The Ultimate Guide to Credit Cards
Wednesday, November 13, 2024

9 Best Instant Approval Credit Cards With No Deposit (2024)

Best Instant Approval Credit Cards With No Deposit
Eric Bank

Writer: Eric Bank

Eric Bank

Eric Bank, Finance Expert

Eric Bank is an M.B.A. who has covered financial and business topics since 1985, appearing regularly on Credible, eHow, WiseBread, The Nest, Zacks, Chron, BadCredit.org and dozens of other outlets. Eric specializes in taking complex subject matters and explaining them in simple terms for consumer audiences, particularly in the world of personal finance. Eric holds a Master's in Business Administration from New York University and a Master's in Finance from DePaul University.

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Jon McDonald

Editor: Jon McDonald

Jon McDonald

Jon McDonald, Contributing Editor

Jon leverages 15-plus years of journalism expertise to inform financial consumers about emerging trends and companies making an impact in the industry. He is most knowledgeable in the areas of budgeting, credit card rewards, and responsible credit use. Jon has a passion for writing and editing, and his articles have appeared in publications produced by The New York Times.

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Ashley Fricker

Reviewer: Ashley Fricker

Ashley Fricker

Ashley Fricker, Senior Editor

Ashley Fricker has more than a decade of experience as a finance contributor and editor, and has specialized in the credit card industry since 2015. Her credit card commentary is featured on national media outlets that include CNBC, MarketWatch, Investopedia, and Reader's Digest, among many others. She has worked closely with the world’s largest banks and financial institutions, up-and-coming fintech companies, and press and news outlets to curate comprehensive content and media. Ashley holds a bachelor's degree in multimedia journalism from Florida Atlantic University.

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Advertiser Disclosure

A credit card that does not require a deposit is unsecured. Many unsecured cards are available, but not all provide instant approval. Instant approval means the issuer will give an immediate decision and, if favorable, will mail the card soon after approving the account.

We review below the best unsecured credit cards with instant approval, grouping them by their required credit scores

Best Instant Approval Unsecured Cards For Good Credit

Most credit card issuers use the FICO Score system to gauge applicants’ creditworthiness. FICO scores range from 300 to 850; those greater than 669 are good, very good, or excellent.

The following instant-approval unsecured cards require applicants to have good credit. A high credit score may improve your chances of approval, but no card issuer approves all applicants.

Discover it® Cash Back Review

at Discover Card’ssecure website

GOOD CREDIT RATING

★★★★★

4.9

OVERALL RATING

4.9/5.0
  • INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers–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. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
  • Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
  • Apply and you could get a decision in as little as 60 seconds. No annual fee.
  • Start shopping and earning rewards in minutes with our digital card, before your physical card arrives in the mail, if eligible.
  • 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 a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 18.74% to 27.74% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
  • Terms and conditions apply.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR for 15 months
0% Intro APR for 15 months
18.74% – 27.74% Variable APR
$0
Excellent/Good

The Discover it® Cash Back card has quarterly rotating bonus cash back categories that include grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and warehouse stores. Cardowners must activate the new category each quarter to receive the bonus rate.

The card provides new cardmembers with a Cashback Match on all rewards posted in the first year, making it the best unsecured credit card in this group. It offers a 0% introductory APR promotion for purchases and balance transfer transactions. The promotion runs for a specified period following account opening, after which the card’s APRs revert to its regular rates.

GOOD CREDIT RATING

★★★★★

4.9

OVERALL RATING

4.9/5.0
  • $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
  • Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
  • Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
  • Miles won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how many you can earn
  • Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options
  • Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% for 15 months
0% for 15 months
19.74% – 29.74% (Variable)
$0
Excellent, Good

The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card never imposes black-out dates when cardmembers use their miles to reimburse the costs of trips they have already taken or book future trips through Capital One Travel.

This no-annual-fee card lets cardmembers convert their miles to cash or transfer them to more than 15 loyalty programs. It offers a modest signup bonus and an introductory 0% APR promotion on purchases and balance transfer transactions.

