American Express preapproval is an in-depth review of a potential applicant’s eligibility for a specific card, conducted using a soft credit pull that does not impact the applicant’s credit score.2 This process helps determine if the applicant meets the issuer’s minimum standards for a particular card, and if so, they may receive a preapproved offer via mail, email, or through their online account.2 However, preapproval does not guarantee final approval; a formal application is still required to confirm eligibility based on current income, assets, debt, and credit score.2

American Express distinguishes between prequalified and preapproved offers. Prequalified offers are typically based on broad criteria such as demographics or existing credit card profiles and are often sent via mail or email.4 These offers may not involve a deep review of creditworthiness. In contrast, preapproved offers result from a more thorough soft credit check and indicate a higher likelihood of approval.3 Preapproval is initiated by American Express and reflects a deeper evaluation of the applicant’s financial profile.2

For existing cardholders, preapproval opportunities may be available through personalized offers based on spending habits and payment history, which can lead to targeted card recommendations.2 The "Apply with Confidence" feature, introduced in 2022, allows applicants to check their approval odds for certain Amex cards with a soft inquiry, receiving instant feedback on eligibility before a hard credit pull is performed.2 This feature is available for individuals applying for U.S. personal cards and helps avoid unnecessary hard inquiries.2

While preapproval increases the odds of approval, it does not guarantee it. Approval ultimately depends on current financial factors such as income, credit score, and debt levels.2 Credit scores in the good or better range—typically a FICO Score of 670 or higher—are generally recommended for preapproval, though no score guarantees approval.2 The most prestigious and difficult-to-obtain Amex card is the invitation-only Centurion® Card.2

Applicants can also use third-party tools like Bankrate’s CardMatch™ to check eligibility for Amex cards without affecting their credit score.3 Additionally, existing Amex cardholders can check for preapproval by logging into their online account, where they may see personalized offers or pre-approval notifications.6 For business products, such as the Business Line of Credit, pre-approval applications are mostly pre-filled from the user’s online account and require confirmation of personal and business details.5

In summary, American Express preapproval is a valuable tool that allows applicants to assess their likelihood of approval with minimal risk to their credit score, but final approval still requires a full application and verification of current financial standing.23