How to Get an Instant Approval Credit Card—and Use it Instantly!

If you’re seeking instant approval and use—and you’re not standing at the register at Banana Republic or Hollister or another store asking for an instant approval store credit card—an online application is likely your best bet. Most credit card issuers process such applications in real time. Some also offer instant approval (but not instant card numbers) for applications made over the phone.

There are three steps to getting an instant approval credit card that you can actually use immediately:

1. Online credit card application
2. Instant approval of that application
3. Instantly obtaining a credit card number that you can use right away, virtually anywhere that card is accepted

Online credit card applications are typically simple and take just a few minutes to complete. Once you click “submit” there are three possible outcomes—approved, denied, or pending:

• If you’re approved or denied, you’ll likely get a decision within a few minutes.
• If your application is pending, a human being somewhere is going to look at it carefully before making a decision. Depending on the provider, it may take minutes, days or weeks to get a decision, and you’ll typically be informed via U.S. mail. 

A couple of factors can push your application into pending status:

• If the credit card company is unable to verify your identity
• There’s something questionable on your credit report

Experts say the better your credit the more likely you are to get instant approval.¹ But that doesn’t mean that only people with excellent credit score should seek instant approval.

It’s worth noting that retail store credit cards (the Banana Republic/Hollister/Etc. option) exist somewhat outside this typical process. You can apply for most co-branded/store credit cards in-store at the time you make a purchase, and you’ll likely be approved or denied on the spot. Of course, instant approval store credit cards may only be used in the issuing store.

Being approved for a credit card is not the same as being able to use it. And instant approval is not instant access. Most cards are still mailed, in which case it will typically take seven to 10 days to get to you. If you want it sooner than that, many credit companies will expedite shipping (even overnight), but they usually charge for that service.

If you truly want to use the card during the same lunch hour in which you apply, you’ll need to choose a card that offers an instant credit card number—and, of course, most don’t. Besides the co-branded/store cards, only a small number of card issuers will give you an account number that you can use for online purchases right away, and which you can keep using until you receive your actual card. You can find online resources that identify creditors that offer instant credit access, or you can ask any credit card provider whether it offers that option.

Unless instant approval is literally the only factor that matters to you, experts remind you to read the fine print. Several factors determine how much a card costs and how you can (or will want to) use it:

• Credit limit
• Annual percentage rate (APR)
• Variable interest (as for cash advances, for example)
• Late fees and other penalties
• Annual fees (if any)
• Rewards for using the card

Experts also suggest that you apply for cards that generally match your credit profile. For example, rewards cards are usually only available to people with very good to excellent credit scores.

Don’t be confused by offers that sound similar to instant approval but aren’t—like pre-approval or guaranteed approval.

Only with Instant approval credit cards will your application be evaluated and a decision made in real time. Instant decision is probably more accurate—since it’s always possible that your application will be instantly declined.

Pre-approval means a lender has looked at your credit profile and extended you a conditional offer. Creditors may do this proactively (have you ever received a letter or email saying you’re pre-approved for a new card?) or may offer you a pre-approval option online. But either way, you must still make a formal application and there’s no guarantee that it will be approved.²

Guaranteed approval Is generally for people with poor credit (also known as subprime borrowers). The cards are “guaranteed” because they don’t require a credit check. However, you may still be declined if you don’t meet certain basic criteria, such as having a valid bank account.³

All these serve different needs, but they’re not all instant approval credit cards.