Getting an Amazon credit card means choosing between two main options: the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card or the Amazon Prime Store Card
The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card is a general-purpose credit card issued by Chase that works anywhere Visa is accepted. The Amazon Prime Store Card works only at Amazon and affiliated retailers. Both require you to be at least 18 years old, have a valid Social Security number, and pass a credit check. The main difference is where you can use them and what rewards you earn in each place.
You can request either card online through Amazon's website, through the Chase website directly, or by calling the card issuer. The process takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete. Most people receive a decision within minutes, though some applications go to a review queue and take a few business days. Once approved, the card typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days.
Key Takeaways
- The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card works everywhere and earns 5% back on Amazon purchases, while the Store Card earns 3% back and only works at Amazon.
- Both cards require you to pass a credit check, so your credit score and payment history matter to approval odds.
- You can request either card online in about 10 to 15 minutes, and most decisions come back the same day or within a few business days.
- The Prime Rewards card requires an active Prime membership to earn the highest rewards rate, while the Store Card does not.
The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
This card earns 5% cash back on Amazon.com and Amazon Fresh purchases, 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores, and 1% back on everything else. You must have an active Amazon Prime membership to earn the 5% rate on Amazon purchases. Without Prime, you earn 1% on Amazon purchases instead. There is no annual fee.
Chase pulls your credit report when you request this card, so a hard inquiry appears on your credit report. This can lower your credit score by a few points temporarily. The card is designed for people with good to excellent credit, though people with fair credit sometimes receive approval. Chase does not publish a minimum credit score requirement, but most approvals happen for people with scores of 670 or higher.
You can request this card through Amazon.com by going to your account, selecting "Login & security," then "Your cards," then "Add a new card." You can also go directly to the Chase website and search for "Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card." Either path takes you to the same process.
The Amazon Prime Store Card
This card works only at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and other Amazon-owned retailers. It earns 3% back on Amazon purchases, 2% back at Whole Foods, and 1% back at other participating stores. There is no annual fee. You do not need an Amazon Prime membership to use this card or earn rewards.
Synchrony Bank issues the Store Card and also pulls your credit report during the request process. The Store Card is generally easier to receive approval for than the Prime Rewards card, and people with fair credit have better odds. Synchrony does not publish a minimum score, but approvals often happen for people with scores of 620 or higher.
You can request the Store Card through Amazon.com by going to your account, selecting "Login & security," then "Your cards," then "Add a new card." The process takes about 10 minutes. You will see a decision when ready in most cases, though some applications enter a review queue.
What Happens During the Credit Check
When you request either card, the issuer (Chase or Synchrony) pulls your credit report from one or more of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. This is called a hard inquiry. It appears on your credit report and can lower your score by a few points for a few months. Multiple requests for the same type of card within 14 to 45 days typically count as a single inquiry, so requesting both cards close together usually does not double the impact.
The issuer looks at your credit score, payment history, current debt, and income to decide whether to approve you. They also check whether you have an existing account with them. If you already have a Chase or Synchrony account with a history of late payments or defaults, your odds of approval drop significantly.
You can check your own credit report for free once per year through annualcreditreport.com. Checking your own report does not lower your score. If you find errors, you can dispute them with the bureau directly before you request a card.
Timeline From Request to First Use
The request itself takes 10 to 15 minutes online. Most people receive a decision within minutes. Some applications go to a review queue if the issuer needs more information or wants to verify details. These typically resolve within 2 to 3 business days, though occasionally they take longer.
Once approved, the card ships to your mailing address. Standard delivery takes 7 to 10 business days. Expedited shipping is not usually an option for new cards. You can use the card number to make purchases online when ready after approval in some cases, but this depends on the issuer and your account. Check your approval email or log into your account to see whether when ready card numbers are available.
If your request is denied, you will receive a letter explaining the reason. Common reasons include insufficient credit history, recent late payments, high existing debt, or too many recent credit inquiries. You can request a reconsideration by calling the issuer, though the outcome rarely changes without a significant change in your credit profile.
Comparing the Two Cards Side by Side
| Feature | Prime Rewards Visa Signature | Prime Store Card |
|---|---|---|
| Where you can use it | Anywhere Visa is accepted | Amazon, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods only |
| Rewards on Amazon purchases | 5% with Prime membership, 1% without | 3% always |
| Rewards at other stores | 2% at restaurants, gas, drugstores; 1% elsewhere | 2% at Whole Foods; 1% at other participating stores |
| Annual fee | None | None |
| Issuer | Chase | Synchrony Bank |
| Typical credit score range for approval | 670 or higher | 620 or higher |
| Prime membership required | Yes, for 5% rate | No |
What to Do If Your Request Is Denied
If Chase or Synchrony denies your request, you will receive a letter within 30 days explaining the reason. The letter includes contact information for the credit bureau they used, so you can request a free copy of your credit report to see what they saw.
You can call the issuer to ask for reconsideration, though this rarely changes the outcome unless you can point to a specific error on your report or a major change in your situation since you requested the card. If you were denied because of insufficient credit history, you may have better luck requesting the Store Card instead, since Synchrony tends to approve people with thinner credit files.
If you were denied because of recent late payments or high debt, waiting 6 to 12 months while you improve your payment history and pay down balances will significantly improve your odds on a future request. Each month of on-time payments helps your score recover.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an Amazon Prime membership to get the Amazon credit card?
No. You can request either card without Prime. However, if you want the 5% rewards rate on the Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card, you need an active Prime membership. The Store Card does not require Prime at all.
Can I request both cards at the same time?
Yes. Requesting both within a short window usually counts as two separate inquiries, but some people do this to compare approval odds. If you are approved for both, you can keep both cards active or close one. There is no penalty for having both.
What credit score do I need to get approved?
Chase and Synchrony do not publish minimum scores. Most approvals happen for people with scores of 670 or higher for the Prime Rewards card and 620 or higher for the Store Card. People with lower scores are sometimes approved, especially if they have a short but solid payment history and low existing debt.
How long does it take to receive the card after I am approved?
Standard delivery takes 7 to 10 business days. Some issuers offer when ready card numbers for online purchases when ready after approval, but this is not may provide. Check your approval email or account to see if this option is available to you.
Will requesting a card hurt my credit score?
The hard inquiry will lower your score by a few points temporarily, usually for a few months. The impact is small compared to late payments or high debt. Once you open the card and use it responsibly, the account history will help your score over time.