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How to Get Amex Pre-Approval In 2024

Last updated 03/15/2024 by

Sarah Loughry

Edited by

Fact checked by

Summary:
You can apply for an Amex pre-approval by applying online for a specific credit card. However, even if you are pre-approved (or pre-qualified), that doesn’t mean you are guaranteed to receive an Amex credit card.
American Express is a premium credit card provider whose products offer some of the best perks and rewards for travel and dining. From the Platinum Card to the Blue Cash line, Amex has a credit card that is tailored to your needs, whether they be business or pleasure.
As a result, American Express has high standards of income and credit to qualify for one of their cards. Fortunately, the pre-approval process allows applicants to see if they are a good candidate without the hassle of a hard credit check and extensive paperwork. The process can be done online, making it a fast and easy process to determine whether you should apply.
In this article, we cover the ins and outs of pre-qualifying, pre-approval, and final approval for an Amex card, as well as information about select products and services American Express offers their cardholders.

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Amex credit cards

American Express is one of the most popular and exclusive credit card issues today, and its customers can enjoy a wide range of benefits depending on their needs. Amex customers can select from a variety of cards, such as the Amex Platinum Card for frequent travelers looking for rewards on hotels and flights. Or maybe your spending habits are more tailored for the Blue Cash Everyday Card, which offers cash back at supermarkets and retail stores.
However, getting approved for any credit card can be time-consuming and affect your credit score when credit card issuers do a hard pull. Like any comprehensive inquiry for a line of credit, this has a temporary effect on your credit report. Luckily, this drop is usually only five points or less.
Most card issuers, including American Express, allow customers to pre-qualify and seek pre-approval to avoid any negative effects on their FICO scores.

How do you know if you’re a good candidate for an Amex card?

American Express is one of the premier credit card companies in the world today, and they offer some of the most sought-after benefits and rewards to their customers. As a result, Amex has high standards for its cardholders. Although they are not published, it is generally accepted that a successful applicant will have:
That being said, every American Express product is different, and many of their premium cards may require standards higher than this. To see what cards you may qualify for, take a look at some of the Amex cards below.

SuperMoney may receive compensation from some or all of the companies featured, and the order of results are influenced by advertising bids, with exception for mortgage and home lending related products. Learn more

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The difference between pre-qualification and pre-approval

Though the two terms sound very similar, pre-qualification and pre-approval have two different meanings.
  • Pre-qualified. Pre-qualified customers have demonstrated that they have reasonable credit and income levels that would make them a good candidate for American Express.
  • Pre-approved. Pre-approved customers are looking at a specific credit card and want confirmation that they will be approved if they choose to apply.
Fortunately, pre-qualification and pre-approval for American Express credit cards are simple and speedy processes if you follow these easy steps.

How do you pre-qualify for an American Express credit card?

Pre-qualification for a credit card is a process to determine if you are generally qualified for American Express credit cards. To pre-qualify, you should have a good credit score and reasonable credit history.

1. Go to the American Express website

When you get to the website, you’ll need to provide some basic personal information. This will include your name, address, the last four digits of your social security number, and estimates of your current income.
For pre-qualification, Amex will need to obtain your credit report. However, this is a soft pull rather than a hard credit check and does not affect credit scores. Also, American Express does not use your information for anything other than determining which Amex cards and offers might be best for you.

2. Browse your pre-qualified offers

Typically, pre-qualified offers are for a range of credit cards where the provider has determined you meet their criteria. It is also common for credit card companies to mail out pre-qualified offers, so keep your eyes out.

3. Remember, pre-qualification is not pre-approval

Pre-qualification is a more general inquiry and only means that a card issuer considers you a good candidate for one of its credit card offers.
If you’re concerned that you might not qualify for an American Express card, you may want to take a look at some of the credit card issuers below.

SuperMoney may receive compensation from some or all of the companies featured, and the order of results are influenced by advertising bids, with exception for mortgage and home lending related products. Learn more

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How can you be pre-approved for an American Express credit card?

Pre-approval is a more rigorous process than pre-qualifying. If you’re looking for an American Express card, you’ll need to select the particular credit card that you’re interested in. Like pre-qualifying, you should have a good credit score and good credit history.

1. Go to the American Express website

As with pre-qualification, the pre-approval process can be done online at the American Express website. However, most credit card issuers will require a bit more information than for pre-qualifying since you’ll be seeking pre-approval for a particular credit card.
Every company in the credit card industry has its own proprietary website rules for the pre-approval process. That being said, pre-approval is a more solid and rigorous estimate than the pre-qualification process.
IMPORTANT! Keep in mind that you’ll have to provide your Social Security number, but it is still a soft pull of your credit report that will not affect your credit score.

