How to Get Preapproved for an American Express Credit Card Bankrate Caret RightMain Menu Mortgage Mortgages Financing a home purchase Refinancing your existing loan Finding the right lender Additional Resources Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content Caret RightMain Menu Bank Banking Compare Accounts Use calculators Get advice Bank reviews Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content Caret RightMain Menu Credit Card Credit cards Compare by category Compare by credit needed Compare by issuer Get advice Looking for the perfect credit card? Narrow your search with CardMatch Caret RightMain Menu Loan Loans Personal Loans Student Loans Auto Loans Loan calculators Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content Caret RightMain Menu Invest Investing Best of Brokerages and robo-advisors Learn the basics Additional resources Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content Caret RightMain Menu Home Equity Home equity Get the best rates Lender reviews Use calculators Knowledge base Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content Caret RightMain Menu Loan Home Improvement Real estate Selling a home Buying a home Finding the right agent Additional resources Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content Caret RightMain Menu Insurance Insurance Car insurance Homeowners insurance Other insurance Company reviews Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content Caret RightMain Menu Retirement Retirement Retirement plans & accounts Learn the basics Retirement calculators Additional resources Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content Advertiser Disclosure
Advertiser Disclosure
We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Our goal is to help you make smarter financial decisions by providing you with interactive tools and financial calculators, publishing original and objective content, by enabling you to conduct research and compare information for free - so that you can make financial decisions with confidence.
Bankrate has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover. SHARE: Fizkes / Shutterstock July 16, 2021 Checkmark Bankrate logo How is this page expert verified? At Bankrate, we take the accuracy of our content seriously. "Expert verified" means that our Financial Review Board thoroughly evaluated the article for accuracy and clarity. The Review Board comprises a panel of financial experts whose objective is to ensure that our content is always objective and balanced. Their reviews hold us accountable for publishing high-quality and trustworthy content. Holly Johnson writes expert content on personal finance, credit cards, loyalty and insurance topics. In addition to writing for Bankrate and CreditCards.com, Johnson does ongoing work for clients that include CNN, Forbes Advisor, LendingTree, Time Magazine and more. Emily Sherman is a senior editor for CreditCards.com and Bankrate Credit Cards, specializing in product news and recommendations. She has worked as a writer and editor in the credit cards space for several years, covering any and all topics related to how cards work, rewards programs, card benefits, travel, cash back and more. Antonio Ruiz-Camacho is senior director of content for and . He has more than 20 years of international experience leading content teams, focused on consumer advice, technology and immigration. Bankrate logo The Bankrate promise
At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. While we adhere to strict editorial integrity, this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for how we make money. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Bankrate logo The Bankrate promise
At Bankrate, we have a mission to demystify the credit cards industry — regardless or where you are in your journey — and make it one you can navigate with confidence. Our team is full of a diverse range of experts from credit card pros to data analysts and, most importantly, people who shop for credit cards just like you. With this combination of expertise and perspectives, we keep close tabs on the credit card industry year-round to: Meet you wherever you are in your credit card journey to guide your information search and help you understand your options. Consistently provide up-to-date, reliable market information so you're well-equipped to make confident decisions. Reduce industry jargon so you get the clearest form of information possible, so you can make the right decision for you. At Bankrate, we focus on the points consumers care about most: rewards, welcome offers and bonuses, APR, and overall customer experience. Any issuers discussed on our site are vetted based on the value they provide to consumers at each of these levels. At each step of the way, we fact-check ourselves to prioritize accuracy so we can continue to be here for your every next. Bankrate logo Editorial integrity
Bankrate follows a strict , so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions. Key Principles
We value your trust. Our mission is to provide readers with accurate and unbiased information, and we have editorial standards in place to ensure that happens. Our editors and reporters thoroughly fact-check editorial content to ensure the information you’re reading is accurate. We maintain a firewall between our advertisers and our editorial team. Our editorial team does not receive direct compensation from our advertisers. Editorial Independence
Bankrate’s editorial team writes on behalf of YOU – the reader. Our goal is to give you the best advice to help you make smart personal finance decisions. We follow strict guidelines to ensure that our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. Our editorial team receives no direct compensation from advertisers, and our content is thoroughly fact-checked to ensure accuracy. So, whether you’re reading an article or a review, you can trust that you’re getting credible and dependable information. Bankrate logo How we make money
