What is the best credit card you can use instantly?

Question

If you need a credit card today, you should apply for either an American Express card, a Capital One card or one of the store cards that offer instant use. While it’s pretty common to get approved for a credit card the same day if you apply online, you’ll still usually have to wait another 7-10 business days before your card comes to use it.

All American Express cards give you the potential for an instant card number...

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Answer 1 · 2022-08-10 10:43:46

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Evelyn Boros, Credit Cards Moderator

@evelyn_boros • 08/10/22 This answer was first published on 05/20/21 and it was last updated on 08/10/22.For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.

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The best credit card you can use instantly is the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express. You can access the card number immediately after being approved for an account online, then begin to make purchases until you receive the physical card in the mail.

Blue Cash Preferred offers up to bonus cash back rewards in certain spending categories and a $250 statement credit for spending $3,000 in the first 6 months. It also requires a minimum of good credit for approval. Just remember that you’ll only have a short period of time to write down your card information once you’re approved for this credit card. People who miss this window of opportunity will need to wait until they get the card in the mail.

Best Credit Cards You Can Use Instantly After Approval

Rates & FeesTerms ApplyOverall: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American ExpressBlue Cash Preferred® Card from American ExpressLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
Rates & FeesTerms ApplyLuxury Perks: The Platinum Card® from American ExpressThe Platinum Card® from American ExpressLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
Retail: Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®Learn MoreLearn More
Rates & FeesTerms ApplyDining: American Express® Gold CardAmerican Express® Gold CardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
Rates & FeesNo Annual Fee: Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by CitiCostco Anywhere Visa® Card by CitiLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
Airline: JetBlue Plus CardJetBlue Plus CardLearn MoreLearn More

Instant approval is always possible when you apply for a credit card online or in person, but credit cards that you can use instantly are uncommon. Some credit card issuers don’t offer any credit cards you can use instantly, while others have only a few.

Credit Cards You Can Use Instantly by Issuer

Issuer	Instant Approval?	Use Instantly?	Conditions
American Express	All cards	All cards	Must apply online or over the phone. Co-branded cards may only offer instant use for purchases with that brand.
Bank of America	All cards	All cards	The Alaska Airlines Credit Card offers instant use (for Alaska Airlines purchases) through the online application. Existing BofA customers can use any BofA card instantly after applying and being approved via the mobile app, then adding the card to their mobile wallet.
Barclays	All cards	Some cards	Co-branded cards may offer instant use, but only for purchases with that brand.
Capital One	All cards	Some cards	Instant use is only available on the Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®.
Chase	All cards	Some cards	Instant use is available for people who add certain Chase cards to a digital wallet upon approval. Eligible cards include Chase Freedom Unlimited®, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, and the Chase Freedom® Student credit card, among others.*
Citibank	All cards	Some cards	Instant use is available for people who apply for the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi in-store. Other co-branded cards may offer instant use, but only for purchases with that brand.
Credit One	All cards	No cards	Standard shipping time for new cards is 10 business days.
Discover	All cards	No cards	Standard shipping time for new cards is 5-7 business days.
USAA	All cards	All cards	Instant use is available for all USAA cards, but the credit line is limited to $1,000.
U.S. Bank	All cards	No cards	Standard shipping time for new cards is 7-10 business days.
Wells Fargo	All cards	No cards	Standard shipping time for new cards is 7-10 business days.

*Please note, at this time the IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card, IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card, Aeroplan® Credit Card, Chase Freedom Flex℠, Amazon.com Credit Card, Disney Premier Credit Card, Disney Rewards Credit Card and Business credit cards cannot be added to a digital wallet upon card approval. However, once you receive your physical card you can add it to a digital wallet.

If you’re not able to get a credit card you can use instantly, don’t worry. Credit cards usually only take 7-10 business days to arrive after you’re approved. And many credit card companies provide expedited delivery for a small fee, or sometimes even for free.

Answer 2 · 2021-01-21 02:47:06

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cartercharmaine527, Member

@cartercharmaine527 • 01/21/21 This answer was first published on 01/21/21. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.

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I'm not sure actually! But I've heard that Capital One and American Express are real good credit cards.

Answer 3 · 2019-10-25 20:10:10

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Gordon Fritz, Member

@gordon_fritz • 10/25/19 This answer was first published on 04/02/18 and it was last updated on 10/25/19.For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.

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For most of them, you do have to wait for them to get to you. But you might lucky with a few store cards, and a couple issuers that give access through their apps or website. I think Capital One was one of them.

Answer 4 · 2018-03-01 17:45:44

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Anna Santos, Member

@anna_santos • 03/01/18 This answer was first published on 03/01/18. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.

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The OpenSky Secured Visa credit card has no credit check, so it's approved instantly. And you can start off with a deposit as low as $200.

Answer 5 · 2018-02-21 22:55:38

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Casey Faber, Member

@caseyf_10 • 02/21/18 This answer was first published on 02/21/18. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.

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In a rush, eh? I know Cap One gives you the details through their app.

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Evelyn Boros, Credit Cards Moderator

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