Instant Approval Credit Cards

Just about any credit card you can apply for online may offer instant approval, but it’s never guaranteed. Instant approval usually happens when an applicant more than meets a card’s requirements. But some applications will need closer scrutiny, causing the process to take a bit longer.

To increase your chances of instant approval when applying for a credit card, check your credit score to make sure it exceeds the card’s minimum required score. In addition, it’s a good idea to check for pre-approval if the card issuer allows it. If you’re pre-approved for a card, your chances of instant approval are very high. Having a high income will also improve your odds.

Finally, it’s worth noting that you won’t be instantly approved for a credit card if the credit report(s) that the issuer tries to check are locked or frozen.

Instant credit is short for instant credit card, which is a credit card that gives instant approval to qualified applicants who apply online and can be used to make purchases immediately, before the card arrives in the mail. But instant credit can mean other things, too, as it’s a pretty general term. For example, people often use it in reference to instant approval credit cards that don’t necessarily allow instant use.

You could also make the case that you’re getting instant credit anytime you’re approved for a new credit card or a credit limit increase. Along those lines, you’re getting instant credit whenever a credit card payment goes through since it frees up some of your credit limit for spending.

But people in search of instant credit typically need it to face some sort of financial emergency. Many also have bad credit. Unfortunately, there are only two instant credit cards for bad credit, and neither is good for financing emergency expenses. 

Hopefully, you can afford to wait the 14-24 business days it usually takes to get a credit card in your hands. If not, you can check out some of your best choices below.

Here are some of the best instant credit cards:

• Instant Approval and Use: Capital One Secured Mastercard – $0 annual fee
• Instant Approval and Use: Fingerhut Credit Account – $0 annual fee 
• Instant Approval: Credit One Unsecured Visa – $0 to $99 annual fee
• Instant Approval: Discover it Secured Card – $0 annual fee
• Instant Credit Card for Good Credit: Capital One Venture – $95 annual fee (waived the first year)

Finally, it’s worth noting that some people might use instant credit in more of a credit-score sense, meaning either instant credit improvement or instantly establishing credit from scratch. Both are possible, to a certain extent, but you can’t expect overnight miracles. 

For example, you can get your first credit score within weeks of opening a starter credit card. And you can improve your score just as fast by paying down your credit card balances and any collections accounts you may have.

Just about all gas station credit cards can be gas credit cards with instant approval. When you can apply online, it’s almost always possible to receive instant approval (or denial). But issuers never guarantee an instant decision. You’re likely to receive one if you apply for one of the easiest gas cards to get. And in general, your chances for instant approval are high if you apply for a card where your credit score exceeds the minimum required.

But issuers consider many factors on an application, such as income, number of recent credit inquiries, past bankruptcies and more. So it’s always possible an issuer will need more time to come to a decision. And the approval process may take longer if the issuer cannot immediately verify the personal information on the application.

Best Gas Credit Cards for Instant Approval:

• Discover it® Secured Credit Card
• Walmart® Store Card
• Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
• Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
• BP Credit Card
• Shell Credit Card

Again, just about any gas credit card offers instant approval. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get it. Factors that will increase your likelihood of getting instant approval for any credit card include: a high credit score, a high income, and completely correct and up-to-date information on your credit card application.

Secured business credit cards for bad credit provide the highest odds of instant approval. Most business credit cards actually offer the possibility of instant approval if you apply online, but instant approval is not guaranteed. The issuer of the business credit card may need more time to decide whether an applicant meets their requirements or to simply verify information from the application.

In order to get the best chances of instant approval for a business credit card, your personal credit score should exceed the minimum requirements of the card you apply for. The higher your income, the better your chances are, too.

Best Instant Approval Business Credit Cards

Getting instant approval on business credit cards is not unusual if you apply online. But you shouldn’t expect to receive it, as in some cases approval might take a few weeks. After approval, delivery of a card usually takes 7-10 business days, but many issuers allow you to expedite either for free or for a fee.

The best instant approval store cards are the following:

• Amazon.com Store Card
• Walmart® Store Card
• Target Credit Card
• Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
• Sam's Club® Credit Card
• GAP Store Card
• American Eagle Outfitters (AEO) Store Card
• Sears Store Card
• Macy's Store Card

It really depends on what store you like most, as rewards are mainly tailored for purchases made in those stores.

It's also important to mention that while these cards offer instant approval, they do not offer guaranteed approval.

The best department store credit card for bad credit with instant approval is the Fingerhut Credit Account because it’s available to people with any credit score. Fingerhut’s website even says “When you apply for a Fingerhut Credit Account issued by WebBank, you will get an answer instantly.” The Fingerhut Credit Account doesn’t offer rewards or special financing. But it does have a $0 annual fee. It can only be used at Fingerhut. Fingerhut is an online retailer that sells a wide variety of products from clothes to kitchenware to electronics.