GOOD CREDIT RATING

★★★★★

4.9

OVERALL RATING

4.9/5.0
  • Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
  • Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
  • $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
  • Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
  • No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus, cash back won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how much you can earn
  • 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.74% – 29.74% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% for 15 months
0% for 15 months
19.74% – 29.74% (Variable)
$0
Excellent, Good

The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card provides cash back on every eligible purchase, every day. Cardmembers can earn unlimited cash back and can redeem rewards anytime without minimums.

Cardmembers can redeem their rewards in several ways, including a statement credit, gift card, or mailed check. The 0% introductory APR promotion applies to purchases and balance transfers. New cardmembers can earn a cash bonus by spending a set amount within a specified period.

Best Instant Approval Unsecured Cards For Fair Credit

Fair FICO scores range from 580 to 669. Although fair credit may disqualify consumers from owning top-quality cards, they can still get approved for several attractive cards, including the following three.

FAIR CREDIT RATING

★★★★★

4.9

OVERALL RATING

4.5/5.0
  • No annual or hidden fees. See if you’re approved in seconds
  • Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
  • Help build your credit through responsible use of a card like this
  • Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges
  • Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It’s free for everyone
  • Get access to your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with online banking from your desktop or smartphone, with Capital One’s mobile app
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
29.99% (Variable)
$0
Average, Fair, Limited

The Capital One Platinum Credit Card caters to consumers who want to improve their credit. It reports payments to all three major credit bureaus, which is the most efficient method for building credit. The card does not charge an annual fee or offer rewards. It is the best unsecured credit card for fair credit.

It takes only a few seconds to determine if an applicant is pre-approved with no risk to their credit score. Cardowners can choose their monthly payment due dates and set up autopay to ensure timeliness. Periodic credit line reviews automatically consider cardowners for higher limits.

Discover it® Student Cash Back Review

at Discover Card’ssecure website

FAIR CREDIT RATING

★★★★★

4.8

OVERALL RATING

4.5/5.0
  • INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
  • Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
  • No credit score required to apply.
  • 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.
  • No annual fee and build your credit with responsible use.
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 17.74% – 26.74% applies.
  • Terms and conditions apply.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR for 6 months
10.99% Intro APR for 6 months
17.74% – 26.74% Variable APR
$0
Fair/New to Credit

The Discover it® Student Cash Back credit card is available to undergraduates with fair or no credit. The card does not charge an annual fee — or late fee on the first missed payment. Late payments also do not trigger a penalty APR.

The card provides Cashback Match, a feature for new cardmembers that automatically doubles all the cash back posted during the first year. Cardmembers earn bonus cash rewards up to a spend limit on quarterly rotating merchant categories they can activate.

FAIR CREDIT RATING

★★★★★

4.8

OVERALL RATING

4.5/5.0
  • Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
  • No rotating categories or limits to how much you can earn, and cash back doesn’t expire for the life of the account. It’s that simple
  • Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
  • Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges
  • Help strengthen your credit for the future with responsible card use
  • Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
29.99% (Variable)
$39
Average, Fair, Limited

The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card caters to consumers with fair credit who want to earn cash back. This instant-approval card provides unlimited flat-rate cash back on all eligible purchases. 

Rewards never expire, and cardowners can redeem them at any time, in any amount. They can use Capital One’s Credit Steps to raise their credit lines by making their first six payments on time. The card charges a modest annual fee and does not offer a signup bonus.

Best Instant Approval Unsecured Cards For Bad Credit

The following three unsecured cards welcome applicants with bad credit. Each provides an instant approval decision and offers prequalification without impacting credit scores.

Milestone® Mastercard® Review

at Milestone Mastercard®’ssecure website

BAD CREDIT RATING

★★★★★

4.9

OVERALL RATING

3.8/5.0
  • Greater access to credit than before – $700 credit limit
  • Get a Mastercard accepted online, in store and in app
  • Account history is reported to the three major credit bureaus in the U.S.
  • $0 liability* for unauthorized use
  • Access your account online or from your mobile device 24/7
  • *Fraud protection provided by Mastercard Zero Liability Protection. If approved, you’ll receive the Mastercard Guide to Benefits that details the complete terms with your card.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
See terms
See terms
Fair/Good

The Milestone® Mastercard® is designed for consumers with poor credit, who will receive an instant decision when they apply for the card. Applicants can apply in a few steps, or the sponsor, Concora Credit Card Services, may redirect consumers to another credit card if it cannot match them to one of its own.

