What You Need to Know Before You Start

The Amazon credit card comes in two versions: the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card and the Amazon Rewards Visa Card. Both are issued by Chase. The Prime version requires an active Prime membership and offers higher rewards on Amazon purchases. The standard version has no membership requirement but lower rewards rates. You can request either one directly through Amazon or through Chase's website.

The card itself is free — there is no annual fee on either version. You will need to be at least 18 years old, have a valid Social Security number, and have a U.S. mailing address. Chase will check your credit during the request process, which may temporarily lower your credit score by a few points.

Key Takeaways

  • You can request the Amazon credit card through Amazon.com, the Chase website, or the Chase mobile app without visiting a bank branch.
  • The Prime Rewards version requires an active Amazon Prime membership and offers 5% back on Amazon purchases; the standard version offers 3% back with no membership requirement.
  • Chase will review your credit history as part of the request process, so having a credit score of 670 or higher makes approval more likely.
  • You will receive a decision within minutes to a few business days, and an approved card typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days.
  • Both versions have no annual fee, but you must be 18 or older with a valid Social Security number and U.S. address.

Requesting Through Amazon.com

The fastest route for most people is to request the card directly from Amazon. Sign into your Amazon account, go to Your Account, and select "Login & security." Look for the section labeled "Amazon credit card" or "Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card." Click the link to view card details and select "Request Now."

You will be taken to a Chase page where you enter your personal information: full name, date of birth, Social Security number, annual income, and current address. Review the terms and conditions, then submit. Chase will tell you when ready whether you have been approved, denied, or placed under review. If you are approved, your card will ship to your address within 7 to 10 business days.

Requesting Through Chase Directly

You can also go directly to Chase's website or use the Chase mobile app to request an Amazon credit card. Visit chase.com, search for "Amazon credit card," and select the version you want — Prime Rewards or standard Rewards. Click "Request Now" and you will be taken through the same process process as the Amazon route.

The information you provide, the decision timeline, and the card delivery are identical whether you start from Amazon or Chase. Some people prefer the Chase route if they already have other Chase cards and want to manage everything in one place. The choice does not affect your odds of approval.

What Happens During the Credit Review

When you submit your information, Chase pulls your credit report from one or more of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. This is called a hard inquiry and will show up on your credit report. It may lower your credit score by a few points, though the impact is usually temporary.

Chase looks at your credit score, payment history, current debt, and income to decide whether to approve you. There is no published minimum credit score for the Amazon card, but people with scores of 670 or higher are approved more often. If you have recent late payments, high credit card balances, or a very short credit history, Chase may deny you or place your request under review for a few business days while they gather more information.

If Your Request Is Denied or Under Review

If Chase denies your request, you will see the reason — usually something like "insufficient credit history," "too many recent inquiries," or "recent delinquency." You can request reconsideration by calling Chase at the number on the denial letter, but the decision rarely changes without a significant change in your credit profile.

If your request is under review, Chase will contact you within a few business days, usually by phone or email, to ask follow-up questions or request documents like a recent pay stub or bank statement. Answer promptly and provide what they ask for. Under-review requests often result in approval once Chase has the information they need.

Activating Your Card When It Arrives

When your card arrives in the mail, you must set up it before you can use it. Sign into your Amazon account or your Chase account online. Look for a section labeled "set up card" or "New card set up." Enter the last four digits of your card number and follow the prompts. You can also set up by calling the number on the back of the card.

Once activated, you can use the card when ready for purchases on Amazon.com and at other retailers that accept Visa. If you have the Prime Rewards version, you will earn 5% back on Amazon purchases and Prime Video, Prime Music, and Whole Foods purchases. You will earn 2% back at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% back on all other purchases. The standard Rewards card earns 3% back on Amazon purchases and 1% back everywhere else.

Managing Your Account After Approval

After your card is activated, you can manage it through the Chase mobile app or chase.com. You can set up automatic payments, view your balance and transaction history, change your PIN, and report the card lost or stolen. You can also link the card to your Amazon account so rewards post automatically.

Rewards appear in your account as statement credits or as Amazon.com promotional balance, depending on which version you have. Check your account settings to see how your rewards are being credited and change the method if you prefer one over the other. You can also call Chase customer service at the number on the back of your card if you have questions about your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an Amazon Prime membership to get the Amazon credit card?

No. The standard Amazon Rewards Visa Card has no membership requirement. However, the Prime Rewards version requires an active Prime membership and offers higher rewards rates on Amazon purchases. If you do not have Prime, you can still request the standard card.

How long does it take to get approved?

Chase usually gives you a decision within minutes of submitting your information. Some requests go under review and take a few business days. Once approved, your physical card arrives within 7 to 10 business days. You can use a temporary digital card in the Chase app or Amazon app when ready after approval while you wait for the physical card.

What credit score do I need?

Chase does not publish a minimum credit score, but approval is more likely with a score of 670 or higher. People with lower scores or limited credit history may be denied or placed under review. If you are denied, you can try again after improving your credit score or waiting several months.

Can I request both the Prime and standard versions?

You can hold both cards at the same time, but Chase will only approve one request per person every 30 days. If you want both, request one, wait for it to arrive and be activated, then request the other after 30 days have passed.

What if I already have a Chase credit card?

You can hold multiple Chase cards. Requesting an Amazon card will not affect your other Chase accounts. Each card has its own credit limit and billing cycle, though they are all managed through the same Chase online account.