Instant Credit Card Guide

What Is an Instant Credit Card?

An instant credit card is a credit card that you can start using immediately after approval, before the physical card arrives in the 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 are only a few credit major card companies that offer the possibility of instant use on all of their cards to eligible cardholders: American Express, Bank of America, and USAA.

Compare Instant Approval Credit Cards

Key Facts About Instant Credit Cards

• They’re rare: No credit card guarantees instant approval, but most offer the possibility. Far fewer cards can be used instantly after approval, though.
• Their use is limited: Since you will only have the card’s information but not the physical card, you might only be able to use it for purchases online and over the phone initially. If you add the card to a mobile wallet, you can buy things in person using your phone, but not all merchants have the capability to accept purchases that way.
• Your physical card comes later: You will typically get your physical credit card in the mail around 7 to 10 business days after your application is approved.
• Store cards offer better odds: Many stores allow you to apply for a credit card at checkout and use the card for your purchase. General-purpose credit cards offering instant use are rarer.

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.

How Instant Credit Cards Work

Instant credit cards work just like regular credit cards, but you can use them immediately rather than waiting 7-10 business days for your card to arrive. All you have to do is take the card information that your issuer gives you after approval and use it at checkout. Depending on the issuer, you might see this information on the same page as your approval notification, or you might have to log in to your online account or the issuer’s mobile app to see it.

Below, we’ll walk you through the process of getting and using an instant credit card.

1. When you submit an application for the card, you receive a decision right away (or within a few minutes).
2. After instant approval, the card’s issuer immediately gives you the card number, expiration date and security code, if you are eligible.
3. You can use your new card info for purchases online or over the phone, even before your physical card arrives.
4. You can also use your card for purchases in person right away if you add your card to a mobile wallet and pay using your phone at checkout, assuming the merchant accepts that as a payment method.

When an instant credit card is a store card or a co-branded credit card, things can work a bit differently. Sometimes, you will immediately be able to make one purchase from the partnered merchant using the card’s credit line but won’t be able to use it again until the card arrives by mail.

Opinions and ratings are our own. This review is not provided, commissioned or endorsed by any issuer. WalletHub independently collected information for some of the cards on this page.

Where to Get Instant Credit Cards

A number of different credit card issuers offer instant credit cards you can use right away, but most only offer this capability on certain cards. It’s actually quite rare to be able to use a credit card the same day you get approved for it. And even if a card offers this feature, there’s no guarantee you’ll actually be approved instantly and receive your card information right away.

Best Credit Cards You Can Use Instantly After Approval

The best credit card you can use instantly after getting approved is the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. You can get approved for this credit card in seconds when you apply online, and you can then get the card number immediately and start using it to make purchases just a few minutes after you’ve applied.

The Capital One Venture card offers 2 - 5 miles per $1 spent on purchases and an initial bonus of 75,000 miles for spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. The card also has a $95 annual fee and it is available to people with at least good credit.

Initial Bonus: 75,000 miles for spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months

Ongoing Rewards: 5 miles per $1 spent on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5 miles per $1 spent on Capital One Entertainment purchases, and 2 miles per $1 on all other purchases

Annual Fee: $95

Min. Credit Score: Good

Initial Bonus: 50,000 points and a companion fare ticket after spending $2,000 in the first 90 days

Ongoing Rewards: 3 points per $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, 2 points per $1 spent on gas, EV charging station, cable, streaming services and local transit (including ride share), and 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases

Annual Fee: $95

Min. Credit Score: Good

Initial Bonus: $200 Amazon gift card instantly upon approval

Ongoing Rewards: 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market with an eligible Prime membership, 5% back on Chase Travel purchases, 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare), as well as 1% back on all other purchases

Annual Fee: $0

Min. Credit Score: Good

Initial Bonus: N/A

Ongoing Rewards: 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, as well as 1.5% cash back on all other purchases

Annual Fee: $39

Min. Credit Score: Limited History

Initial Bonus: N/A

Ongoing Rewards: 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, and 1.5% cash back on all other purchases

Annual Fee: $0

Min. Credit Score: Bad

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, while others have only a few, and those that do offer instant card numbers have their own restrictions for when you can get instant use.

Instant Use vs. Instant Approval Credit Cards

The difference between credit cards that offer instant use and those that only offer instant approval is simple. Instant approval just means your account is open right away, while instant use means you can make purchases with your card right away. All instant use credit cards naturally offer instant approval first.

Check out WalletHub’s picks for the best instant approval credit cards to see the top cards that offer (but don’t guarantee) instant approval.

Tips for Getting Instant Credit Cards

Apply with issuers that explicitly offer instant use.

Since true instant credit cards are few and far between, you’ll need to actively seek out issuers that offer them. In most cases, issuers will only offer instant use on certain cards, too.

Apply online.

You can’t instantly use a card without getting instant approval. And you’ll likely only get instant approval if you apply online or by phone, rather than by mail. Applying online is usually the fastest and most convenient of all the application methods.

Consider co-branded/store cards.

If you shop often with a certain merchant, it may be worth getting its credit card, whether that’s a co-branded card you can use anywhere or a store card you can only use with that retailer. Some of these cards let you make a purchase with the merchant right away after you’re approved online or at the register.

Apply for cards whose requirements you exceed.

The higher your credit score, income and other financial details are above the issuer’s requirements, the easier it is for the issuer to determine that you are qualified. That boosts your chances of instant approval.

Get another card from the same issuer.

In some cases, like with Capital One and Bank of America, the only way to have a chance of instant credit card use is to be an existing cardholder. So if you already have a different credit card from either of those banks, you might be able to see the information for your new card in the respective bank’s mobile app after you’re approved.