How the Amazon credit card process works
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. You start by going to Amazon's website or Chase's website, entering basic personal information, and receiving a decision — usually within seconds to a few minutes. If approved, your card arrives in the mail within 7 to 10 business days.
The process itself asks for your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, annual income, and employment status. Chase runs a hard inquiry on your credit report, which means the process shows up on your credit history and can lower your score by a few points temporarily. You do not need to be an Amazon Prime member to explore, though the Prime version of the card requires a Prime membership to earn the higher rewards rate.
Key Takeaways
- You can start the Amazon credit card process on Amazon.com or Chase.com and get a decision within minutes.
- Chase will check your credit report, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a small amount.
- The Prime Rewards version requires an active Amazon Prime membership to earn 5% cash back on Amazon purchases.
- If you are denied, you can reapply after 30 days, or contact Chase to understand why your process was declined.
Where to start the process
You have two entry points: Amazon.com or Chase.com. On Amazon, look for "Amazon Rewards Visa Card" in the footer or search for it directly. On Chase.com, go to the credit cards section and search for Amazon cards. Both routes lead to the same Chase process system, so it does not matter which you choose.
Before you start, have your Social Security number, current address, and recent income information ready. If you are self-employed or have variable income, have a recent tax return or pay stub available so you can enter your annual income accurately. Chase uses this figure to assess your ability to repay, so being honest matters more than inflating the number.
What information Chase asks for
The process form has two sections. The first collects identity information: full name, date of birth, Social Security number, current address, and phone number. The second asks about your finances: annual income, employment status (employed, self-employed, retired, student, or other), employer name, and whether you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
You will also see questions about existing Chase accounts and whether you have had a Chase credit card before. Answer these honestly — Chase cross-references this information with its internal records. If you have had a Chase card that you closed or defaulted on, Chase already knows about it.
Understanding the credit check and decision timeline
When you submit your process, Chase performs a hard inquiry on your credit report. This inquiry stays on your report for two years but typically affects your credit score for about three to six months. The impact is usually small — between 5 and 10 points — unless you have multiple hard inquiries in a short period.
Most decisions come back when ready or within a few minutes. You will see one of three outcomes: approved, denied, or pending. If approved, you receive a confirmation number and your card arrives within 7 to 10 business days. If denied, Chase provides a reason code (such as "insufficient credit history" or "too many recent inquiries"). If pending, Chase needs more time and will contact you by phone or mail within a few days.
What to do if you are denied
A denial does not mean you can never get the card. You can reapply after 30 days have passed. Before you do, check your credit report at annualcreditreport.com to see if there are errors — incorrect late payments, accounts you did not open, or wrong balances can all trigger a denial. If you find errors, dispute them with the credit bureau.
You can also call Chase at the number on the denial letter and ask a representative why your process was declined. They may tell you that your credit score is too low, you have too many recent credit inquiries, your income is below their threshold, or you have a history of missed payments. Some of these factors improve over time (your score rises, inquiries age off your report). Others you can address when ready (paying down existing balances, correcting errors on your report).
Differences between the two Amazon card versions
The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card offers 5% cash back on Amazon.com purchases and at Whole Foods, 2% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% everywhere else — but only if you have an active Prime membership. Without Prime, you earn 1% everywhere. The regular Amazon Rewards Visa Card earns 3% cash back on Amazon.com and Whole Foods, 2% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% everywhere else, with no Prime requirement.
Both cards have no annual fee. Both offer a promotional cash back bonus if you spend a certain amount in the first few months (the bonus amount changes periodically, so check the current offer before you explore). If you are already a Prime member, the Prime version is usually the better choice. If you are not, the regular card gives you the same rewards without requiring a membership.
After your card arrives
Once your card reaches you, set up it through the Chase website or mobile app before you use it. You will need your card number and the set up code that comes with it. After set up, you can use the card when ready for purchases.
Your rewards post to your account automatically. Cash back from Amazon purchases and Whole Foods appears as a statement credit or can be transferred to your Amazon account as a gift card balance. Cash back from other purchases appears as a statement credit. You can redeem rewards once they reach $0.01, though most people wait until they accumulate a meaningful amount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be an Amazon Prime member to get the card?
No. You can get the regular Amazon Rewards Visa Card without Prime. However, if you want the Prime Rewards version with its 5% cash back on Amazon purchases, you must have an active Prime membership at the time you explore and maintain it to earn the higher rate.
What credit score do I need?
Chase does not publish a minimum credit score for the Amazon card, but most approvals go to people with a score of 670 or higher. If your score is lower, you may still be approved depending on your income, employment history, and other factors. The only way to know is to explore.
How long does it take to get a decision?
Most decisions come back when ready or within a few minutes. Some applications go into pending status and require Chase to contact you within a few days. Once approved, your card arrives within 7 to 10 business days.
Will explore hurt my credit score?
Yes, but only slightly and temporarily. The hard inquiry typically lowers your score by 5 to 10 points and affects your score for about three to six months. The impact is smaller if you have a longer credit history and fewer recent inquiries.
Can I explore if I have been denied before?
Yes. You can reapply after 30 days have passed since your denial. Before you do, review your credit report for errors and work on the factors that led to the denial — such as paying down existing balances or letting recent inquiries age off your report.