Instant Approval Credit Cards: What Are They and Who Offers Them? (2024)

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If you find yourself in need of immediate access to credit due to an unexpected expense, like a home repair or medical emergency, an instant approval credit card can be ideal.

That’s because you can usually receive an approval, denial or request for more information within minutes of submitting your card application. (Note that if the issuer requests additional information from you, it may take several days to evaluate your application.)

But while these cards can provide convenience, they may come with extremely high fees and APRs.

With an instant approval credit card, you can typically receive a response to your application within minutes. But whether you’re approved or denied will depend on various requirements set by the issuer, including income, credit score and housing payments.

Just know that no two applicants are the same. So while one person may receive an instant response, another may have to wait several days for a decision if the issuer needs to obtain more information.

Which credit cards have instant approval?

Many credit cards that boast instant approval are often targeted toward people with bad credit or no credit. These instant approval credit cards may seem tempting if you’re in need of credit fast. However, a closer look at the terms show that some of these cards may come laden with fees — such as set-up fees, maintenance fees and annual fees — that outweigh the potential benefit of an instant approval. Or, they may require a security deposit of at least $200 that’ll serve as your credit line.

Instant approval credit cards for bad credit

For example, the PREMIER Bankcard® Grey Credit Card accepts applicants with poor credit and states online that you can “receive a response in 60 seconds.” But there’s a one-time program fee, as well as monthly and annual fees, which vary depending on your credit limit.

How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.

| Disclosures

PREMIER Bankcard^® Grey Credit Card

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on PREMIER Bankcard®'s secure site

PREMIER Bankcard^® Grey Credit Card

Intro Purchase APR N/A

Regular Purchase APR See Provider Website

Annual Fee See Provider Website

Rewards Rate Non-rewards card

Highlights

• Pre-qualify with no impact to your credit score
• Helping people build credit is our first priority – start your credit-building journey today.
• Start building credit by keeping your balance low and paying all your bills on time each month.
• We report monthly to the Consumer Reporting Agencies to help you build your credit.
• Award-winning, U.S.-based customer service

Recommended Credit

Credit scores ranges may vary. Your individual chance at approval may vary due to factors such as creditors using a particular variation at their discretion

300 600

Poor

Get my free score

The Total VISA® Credit Card, which is available to applicants with poor / fair credit, states that you can get a decision in minutes. But the card also comes with a long list of set-up and maintenance fees, including a program fee, an annual fee and monthly servicing fees. Plus, it has an extremely high 35.99%* APR.

How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.

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Total VISA^® Credit Card

See Also

What Does Sale Pending Mean? Don't Give Up on Your Dream HomeIs it considered a rejection if a job application remains under review for two months?Pending vs Processing - Moneylender Forums

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on Bank Of Missouri's secure site

Total VISA^® Credit Card

Intro Purchase APR N/A

Regular Purchase APR 35.99%*

Annual Fee See Terms*

Rewards Rate Earn 1% cash back rewards on payments made to your Total Credit Card

Highlights

• Earn 1% cash back rewards on payments made to your Total Credit Card
• Checking Account Required
• $300 credit limit (subject to available credit)
• No security deposit, simply pay a one-time $95 program fee to open your account.*
• User friendly Mobile App.
• *See Rates, Fees, Costs & Limitations for complete offer details
• See Total Card Visa Rewards Programs Terms & Conditions for details

Recommended Credit

Credit scores ranges may vary. Your individual chance at approval may vary due to factors such as creditors using a particular variation at their discretion

300 600 660

Poor / Fair

Get my free score

Secured credit cards with instant approval

Secured cards are generally designed for those with less-than-perfect credit. Since they require a security deposit that acts as collateral in the event you don’t pay your bill, they’re typically easier to qualify for than traditional credit cards. That said, while these cards don’t come with the same high fees and APRs that instant approval cards for bad credit have, they do require you to put down a deposit upfront.

With the Discover it® Secured Credit Card, for example, you’ll need to submit a refundable security deposit of at least $200 — this will serve as your line of credit. The card accepts applicants with limited / poor credit, and comes with a $0 annual fee and an intro APR on balance transfers.

How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.

| Disclosures

Discover it^® Secured Credit Card

Apply Now

on Discover's secure site

Discover it^® Secured Credit Card

Intro Purchase APR N/A

Regular Purchase APR 28.24% Variable APR

Annual Fee $0

Rewards Rate Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Highlights

• No credit score required to apply.
• No Annual Fee, earn cash back, and build your credit history.
• Your secured credit card requires a refundable security deposit, and your credit line will equal your deposit amount, starting at $200. Bank information must be provided when submitting your deposit.
• Automatic reviews starting at 7 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, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
• Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
• Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites. Activate for free.
• Terms and conditions apply.

Recommended Credit

Credit scores ranges may vary. Your individual chance at approval may vary due to factors such as creditors using a particular variation at their discretion

300 600

Limited / Poor

Get my free score

Store credit cards with instant approval

Another common type of instant approval credit card is a store credit card. Many retail cards provide instant approvals at the point of sale. So when you check out at a retailer like Target, you may be asked to apply for a Target Circle™ Card on the spot.

