The Amazon credit card comes in two versions, and you start by choosing which one fits your spending

Amazon offers two credit cards through Chase: the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card and the Amazon Rewards Visa Card. The Prime version requires an active Prime membership and gives you higher rewards on Amazon purchases. The regular Amazon card has no membership requirement but lower rewards rates. Both are issued by Chase, and the process to get one is the same — you explore online, Chase reviews your credit, and you find out within minutes whether you're approved.

The main difference between them is cash back: the Prime card gives 5% back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases (up to $500 per quarter, then 1%), plus 2% at restaurants and gas stations. The regular Amazon card gives 3% back on Amazon purchases and 1% on everything else. Neither card has an annual fee. If you don't have Prime and don't plan to get it, the regular card makes sense. If you already pay for Prime, the higher rewards on the Prime card usually pay for itself within a few months of regular Amazon shopping.

Key Takeaways

  • You can explore for either Amazon credit card directly on Amazon's website or through Chase's website, and you'll know if you're approved within minutes.
  • Chase will check your credit report, so you need a credit score of roughly 670 or higher to have a reasonable chance of approval, though exact requirements vary.
  • You'll need your Social Security number, current income, and basic personal information to complete the process.
  • Once approved, your card typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days, and you can use it when ready for online purchases through a temporary digital card number.
  • The Prime Rewards card requires an active Prime membership to keep the higher rewards rates, so if your membership lapses, your cash back drops to the regular card's rates.

What you need before you start the process

Have your Social Security number, date of birth, and current address ready. You'll also need to know your annual household income — Chase asks for this to assess your ability to pay. If you're self-employed or your income varies, use a reasonable estimate of what you expect to earn this year.

Check your credit score beforehand if you can. You don't need a perfect score, but Chase typically approves applicants with scores around 670 and above. If your score is lower, you can still explore, but your chances are smaller. Checking your own score doesn't hurt your credit — only hard inquiries from lenders do that, and those happen when you explore.

Have your driver's license or state ID number handy. Chase will ask for it to verify your identity. If you've moved recently, make sure the address on your ID matches the one you're about to enter, or be ready to explain the difference.

Where to explore and what happens next

You can explore through Amazon's website by going to their credit card page, or you can go directly to Chase's website and search for the Amazon card. Both routes lead to the same process. Click the button to explore, and you'll be taken to Chase's find process form.

Fill in your personal information, income, and employment details. The form asks whether you're explore for the Prime card or the regular Amazon card — choose based on whether you have an active Prime membership. Be honest about your income; Chase verifies this information, and lying can result in your process being denied or your account being closed later.

Submit the process. Within seconds to a few minutes, you'll see a decision on your screen. If you're approved, you'll get a confirmation number and your new card number. If Chase needs more information, they'll tell you how to provide it. If you're denied, the screen will explain why — usually because of your credit score, income level, or recent negative marks on your credit report.

Using your card before it arrives in the mail

If you're approved, Chase gives you a temporary digital card number when ready. You can use this number to shop on Amazon right away, even though your physical card is still in the mail. Add it to your Amazon account under "Your Account" > "Login & Security" > "Manage Your Payment Methods," or enter it at checkout as a new card.

The temporary number works for online purchases but not in stores. Once your physical card arrives — usually within 7 to 10 business days — you can use it anywhere Visa is accepted, including Whole Foods if you have the Prime version.

What happens if you're denied

If Chase denies your process, you have options. You can ask Chase to reconsider by calling the number on your denial letter and explaining your situation, though this rarely changes the outcome. You can also wait a few months, work on improving your credit score, and explore again.

If your score is the issue, focus on paying down existing credit card balances and making all payments on time. If you have no credit history at all, consider getting a secured credit card first — one that requires a cash deposit — to build a credit file. Then explore for the Amazon card in 6 to 12 months.

Some people are denied because they have too many recent credit inquiries or new accounts. If that's your situation, wait at least 3 to 6 months before explore again, since older inquiries matter less to Chase's decision.

Rewards and how they work

Cash back from the Amazon card posts to your account as a statement credit. You don't have to do anything to claim it — it appears automatically when your monthly statement closes. You can use it to pay down your balance, or let it sit as a credit toward future purchases.

For the Prime card, remember the 5% back on Amazon purchases caps at $500 per quarter (January through March, April through June, and so on). Once you hit $500 in cash back that quarter, the rate drops to 1% for the rest of the quarter. The 2% back at restaurants and gas stations has no cap. The regular Amazon card has no caps on any category.

Both cards also come with extended return windows on Amazon purchases — usually 30 days instead of the standard return period — and other perks like roadside information and purchase protection. Check your cardholder benefits guide once your card arrives to see the full list.

Keeping your account in good standing

Pay your bill on time every month. Chase reports your payment history to the credit bureaus, so late payments hurt your credit score. Set up automatic payments for at least the minimum amount due, or better yet, the full balance each month.

If you have the Prime Rewards card, keep your Prime membership active. If it lapses, your rewards rates drop to match the regular Amazon card (3% on Amazon, 1% elsewhere) until you renew. You can check your membership status in your Amazon account under "Your Account" > "Memberships & Subscriptions."

Watch your credit utilization — the amount you owe compared to your credit limit. Keeping it below 30% helps your credit score. If your limit is $5,000, try not to carry a balance above $1,500.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get approved for an Amazon credit card?

You'll know within minutes of submitting your process. Chase gives you a decision on the spot, and if you're approved, you get a temporary digital card number right away. Your physical card arrives in the mail within 7 to 10 business days.

Can I get the Prime Rewards card if I don't have Prime yet?

You can explore, but you won't get the higher rewards rates unless you have an active Prime membership. If you're approved and then get Prime later, your rewards rates will increase automatically. If your Prime membership ends, your rates drop back down.

What's the difference between the Amazon card and other store credit cards?

The Amazon card is a Visa, so you can use it anywhere Visa is accepted, not just at Amazon. Most store cards only work at that store. The Amazon card also reports to all three credit bureaus, which helps build your credit history faster than a store-only card.

Will explore for this card hurt my credit score?

explore triggers a hard inquiry, which causes a small, temporary dip in your score — usually 5 to 10 points. The impact fades within a few months. If you're approved and use the card responsibly, your score typically recovers and improves as you build a positive payment history.

Can I have both the Prime and regular Amazon cards at the same time?

Chase's rules typically allow you to hold only one Amazon card at a time. If you want to switch from one to the other, you'll need to close the first card before explore for the second, or explore for the new one and then request to close the old one.