Instant Approval Credit Cards
WalletHub makes it easy to find the best instant approval credit card for you.
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Best Instant Approval Credit Cards:
- Discover it® Secured Credit Card: Rewards
- Fingerhut Credit Account: Bad Credit
- OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card: No Credit Check Approval
- Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi: Excellent Credit
- Credit One Bank® Visa® Credit Card: No Deposit
Aspire® Credit Card Aspire® Credit Card

- Earn 3% cash back reward on eligible gas, grocery, and utility purchases or payments.
- Earn 1% cash back reward on all other eligible purchases.
- See if you are Pre-Qualified with no impact to your credit score.
- Free access to your VantageScore 3.0 credit score from Equifax.
- Fast and easy application process; get the result in seconds.
- Add your card to Apple Pay®, Google Pay™ or Samsung Pay®, for easy contactless payments.
- Periodic credit limit increase reviews
- See More Details & Reviews About TheAspire® Credit Card
Secured Mastercard® from Capital One Secured Mastercard® from Capital One

- No annual fee
- Unlike a prepaid card, there is regular reporting to the 3 major credit bureaus
- Accepted at millions of locations worldwide
- Make the minimum required security deposit and you'll get an initial credit line of $200. Plus, deposit more money before your account opens to get a higher credit line
- Access to an authorized bank account is required to make your $49, $99 or $200 refundable security deposit
- Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months with no additional deposit needed
- We will monitor your account, and as you use it responsibly by doing things like making on-time payments, you may be able to earn back your deposit as a statement credit
- Easily manage your account 24/7 with online access, by phone or using our mobile app
- See More Details & Reviews About TheSecured Mastercard® from Capital One
Discover it® Secured Credit Card Discover it® Secured Credit Card
- Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
- No Annual Fee, earn cash back, and build your credit with responsible use.
- Using your secured credit card helps build a credit history with the three major credit bureaus. Generally, prepaid and debit cards can’t do that.
- Establish your credit line with your tax return by providing a refundable security deposit of at least $200 after being approved. Bank information must be provided when submitting your deposit.
- Automatic reviews starting at 8 months to see if we can transition you to an unsecured line of credit and return your deposit.
- Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
- Discover is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards.
- Get 100% U.S. based customer service & get your free Credit Scorecard with your FICO® Credit Score
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
- Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites.* Activate for free.
- See More Details & Reviews About TheDiscover it® Secured Credit Card
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card

- No credit check necessary to apply. OpenSky believes in giving an opportunity to everyone.
- The refundable* deposit you provide becomes your credit line limit on your Visa card. Choose it yourself, from as low as $200.
- Build credit quickly. OpenSky reports to all 3 major credit bureaus.
- 99% of our customers who started without a credit score earned a credit score record with the credit bureaus in as little as 6 months.
- We have a Facebook community of people just like you; there is a forum for shared experiences, and insights from others on our Facebook Fan page. (Search “OpenSky Card” in Facebook.)
- *View our Cardholder Agreement located at the bottom of the application page for details of the card
- See More Details & Reviews About TheOpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
Indigo® Mastercard® for Less than Perfect Credit Indigo® Mastercard® for Less than Perfect Credit

- Pre-qualify for a card today and it will not impact your credit score.
- Less than perfect credit is okay
- Mobile account access at any time
- Fraud protection for stolen or lost cards
- Account history is reported to the three major credit bureaus in the U.S.
- See More Details & Reviews About TheIndigo® Mastercard® for Less than Perfect Credit
Applied Bank® Secured Visa® Gold Preferred® Credit Card Applied Bank® Secured Visa® Gold Preferred® Credit Card

- Better than Prepaid...Go with a Secured Card! Load One Time - Keep On Using
- Absolutely No Credit Check or Minimum Credit Score Required
- Automatic Reporting to All Three National Credit Bureaus
- 9.99% Low Fixed APR - Your Rate Won’t Go Up Even if You Are Late
- Activate Today with a $200 Minimum Deposit - Maximum $1,000. Increase Your Credit Limit up to $5,000 by Adding Additional Deposits Anytime
- See More Details & Reviews About TheApplied Bank® Secured Visa® Gold Preferred® Credit Card
Applied Bank® Unsecured Classic Visa® Card Applied Bank® Unsecured Classic Visa® Card