2. Browse your pre-approved offers

A pre-approved offer will most likely be more tailored than a pre-qualifying one since the pre-approval processes for American Express cards are for specific products.

3. Determine if you’d like to apply for an American Express credit card

Once you have been pre-approved for an American Express credit card, you can now decide if the package of incentives is right for you. If you have a good credit score, long credit history, and a solid credit profile, this may be the time to apply.

Which cards should you seek Amex pre-approval for?

In general, you should always pre-apply — it costs you nothing and protects your credit score. American Express has a large and diverse portfolio of credit cards available to suit both personal and business needs.
Some of them have annual fees as well as excellent perks. Most cards allow you to earn rewards on eligible purchases. However, overall, you’ll need to have good or excellent credit to get approval.

Amex Platinum Card

The platinum credit card is ideal for business travelers who regularly book prepaid hotels and dine in stylish restaurants. It is a premium credit card with great perks. Though it has a high annual fee, the platinum card also comes with a higher welcome bonus than other business cards.
This card has exceptional standards for approval.
  • $695 annual fee
  • generous welcome bonuses
  • 100,000 Membership Rewards points with first $6000 in first 6 mos.
  • 5x Membership Rewards when you book flights directly with airlines or with American Express Travel
  • 5x Membership Rewards on prepaid hotels booked
  • Adding and authorized user can help you meet spending requirements

Blue Cash Preferred

This credit card offered by American Express is fantastic if you’re looking at a particular card for cash rewards. If you mostly use your card for supermarkets and online retail purchases, this is the credit card for you.
This card has less rigorous standards of approval than the Platinum card.
  • $95 annual fee
  • 6% cash back on supermarket purchases
  • $350 welcome bonus
  • 6% cash back on streaming services
  • 3% cash back on travel purchases and gas stations
  • 1% cash back on selected other purchases

Blue Business Plus

This American Express credit card has fewer perks than others. However, with no annual fee required, it’s a perfect choice for the occasional business traveler.
This card has very relaxed standards of approval relative to the other two.
  • No annual fee
  • 2% back for normal business purchases
  • 15,000 bonus points with card membership

Applying for an American Express credit card

If your credit is solid, you’re pre-approved, and you’re ready to apply for a credit card, you’ll need to go through the formal process required by the card issuer.

1. Fill out paperwork for an application and expect a hard credit pull by the credit card issuer.

In order for credit card companies to approve you for lines of credit, you will need to demonstrate that you have excellent credit with a hard pull. Your credit information will be used solely for the application for the American Express card, and it is important for a financial institution to determine if you meet their criteria for the requested credit limit.

2. Expect to wait up to 60 days for your credit report to be processed.

The vast majority of applications for American Express credit cards are approved immediately, particularly if you are pre-approved and have excellent credit. However, sometimes the process can take up to two months depending whether financial institutions maintain accurate information and other factors.
If you haven’t heard in a while and you’re becoming concerned, don’t panic. A hard pull can be worrisome, but if you have already gone through the pre-approval process then you have a much better chance of being approved for Amex cards.

FAQs

Does Amex send pre-approval notices?

Yes. American Express will send you a written notice of pre-approval.

What is the easiest Amex card to get approved for?

All American Express cards require good credit. However, compared to platinum and gold cards, Blue Cash cards are typically considered easier to get.

Does Amex verify income?

American Express requires income verification for all credit offers. Check their website for details.

What if I am pre-qualified but not pre-approved?

If your application for pre-approval is rejected, then you will not be approved for those credit card offers.

How can I find more information on credit?

SuperMoney has many tools and tips to help you understand everything you need to know about credit.

Key Takeaways

  • You can get pre-approved for an Amex credit card by applying on the American Express website.
  • Keep in mind that pre-qualifying and pre-approval are two different things. Pre-qualifying is generally a less rigorous process than pre-approval.
  • Just because you’re pre-qualified and pre-approved for an American Express card doesn’t mean you’ll get final approval.
  • Pre-approval does not affect your credit score, as most credit card issuers only conduct a soft pull for this process.
  • You have to check your pre-approval status for a specific American Express card.
  • When you apply for final approval, American Express will perform a hard pull of your credit report.

SuperMoney may receive compensation from some or all of the companies featured, and the order of results are influenced by advertising bids, with exception for mortgage and home lending related products. Learn more

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