Is it difficult to get an american express card

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In this article:

• Is There a Minimum Score Needed for an American Express Card? 
• American Express Prequalification and Preapproval 
• Things to Keep in Mind When Applying for an American Express Card
• How to Improve Your Credit Score Before Applying
• Continue to Monitor Your Credit After Approval

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

The credit score needed to qualify for an American Express credit card depends on the card and its issuer. You can get an Amex card through a variety of card issuers, each of which will have its own standards for approval. Most American Express cards are issued by the company itself, however, so you'll want to familiarize yourself with their expectations.

If you're thinking about getting an Amex credit card, here's what to know about eligibility.

How to Apply

The application process can vary a bit depending on which credit card issuer you're applying with. However, you'll generally need to provide more information than you would during prequalification.

Your application may need to include your:

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Social Security number
• Employer identification number (if it's a small business credit card)
• Contact information
• Financial information, such as income
• Employment information, including how long you've been at your current job
• Housing status and costs

If you want to add an authorized user, you'll also typically indicate that in the online application. Once you submit the application, you'll typically get one of three responses within seconds: an approval, a denial or a pending decision. Keep in mind that identity theft prevention measures such as a frozen or locked credit file can prevent an immediate decision from being made, but can't prevent you from being approved.

If you're notified that the card issuer's decision is pending, you'll typically get an answer within seven to 10 business days.

Apply for a Credit Card Based on Your Credit Score

It's important to avoid applying for just any credit card. If your credit score isn't considered good or better, you'll have a hard time getting approved for a card directly from American Express. As such, it's best to avoid the unnecessary hard credit inquiry and apply for a card with better approval odds.

Before you apply for a credit card, check your credit score to see where you stand. Then use an online tool like Experian CreditMatch™ to get an idea of which cards are accessible based on your credit profile. CreditMatch can pair you with cards suitable for your unique credit profile, so it's a great resource if you're unsure where to start.

Understand How Welcome Offers Work

Like many other credit card issuers, American Express provides upfront incentives called welcome offers to new cardholders. These initiatives allow you to earn a bonus when you meet a minimum spending requirement in the first few months.

With the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, for example, earn a $100 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 6 months. Terms apply.

However, American Express only allows you to earn a card's welcome offer once. This means that if you've had a certain American Express card before and canceled it, you can't get its welcome offer ever again.

Other card issuers may have similar restrictions, so make sure you do your research before applying.

Use Your Credit Card Responsibly

Regardless of where you get your credit card, it's crucial that you develop good credit card habits. For starters, it's important to pay your bill on time every month to avoid missing a payment, which can hurt your credit score and result in a fee.

Also, make it a goal to pay your balance in full every month, which will ensure you never pay interest. If you can't pay back what you charge to your card, consider using cash or a debit card to avoid overspending.

Finally, it's critical that you keep your credit card balance as low as possible. Your credit card balances affect your credit utilization, which is an important factor in your credit scores. If you're constantly bumping up against your credit limit, that could be seen as risky behavior by lenders and credit scoring models, even if you pay your bill in full every month. When your balance climbs above 30% of your credit limit you risk credit score harm. There's no hard-and-fast rule, but the lower, the better.