- Fast and Easy Application and Approval Process! Click “Apply Now” to apply online
- Reports to All Three Major Credit Bureaus
- Access Additional Credit with On-Time Payments and Responsible Usage
- Fixed APR and Manageable Monthly Payments
- A true Unsecured EMV enabled (chip) Visa Credit card that does not require perfect credit for approval.
- See More Details & Reviews About TheApplied Bank® Unsecured Classic Visa® Card
Surge Mastercard® Credit Card Surge Mastercard® Credit Card

- See if you’re Pre-Qualified with no impact to your credit score
- All credit types welcome to apply
- Free access to your Vantage 3.0 score from TransUnion* (When you sign up for e-statements)
- Monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus
- Fast and easy application process; results in seconds
- Use your card at locations everywhere Mastercard® is accepted
- Checking Account Required
- $0 monthly fee for the first 12 months. $10.00 per month starting the second year, waived for those with a $750 credit limit
- See More Details & Reviews About TheSurge Mastercard® Credit Card
OakStone Gold Secured Mastercard® OakStone Gold Secured Mastercard®

- Credit lines available from $200 to $5,000! Low 13.99% variable interest rate on purchases - with no penalty rate!
- No minimum credit score requirements! We invite all credit types to apply! No processing or application fees!
- Helps strengthen your credit with responsible card use. Reports to three national bureaus
- Fast, easy application process. Choose your credit line and open your Personal Savings Deposit Account to secure your line.
- Nationwide Program though not yet available in NY, IA, AR, or WI
- See website for additional OakStone Gold Secured Mastercard® details
- See More Details & Reviews About TheOakStone Gold Secured Mastercard®
First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card

