What are some good instant credit cards to use right away?

Your best options to get a credit card today are American Express cards, Capital One cards and some store cards. 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.… read full answer

All American Express cards give you the potential for an instant card number after approval, which will give you access to part of your credit line until your card arrives. Capital One cards provide instant use through the Capital One app, but that’s only possible if you’re an existing Capital One cardholder. Store cards, such as the Target REDCard, may give you an instant number or code to use as a temporary version of your card.

Here are the best credit cards you can get today:

• Bad credit – Capital One Secured Mastercard: Requires a minimum security deposit of $49, $99 or $200. Your credit line will always be at least $200. No rewards. No annual fee. Must be an existing Capital One customer to see your card information through the app.
• Limited credit – Capital One QuicksilverOne: Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases. $39 annual fee. Must be an existing Capital One customer to see your card information through the app.
• Fair credit – Target REDcard: 5% off at Target and Target.com. 30 extra days on returns. Free shipping. No annual fee. Gives a temporary number after approval to use until your card comes.
• Good credit (miles) – Capital One Venture: $50,000 bonus miles when you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months. Unlimited 2 miles per dollar on all purchases. $95 annual fee waived the first year.
• Good credit (cash back) – Capital One Quicksilver: $150 bonus cash back when you spend $500 in the first 3 months. Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases. No annual fee.
• Good credit (cash back) – Amex Blue Cash Everyday: $150 statement credit when you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months. 3% cash back on the first $6,000 per year at U.S. supermarkets, 2% at U.S. department stores and U.S. gas stations and 1% on everything else. No annual fee.
• Excellent credit – Costco Anywhere Visa: 4% cash back on the first $7,000 spent on gas per year, 3% on restaurants and travel, 2% at Costco, 1% on everything else. No annual fee but must be a Costco member. Requires excellent credit. Gives a temporary code to scan at checkout until the actual card arrives.

While there’s no guarantee these options will get you a credit card today, they’ll certainly give you your best chance. Don’t forget that if you get approved for a Capital One card you’ll need to both already have another Capital One card open and have downloaded the app. Unfortunately, this option isn’t available to every Capital One customer but Capital One doesn’t disclose who is eligible for instant card information. In the same way, all Amex cards give the potential for instant numbers, but aren’t guaranteed to give you one.

And if you’re interested in a store card, make sure to ask if they offer instant use first. Lastly, when your physical card arrives by mail in 7-10 business days, be sure to activate it right away.

It usually takes 14-24 business days to get a credit card, from the time you submit an application to when it arrives in the mail. But it’s possible to get a credit card in as little as a week if you apply online and request expedited delivery. Some issuers will even give you an account number to use for purchases before you receive your physical card. … read full answer

A lot depends on your credit standing, the card you pick and how you apply for it. Each credit card issuer has its own approval criteria and timelines, after all. But there are several steps you can take to speed things up.

Here’s how to get a credit card faster:

1. Get preapproved: If you’re interested in a card from a certain issuer, you can also see if they have a preapproval check. If you’re preapproved for a credit card, your instant approval chances increase quite a bit.
2. Apply online: Online applications are always best because they send your data to the issuer right away. You also have a chance of being approved instantly if your credit exceeds what the issuer is looking for. You could consider applying for credit cards that are a little below your own credit range if you want the best chance of instant approval. But it might be better to risk waiting a little longer to get a card with greater benefits.
3. Frequently check for approval: If you’re not approved or denied instantly, the credit card issuer needs more time to verify and evaluate your information. This could take a few weeks. But most credit card companies allow you to quickly check the status of your application online or over the phone.
4. Speed up delivery: In almost all cases, it’ll take 7-10 business days for your credit card to reach you. But many companies allow you to pay for expedited shipping or even pick up your card at a bank branch sooner. And some companies will let you get your number immediately. For example, by downloading the Capital One app, you can see the number and verification information for new cards right away, so you’re able to use them for online transactions.

A big part of getting a credit card is figuring out exactly which card to apply for. One way you can move through this more quickly is by signing up for a free WalletHub account. Based upon your credit, we’ll recommend cards you’re likely to be approved for.

Whichever card you choose, you should never have to wait more than a month to get a new credit card in your hand. But it’s natural to want a faster process. And you can have it. Just follow these steps, and you’ll have a better chance of making the total wait time closer to a week.