Best Instant Approval Credit Cards

The best instant approval credit cards for fair credit are the Capital One Platinum Credit Card and the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card. Both Capital One cards are good choices, as they only require a fair credit score (640+) and you can easily apply for them online and get an instant decision. In some instances, issuers may take longer to review certain applications. And keep in mind that instant approval only means your application can be evaluated in real time and you may get an instant decision. This does not guarantee approval, as applicants can still be denied if they don't meet the card's requirements.

The Capital One Platinum is best for people who want a $0 annual fee, doesn’t offer rewards. On the other hand, Capital One QuicksilverOne gives unlimited 5% cash back on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, as well as 1.5% cash back on all other purchases, but has a $39 annual fee.

Here are the best credit cards for fair credit with instant approval:

Applicants with fair credit will have a shot at getting instant approval for these credit cards. If you don't know where you stand, you can check your credit score for free, right here on WalletHub.

Just keep in mind that some issuers make take longer to reach a decision regarding applications that require additional review. Aside from your credit score, other factors, such as your income, existing debt, and general ability to make credit card payments will be taken into consideration.

If you get a credit card for fair credit and keep your account in good standing, you can improve your credit score and set yourself up for access to some of the best credit card deals on the market.

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 6% cash back in certain spending categories and a $300 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

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

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.

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
• 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
• 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.

Instant credit cards are credit cards that cardholders can start using immediately after approval, before the physical card arrives by mail. While many credit cards offer the possibility of instant approval, instant credit cards that can be used right away are few and far between. In fact, there’s only one credit card company that offers the possibility of instant use on all of its cards: American Express.

Compare Instant Approval Credit Cards

Below, you can learn more about instant credit cards and how they work. You’ll find information on credit cards you can use instantly after approval, as well as credit cards that only offer instant approval but not instant use. In addition, there’s a helpful list of tips to give you the best chance of getting an instant credit card.

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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: Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit 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.

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 – Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card: 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 - 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: 75,000 miles for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. Unlimited 5 miles per $1 spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, and 2 miles per $1 on all other 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 - 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: $200 statement credit for spending $2,000 in the first 6 months . 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 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.

How to check your Bank of America credit card status online:

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.

There’s always a chance to get Walmart Credit Card instant approval when you apply online or in-store. If you’re instantly approved for either this card or the Walmart® Store Card, you can use your card to make Walmart purchases right away.

Just keep in mind that Walmart Credit Card instant approval is never guaranteed. Usually, credit card applicants are instantly approved when they exceed a card’s requirements rather than merely meeting them. In some cases, the issuer will have to take a longer look at your application to see if you qualify or not.

How to get Walmart Credit Card instant approval:

• Meet the basic requirements. You must apply online or in-store, be 18+ years old, and have a physical U.S. mailing address and a Social Security number.
• Check your credit score. Make sure your credit score is at least 640. Otherwise, your chances of instant approval will be slim.
• Review your credit reports. Dispute any errors so they won’t hold you back from instant approval. And if you have a freeze on your credit report, temporarily lift it before you apply. Otherwise, the issuer won’t be able to check your credit and approve you instantly. The issuer may pull from TransUnion, Equifax or Experian.
• Apply in-store. There are two places to fill out an application in a Walmart: at the register or at the jewelry counter. If you’re approved after the issuer runs your credit, you’ll receive a temporary card on the spot, which you can use in-store that day.
• Apply online. You can apply for a Walmart Credit Card online and get instantly approved. In that case, you’ll get a temporary card number that you can use to make purchases right away.

Walmart Credit Card applications are typically approved or denied instantly, or later the same day. But if you don’t get instant approval, it could take another week or two to hear back.

For example, your application might get flagged as fraudulent. Or, the issuer might need more time to verify your information. If that happens, you should call the application status line to get it sorted out as soon as possible. Once you’re approved, it’ll take 7-10 business days to receive your card in the mail.