You can activate your Bank of America credit card online or by phone at (800) 276-9939. Either way, you should have your credit card ready to use in just a few minutes.
Online: Log into your online account on Bank of America’s activation page. Then, verify your personal information (e.g. Social Security number) to activate your card. If you need to sign up for online account management, you can enroll by providing the last 6 digits of your card and your full Social Security number. After that, you’ll create a username and password.
By phone: Call Bank of America at (800) 276-9939. Say or enter your full account number. Enter your personal information for verification when prompted (e.g. your SSN, zip code or the phone number associated with your application).
Once your BofA credit card is activated, you’ll be able to make purchases with it right away. And if you have any difficulty with the process, Bank of America’s customer service can always help you out. You can give them a call at (800) 732-9194.
To activate a credit card, call the number on the back of the card or go to the website listed on the activation sticker attached to the card. Credit card activation typically requires the credit card number, the security code (CVV), or both.
The exact steps required to activate a credit card depend on the card issuer, so it’s best to follow the instructions from the sticker attached on your card. If you’ve lost your sticker – or you’re just wondering – here’s a quick reference guide to credit card activation with some of the biggest card issuers.… read full answer
Here’s how to activate credit cards from major issuers:
It’s important to remember that some credit card issuers will require your Social Security number or other information to verify your identity when you activate your card. Once you’ve activated your credit card, you can use it right away.
You can check your Bank of America credit card status either online or over the phone, by calling customer service at (866) 422-8089.
In order to see whether your application is approved, denied or still pending, you’ll need to give some basic personal information like your zip code and the last four digits of your Social Security number. This ensures that Bank of America can match you to your application. You can check your application status as often as you like, as it’s free and quick.… read full answer
How to check your Bank of America credit card status online:
Enter your last name, date of birth, last four digits of your Social Security number and zip code.
Click “Submit.”
You’ll now be able to see any applications you’ve submitted and whether they have been approved or denied yet. If your application is still pending, don’t worry. It may take up to 30 days from when you submitted your application to receive a decision. If you are approved, you can expect your card in 7-10 business days. But if you’re denied and think you can justify why you should be approved, you can call customer service and ask for reconsideration.
Yes, you can use a credit card before it arrives in the mail, but only with certain cards. If you want to use a credit card early, you must either have an American Express or Capital One credit card or one of a handful of other offers, including the Apple Card, and some store credit cards. Normally, you can’t use a credit card without restriction before it arrives, because you can’t see the full credit card number, expiration date and CVV until you have the card in hand.… read full answer
Credit cards that you can use before arrival
Cards from certain issuers: If you need to start using a credit card today, you’ll likely want to consider applying for an American Express credit card. Amex is one of the few card issuers that will give out a full card number that can be used anywhere upon approval of an application. Capital One credit cards are also sometimes available for immediate use via the Capital One mobile app. But not everyone is eligible for this feature.
Co-branded cards: Some credit cards that you can use before the actual card arrives - like the Apple Card - only allow you to add the card to a merchant-specific digital wallet. So you’ll only be able to use it with that merchant until the card arrives in the mail.
Some store cards: There are a few credit cards that you can use instantly after approval, like the Fingerhut Credit Card. But you can only use this card for purchases at Fingerhut.
Lastly, it’s worth noting that you can ask a credit card issuer for expedited card delivery – in some cases, this will get the card to you the next day. Finding a card that you can use before it arrives in the mail might seem less important with that in mind.
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