This Mastercard charges an annual and foreign transaction fee but no monthly maintenance fees. It automatically protects owners from loss or theft and provides an app for mobile access. The card will usually arrive five to 10 business days after approval.

FIT™ Platinum Mastercard® Review

at Continental Finance’ssecure website

BAD CREDIT RATING

★★★★

4.4

OVERALL RATING

3.5/5.0
  • $400 Initial Credit Limit
  • Less than perfect credit? We understand. The FIT Mastercard is ideal for people looking to rebuild their credit.
  • Unsecured credit card requires No Security Deposit
  • Perfect card for everyday purchases and unexpected expenses
  • Monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus
  • Access to your Vantage 3.0 Score from Experian (when you sign up for e-statements)
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
35.90% Fixed
See terms
Fair/Poor/Bad

The FIT™ Platinum Mastercard® provides a middle-of-the-road initial credit limit compared to the other cards in this group, but it will double after you make your first six monthly minimum payments on time. It promises a fast application process (but not guaranteed approval) when consumers attempt to prequalify or apply.

The card reports account activity to all three credit bureaus, which can help cardmembers concerned with rebuilding credit when they use the card responsibly. 

Revvi Card Review

at Revvi’ssecure website

BAD CREDIT RATING

★★★★★

4.7

OVERALL RATING

4.1/5.0
  • Earn 1% cash back rewards^^ on payments made to your Revvi Credit Card
  • Perfect credit not required
  • $300 credit limit (subject to available credit)
  • Checking account required
  • Opportunity to request credit limit increase after twelve months, fee applies
  • *See Rates, Fees, Costs & Limitations for complete offer details
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
See website for Details
N/A
35.99%
$75.00 1st year, $48.00 after
Fair

The Revvi Card is an unusual subprime credit card because it offers cash back rewards. It provides $0 fraud liability, a mobile app, and monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus. Cardmembers can avoid the card’s high APR by paying their monthly balance.

The card waives its fees for cash advances and maintenance for the first year, and its annual fee drops after the first 12 months. The initial credit limit is low, but cardowners can request an increase after 12 months. Consumers must have a checking account to apply.

What Is a Credit Card With Instant Approval?

Advances in financial technology enable credit card companies to offer instant application decisions. Systems scan applicant information and pull the data necessary to make split-second decisions.

Sometimes, an issuer will require more information from an applicant. When this happens, the issuer will provide the applicant a window — typically between seven and 30 days — to submit the data required for a definitive decision.

Chase Freedom Flex application review
Card issuers may need more time to process an application, and will tell you they can’t provide instant approval.

While issuers can advertise an instant approval credit decision, it is impossible to know whether they will approve an application until the consumer submits it. Many credit card issuers send letters and emails with pre-approval offers. However, these do not guarantee final approval because issuers must do a hard pull of an applicant’s latest credit report before deciding.

Consumers can visit an issuer’s website to prequalify for a credit card. They must submit much of the same information as that on a formal application. However, prequalification does not require a hard credit inquiry and will not impact the consumer’s credit score. Prequalification reveals whether final approval is feasible — there is no such thing as a guaranteed approval credit card.

How Do I Get an Instant Approval Credit Card With No Deposit?

The easiest way to obtain an instant-approval unsecured card is to apply online. Card websites provide dialogs or forms to collect the required applicant data, including:

  • Contact information
  • Citizenship
  • Social Security Number
  • Employment details
  • Income 
  • Debts
  • Housing costs

The issuer pulls an applicant’s credit report to verify the submitted information. In most cases, the issuer can immediately decide whether to approve or deny the application. Sometimes, further research is necessary.

Upon approval, the issuer will create the card and dispatch it for delivery. However, applicants must prepay any signup fees before receiving the card.

What Are the Difference Between Deposit and No-Deposit Credit Cards?

The most significant difference between secured credit cards and unsecured cards is that secured cards require an upfront cash deposit while unsecured cards do not. The security deposit is usually a few hundred dollars, although the size can range from $49 to $10,000. 

A security deposit is cash collateral that backs the cardholder’s credit line. Consumers with bad credit can usually obtain secured cards quickly because the deposit shifts the costs of default from the issuer to the cardowner. 

