Which Credit Bureau Does Amazon Use in 2024? The Experian Connection Explained
When you apply for popular credit cards like the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa, you‘ll undergo a hard credit check that can temporarily lower your score. But which of the three major credit bureaus does Amazon actually check?
According to recent 2023 applicant reports, Experian appears to be the primary credit bureau that Amazon and their lending partner Chase rely on when evaluating applications for Amazon-branded credit cards, like the Amazon Prime card.
Why Do Issuers Use Different Credit Bureaus?
You may be wondering – why don‘t credit card companies just pick one bureau and stick with it? There are a few strategic reasons issuers check different credit bureaus:
Regional credit reporting differences – The major bureaus have varying levels of coverage and completeness depending on geography. Issuers can improve results by checking the dominant bureau in each region.
Account diversity – You may have different credit accounts reporting to each bureau, giving issuers a more complete picture by combining data from multiple sources.
Credit monitoring and risk management – Checking accounts periodically from different bureaus can help with trends analysis and fraud prevention.
According to Ted Rossman, industry analyst at CreditCards.com, "Issuers aren‘t locked into using just one credit bureau. They might check Equifax for you but Experian for me, for example."
Amazon and Chase Primarily Use Experian Credit Reports
When you apply for an Amazon credit card, including the popular Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card, the application is processed through Chase Bank, which issues the cards for Amazon.
According to recent data points from applicants in 2024, these Amazon/Chase co-branded credit cards primarily check Experian for the credit report and FICO score used for approval decisions.
While other bureaus may be checked in some cases, particularly if fraud is suspected or other issues arise, Experian appears to be their go-to credit bureau.
Hard vs. Soft Credit Checks – Understanding the Difference
When a lender checks your credit report, they either perform a hard credit check or a soft credit check, depending on the purpose:
Hard inquiries allow lenders to access your full consumer credit data, including details like account balances and payment history. Hard checks can temporarily lower your credit score.
Soft inquiries, also called soft pulls, let lenders peek at your credit report without the full data access of a hard inquiry. Soft inquiries don‘t affect your credit score.
According to confirmed reports from applicants, Amazon and Chase do a hard inquiry when you apply for their co-branded credit cards. This means the credit check will result in a small, temporary drop in your credit score – often around 3-5 points.
What‘s the Minimum Credit Score Needed for Amazon Cards?
Amazon has not formally published the minimum credit score requirements for approval on their credit cards. However, according to applicants over the past year, it appears you will typically need a minimum score of around 670 for the best approval odds on Amazon‘s cards.
Those with fair credit in the 580-669 range may still potentially get approved in some cases, while applicants under 580 are more likely to be denied without further credit profile improvements.
Of course, your credit score is just one piece of your overall creditworthiness profile. Factors like income, existing debt load, and past credit history also matter for the approval decision. But a score around 670 seems to be a good starting benchmark for Amazon card eligibility based on recent applicant data.
Monitoring Impact to Your Credit Score
Since most Amazon credit card applications involve an Experian hard inquiry, you may want to check your Experian credit report and FICO credit score before applying to get a baseline.
Then verify any changes to your Experian score after applying so you know what temporary dip to expect. Monitoring just one bureau is simpler than trying to check all three reports.
You can receive free credit reports from Experian and other bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com. For free credit scores, options include:
- Experian (FICO model) – Experian.com/consumer-products
- Discover Credit Scorecard (FICO model) – CreditScorecard.com
- Numerous credit cards provide free VantageScore access
Overall, keeping tabs on your Experian credit data makes the most sense when tracking potential changes from Amazon credit card applications.
Strategies for Getting Approved for the Amazon Prime Rewards Card
Based on what we know about Amazon‘s likely credit bureau and score requirements, here are a few tips to optimize your chances if you‘re applying for the popular Amazon Prime Rewards Visa:
Check your Experian credit report – Identify any negative items or discrepancies you need to address beforehand.
Get free copies of your credit reports – Verify all bureaus annually at AnnualCreditReport.com. Dispute errors.
Improve your credit utilization – Pay down balances below 30% of your credit limits.
Become an authorized user – Ask to be added to a family member‘s old account to benefit from the credit history.
Monitor your hard inquiries – Limit other recent credit applications to avoid excessive hard checks.
Build credit history – Apply for credit builder loans if needed to establish positive payment history.
With some work to build your credit profile, you can position yourself to get approved for great rewards cards like the Amazon Prime Visa. Just be sure to check your Experian credit data first to ensure you‘ll pass Amazon‘s standards.
The Bottom Line
When you apply for popular co-branded Amazon credit cards like the Prime Rewards Visa, expect your credit report to be pulled primarily from Experian based on recent 2023 applicant trends. Amazon and Chase tend to perform hard credit checks, resulting in a small temporary score decrease, so check your Experian credit score and report before and after applying. With a 670+ FICO score and healthy credit profile, your odds of approval are strong.