And even if the instant decision on your Fingerhut Credit Account application is “No,” you still have a chance. Fingerhut will offer to put you into their FreshStart program. With FreshStart, you purchase something from the website as an installment loan. If you demonstrate responsibility by making all your payments on time, Fingerhut will then graduate you to a credit account instead.

Aside from Fingerhut, there aren’t really any other department store credit cards for bad credit with instant approval, unfortunately. But you can look into general secured cards, which will probably offer you better terms and which will have a good chance of instant approval if you apply online. And you can use a secured card anywhere, while you can only use store cards at one merchant.

Any store card can be an instant approval department store credit card. When you apply online, there’s always a chance you will be instantly approved (or denied). Many stores also allow customers to apply in-store and receive a decision right away. Sometimes, the retailer will even let the new cardholder use the card immediately to pay for that day’s purchase.

The cashier at your favorite retailer should be able to give you more information. Some of the best store cards include those from big-name retailers like TJX, Kohl’s and Amazon.

Best instant approval department store credit cards:

• TJX Store Card
• Kohl's Credit Card
• Fingerhut Credit Account
• Target Credit Card
• Amazon.com Store Card
• Best Buy® Store Card

There are loads more department store credit cards to check out. But while it’s common to receive an instant decision for a store card, it’s not guaranteed. Your application might take longer to process if you’re right on the edge of meeting the card’s requirements, or if you make a mistake and accidentally give incorrect information on the application.

If you need a credit card today, you should apply for an American Express card, Capital One card and some 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 after approval, which will give you access to part of your credit line until your card arrives. Capital One cards also 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 Credit Card, may give you an instant number or code to use as a temporary version of your card.

Here are some of the best credit cards you can get today:

• Bad credit – Secured Mastercard® from Capital One: Requires a minimum security deposit of $49, $99 or $200. Your credit line will always be at least $200. No rewards. $0 annual fee. Must be an existing Capital One customer to see your card information through the app.
• Limited credit – Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: 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 Credit Card: 5% discount at Target and Target.com. 30 extra days on returns. Free -day shipping. $0 annual fee. Gives a temporary number after approval to use until your card comes.
• Good credit (miles) – Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: 60,000 miles for spending $3,000 in the first 3 months. Unlimited 2 miles per $1 on all purchases. $95 annual fee. Must be an existing Capital One customer to see your card information through the app.
• Good credit (cash back) – Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card: $200 bonus when you spend $500 in the first 3 months. Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases. $0 annual fee. Must be an existing Capital One customer to see your card information through the app.
• Good credit (cash back) – Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: $100 statement credit for spending $2,000 in the first 6 months . 20% cash back on Amazon.com purchases for the first 6 months (up to $150 back), 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 spent per year), 2% back at U.S. gas stations and select U.S. department stores, and 1% back on all other purchases, earned as statement credits . $0 annual fee.
• Excellent credit – Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi: 1 - 4% cash back, depending on the type of purchase. $0 annual fee but must be a Costco member. 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.

You can check your Bank of America credit card status online. Unfortunately, there is no Bank of America credit card status phone number. But if you have trouble checking online, you could try to call customer service at (800) 732-9194.

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.

How to check your Bank of America credit card status:

1. Go to Bank of America’s application status page.
2. Enter your last name, date of birth, last four digits of your Social Security number and zip code.
3. 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. 

The best credit card for instant approval and use is the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express. Applicants who get approved instantly for this credit card when they apply online will be able to get the card number immediately and start using the card to make purchases just a few minutes after they’ve applied.

Specifically, you’ll 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.

The Amex Blue Cash Everyday card offers solid ongoing rewards of 20% cash back on Amazon.com purchases for the first 6 months (up to $150 back), 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 spent per year), 2% back at U.S. gas stations and select U.S. department stores, and 1% back on all other purchases, earned as statement credits. It also has a $0 annual fee and requires a minimum of good credit for approval.

Best Instant Credit Cards for Approval and Use

• Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: Best Overall
• The Platinum Card® from American Express: Best for Luxury Perks
• Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Best for Cash Back
• American Express® Gold Card: Best for Dining Purchases
• JetBlue Card: Best for No Annual Fee
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Best Airline Card

Instant approval is always possible when you apply for a credit card online or in person, but instant use is rare. Some credit card issuers don’t offer any instant use credit cards. Others have only a few. Each issuer has their own restrictions for when you can get instant use, too.

Instant Credit Card Approval and Use by Issuer

If you’re not able to get a credit card number for immediate use, 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.