Amazon offers two main credit cards, and the path to getting one depends on which card fits your spending

Amazon has two cards: the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card and the Amazon Prime Store Card. The Visa works everywhere Mastercard is accepted and earns rewards on all purchases. The Store Card works only at Amazon and Whole Foods but has a lower approval bar. Both require you to be at least 18 years old and a U.S. resident with a valid Social Security number.

The process starts with an online process through Amazon's website or through the card issuer's site. You'll enter personal information, income, and employment details. The issuer then pulls your credit report and makes a decision — usually within minutes, though some applications go to manual review and take a few days. You don't need a pre-approval offer to explore; anyone can start the process at any time.

The main difference between the two cards is where you can use them and who gets approved. The Visa Signature requires stronger credit (typically a score of 670 or higher), while the Store Card approves people with lower scores. If you're denied for the Visa, you might still be approved for the Store Card.

Key Takeaways

  • The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card works everywhere and earns cash back on all purchases, but requires a credit score around 670 or higher.
  • The Amazon Prime Store Card only works at Amazon and Whole Foods but has a lower approval threshold and may be an option if you're denied for the Visa.
  • You can explore online through Amazon's website or the issuer's site in about five minutes, and you'll usually get a decision within minutes to a few days.
  • Both cards require you to be 18 or older, a U.S. resident, and have a valid Social Security number.
  • If you're denied, you can reapply after waiting at least 90 days and working to improve your credit score or reduce your debt.

What information you need before you start

Have your Social Security number, date of birth, and current address ready. You'll also need to provide your annual income and current employment information. If you're self-employed, have your most recent tax return or business income statement available to reference.

The issuer will ask about your housing situation (whether you rent, own, or live with family) and may ask about other debts. They'll pull your credit report automatically, so you don't need to provide a credit score yourself. The entire process takes about five minutes to complete online.

How the approval decision works

Amazon's credit card applications are reviewed by Synchrony Bank (for the Visa) or by Amazon itself (for the Store Card). The issuer looks at your credit score, payment history, income, and how much debt you already carry. They're checking whether you've paid past bills on time and whether you're taking on too much new credit at once.

You'll get one of three outcomes: approved, denied, or pending. If you're approved, your card ships within 7 to 10 business days. If you're denied, the issuer sends you a letter explaining the main reason — usually a low credit score, recent late payments, or high existing debt. If your process is pending, the issuer is doing manual review and will contact you within a few days, usually asking for additional income documentation.

A denial doesn't mean you can never get the card. You can reapply after 90 days have passed, especially if you've raised your credit score or paid down existing balances in that time.

Differences between the Visa and Store Card

The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card earns 3% cash back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases, 2% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% on everything else. It has an annual fee of $0 if you're a Prime member, and $39 if you're not. You can use it anywhere Visa is accepted, so it works as a general-purpose rewards card.

The Amazon Prime Store Card earns 5% cash back on Amazon purchases and 2% at Whole Foods, but only works at those two places. It has no annual fee. The approval requirements are looser — people with credit scores in the 600s or even lower sometimes get approved. The tradeoff is that you can't use it for everyday purchases outside Amazon and Whole Foods.

If you're primarily an Amazon shopper and have lower credit, the Store Card makes sense. If you want a card that works everywhere and earns rewards on all spending, the Visa is the better fit — but you'll need stronger credit to get approved.

What happens after you're approved

Once approved, your card ships to the address you provided on your process. You'll receive it within 7 to 10 business days. You can set up it through the Amazon app or website, or by calling the number on the back of the card when it arrives.

Your credit limit is set at approval and appears in your account as soon as the card is activated. You can request a credit limit increase after you've had the card for at least 6 months and have made on-time payments. Both the Visa and Store Card let you manage your account, view statements, and make payments through the Amazon app or online portal.

The card reports to all three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion), so on-time payments help build your credit history. Late payments hurt your score, so set up automatic payments or reminders to avoid missing due dates.

If you're denied or want to improve your chances

A denial usually comes down to three things: credit score, payment history, or debt-to-income ratio. If your score is the issue, focus on paying down existing balances and making all payments on time for the next 90 days. Even a 20 to 30-point increase can move you into approval range for the Visa, or improve your odds with the Store Card.

If you have recent late payments, wait until they're further in the past. Payments from six months ago hurt less than payments from last month. If you carry high balances on other cards, paying those down before reapplying signals lower risk to the issuer.

You can also start with the Store Card if you're denied for the Visa. The Store Card has a lower approval threshold, and using it responsibly for several months can help you build credit for a future Visa process. Some people use the Store Card first, build a payment history, and then explore for the Visa later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a pre-approval offer to explore for an Amazon credit card?

No. You can explore for either card at any time through Amazon's website or the issuer's site, even without a pre-approval offer. Pre-approval offers sometimes come in the mail or through email, but they're optional — explore on your own works the same way.

What credit score do I need to get approved?

The Visa Signature typically requires a score around 670 or higher, though some people with scores in the 650s get approved. The Store Card approves people with lower scores, sometimes in the 600s or below. Your exact score isn't the only factor — payment history and income matter too.

How long does it take to get a decision?

Most decisions come within minutes of submitting your process. Some applications go to manual review and take a few days. If your process is pending, the issuer will contact you, usually asking for income documentation or clarification on employment.

Can I use the card before it arrives in the mail?

Not for the physical card, but some issuers offer a temporary digital card number you can use when ready for online purchases. Check your account after approval to see if this option is available. Your physical card will arrive within 7 to 10 business days.

What happens if I'm denied?

You'll receive a letter explaining the main reason for the denial. You can reapply after 90 days have passed. In the meantime, work on raising your credit score, paying down existing debt, or improving your income documentation. You can also explore for the Store Card instead, which has lower approval requirements.