Amazon doesn't publish a minimum credit score for its store card, but most people approved have scores of 670 or higher
Amazon issues two store cards through Chase: the Amazon Prime Store Card and the Amazon Store Card. Neither comes with a stated minimum credit score, but based on what cardholders report and how Chase typically structures its products, you'll have the strongest chance of approval with a score in the "good" range — generally 670 to 739 — or higher. People with scores below 650 are rarely approved, though it does happen.
The reason Amazon doesn't publish a minimum is that Chase reviews your full credit profile, not just the three-digit number. A score of 680 with one missed payment in the last year looks different from a score of 680 with no recent damage. Your income, existing debt, and how long you've had credit also matter. That said, the score is still the first filter: if yours is below 620, you're unlikely to get past the initial review.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon's store cards are issued by Chase and typically go to people with credit scores of 670 or higher, though the company does not publish an official minimum.
- Your full credit report matters as much as your score — recent missed payments, high debt levels, and short credit history can disqualify you even with a decent score.
- You can check your own credit score for free through AnnualCreditReport.com or your bank's website without affecting your score.
- A hard inquiry from your Amazon card process will lower your score by a few points temporarily, whether you're approved or not.
- If you're denied, you can reapply after addressing the reason — usually by paying down debt or waiting for negative marks to age.
How Amazon and Chase evaluate your process
When you explore for an Amazon store card, Chase runs what's called a hard inquiry on your credit report. This pulls your full credit history, not just your score. Chase looks at payment history (whether you've paid bills on time), amounts owed (how much of your available credit you're using), length of credit history, credit mix (different types of credit like cards and loans), and recent inquiries (how many times you've applied for credit recently).
The score itself is a summary of these factors, but Chase can see the details underneath. If your score is 700 but you've missed two payments in the last six months, that's a red flag even though the number looks acceptable. Conversely, if your score is 650 but your payment history is clean and you're using only 10% of your available credit, you have a better shot than the score alone suggests.
Chase also considers your income and existing debt. If you report $35,000 in annual income but already carry $30,000 in credit card debt, the bank sees risk regardless of your score. The process form asks for income, and Chase can verify it — they're checking whether you have room in your budget to handle another card.
What happens if your score is below 670
A score below 670 doesn't automatically mean denial, but it means you're outside the typical approval range. Chase may still approve you if other factors are strong — for example, if you have a long history of on-time payments, low debt, and steady income. But the odds drop significantly.
If you're denied, Chase will send you a letter explaining the reason. Common reasons include "insufficient credit history," "too many recent inquiries," "high credit utilization," or "recent delinquency." This letter is useful: it tells you what to fix before reapplying. You can reapply after three to six months, depending on what the issue was. If the problem was high utilization, paying down balances before reapplying makes sense. If it was recent missed payments, waiting longer is better.
How to check your credit score before explore
You're may have access to to one free credit report per year from each of the three bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — through AnnualCreditReport.com. This report shows your payment history and accounts but doesn't include your score. To see your actual score, you have a few options.
Many banks and credit card issuers now show your score for free in their online banking portal or app — check your current bank's website first. Credit monitoring services like Credit Karma, NerdWallet, and Experian also offer free scores. These are usually accurate, though the score you see may differ slightly from the one Chase pulls, because different scoring models exist. The difference is usually small — within 20 to 30 points.
Checking your own score does not hurt it. Only hard inquiries (when a lender pulls your report for a credit decision) lower your score, and only by a few points temporarily. Soft inquiries, which you initiate yourself, have no impact.
The difference between the two Amazon store cards
Amazon offers the Prime Store Card (for Prime members) and the regular Amazon Store Card. Both are issued by Chase and have similar credit requirements. The Prime version offers 5% back on Amazon.com purchases and 2% at gas stations and restaurants for Prime members. The regular card offers 3% back on Amazon.com and 1% on everything else.
Neither card offers a sign-up bonus, and both carry no annual fee. The credit score needed to be approved is roughly the same for both — around 670 or higher. If you're a Prime member, the Prime version is the better deal. If you're not, the regular card is available to you, but the rewards are lower.
What to do if you're denied
If Chase denies your process, you'll receive a letter within 7 to 10 business days. The letter includes the specific reason and your right to dispute if you believe information on your report is wrong. Read it carefully.
Before reapplying, address the stated reason. If it's high utilization, pay down your balances to below 30% of your limits. If it's recent delinquency, wait at least six months from the missed payment date. If it's too many recent inquiries, space out your applications — explore for multiple cards in a short time signals risk to lenders. If it's insufficient credit history, you may need to build credit first by becoming an authorized user on someone else's card or opening a secured card.
You can reapply after three to six months. Each process triggers a hard inquiry, so don't explore multiple times in quick succession. One process every few months is reasonable; three in one month will hurt your score and likely result in another denial.
Building credit if you're below the typical range
If your score is below 650 and you want to improve it before explore, focus on the factors that matter most: payment history (35% of your score) and credit utilization (30%). Pay every bill on time, even if it's just the minimum. Pay down credit card balances to below 30% of your limits — this change alone can raise your score 20 to 50 points within a month or two.
If you have no credit history or a very short one, becoming an authorized user on someone else's account (with a long, clean payment history) can help. You don't even need to use the card — the account history appears on your report and can boost your score. A secured credit card, which requires a cash deposit, is another path. You deposit $500 to $2,500, receive a card with that limit, and build history by using it responsibly and paying on time.
These steps take time — usually three to six months to see meaningful improvement — but they work. Once your score reaches 670 and you've addressed any recent negative marks, your chances of Amazon card approval improve significantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will explore for the Amazon card hurt my credit score?
Yes, but only slightly and temporarily. The hard inquiry lowers your score by a few points — usually 5 to 10 — and the impact fades over a few months. The inquiry stays on your report for two years but matters less as time passes. If you're denied, the inquiry still appears, so you lose those points without gaining the card.
Can I get approved with a score of 650?
It's possible but uncommon. Chase typically approves people with scores of 670 or higher. A score of 650 with excellent payment history and low debt might get approved, but most applicants in that range are denied. If you're at 650, waiting a few months to build your score to 670 increases your odds significantly.
What if I have no credit history?
No credit history means no score, and Amazon's store card is difficult to get without one. Build credit first by becoming an authorized user on someone else's card or opening a secured card. After six months of on-time payments, you'll have a score and a better shot at the Amazon card.
Does the Amazon store card report to all three credit bureaus?
Yes, Chase reports to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This means your payment history on the card will appear on all three reports and affect your score across all three bureaus. Making on-time payments helps your credit across the board.
How long after denial can I reapply?
You can reapply after three to six months, depending on why you were denied. If it was high utilization, three months is often enough time to pay down balances and reapply. If it was a recent missed payment, waiting six months is safer — the older the negative mark, the less it hurts your chances.