Amazon Card Credit Score Requirements: Complete 2025 Guide

"Who This is For" vs "Who Should Avoid"

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✅ Apply for Prime Visa if you:

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• Maintain an active Amazon Prime membership

• Spend $3,000+ annually on Amazon

• Have a 700+ credit score

• Want travel protections (trip cancellation, purchase protection)

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❌ Skip Prime Visa if you:

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• Don't have Prime (you won't earn 5% back)

• Shop on Amazon less than $2,000/year

• Have credit scores below 670

• Already have a better 5% cashback card

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✅ Apply for Amazon Visa if you:

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• Don't have Prime but shop Amazon regularly

• Want a no-annual-fee Visa for everyday spending

• Have 670+ credit score

• Value 3% back on Amazon over a Store Card

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✅ Apply for Store Card if you:

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• Have fair credit (640-699)

• Need special financing on big Amazon purchases

• Are rebuilding credit and need an easier approval

• Don't mind being limited to Amazon.com

Common Objections in the FAQs: Your Questions, Answered

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"Will applying hurt my credit score?"

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Yes, but minimally. Chase and Synchrony will perform a hard inquiry when you apply, typically dropping your score 5-10 points temporarily. This recovers within 3-6 months. The bigger risk? Applying for multiple cards within 30 days—that looks like credit-seeking behavior and reduces approval odds.

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"Can I get approved with a 640 credit score?"

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Maybe. For the Store Card, yes—640 is the target minimum. For Chase Amazon cards, 640 puts you in the "possible but unlikely" range. Chase typically approves scores of 670+, though exceptional income or low debt-to-income ratios can compensate for a slightly lower score.

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"Is the Prime Visa worth the $139 Prime membership?"

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Only if you were already planning to keep Prime. If Amazon is your only reason for Prime, you need to spend at least $2,780/year on Amazon just to break even on the membership through the 5% cashback alone. Factor in Prime Video, shipping, and other benefits to determine true value.

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"What if I get denied?"

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Wait 6 months before reapplying. Use that time to:

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• Pay down existing credit card balances (aim for under 30% utilization)

• Dispute any errors on your credit report

• Add 10-20 points to your score through on-time payments

Step-by-Step: Your Path to Approval

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Before You Apply

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Check your credit score (free through Kudos, Credit Karma, or your bank). Know where you stand before the hard inquiry.

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Verify your income. Chase and Synchrony want to see you can repay. Include salary, side income, and for students, allowances/scholarships that support your living expenses.

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Review your credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com. Dispute errors now—they take 30 days to resolve.

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The Application Process

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1. Choose your card based on credit score:

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• 670+? Apply for Prime Visa or Amazon Visa

• 640-669? Start with Amazon Store Card

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2. Decide: pre-qualification or full application

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Amazon and Chase don't offer true pre-qualification, but you can check your approval odds using:

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• Chase Credit Journey (soft pull, estimates approval odds)

• Kudos Approval Odds (analyzes your credit profile)

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3. Complete the application (10 minutes)

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• You'll need: SSN, income, housing costs, employment info

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4. Soft pull vs hard pull:

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• Pre-qualification tools use soft pulls (no credit impact)

• Actual applications trigger hard inquiries (temporary score dip)

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5. Instant or pending decision

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• Instant approval: You'll get your card number immediately via email

• Pending: Chase needs 7-10 days to verify info, check back online or call reconsideration line

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If You're Approved

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Activate immediately to get your welcome bonus clock started (usually 3-month spending window).

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Set up autopay to avoid the variable APR kicking in.

Comparison: Amazon Cards vs Alternatives

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Not everyone needs an Amazon-specific card. Here's how they stack up against flexible alternatives:

Why this matters: If you only spend $1,000/year on Amazon, the $20 difference between 5% and 3% back isn't worth limiting yourself to Amazon. A flat-rate 2% card gives you flexibility and nearly identical returns.

Trust Building: The Pros, Cons, and Hidden Details

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Transparent Pros

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Prime Visa:

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• $250/year average rewards for members spending $5,000 on Amazon

• No foreign transaction fees (saves 3% internationally)

• Purchase protection up to $500 per claim

• Extended warranty adds extra year to manufacturer warranties

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Amazon Store Card:

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• 0% financing on purchases $150+ (6-24 month terms)

• Easier approval path for fair credit

• Instant use after approval (no waiting for physical card)

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Honest Cons You Won't See in Marketing

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Prime Visa drawbacks:

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• Requires maintaining $139/year Prime subscription

• 2% gas/dining cashback is lower than category specialists (3-5%)

• Chase can be strict: denied applications often can't reapply for 6+ months

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Amazon Store Card limitations:

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• Closed-loop only—useless outside Amazon.com

• 28.24% variable APR (higher than Chase's 20.24%-28.24%)

• Synchrony reports to all 3 bureaus but doesn't offer automatic credit limit increases as readily as Chase

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The $250/year benefit you're probably missing

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If you have a Prime Visa, you're paying for travel insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranties—but 82% of cardholders never file a claim. That's $250+ in dormant value annually based on average claim payouts.

