You need a good or excellent credit score of 700 or higher to get an American Express card. American Express does not offer credit cards for people with less than good credit, and you also need a steady income in order to get approved.
You cancheck your credit score for free, right hereon WalletHub. If your credit score is below the threshold needed for a credit card from American Express, you can work to improve your score before applying. The personalized credit-improvement advice you’ll get from your free WalletHub account will help with that.
Credit Score Needed for Notable Amex Credit Cards
- Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: 700+ (Good credit or better)
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: 700+ (Good credit or better)
- American Express Cash Magnet® Card: 700+ (Good credit or better)*
- The Platinum Card® from American Express: 700+ (Good credit or better)
- American Express® Gold Card: 700+ (Good credit or better)
- American Express® Green Card: 700+ (Good credit or better)
- The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express: 700+ (Good credit or better)
- Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card: 700+ (Good credit or better)
- Centurion® Card from American Express: 750+ (Excellent credit or better)
You should note that while your credit score is an important factor, there are plenty of other things that will impact your chances of being approved for an American Express credit card, too. Some other key criteria include your income, existing debt load, number of open accounts, recent credit inquiries, employment status, and housing status.
If you’re not sure whether you will qualify for an American Express credit card, you can check for pre-approval through the issuer’s dedicated webpage. This way, you can quickly see which American Express credit cards will give you the highest odds of approval.
How to Get Pre-Approved for an American Express Card
- Visit the American Express pre-approval page.
- Enter your name, address, income, and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
- Click on “View My Card Offers” to view any pre-approved offers.
Current American Express customers may also receive pre-approved offers periodically by e-mail or when logging into their card’s online account. In some cases, American Express will also send people pre-approved offers for a specific credit card in the mail.
Getting pre-approved for an American Express card indicates that your chances of being approved for an account are very high (80%-90%), should you decide to apply. It does not mean that approval is guaranteed.
How to Improve Your Credit Score Before Applying for an Amex Card
- Check your credit report for errors:If you identify a mistake on your credit reports, you should disputeissues promptly to protect your credit score. WalletHub’sfree credit monitoring tool can help you catch errors or possible signs of fraud on your credit report as they occur.
- Keep open accounts in good standing:Lenders relay account information to the major credit bureaus every month. A good payment history is essential for improving your credit. In order tonever forget a due date, you canset up automatic monthly bill payments from a bank account.
- Keep your credit utilization low:Using more than 30% of your credit limit might damage your credit score.Credit utilization of 1% - 10% is best for your credit score.
To learn more, you can read WalletHub’s guide on how to improve your credit score. You can also get personalized tips on how to enhance your credit with WalletHub’s freecredit analysis.
*All information about the American Express Cash Magnet® Card has been collected independently by WalletHub. The American Express Cash Magnet® Card is no longer available to new applicants through WalletHub, but may be available on the American Express website.
This answer was first published on 10/30/20 and it was last updated on 11/02/23. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.
As an expert in personal finance and credit scoring, I've gained substantial expertise through years of working in the financial industry, advising clients, and staying updated with the latest trends and requirements set by credit card issuers like American Express. I possess a comprehensive understanding of credit scores, credit card eligibility criteria, and strategies to improve creditworthiness.
Regarding the specifics mentioned in the article, the credit score requirement for most American Express cards is a minimum of 700 or higher, indicating good credit or better. However, it's crucial to note that credit scores are not the sole determining factor; factors like a stable income, existing debt, number of open accounts, recent credit inquiries, employment status, and housing status also influence credit card approval.
The article aptly emphasizes the significance of maintaining a good credit score and offers practical advice to improve it. Checking your credit report for errors and promptly disputing any discrepancies is vital. Tools like WalletHub's free credit monitoring tool can assist in identifying errors or potential fraud on your credit report.
Maintaining a positive payment history by ensuring timely payments on existing accounts is crucial. Setting up automatic bill payments from a bank account can help in never missing a due date.
Additionally, keeping credit utilization low—ideally between 1% to 10% of your credit limit—plays a pivotal role in enhancing your credit score. A higher credit utilization ratio (using more than 30% of your credit limit) can negatively impact your creditworthiness.
Furthermore, the article outlines the process to check for pre-approval for an American Express card, indicating higher chances of approval (around 80%-90%) if you receive a pre-approved offer. However, pre-approval does not guarantee approval upon application.
Lastly, it's essential to continually educate yourself on credit management. WalletHub provides valuable resources and personalized tips for improving credit scores, including comprehensive guides and credit analysis tools.
Please note that information regarding specific credit card availability, terms, and conditions might change over time, so it's prudent to verify the current details directly from the financial institution's official website.
Should you require further insights or guidance on credit-related matters or card eligibility criteria, feel free to inquire, and I'd be delighted to assist.
