How to apply for an Amazon credit card
You can apply for an Amazon credit card directly through Amazon's website or through the card issuer's website. Amazon offers two main credit cards: the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card (for Prime members) and the Amazon Rewards Visa Card (for non-Prime members). Both are issued by Chase Bank. The application takes about 10 minutes and asks for your name, address, Social Security number, income, and employment information. You will get a decision within seconds to a few minutes in most cases.
The application itself is free — there is no fee to apply, and the card has no annual fee regardless of whether you are approved. If you are approved, your card ships within 1 to 2 business days. If you are denied, Chase will send you a letter explaining why, and you can reapply after addressing those reasons.
Key Takeaways
- You can apply on Amazon.com or directly through Chase's website; both routes lead to the same application and issuer.
- The application requires your Social Security number, current income, and employment status, and takes about 10 minutes to complete.
- Most decisions come back instantly, though some applications are flagged for manual review and take a few business days.
- There is no annual fee for either Amazon credit card, and approval does not require you to be an Amazon Prime member (though the Prime card offers higher rewards for Prime members).
- If you are denied, you can request a reconsideration by calling Chase, or reapply after 30 days.
Where to start the application
The easiest route is to start on Amazon.com itself. Log into your account, go to "Your Account," then select "Login & Security" or search for "Amazon credit card." You will see both card options with a button to apply. Clicking that button takes you to Chase's application page, where you complete the full form.
Alternatively, you can go directly to Chase's website and search for "Amazon credit card" or "Amazon Rewards Visa." You will land on the same application. Either way, you end up filling out Chase's form, not Amazon's, because Chase is the bank that issues and approves the card.
What information you need to provide
Have the following ready before you start: your full legal name, current address, date of birth, Social Security number, and phone number. You will also need to provide your current annual income (before taxes) and your employment status. If you are self-employed, you can list your business income. If you are retired, unemployed, or a student, you can still list any income you receive — Social Security, disability payments, student loans, or household income all count.
Chase will also ask whether you have any existing Chase accounts and whether you have been denied a Chase credit card in the past. Answer honestly; Chase pulls your credit report and will see this information anyway. The application also asks for your mother's maiden name or another security question to verify your identity.
What happens after you submit
Most applicants get an instant decision — approved, denied, or pending. If you are approved instantly, your card ships within 1 to 2 business days. You can start using it online immediately once it arrives, and you can add it to your Amazon account right away to earn rewards on purchases.
If your application shows "pending" or "we will let you know," Chase is reviewing your application manually. This usually takes 3 to 5 business days. You can call the number on your application or check your Chase account online to see if a decision has been made. Do not submit another application while one is pending; that can hurt your chances.
If you are denied, Chase sends a letter within 30 days explaining the reason — usually insufficient credit history, too many recent credit inquiries, or income below the card's threshold. You can call Chase to ask for reconsideration, or you can reapply after 30 days if you have addressed the issue (for example, by building credit or waiting for old inquiries to age off your report).
Differences between the two Amazon cards
The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card requires an active Prime membership and offers 5% cash back on Amazon purchases and Whole Foods purchases, 2% back at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% back on everything else. The Amazon Rewards Visa Card is available to anyone and offers 3% cash back on Amazon purchases, 2% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% on everything else. Both cards have no annual fee.
If you do not have Prime, you can still apply for the Prime card — but you will not earn the higher rewards rate until you become a Prime member. If you already have Prime and want the higher rewards, apply for the Prime card. If you are not sure whether you will keep Prime, the regular Amazon card is a safer choice.
Credit score and approval odds
Chase does not publish a minimum credit score for the Amazon cards, but most people approved have a score of 670 or higher. If your score is below 650, approval is less likely but still possible, especially if you have a steady income and no recent missed payments. Chase looks at your full credit history, not just your score — a lower score with no recent problems can sometimes outweigh a higher score with recent late payments.
If you have no credit history at all (you have never had a credit card or loan), you may be denied. In that case, you might start with a secured credit card to build history, then reapply for the Amazon card after 6 to 12 months. If you have been denied before, waiting 30 days and reapplying with the same information will likely result in the same decision — only reapply if something has changed (higher income, paid off debt, or more time since a late payment).
What to do if you are denied
First, request your free credit report from annualcreditreport.com to see what Chase saw. Look for errors — wrong accounts, accounts that are not yours, or incorrect payment history. If you find an error, dispute it with the credit bureau; fixing it can help you get approved on a second application.
Second, call Chase at the number on your denial letter and ask for reconsideration. Explain any circumstances that affected your credit (a medical emergency, job loss, or identity theft, for example). Chase sometimes reverses a denial based on a conversation, especially if the reason was borderline.
Third, wait 30 days and reapply if your situation has improved — you paid off debt, your income increased, or you have not had any new late payments. Each new application is reviewed fresh, and circumstances do change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be an Amazon Prime member to apply?
No. You can apply for the regular Amazon Rewards Visa Card without Prime. The Prime card requires an active Prime membership, but you can apply for it even if you do not have Prime yet — you just will not earn the higher rewards rate until you join.
How long does it take to get the card after I am approved?
Chase ships approved cards within 1 to 2 business days. Delivery usually takes 5 to 7 business days after that, depending on your location. You can start using the card online as soon as it arrives by adding it to your Amazon account.
What if I am denied — can I reapply right away?
You can reapply after 30 days. Reapplying immediately with the same information will likely result in the same decision. Only reapply sooner if something has changed — you paid off debt, your income increased, or you fixed an error on your credit report.
Does applying for the Amazon card hurt my credit score?
Yes, but only slightly and temporarily. Chase performs a hard inquiry, which lowers your score by a few points for about 3 to 6 months. Multiple applications within a short time (a few weeks) can add up and hurt more, so space out credit card applications if you are applying for several cards.
Can I use the card before it arrives?
Some banks allow you to use your card number online immediately after approval, but Chase does not offer this for the Amazon card. You must wait for the physical card to arrive. Once it arrives, you can activate it and start using it right away.