel insurance and purchase protection, but it typically requires a slightly higher credit score to get approved. Both earn the same cash back rewards on Amazon purchases. If you're denied for the Signature version, you can ask Chase to consider you for the regular version instead.

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

Most decisions come within minutes if you apply online. Some applications go to manual review and take a few business days. If you don't get an instant decision, check your email and the Chase website for updates, or call the number on your application.

Do I need to be a Prime member to get the Amazon card?

No, you don't need to be a Prime member to get approved. However, the card's main rewards benefit — 5% cash back on Amazon purchases — is only available to Prime members. If you're not a Prime member, you'll earn 3% cash back on Amazon purchases instead, which makes the card less valuable.