If there’s anything in your credit report that’s hurting your score, you can work on establishing better financial habits, or dispute any incorrect information. Start by trying to reach the minimum credit score needed for a credit card. You may receive a pre-qualified offer, or you can use an online tool to find out what credit cards you qualify for before you formally apply. If you have less-than-perfect credit, you may opt for a credit card that offers instant approval. But since instant-approval cards often come with high APRs and fees, they aren’t always the best choice. Some credit card companies offer expedited delivery, either free or for a fee.
Getting approved and getting your credit card are two different things, though. After you’re approved, receiving the card in the mail can take from five business days to 14 calendar days, depending on the issuer. Once you have a credit card, you can use it to help track your spending, take advantage of rewards programs and even use 0% APR offers to fund a large purchase. They can also help you build credit if you take the necessary precautions.
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If you’ve just started to use credit or are recovering from a missed payment or two, you’ll probably have a lower credit score in the 600s. Chase’s website and/or mobile terms, privacy and security policies don’t apply to the site or app you’re about to visit. Please review its terms, privacy and security policies to see how they apply to you. Chase isn’t responsible for (and doesn’t provide) any products, services or content at this third-party site or app, except for products and services that explicitly carry the Chase name. An online application may be a faster way to get approved than a mail-in form. Missing information could slow down the process and may require a manual review.
If your application becomes immediately pending after you apply, you might need to consider other options. If you’re looking for immediate credit, you’ll want both instant approval and to be able to receive your card number immediately in order to make a purchase. Luckily, there are several credit cards that allow you to instantly access all the important information you need to use your new credit card immediately to make an important purchase. Learn more about choosing the right rewards credit card or choose from our full selection of credit cards by visiting our credit cards overview page. Most issuers will require a personal guarantee for a business credit card. Too many hard pulls in a short time will have an adverse affect on your credit score, as it can signal to lenders you’re seeking too many lines of credit at once. Usually, the fastest way to apply for a credit card is via the bank’s website.
- Here are a few things to keep in mind when deciding which credit card you’d like to apply for.
- The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is one of the easiest cards to get approved for as it’s designed for consumers that have a very low credit score, or even no credit at all.
- While we strive to provide a wide range offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service.
Getting pre-qualified or pre-approved for a credit card can be reassuring—for instance, if you’re thinking about applying for a card and wondering which you may be eligible for. Simply answer some pre-approval questions, check out your eligible offers and decide which card may be right for you. In general, pre-qualification means that a credit card company has done a basic review of your credit and found that you might qualify for a card. If you’re interested in the card, you can give the company personal and financial information—like your Social Security number and monthly income—to help it take a closer look.
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You may also have an option for expedited delivery, which might take only 1 or 2 days. A credit card company uses your credit score — a three-digit number summarizing your credit risk — to determine how much credit to extend you. Most FICO® Credit Scores range from 300 to 850 and are calculated based on your unique credit history. It’s how lenders decide what interest rates to offer and which credit cards to approve you for. Your credit score tells a lender how likely you are to repay your credit card balance. Your score can vary from month to month, but when you apply for an account, your credit score will have to be above the issuer’s threshold for you to get a credit card.
There are several ways to check your credit score for free, including through Experian. Alternatively, you can access your credit score for free through many financial institutions. First check if your bank or issuer offers this perk by checking its website, calling customer service or exploring your account.
- If it’s been several days since you made your credit card application and you haven’t heard anything about your approval, call the credit card issuer to request the status of your application.
- To quickly determine your current ratio, check out Bankrate’s credit utilization ratio calculator.
- For example, if you do not have much credit or you have bad credit, you probably won’t be approved for a premium rewards credit card.
- Once you have a credit card, you can use it to help track your spending, take advantage of rewards programs and even use 0% APR offers to fund a large purchase.
Preapproval offers are targeted, which means they’ve been picked for you based on your credit score. Simply put, applying for one of these cards may give you a better chance of qualifying. When you use a credit card, you’re tapping into a line of credit from your credit card provider.
Fortunately, there are plenty of preapproval tools to help determine your chances of approval. With no credit or less-than-perfect credit, instant approval card choices are limited, but you’ll still have options.
Alternatively, you can typically speak with a specialist at a local branch. A replacement card—which you’d get if your original has been lost or stolen—typically arrives within 7 days. Most credit card issuers offer expedited shipping for replacement cards—just ask.