You have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have been helping you master your money for over four decades. We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to succeed throughout life’s financial journey. Bankrate follows a strict , so you can trust that our content is honest and accurate. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions. The content created by our editorial staff is objective, factual, and not influenced by our advertisers. We’re transparent about how we are able to bring quality content, competitive rates, and useful tools to you by explaining how we make money. Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and, services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. Therefore, this compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within listing categories. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at your self-selected credit score range can also impact how and where products appear on this site. While we strive to provide a wide range offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service. American Express is known for their popular , including their roster of and those that earn Membership Rewards points. Not only do their top credit cards offer excellent earning rates, but many feature generous welcome bonuses consumers can earn when they meet a minimum spending requirement. Still, many people wish they could gauge their eligibility for before they apply. After all, applying for a credit card means having a hard pull placed on your credit report, and you’ll want to avoid this if you have no chance for approval to begin with. Fortunately, this is where Amex preapprovals come in. You can actually see if you may be eligible for an American Express credit card ahead of time—but only if you’re willing to take a few simple steps. What is credit card preapproval and how does it work
If you’re wondering how to get for an American Express credit card, you should know that at the core of this process is a screening procedure. Credit card preapproval takes place when a card issuer sets minimum criteria for their credit cards and actively informs consumers that they have met their standards. Though many card issuers use the terms “preapproved” and “prequalified” interchangeably, American Express distinguishes between them and presents both kinds of offers. With Amex, “prequalified” offers are cards that are tailored to an applicant’s credit profile based on a soft pull to their credit. You can see these offers on tools like CardMatch or on the American Express website. Preapproved offers, on the other hand, are a step beyond prequalified offers and signify the highest approval odds an issuer can offer without pulling your credit. These offers are a bit harder to qualify for, but also reduce the risk that you are denied when you submit a full application. With either preapproved or prequalified Amex offers, the issuer uses information like your income to determine if you’re in the target audience for a particular card. Both are good indicators that you will be approved when you apply, though preapproved is a slightly better chance. Keep in mind that neither nor prequalification guarantees you’ll get a rewards credit card; it only confirms you may be an excellent candidate if you meet all the requirements card issuers set for approval. To find out for certain if you can be approved for a credit card, you’ll have to formally apply. How to get preapproved for an American Express credit card
If you’re wondering how to prequalify for American Express credit card offers, there are several strategies to consider. Check for offers on Bankrate s CardMatch tool
First, consider using to check your eligibility for the best rewards credit cards from American Express. Using this tool will not have an impact on your credit, and you can find out which offers you are eligible for without completing a full application first. Information required for the CardMatch tool includes your name, ZIP code, home address, email address, phone number and the last four digits of your Social Security number. American Express recently launched a number of preapproved offers for some of its cards. In addition to higher approval odds, these preapproved offers could also come with elevated welcome bonuses. In some cases, you could be eligible for up to 150,000 Membership Rewards points, instead of the current 100,000 point-offer, after spending $6,000 within six months on your new . Prequalify on Amex s website
American Express also has a dedicated page for prequalified offers (though not preapproved at the moment). This page asks you to input your personal information before showing you any American Express credit cards you may be eligible for. Once again, these prequalified offers from American Express only place a on your credit report, so checking your eligibility won’t have any impact on your credit. Additional ways to prequalify for American Express credit cards
While you can use the CardMatch tool or the American Express website to check for American Express preapprovals and prequalifications online, you may also receive targeted credit card offers in the mail. These offers can include better welcome bonuses or cardmember terms than those available to the general public, so make sure to keep an eye out for them. Best American Express credit cards for preapproved offers
Some save their best introductory offers for customers who are preapproved, although you may have to use the CardMatch tool to see if you’re eligible. American Express credit cards that are popular for preapproval include the following: The Platinum Card from American Express Best for travel