An approved applicant must remit the deposit in advance. Issuers place security deposits into escrow accounts and use the money only when a cardholder fails to make the minimum payment on time. 

Should this happen, the issuer will siphon the necessary funds from the escrow account and reduce the cardholder’s credit line accordingly. The cardowner can reestablish the full credit line by repaying the card balance. Repeated late payments may prompt issuers to cancel the credit card, confiscate the deposit, pay any outstanding balances, and remit any leftover funds to the former cardowner.

Unsecured vs. Secured credit card graphics

Secured cards can charge relatively low interest rates and fees because the deposits guarantee the issuers will receive their money when a cardmember defaults.

Unsecured card issuers trust cardholders to make minimum payments on time. These issuers do not have a deposit to cushion the cost of defaults, making unsecured cards riskier than secured ones. 

That risk explains why consumers usually need at least fair credit to qualify for an unsecured card. Consumers with poor credit can get an unsecured card, but it likely will charge high interest rates and fees.

Issuers often convert secured cards into unsecured ones by refunding the deposit after a cardmember establishes a record of on-time payments (which usually takes about six months). Alternatively, a secured credit card issuer may increase a creditworthy cardmember’s spending limit without requiring an additional deposit.

A secured card’s credit limit usually equals the deposit size. However, a few cards are semi-secured, offering a limit greater than the deposit. The card’s credit limit is the maximum amount the owner can charge to the account. 

At any given time, the available credit is the card’s credit limit minus the current outstanding balance. A card’s credit utilization ratio is the available credit divided by the credit limit. CURs above 30% can harm a cardholder’s credit score, and FICO scores benefit the most when a consumer’s CUR is 1%.

Despite their differences, secured and unsecured cards share specific characteristics, including the following: 

  • Both can impact credit scores: Both types usually report payments to one or more credit bureaus (i.e., Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion). Timely payments can help scores; payments more than 30 days late can damage them. Debit cards do not report payments and do not affect credit scores.
  • Both provide revolving debt: Cardmembers can carry a balance, pay off some or all outstanding charges, and reuse the credit line. Unlike a loan, this allows borrowers to access the repaid principal.
  • Both have potential costs: Both card types charge fees and interest on unpaid balances.
  • Both may offer rewards: They may provide a rewards program that gives cardmembers cash back, miles, or points redeemable for cash, merchandise, or gift cards. Cardowners accumulate rewards based on spending volume. Unsecured cards are more likely to offer signup bonuses.

Consumers should compare cards before selecting one. Each card has advantages and disadvantages. The best card for an individual will depend on their credit requirements and spending habits.

What Credit Cards Can I Get With No Credit And No Deposit?

Two types of unsecured credit cards are good candidates for consumers with no, limited, or fair credit — student credit cards and subprime cards from Capital One.

Student Credit Cards

Unsecured student credit cards are generally easy to qualify for because financial institutions view undergraduates as low-risk consumers likely to become long-term clients. 

Issuers expect students to have limited credit histories and tailor their offerings to be a person’s first credit card. Student cards usually offer lower credit limits, which minimizes the issuer’s risk. The cards often charge relatively high interest rates, earning the issuer a higher return on its risk.

Being in an educational setting implies responsibility and stability, which aligns with issuers’ interests. Moreover, issuers often consider students to have high future earning potential, making them good candidates for long-term financial relationships. 

Screenshot from Discover website
Student cards, including those from Discover, help students build credit with responsible use and timely payments.

Attracting customers during their college years increases the chances they will remain loyal to the issuer. Many colleges partner with financial institutions, making it easier for students to get credit cards through special campus promotions.

Issuers may assume undergraduates have some form of family financial support, reducing the risk of default. Indeed, some student credit cards require a cosigner, which provides the issuer with an extra layer of security.

Capital One Unsecured Cards

Capital One offers a few unsecured cards for consumers with limited credit for several reasons. 

To start with, Capital One aims for a broad customer base, including consumers with little or no credit history. This strategy is part of its business model to acquire customers early and maintain long-term relationships.

This issuer employs sophisticated models and risk-assessment tools to evaluate an applicant’s creditworthiness beyond just a credit score. It may consider other factors such as income and employment history.

Screenshot from Capital One website
Capital One offers credit cards for a wide range of consumers, including those who want to build credit.

