The Application Process: What Happens at Each Step

Amazon offers two credit cards through Chase: the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card and the Amazon Rewards Visa Card. Both use the same application path. You start on Chase's website or Amazon's own card page, answer questions about your income and employment, and Chase makes a decision — usually within minutes, sometimes within a few days.

The application itself takes about 10 minutes. You'll enter your Social Security number, which triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report. Chase will ask for your annual income (not take-home pay, but total household income before taxes), current employment status, and whether you rent or own your home. They do not ask for tax returns or pay stubs at this stage. If Chase approves you, the card ships within 1 to 2 business days.

If your application goes to pending status instead of instant approval or denial, Chase is asking for more information — usually verification of income or identity. You'll receive an email or phone call with instructions. This step can add 3 to 5 business days to the timeline.

Key Takeaways

  • You can start the application on Chase.com or Amazon.com; both lead to the same Chase underwriting system.
  • Chase pulls a hard inquiry on your credit report, so the application affects your credit score slightly and temporarily.
  • Most decisions come back within minutes; if your application goes pending, Chase will contact you by email or phone with next steps.
  • Amazon Prime membership is not required to hold either card, though the Prime card offers higher rewards if you are a member.
  • If denied, you can reapply after 30 days, but Chase will pull another hard inquiry each time.

Where to Start: Chase.com or Amazon.com

Both routes lead to Chase's application system, so the choice is mostly about where you're already browsing. If you're on Amazon shopping, the card offer usually appears in the top navigation or in your account settings under "Your Account" → "Login & Security" → "Credit Cards." If you're starting fresh, go directly to Chase's credit card page and search for "Amazon" — you'll see both card options listed.

The application URL matters only if you want to track which offer you clicked. Some Amazon card offers come with a sign-up bonus (for example, a statement credit after your first purchase), while others offer bonus points after you spend a certain amount in the first three months. The bonus terms vary by offer and by your credit history, so check the terms on the page before you submit your application — you cannot change the bonus after approval.

What Information You Need Before You Apply

Gather these items before you start, so you don't have to hunt for them mid-application: your Social Security number, your current annual income (gross, before taxes), your current employer's name, your employment start date, and your home address. If you've moved in the last two years, have your previous address ready — Chase asks for it.

You do not need to upload documents at the application stage. Chase will ask for verification documents only if your application goes pending. At that point, they typically ask for a recent pay stub, a tax return, or a bank statement showing your name and address. Have these available in digital form (a photo or PDF) so you can upload them quickly if asked.

Understanding the Decision Timeline

Chase's system makes three types of decisions: instant approval, instant denial, or pending review. Instant approval is most common for applicants with good credit and stable income — you'll see "Congratulations" on the screen before you finish, and the card ships the next business day. Instant denial means Chase's automated system found a reason to decline (usually a very low credit score, recent bankruptcy, or too many recent credit inquiries). You cannot appeal an instant denial, but you can reapply after 30 days.

Pending review is the middle ground. Chase needs more information before deciding. You'll receive an email within 24 hours with instructions — usually a link to upload documents or a phone number to call. Pending decisions typically resolve within 3 to 5 business days. Once Chase approves you from pending status, the card ships within 1 to 2 business days.

What Happens If Your Application Goes Pending

A pending status does not mean you're denied. It means Chase's automated system flagged something that needs human review — often a mismatch between the income you reported and what their systems found, or an address that doesn't match your credit report. Sometimes it's simply that you have very little credit history and Chase wants to verify you're who you say you are.

Chase will contact you by email or phone (whichever number you provided). Follow their instructions exactly. If they ask for a pay stub, upload a recent one (within the last 30 days is best). If they ask for a tax return, a 1040 or 1040-SR from the last two years works. If they ask for a bank statement, any statement showing your name and address will do. Upload documents through the link in the email if one is provided; if not, call the number they give you.

Do not ignore a pending notice. If you don't respond within 30 days, Chase will close your application and you'll have to reapply from scratch.

Hard Inquiries and Your Credit Score

When you submit an Amazon credit card application, Chase performs a hard inquiry on your credit report. This inquiry appears on your credit report for two years and typically lowers your credit score by 5 to 10 points. The impact is temporary — the score usually recovers within a few months as you use the card responsibly and pay on time.

If you apply multiple times, each application triggers a new hard inquiry. Applying more than once in 30 days is not recommended because each inquiry compounds the score impact. If you're denied and want to reapply, wait at least 30 days and address whatever caused the denial first (for example, paying down other credit card balances or correcting information on your credit report).

After Approval: Activating Your Card

Once Chase approves you, the card arrives in 1 to 2 business days. You'll receive an email confirming shipment with a tracking number. When the card arrives, you must activate it before you can use it. Activation happens through the Chase website or the Chase Mobile app — you'll enter the card number and verify your identity, usually by answering security questions or entering a code sent to your phone.

Some Amazon card offers include a sign-up bonus that requires you to make a purchase within a certain timeframe (commonly 90 days). The bonus posts as a statement credit or points after you meet the spending requirement. Check your offer terms when you activate the card so you know the deadline and the exact bonus amount.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an Amazon Prime membership to get the Amazon credit card?

No. Both Amazon credit cards are open to anyone with acceptable credit, whether you're a Prime member or not. However, the Amazon Prime Rewards card offers higher cash back (5% on Amazon.com purchases) if you are a Prime member; non-members earn 3%. The standard Amazon Rewards card offers the same rate to all cardholders.

What credit score do I need to be approved?

Chase does not publish a minimum credit score for the Amazon cards. Historically, approval is more common for applicants with a score of 670 or higher, but approvals happen below that range and denials happen above it. Your income, employment history, and existing debt matter as much as your score.

Can I apply if I'm self-employed?

Yes. When Chase asks for your employment status, select "Self-employed" and enter your annual business income. If your application goes pending, Chase may ask for a tax return (Schedule C from your 1040) to verify that income. Have the last two years available.

What if I'm denied?

You can reapply after 30 days. Before you do, check your credit report for errors (visit annualcreditreport.com), pay down other credit card balances if possible, and make sure your income information is current. If you call Chase's reconsideration line within 30 days of denial, a human reviewer may reconsider your application without a new hard inquiry — ask for the reconsideration department when you call the number on your denial letter.

How long does the card take to arrive after approval?

Standard shipping is 1 to 2 business days. Chase offers expedited shipping (1 business day) for an additional fee, which you can select during the application process or after approval through your Chase account. International shipping is not available; the card ships to a U.S. address only.