Joyce Brown, WalletHub Credit Card Analyst
@j.brown
Yes, American Express does have pre-approval. American Express has an online pre-qualification 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 an American Express credit card indicates that your chances of being approved for an account are very high. It does not mean that approval is guaranteed.
How to Check for American Express Pre-Approval Online
- Select the "Cards" tab and click "Check for Pre-qualified Credit Card Offers" on the American Express website.
- You can either log in to your American Express account or check offers as a prospective customer, without having to log in.
- Enter your full name, address, income, and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
- 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. Similarly, when you apply for an Amex personal card, a soft inquiry will be made on your credit report and you will be told with certainty if you are approved. However, if you are approved and want to get the card, American Express will conduct a hard inquiry, which will lead to a slight, but temporary decrease in your credit score.*
*This limited-time new application experience is currently available for individuals applying for a U.S. personal card via WalletHub, on the American Express site, or by calling American Express and is not available if you apply for a card after you log into an existing Card Member Account.

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