What you need before you start
The Amazon Store Card is a credit card issued by Amazon and Capital One that works only at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market. To explore, you'll need to be at least 18 years old, have a valid Social Security number, and provide proof of income. You'll also need a current email address and a way to verify your identity during the process.
The process itself takes about 15 minutes and happens entirely online. You don't need to visit a store or call anyone to begin. Capital One will check your credit report as part of the process, which means your credit score will be pulled — this is called a hard inquiry and may lower your score slightly for a few months.
Before you explore, gather your Social Security number, a recent pay stub or tax return showing your income, and your current address. If you've moved in the last year, have your previous address ready too. You'll also need to know your employment status and employer name.
Key Takeaways
- The Amazon Store Card process is online only and takes about 15 minutes to complete with your Social Security number and income information.
- Capital One will pull your credit report during the process, which may temporarily lower your credit score by a few points.
- You can receive a decision within minutes of submitting, though some applications are reviewed manually and take a few business days.
- The card works only at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market, not at other retailers or for cash withdrawals.
- If you're denied, you can reapply after addressing the reason — usually a thin credit file or recent negative marks — typically after three to six months.
Step-by-step process process
Start by going to amazon.com and clicking the "Amazon Store Card" link in the footer, or search "Amazon Store Card" directly. You'll land on the Capital One process page. Click the button to begin your process.
Enter your email address and create a password for your Capital One account. This account is separate from your Amazon account, even if you use the same email. You'll use this login to check your card balance and make payments later.
Fill in your personal information: full name, date of birth, Social Security number, and current address. Be exact — any mismatch between what you enter and what's on your credit report can slow down approval. If you've lived at your current address for less than two years, you'll also enter your previous address and how long you lived there.
Next, provide your employment information: your employer's name, your job title, and how long you've worked there. If you're self-employed, enter your business name. If you're retired, unemployed, or a student, select that status and enter any income you receive (from Social Security, a pension, student loans, or family support, for example).
Enter your annual income. This should be your gross income before taxes. If you're unsure, check your most recent pay stub or tax return. Capital One uses this number along with your credit history to decide your credit limit.
Review the terms and conditions, then submit. You'll see a message telling you whether a decision will come right away or within a few business days.
What happens after you submit
If you're approved when ready, you'll see your credit limit on screen and receive a confirmation email. Your card will ship to your address within 7 to 10 business days. You can start shopping at Amazon.com when ready using a temporary digital card number that appears in your Capital One account — you don't have to wait for the physical card to arrive.
If your process goes to manual review, you'll receive an email within one to three business days with a decision. Capital One may contact you by phone if they need to verify information. Make sure the phone number you entered is one you can answer.
If you're denied, the email will include the reason. Common reasons are insufficient credit history, recent late payments, or high existing debt relative to your income. You can reapply after addressing the issue — usually three to six months later — or you can contact Capital One to ask whether a co-signer or additional income information would change the decision.
Using your card once it arrives
When your physical card arrives, set up it through your Capital One account or by calling the number on the back. You can then use it at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market locations. The card does not work at other retailers, gas stations, or restaurants.
Set up automatic payments through your Capital One account to avoid missing a due date. You can pay the full balance, a fixed amount, or the minimum payment. Paying more than the minimum keeps interest charges lower if you carry a balance.
Your first statement will arrive 25 to 30 days after your first purchase. The due date will be the same each month. If you miss a payment, Capital One will report it to the credit bureaus, which will hurt your credit score.
Pre-approval and your actual credit limit
If you arrived at this page from a pre-approval offer, that offer is not a may provide of approval or a specific credit limit. Pre-approval means Capital One reviewed some of your information and believes you're likely to be approved, but the full process may result in a different decision or a lower credit limit than the offer suggested.
Your actual credit limit depends on your full credit report, income, and existing debt. Two people with the same pre-approval offer may receive different limits. If you're approved for less than you expected, you can contact Capital One to ask about a credit limit increase after you've used the card responsibly for several months.
What to do if you're denied
A denial doesn't mean you can never get the card. It means Capital One decided the risk was too high based on your current credit profile. The most common reasons are a thin credit file (few accounts or short credit history), recent late payments or collections, or high debt relative to your income.
If you were denied because of credit history, wait three to six months, then reapply. In that time, pay all your bills on time and pay down any existing credit card balances. If you were denied because of income, reapply once your income has increased or you can document additional income sources.
You can also ask Capital One directly whether there's anything you can do to strengthen your process. Some applicants are approved on a second try after explaining a one-time hardship or providing additional income documentation.
Comparing the Amazon Store Card to other options
The Amazon Store Card offers 5% cash back on Amazon.com purchases and 2% at Whole Foods if you're a Prime member, or 3% and 1% respectively without Prime. It has no annual fee. However, it only works at those two retailers, so it's useful only if you shop at Amazon or Whole Foods regularly.
If you want a card that works everywhere, a general rewards card or a card designed for people building credit may be a better fit. Those cards typically offer lower cash back rates but work at any store. Compare the rewards you'd actually earn at places you shop before deciding.
If your credit score is very low or you have no credit history, you might be denied for the Amazon Store Card. In that case, a secured credit card — where you deposit money upfront as collateral — is often easier to get and helps you build credit faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get approved?
Most decisions come within minutes or hours of submitting your process. Some applications are reviewed manually and take one to three business days. You'll receive an email with the decision, and you can also check your Capital One account to see if a decision has been made.
Can I use the card before the physical card arrives?
Yes. If you're approved, you'll see a temporary digital card number in your Capital One account that you can use to shop at Amazon.com right away. The physical card usually arrives within 7 to 10 business days.
What credit score do I need?
Capital One doesn't publish a minimum credit score, but most people approved for the Amazon Store Card have a score of 600 or higher. If your score is lower, you may still be approved, especially if you have a steady income and no recent late payments. The only way to know is to explore.
Can I increase my credit limit after I get the card?
Yes. After using the card responsibly for several months — making on-time payments and keeping your balance low — you can request a credit limit increase through your Capital One account or by calling the number on the back of your card. Capital One may do a soft credit check, which doesn't lower your score.
What happens if I don't use the card?
Capital One may close the account if it sits unused for a long time, typically 12 months or more. To keep it active, use it for at least one small purchase every few months. An active card with a low balance helps your credit score, so it's worth keeping open even if you don't use it often.