After completing an application, you’ll typically receive a response right away. If approved, you can use your card account details for whatever you’re purchasing (as long as the cost is within your credit limit) and the physical card will arrive by mail.

How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.

| Disclosures

Target Circle™ Card*

Learn More

Target Circle™ Card*

Intro Purchase APR N/A

Regular Purchase APR 29.95%

Annual Fee $0

Rewards Rate 5% off at Target in-store and online

Highlights

• 5% discount at Target and Target.com
• $0 annual fee
• 29.95%variable APR

Recommended Credit

Credit scores ranges may vary. Your individual chance at approval may vary due to factors such as creditors using a particular variation at their discretion

660 720

Good

Get my free score

*The information related to the Target Circle™ Card has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply

However, know that many store cards come with high APRs and low credit limits, and can typically only be used at that specific retailer.

Business credit cards instant approval

If you’re a small business owner who needs quick access to credit, there are also business credit cards available that offer instant approval. However, they may require good-to-excellent credit for approval.

For example, with the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card, you can learn whether or not you’ve been approved within minutes of submitting your application online. But while this card offers cash back rewards and an intro APR on purchases, it requires good / excellent credit.

How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.

| Disclosures

Ink Business Unlimited^® Credit Card

Apply Now

on Chase's secure site

Ink Business Unlimited^® Credit Card

Intro Purchase APR 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 12 months

Regular Purchase APR 18.49% - 24.49% Variable

Annual Fee $0

Rewards Rate Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business

Highlights

• Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
• Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
• No Annual Fee
• Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
• Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
• Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
• With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
• 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
• Member FDIC

Recommended Credit

Credit scores ranges may vary. Your individual chance at approval may vary due to factors such as creditors using a particular variation at their discretion

660 720 850

Good / Excellent

Get my free score

While instant approval doesn’t mean guaranteed approval, there are steps you can take to increase your chances of being quickly approved for a credit card:

1. Have a steady source of income

During the application process, you’ll be asked how much you bring in annually — therefore, it’s key to have a stable income source. While you may include income from alimony, child support, interest, dividends or other sources, those sources most likely won’t be as sustainable as income from a paycheck.

2. Pay attention to credit score requirements

Depending on what credit score you have, you may have better odds of applying for one card over another. On LendingTree, we list the credit requirements for each card — such as poor, fair or excellent — so you can get a good idea of which cards you may qualify for. According to FICO, here are the ranges your credit score can fall into:

• Exceptional: 800 to 850
• Very good: 740 to 799
• Good: 670 to 739
• Fair: 580 to 669
• Poor: 300 to 579

You can check your credit score for free in a variety of ways, including through LendingTree Spring, Experian or your bank or credit card issuer.

3. Make sure your credit reports aren’t frozen or locked

You may have frozen or locked your credit report to prevent fraud as a result of a recent data breach. If so, before you apply for a new credit card, you’ll need to thaw or unlock your credit reports to allow the issuer access to your files.

4. Don’t apply for credit too often

Each time you apply for a new line of credit, a hard inquiry appears on your credit reports. Hard inquiries lower your credit score by a few points each time they occur and remain on your credit for two years, though the negative impact lessens over time. In addition, having multiple inquiries on your credit report in a short time may signal to lenders that you’re a high-risk consumer. Therefore, it’s best to only apply for credit sporadically.

5. Review your credit report for accuracy

Simply checking your credit report for legitimate errors, like an incorrect late payment, can help bridge the gap to a higher credit score. There are numerous ways to access your credit report for free. For example, you can view your Equifax, Experian and TransUnion credit reports at annualcreditreport.com or by calling 877-322-8228.

Alternatives to instant approval credit cards

If you want access to instant credit, but not the fees typically associated with instant approval credit cards, you may want to consider these alternatives:

Credit cards with instant numbers

Instant credit card numbers give you access to part, or even all, of your new line of credit immediately upon approval. This allows you to use your card before the physical credit card arrives in the mail. While some issuers offer instant credit card numbers for some of their cards, American Express offers them for all of its cards.

See if you prequalify for a credit card

If you want to increase your chances of instantly being approved for a credit card application, you may want to see if you prequalify — or are preapproved — before completing the application.

Several issuers offer tools to let you know which credit cards you might prequalify or get preapproved for by performing a soft pull of your credit (which won’t have a negative impact).

For example, with Discover, you can fill out an online form with basic personal information, including your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, income and student status. Once the form is submitted, Discover will show you which credit card offers you’re preapproved for.

Keep in mind, though, that preapproved offers aren’t guaranteed, and you’ll still need to complete the application process to receive a final approval decision.

Here are some issuers that let you check to see if you prequalify or are preapproved for a credit card offer:

• American Express
• Bank of America
• Capital One
• Chase
• Citi
• Discover