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How to use it:

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• Flight delayed 12+ hours? File for trip delay reimbursement (up to $500)

• Phone screen cracked? Cell phone protection covers up to $800/claim

• New laptop? Extended warranty adds 1 additional year

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Track these benefits automatically with Kudos Hidden Perks—we'll remind you when you're eligible to file claims.

Beyond Credit Scores: Other Approval Factors

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Credit score isn't everything. Chase and Synchrony also evaluate:

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1. Credit utilization (30% of decision weight)

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• Keep balances under 30% of limits

• Pay down cards before applying

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2. Recent credit inquiries (10% weight)

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• More than 3 inquiries in 6 months reduces approval odds by ~40%

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3. Credit history length (15% weight)

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• Average age of accounts under 1 year? You might get denied even with a 720 score

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4. Income-to-debt ratio

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• Chase wants debt payments under 40% of income

• Include all income sources (salary, freelance, rental income)

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5. Existing Chase relationships

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• Current Chase customers with checking/savings see ~20% higher approval rates

Smarter Amazon Shopping: Maximize Beyond Credit Cards

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Even with the "best" Amazon card, you're still leaving money on the table without:

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1. Kudos Boost Offers

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Stack 5-15% extra cashback on top of your credit card rewards during Flash Boost events. Members earn an average $127/year in additional Boost rewards at Amazon.

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2. Subscribe & Save

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Combine 5% Subscribe & Save discounts with 5% Prime Visa cashback = 10% total savings on repeat purchases. A family spending $200/month on essentials saves $240/year through this stack.

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3. Warehouse Deals

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Refurbished and open-box items save 15-40% with full Prime Visa cashback. Buying a "like new" $800 TV with 5% back = $320 in total savings vs new retail.

Bottom Line: Should You Get an Amazon Card?

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Get the Prime Visa if: You spend $3,000+ on Amazon annually, maintain Prime, have 700+ credit, and want travel protections. You'll earn $150-300/year in rewards after Prime costs.

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Get the Amazon Visa if: You spend $1,500+ on Amazon yearly, don't have Prime, have 670+ credit, and want a no-annual-fee Visa. Expect $50-110/year in straightforward cashback.

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Get the Store Card if: Your credit score is 640-699, you need special financing, and you're comfortable with an Amazon-only card. Use it to build credit while earning 3-5% back on Amazon.

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Skip all of them if: You spend under $1,000/year on Amazon or already have a better 2-5% cashback card. The opportunity cost of a hard inquiry isn't worth minimal rewards.

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The Kudos Advantage

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Before applying, check your approval odds with Kudos to see personalized recommendations based on your actual credit profile. We analyze 3,000+ cards to find your best approval matches—not just Amazon options.

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Ready to maximize your Amazon rewards? Get started with Kudos and earn $20 when you sign up with "GET20" and make an eligible Kudos Boost purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What credit score do I need for Amazon Prime credit card?

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You typically need a good credit score of 670 or higher for the Chase Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card. Most approved applicants have scores of 700+, though approval depends on multiple factors including income, existing debt, and recent credit inquiries.

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Is 650 a good enough credit score for Amazon card?

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A 650 score puts you in the borderline range. For Chase Amazon cards (Prime Visa, Amazon Visa), you'll likely need 670+. However, the Amazon Store Card from Synchrony Bank may approve 640-699 scores, making it a better target if you're at 650.

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Does Amazon credit card do a hard pull?

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Yes, applying for any Amazon credit card triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can temporarily lower your score by 5-10 points. Pre-qualification tools use soft pulls that don't affect your score, but the actual application always requires a hard pull.

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Can I get an Amazon card with a 580 credit score?

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It's extremely difficult. While some data points show Amazon Store Card approvals at 580, these are outliers. Realistically, you'll need at least 640 for the Store Card and 670+ for Chase Amazon cards. Consider secured cards to build credit first.

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What's the highest credit limit on Amazon Prime Visa?

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Credit limits vary based on creditworthiness, but typical ranges are $2,000-$10,000 for new approvals. High-income applicants with excellent credit (750+) may receive limits of $15,000+. Chase evaluates income, existing credit lines, and payment history when setting limits.

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How long does Amazon credit card approval take?

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Most applicants receive instant decisions within seconds. If your application goes to pending review, expect 7-10 business days. You can check status online or call Chase's credit card application line. Once approved, you can start using the card immediately in your Amazon account.