Capital One subprime cards usually offer lower initial credit limits and higher interest rates to reduce the risk of lending to those with limited credit. Customers may become eligible for a higher credit limit through responsible card use.

Additionally, Capital One provides various educational resources to help customers understand how to manage credit, a valuable aid for credit newbies.

Can I Use My Credit Card Before I Receive It?

Sometimes, consumers can use their new credit cards shortly after approval, but with some restrictions.

Several big banks, including American Express and Chase, let customers immediately add a new card account to a digital wallet through their mobile apps. New cardholders can use their card to purchase items from any merchant or service provider that accepts digital wallets.

Some issuers offer temporary virtual credit cards to new cardholders before they receive their physical cards. A virtual card is a digital version of a traditional credit card, created for secure online transactions. Unlike a physical card, a virtual card exists only in electronic form.

Issuers link a virtual card to a real credit card account and bill transactions from the virtual account to the actual one. Some virtual cards are single-use, expiring after one transaction. Others are multi-use and expire after a set period or event, including physical card activation.

More about virtual credit cards graphic

When a customer requests a virtual card for immediate use, the issuer securely provides the card’s details through its online portal, mobile app, or secure email. Customers receive the complete card details and can immediately make online purchases, reservations, or any other transaction that does not require a physical card.

Some co-branded cards, such as the American Airlines credit cards from Barclays, let consumers sign up for a card when purchasing tickets from the American Airlines website and use the new card account to cover the cost.

A few issuers provide an instant card number but not the expiration date or CVC security code. Customers must wait for their card to arrive in the mail to get that information.

A card issuer may provide instant access to all the credit card data but prevent new cardholders from charging more than a set amount before the physical card arrives.

How Long Does It Take to Receive a Physical Credit Card?

A growing number of bank branches can print physical credit cards on demand (although some limit this service to debit cards). Customers who open a credit card account at a suitably equipped brick-and-mortar bank can obtain their card within minutes. 

A card applicant can receive an instant decision when applying online. However, it is nearly impossible for an issuer to approve the application, print the card, and get it to the customer on the same day.

Here are some examples of issuers who offer expedited shipping:

Issuer shipping times table

If an issuer does not provide on-demand printing and you urgently need access to a credit card that same day, you should consider buying a prepaid debit card at a local grocery or convenience store.

Prepaid cards require buyers to fund their accounts with cash or debit deposits at the register to receive their new cards instantly. While prepaid debit cards are not traditional, merchants that welcome credit cards also accept prepaid cards. 

Which Credit Card Companies Issue Instant-Use Unsecured Cards?

Several credit card companies offer instant-use unsecured cards, allowing customers to use their new credit accounts immediately after approval, usually through a virtual card. Here are some companies that provide this feature:

  • American Express: Known for its quick approval process, American Express provides instant access to card account information, allowing customers to add cards to a mobile wallet for immediate use.
  • Barclays: Although not as common, some co-branded cards provide the instant-use feature.
  • Capital One: Upon card approval, existing customers may receive immediate access to a virtual card through the issuer’s mobile app.
  • Chase: Some Chase cards offer an instant card number upon approval, especially for those who apply through the mobile app or online.
  • Citi: Some Citi cards offer this feature, providing a temporary card number for instant use, especially for online shopping.
  • Discover: Although famous for its customer-friendly features, Discover does not offer instant access to new card details, preventing customers from making immediate purchases.
  • Goldman Sachs (Apple Card): Customers manage this card entirely on their iPhones, enabling immediate use with Apple Pay.
  • U.S. Bank: The issuer offers instant credit card numbers on selected credit cards, subject to the customer’s identity verification.
  • Wells Fargo: Instant credit card access is available to some applicants.

Always check with the credit card issuer to confirm whether they offer instant-use unsecured cards, as this policy can change over time.

What Happens If I Do Not Get Instant Approval?

A delayed decision is not necessarily a sign that the issuer will deny an application. Here are three scenarios to consider in the absence of instant approval.

Eventual Approvals

Issuers may still approve applicants after a manual review process, which can take a few days to several weeks. The issuer may need additional time to verify the submitted information, obtain missing data, or assess the applicant’s creditworthiness (especially if the credit history is uncommon or complex). 