- Receive Your Card More Quickly with New Expedited Processing Option
- No Credit History or Minimum Credit Score Required for Approval
- Quick and Complete Online Application
- Full-Feature Platinum Mastercard® Secured Credit Card
- Good for Car Rental, Hotels; Anywhere Credit Cards Are Accepted!
- Monthly Reporting to all 3 Major Credit Bureaus to Establish Credit History
- Credit Line Secured by Your Fully-Refundable Deposit of $200 -- $2,000 Submitted with Application
- Just Pay Off Your Balance and Receive Your Deposit Back at Any Time
- 24/7 Online Access to Your Account
- Nationwide Program though not yet available in NY, IA, AR, or WI *See Card Terms.
- Apply in just a few moments with no negative impact to your credit score; no credit inquiry will be recorded in your credit bureau file
- See More Details & Reviews About TheFirst Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card
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Details on the best instant approval credit cards
Credit One Bank® Visa® Credit Card
Why It’s the Best Instant Approval Credit Card with No Deposit:
The best unsecured credit card for people with bad credit who want instant approval is the Credit One Bank® Visa® Credit Card. Very few unsecured cards for poor credit are available, for one thing, and most have outlandish fees. The Credit One Visa is pretty expensive, too, charging up to $99 in annual fees as well as an APR of 17.99% - 23.99% (V). You won’t be able to borrow too much, either, as the card’s minimum credit limit is just $300. But it could help you afford minor emergency expenses as well as improve your credit standing, if used responsibly. And if you apply online, you could be instantly approved.
Fingerhut Credit Account
Why It’s the Best Instant Approval Credit Card for Online Shopping:
People with below-average credit who enjoy shopping online and want their credit card application to be approved instantly should consider the Fingerhut Credit Account. It’s meant for people with limited-to-bad credit history, so your approval odds should be relatively good. And you could get instant approval if your online application is complete and everything checks out on Fingerhut’s end.
Having this card can help you build positive credit history, as it reports to the three major credit bureaus monthly. It will also make it easier to shop from Fingerhut, an online catalog selling a wide variety of goods. The Fingerhut Credit Account has no annual fee.
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Why It’s the Best Instant Approval Credit Card for Rewards:
People with excellent credit who either belong to Costco or are considering joining a warehouse club should look into the Costco Credit Card. It offers the chance for instant approval whether you apply online or at a Costco location. It has a $0 annual fee. And it rewards cardholders handsomely, giving 1 - 4% Cash Back on purchases. That includes 4% back on the first $7,000 spent at eligible gas stations each year (then 1%), along with 3% back on travel and dining at restaurants, 2% on Costco purchases, and 1% on everything else.
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
Why It’s the Best Instant Approval Credit Card with No Credit Check:
The best instant approval credit card for 2021 is the OpenSky Credit Card because it has no credit check, a $200+ limit (with a $200+ deposit), and a $35 annual fee. OpenSky just has to validate your identity, income and a few other details. So the OpenSky Card allows even people with poor credit or no credit to get instant approval and begin improving their credit standing at a pretty low cost.
Discover it® Secured Credit Card
Why It’s the Best Instant Approval Credit Card with No Annual Fee:
The best rewards credit card with high odds of instant approval is the Discover it Secured Credit Card. Secured cards are the easiest type of credit card to get, in general. The biggest requirements are proving your identity, placing a refundable security deposit, and demonstrating that you have enough income to afford monthly bill payments. Having certain negative records on your credit report, such as a pending bankruptcy case, could also prevent you from getting the Discover it Secured Credit Card. But assuming you clear that hurdle, you’re in for a treat.
Discover it Secured Credit Card gives 1% - 2% cash back in rewards on purchases and does not charge an annual fee. All the rewards you earn during the first 12 months also get doubled after your first account anniversary. For the best chance at getting instant approval, apply for the Discover it Secured Credit Card online.
Bottom Line:
All credit cards offer instant approval, at least when you apply online. They just don’t offer it to everyone. You need to be an ideal applicant. And the higher a card’s approval requirements are, the fewer ideal applicants there will be.
So if you really want instant approval, the trick is to pick a conservative target. One way to do that is to apply for a credit card whose minimum credit requirement is one level below your credit standing. For example, if you have good credit, consider applying for a fair-credit credit card. You can check your latest credit score for free on WalletHub.
For your convenience, we’ll also recap WalletHub’s editors’ picks for the best credit cards for instant approval right now, which were selected from 1,000+ offers due to their standout terms and the possibility for quick application decisions. You can find them grouped by category below.
Recap: Best Instant Approval Credit Cards of 2021
Credit Card | Best For | Min. Credit Required |
Discover it® Secured Credit Card | Rewards | Bad |
Fingerhut Credit Account | Store Card | Bad |
Credit One Bank® Visa® Credit Card | No Deposit | Bad |
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card | No Credit Check Approval | Bad |
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi | Excellent Credit | Excellent |
If you’re still not sure which credit card is right for you, check out WalletHub’s guide on how to choose the best credit card for some helpful tips and info.
Questions & Answers
Comparing instant approval credit cards can be tough. But you’ve got the knowledgeable WalletHub community on your side. We encourage everyone to share their knowledge while respecting our content guidelines. Please keep in mind that editorial and user-generated content on this page is not reviewed or otherwise endorsed by any financial institution. In addition, it is not the financial institution’s responsibility to ensure all posts and questions are answered....show moreshow less
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Featured Credit Cards
Ask the Experts
- How do credit card companies decide whether or not to “instantly approve” an online applicant?
- When does it make sense to worry about getting instant credit card approval?
- If a credit card applicant is not approved instantly, what should he or she do while waiting to hear back?
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Tom Arnold
Ph.D., CFA, CIPM, Joseph A. Jennings Chair in Business, Robins School of Business, University of Richmond
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Timothy A. Canova
Ph.D., Professor of Law and Public Finance, Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad College of Law
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Hugo A. Benitez-Silva
Associate Professor and Interim Chair, Economics Department, SUNY-Stony Brook University
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Terence Pitre
Ph.D., Department Chair, Robert W. & Patricia A. Maurer Family Distinguished Endowed Professor at Bowling Green State University's College of Business
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Leo Hung Chan
Associate Professor of Finance, Woodbury School of Business, Utah Valley University
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Ted Klontz
Associate Professor of Practice at Financial Psychology Institute, Creighton University, Heider College of Business
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We work hard to show you up-to-date product terms, however, this information does not originate from us and thus, we do not guarantee its accuracy. Actual terms may vary. Before submitting an application, always verify all terms and conditions with the offering institution. Please let us know if you notice any differences.
† Approval Odds are WalletHub estimates intended to gauge your likelihood of approval for a particular product. Approval Odds are based on WalletHub data and are not provided or endorsed by the lender. Approval Odds are not meant to imply or guarantee that you will be approved by the lender or that credit will be extended. WalletHub may share your information with third-parties in order to show personalized offers, as well as enable you to interact more easily with pre-fill forms or applications. You can opt-out of sharing your personal info here.
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Editorial and user-generated content on this page is not provided, commissioned, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any issuer.