Does American Express have pre-approval?

Yes, American Express does have pre-approval. American Express has an online pre-approval page where potential applicants can quickly check their odds of approval for certain American Express credit cards before they actually apply for one. Current American Express customers may also receive pre-approved offers periodically by e-mail or when logging into their card’s online account. And in some cases, American Express will send people pre-approved offers for a specific credit card in the mail.

Getting pre-approved for a American Express credit card indicates that your chances of being approved for an account are very high, should you decide to apply. It does not mean that approval is guaranteed.

How to Check for American Express Pre-Approval Online

1. Click “Check for Pre-qualified Credit Card Offers” on the American Express website.
2. Log in to your “American Express account.”
3. Enter your name, address, income, and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
4. Click “View My Card Offers” to view any pre-approved offers.

If you have pre-approved offers, you can apply for the card of your choice directly from the pre-approval site. Simply click the button next to the card you want, and you will be directed to the card’s application page.

To respond to a pre-approved offer in the mail, visit the website listed in your pre-approval letter and enter the invitation code included with your offer. This allows American Express to flag the application as pre-approved.

American Express pre-approvals do not affect your credit score, as they’re done using a soft “pull,” or inquiry. But if you decide to submit an application for any American Express card, American Express will conduct a hard inquiry, which will lead to a slight, but temporary decrease in your credit score.