Rigorous identity verification procedures can cause delays, especially if there is a discrepancy between the application and public records. The credit card company may ask for additional documents, including proof of income or identity.

More about eventual approvals graphic

Another source of delay may be that a consumer applied for several lines of credit recently, taxing the issuer’s risk assessment process. Sometimes, issuers experience high application volumes, which can slow down the approval process for everyone. 

Applications that the issuer cannot automatically approve often trigger a manual review, which takes longer. Issuers also screen for fraudulent applications, which can lead to delays if any red flags appear.

Contacting the issuer after a significant delay is reasonable. A customer service agent may provide more information and expedite the process if there has been an undue holdup.

Disapprovals

A denied credit card application is disappointing, but it need not be the end of the road. First, you should understand the reasons for denial.

Applicants should receive a formal notification, often called an Adverse Action Notice, explaining the reasons for the denial. These reasons often stem from information supplied by a credit bureau. 

The letter entitles applicants to a free credit report. Reviewing the report for any errors or discrepancies that might have led to the denial is a good idea. Consumers can dispute inaccuracies with the credit bureaus, either independently or through a credit repair specialist.

More about disapprovals graphic

Consumers should work on improving the aspects of their credit profile that led to the denial, including high credit utilization, late payments, or a short credit history.

Applying for another credit card with lower credit requirements may be a good idea for consumers with bad credit. Unfortunately, most major credit card issuers no longer allow cosigners, but most accept authorized users

An authorized user is someone with permission to use another person’s credit card account. Authorized users receive their own card bearing their name and can use it to make purchases. They are not the primary account holders and are not responsible for paying off the credit card balance.

Becoming an authorized user is a reasonable strategy for rejected credit card applicants because issuers do not perform a credit check on authorized users. Credit bureaus assign a credit card’s payment information to primary and authorized users, potentially helping both parties succeed at building credit. 

Prepaid Debit Cards

Consumers can use prepaid debit cards to pay for purchases without accruing debt, overdraft fees, or interest payments. Prepaid cards do not require a credit check because they do not extend credit, making them a suitable substitute for consumers who are ineligible for (or do not want) a credit card. 

Prepaid debit cards help with budget control because cardowners can spend only the money they have loaded onto the card. Consumers can easily use them to make purchases in stores and online. The cards are a safer alternative to carrying cash, and some provide fraud protection.

More about prepaid cards graphic

The cards have a few limitations. They do not report to credit bureaus and will not help cardowners interested in rebuilding credit. Many prepaid cards come with various charges, including monthly maintenance, reloading, and ATM fees. The cards often lack the perks and protections available from credit cards, such as reward points or travel insurance.

Some consumers prefer prepaid debit cards to bank accounts or credit cards. Folks with poor credit who are currently ineligible for credit cards can turn to debit cards as a temporary stopgap or a long-term financial tool.

Can I Build Credit With an Unsecured Credit Card?

Consumers can build credit using an unsecured credit card, provided they carefully manage the account. Here are some ways to use no-deposit credit cards to rebuild credit:

  • Timely payments: Payment history is the most crucial factor in credit scoring. Paying a credit card bill when due every month can significantly grow credit over time.
  • Low credit utilization ratio: Cardholders should keep their balances low compared to their credit limit. Credit bureaus favor a lower credit utilization ratio.
  • Long-Term Relationship: Keeping an account open for an extended period can lengthen a cardowner’s credit history, another positive factor.
  • Diverse Credit Mix: Having different types of credit can benefit credit scores. Unsecured cards add to the credit diversity of consumers with other types of credit, such as a secured credit card or installment loan.
  • Regular monitoring: Keeping an eye on credit reports helps consumers ensure that their information is accurate. Incorrect derogatory data can hurt credit scores.

Consumers must manage their credit cards responsibly to rebuild credit successfully.

Do Not Wait For a No-Deposit Credit Card

Slow service is a popular complaint from consumers in many situations, and credit card issuers know it. That is one reason they strive to provide instant decisions to applicants. 

Technology enables this, allowing consumers to apply for a no-deposit credit card and receive approval in a minute or two. Our reviewed unsecured cards guarantee a fast response, and any of them will make an excellent addition to a consumer’s wallet.

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