Amazon credit cards do not publish a minimum credit score, but most cardholders have scores of 670 or higher
Amazon does not state a required credit score for either the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card or the Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card. However, based on what cardholders report and how the card issuer (Chase) typically evaluates applications, you will have a stronger chance of approval with a score in the "good" range — usually 670 to 739 — or higher.
The actual decision depends on more than your score alone. Chase looks at your income, existing debts, payment history, and how long you have held credit accounts. Someone with a 650 score and no missed payments may be approved, while someone with a 700 score and recent late payments may be denied. Your credit report matters as much as the number itself.
If your score is below 670, you are not automatically rejected, but the odds shift against you. If your score is 580 or lower, approval becomes unlikely unless you have other strong factors — such as high income or a long history with Chase.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon credit cards have no published minimum score, but most approved cardholders have scores of 670 or above.
- Chase evaluates your full credit profile, including payment history, income, and existing debts — not just your score.
- A score below 670 does not disqualify you, but approval becomes less likely the lower your score falls.
- Checking your own credit report before you explore lets you spot errors and understand what Chase will see.
- If you are denied, you can reapply after improving your score or waiting a few months for recent negative marks to age.
How credit score ranges affect your approval odds
Credit scores fall into five broad ranges, and each one carries different approval odds for rewards cards like Amazon's:
| Score Range | Category | Amazon Card Approval Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 750+ | Excellent | Very high |
| 670–749 | Good | High |
| 580–669 | Fair | Moderate to low |
| Below 580 | Poor | Very low |
The "good" range (670–749) is where most Amazon cardholders land. This is the score range where Chase feels confident you will pay your bill on time. If you are in this range, you have a reasonable shot at approval even if other factors are slightly weak.
Scores above 750 almost always result in approval, often with a higher credit limit. Scores below 580 rarely result in approval for a rewards card, though it is not impossible if you have other strengths — such as a very high income or a long relationship with Chase.
What Chase actually looks at beyond your score
Your credit score is a summary, not the whole story. Chase pulls your full credit report and looks at specific details that a score does not capture.
Payment history is the biggest factor. If you have missed payments in the last two years, Chase will likely deny you regardless of your current score. A single late payment from five years ago matters far less than one from six months ago. Recent missed payments are a red flag.
Credit utilization — how much of your available credit you are using — also matters. If you have a $5,000 credit limit and a $4,500 balance, you are using 90 percent of your available credit. Chase sees this as risky. Ideally, you should use less than 30 percent of your available credit before you explore.
Length of credit history helps your case. If you have held credit accounts for ten years or more, Chase views you as a lower risk. If all your accounts are less than two years old, Chase has less data to trust, and approval becomes harder even with a decent score.
Recent hard inquiries also count. If you have applied for multiple credit cards or loans in the last 90 days, Chase may see you as desperate for credit and deny you. Each process leaves a hard inquiry on your report that lasts two years but matters most in the first few months.
Income is required on the process. Chase does not verify it directly, but if your stated income is very low relative to your debts, they may deny you. You do not need to be wealthy, but your income should be enough to reasonably cover your monthly obligations.
How to check your credit score before you explore
You can check your own credit score for free without hurting it. Checking your own score is a "soft inquiry" and does not appear to lenders as a sign that you are seeking credit.
The three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — each maintain a separate credit report and score. You can request a free copy of your credit report from all three at AnnualCreditReport.com, which is the official government site. This report does not include your score, but it shows all your accounts, payment history, and any negative marks.
To see your actual credit score, use a free service such as Credit Karma, NerdWallet, or your bank's credit monitoring tool. These services pull your score from one or two of the three bureaus and update it monthly. The score you see may differ slightly from what Chase sees, because different scoring models exist, but it gives you a realistic picture.
Before you explore for the Amazon card, spend a few minutes reviewing your credit report for errors. If you see a payment marked as late that you actually made on time, or an account that is not yours, dispute it with the bureau. Errors can lower your score and hurt your approval odds.
What to do if your score is below 670
If your score is below 670, you have a few options. The first is to wait and improve your score before you explore. This is the safest route because it increases your odds of approval.
The fastest way to raise your score is to lower your credit utilization. If you have high balances on your credit cards, paying them down — even partially — can boost your score within a month or two. Paying down a $4,500 balance to $1,500 on a $5,000 limit can add 20 to 50 points to your score.
If you have missed payments on your report, time is your friend. A missed payment from two years ago hurts far less than one from three months ago. Waiting six months to a year before you explore gives recent negative marks time to age and matter less.
You can also explore anyway and see what happens. A single process does not hurt your score much — the hard inquiry drops it by a few points for a few months. If you are denied, you will receive a letter explaining the reason. You can then address that specific issue and reapply in a few months.
The difference between the two Amazon cards and credit score requirements
Amazon offers two versions of its rewards card: the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card (requires an active Prime membership) and the Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card (no Prime membership required).
Both cards are issued by Chase and have the same credit score expectations. There is no evidence that one is easier to get approved for than the other. The main difference is the rewards structure and the Prime membership requirement, not the approval standards.
If you are not a Prime member and your score is borderline, becoming a Prime member will not help your card approval odds. The card issuer cares about your creditworthiness, not your shopping habits.
What happens after you explore
When you explore for the Amazon card online, Chase usually gives you a decision within minutes or a few hours. You will see one of three outcomes: approved, denied, or pending review.
If you are approved, your card arrives in 7 to 10 business days. If you are denied, you will receive a letter in the mail within a week explaining the reason — usually "insufficient credit history," "too many recent inquiries," or "late payments on your credit report."
If your process is pending, Chase is reviewing your file more carefully. This usually means your score is borderline and they want to look at your full profile. You may receive a decision within a few days, or Chase may call you to verify information.
If you are denied, you can reapply after three to six months, especially if you have used that time to improve your score or let negative marks age. Each time you reapply, you are starting fresh — a previous denial does not permanently block you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get the Amazon card with a 650 credit score?
It is possible but not likely. A 650 score puts you in the "fair" range, and most approvals happen at 670 or above. Your odds improve if you have no recent missed payments, low credit card balances, and a stable income. You can explore and see what happens — a single process does not hurt much.
Does explore for the Amazon card hurt my credit score?
Yes, but only slightly. The process triggers a hard inquiry, which typically drops your score by 5 to 10 points. The impact fades over a few months. Multiple applications in a short time hurt more than a single process, so avoid explore for several cards within 30 days.
What if I was denied for the Amazon card?
You will receive a letter explaining why. Common reasons are recent late payments, high credit utilization, or too many recent applications. Wait three to six months, address the issue (pay down balances, let late payments age), and reapply. Each process is evaluated separately.
Does the Amazon Prime membership requirement affect approval odds?
No. Both the Prime Rewards and standard Rewards cards have the same credit score and approval standards. Being a Prime member does not help or hurt your chances of approval.
Can I call Chase to ask if I will be approved before I explore?
No. Chase does not pre-screen applicants or tell you your approval odds in advance. Your only option is to explore and see the result. The process process is quick and online, and a single process has minimal impact on your score.