Rewards rate: 5X points on up to $500,000 spent on directly-booked airfare and flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel (per calendar year), 2X points on prepaid car rentals through American Express Travel and 1X points on all other purchases Welcome offer: 100,000 points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new card in your first six months Annual fee: $695 (effective Jan. 1, 2022 for existing cardmembers) While the $695 annual fee on this card is high, keep in mind all the benefits you receive. As a cardholder, you’ll get up to $200 in airline fee credits per year, up to $200 in Uber credits annually, a fee credit for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application (every four years), airport lounge membership, automatic gold status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy and more. Rewards earned with this card also fall within the flexible , which means you can redeem your rewards for gift cards, merchandise, travel through AmexTravel.com or even transfers to . On top of all of these perks, the Amex Platinum frequently targets CardMatch visitors for a higher welcome bonus. You might score 125,000 or even 150,000 points after spending $6,000 in the first six months, up from the card’s typical 100,000 points. American Express Gold Card Best for dining and travel rewards
Rewards rate: Earn 4X points on restaurants, including takeout and delivery in the U.S., plus, earn 4X points for Uber Eats purchases and at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per year, then 1X points), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com and 2X points on rental cars through amextravel.com plus 1X points on all other purchases Welcome offer: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in purchases within first six months Annual fee: $250 is a good pick for those who spend in lifestyle categories like dining and travel. For the extreme foodie that likes to cook, there’s also 4X back on U.S. supermarket spending (up to $25,000 in purchases per year, then 1X). With this card, you’ll get 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first six months and up to $120 in dining credits, plus up to $100 in hotel credits—all of which more than justifies the $250 annual fee if used the right way. Like the Amex Platinum, the Gold card occasionally offers targeted offers when you apply through CardMatch—so keep an eye on your matches for up to 75,000 points when you spend $4,000 in the first six months. Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express Best for groceries
Rewards rate: 6 percent cash back on U.S. supermarket purchases (up to $6,000 per year, then 1 percent); 6 percent back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions; 3 percent cash back on transit; 3 percent back on U.S. gas station purchases; 1 percent back on all other purchases Welcome offer: Earn a $350 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card within the first six months. You will receive cash back in the form of statement credits Annual fee: $95 The is one of the due to its exceptional earning rate of 6 percent cash back in this category (up to $6,000 in spending per year, then 1 percent). Not only will you earn a high rewards rate on grocery store purchases, but you’ll also earn an unlimited 6 percent back on select U.S. streaming services, 3 percent back at U.S. gas stations as well as 3 percent back on transit purchases like ride-sharing, parking, trains and buses. You can also earn a generous welcome bonus. Just remember that this cash back card only lets you redeem your rewards for statement credits. Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express Best cash back card for families
Rewards rate: 3 percent cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1 percent); 2 percent cash back at U.S. gas stations and select U.S. department stores; 1 percent cash back on all other purchases Welcome offer: Earn $200 back after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card within the first six months. You will receive cash back in the form of statement credits. Annual fee: $0 The is one of the best credit cards for families due to its great rewards rate offered on common family spending categories like U.S. supermarkets, gas stations and select department stores. With no annual fee and the option to get $200 back after spending $2,000 in purchases in the first six months, you’ve got an added incentive to jump-start your rewards earnings. How to increase your chances of getting preapproved
If your goal is getting approved for any credit card, including options from American Express, the best thing you can do is keep your credit score in tiptop shape. Generally speaking, the best credit card offers go to those with “very good” or “excellent” credit, or FICO scores of 740 and higher. However, you may also be able to get preapproved with a “good” credit score (any FICO score that falls between 670 to 739). If you and find it needs some work, you can improve it by using credit responsibly. For example, make sure you pay all your bills on time each month and pay down debt to decrease your overall credit utilization. Also, make sure you’re not opening or closing too many accounts at once, which are both factors that can impact your credit score. The bottom line
American Express preapprovals aren’t that hard to come by if you have a good credit score and can prove your ability to repay. Fortunately, you don’t have to wait around for an offer to show up in the mail. With Bankrate’s CardMatch tool, you can fill out some basic information and take matters into your own hands. SHARE: Holly Johnson writes expert content on personal finance, credit cards, loyalty and insurance topics. In addition to writing for Bankrate and CreditCards.com, Johnson does ongoing work for clients that include CNN, Forbes Advisor, LendingTree, Time Magazine and more. Emily Sherman is a senior editor for CreditCards.com and Bankrate Credit Cards, specializing in product news and recommendations. She has worked as a writer and editor in the credit cards space for several years, covering any and all topics related to how cards work, rewards programs, card benefits, travel, cash back and more. Antonio Ruiz-Camacho is senior director of content for and . He has more than 20 years of international experience leading content teams, focused on consumer advice, technology and immigration. Related Articles