One of the five largest card issuers in the world, Capital One is likely most recognizable by its longtime tagline, “What’s in your wallet?” For those who have recently applied for a Capital One credit card but did not receive an immediate decision, this article will bring you up to speed on how to check your Capital One application status.
Capital One has made its mark on the credit card rewards space with its blackout-free travel rewards program and is changing the way we bank with its Capital One Cafés. Indeed, whether you want to fly without limits or talk money over mochas, there are many reasons to join the millions of Capital One cardholders.
Whatever your motivation, when you apply for a Capital One credit card through the online application, your approval status will often be determined in 60 seconds or less. Whether you are approved or denied, the decision will be displayed right on the screen. However, sometimes the automated algorithms used to quickly analyze applicants can’t reach a decision. In these cases, your application is considered to be “pending” until it can be reviewed by hand. In the following article, we’ll take a look at what you can do when you don’t receive an instant decision, including calling Captial One and visiting the issuer’s website. If you are denied, we’ll also provide a few potential alternative cards worth considering.
Over the Phone | Online | Denial Alternatives
Call the Application Status Phone Number: 1-800-903-9177
In the normal scheme of things, it usually takes around 7 to 10 days for your pending application to go through review and a decision to be mailed out, but it could be several weeks depending on the additional documentation needed. And yes, your decision will be mailed. You’ll need to check your mailbox for the results.
In some cases, issuers need to verify your information or collect additional data to come to a decision on a credit card application.
You can potentially speed up the decision timeline by cutting out the postal middleman and going straight to the source at Capital One. Applicants can get a status update at any time by calling the application status line at:
1-800-903-9177
One of the most common reasons for having an application sent to “pending” limbo is the need for verification of some of the information on your application. This can be as simple as clearing up mismatched addresses due to a recent move, or may require sending in additional documentation to verify income or employment status. Those who apply for credit cards frequently may simply need to confirm the application is valid and not fraud.
When you call, be sure to have your application ID number or your Social Security number on hand to make it easier for the representative to find your application. You’ll also want to remember that the person on the other end of the line is a person — treat them as such. Being polite can often go a long way toward hastening the process.
You Can’t Check the Status of Your Application Online
Unfortunately, if you don’t want to wait for a snail-mail response, the phone number above is your only real option. While odd in today’s digital era, Capital One doesn’t actually offer an online option to check the continuing status of a pending application. Furthermore, Capital One doesn’t offer an online contact form or email address for checking your application status, either.
If Your Application is Denied, Try These Alternatives
No matter how you get the news, finding out your Capital One application was denied can be disappointing — and, sometimes, a shock. It isn’t always those with poor credit who are denied a Capital One credit card, either. If your credit history is good but not very long, you may be denied a Capital One card. Some applicants also report being denied for submitting more than three Capital One credit card applications within a 30-day period.
Whatever the case, your best bet may be to try getting credit from another issuer entirely, as each credit card issuer has its own standards for extending credit. If you are concerned about your approval chances and want to avoid a futile hard credit pull, check to see if you pre-qualify before applying. No matter what type of credit you have — or don’t have, for those just starting out — there is likely a credit card designed for you. See our top-rated cards below to start your search.
Good Credit (700+) | Fair Credit (650-699) | Bad Credit ( | No/Limited Credit
Alternatives for Good Credit (FICO Score 700+)
With a FICO score of 700 or above, you’re considered to have “good” credit by most credit card issuers, and it’s unlikely that your score was the reason for being denied a Capital One card. More likely, your credit history is not long enough, or you have already applied for a Capital One too many times in too short a time period. Either way, you’ll probably have better luck by trying for a different card from another issuer.
- 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. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
- Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
- 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.
- Every $1 you earn in cash back is $1 you can redeem.
- Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 16.74% to 27.74% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
- No annual fee.
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
|
Credit Needed
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
0% Intro APR for 15 months
|
0% Intro APR for 15 months
|
16.74% - 27.74% Variable APR
|
$0
|
Excellent/Good
|
- 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. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
- Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
- 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.
- Every $1 you earn in cash back is $1 you can redeem.
- No annual fee.
- Click through to Discover’s website to see terms and conditions.
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
|
Credit Needed
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
0% Intro APR for 6 months
|
0% Intro APR for 18 months
|
16.74% - 27.74% Variable APR
|
$0
|
Excellent/Good
|
- INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
- Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
- After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.74% - 28.49%.
- No annual fee - You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
|
Credit Needed
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
0% Intro APR on Purchases 15 months
|
0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers 15 months
|
19.74% - 28.49% Variable
|
$0
|
Good/Excellent
|
+See More Cards for Good Credit
Alternatives for Fair Credit (FICO Score 650 – 699)
If your FICO credit score falls between 650 and 699, your credit is generally considered to be “fair” or “average.” Depending on which Capital One card you applied for, your credit score may have been the reason you were denied, as many of Capital One’s credit cards require good to excellent credit to qualify. When you have fair credit, your best option is likely to apply for a card aimed at those building — or rebuilding — their credit scores.
- 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
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
|
Credit Needed
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|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
|
N/A
|
29.99% (Variable)
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$0
|
Average, Fair, Limited
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- 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
- Enjoy up to 6 months of complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
|
Credit Needed
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
|
N/A
|
29.99% (Variable)
|
$39
|
Average, Fair, Limited
|
- 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! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 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 each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
- 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.
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Intro (Purchases)
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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
|
+See More Cards for Fair Credit
Alternatives for Bad Credit (
The lower your credit score, the greater the credit risk you represent. When your FICO score falls below 650, you represent a bad credit risk for many prime credit cards — including most unsecured Capital One cards. To improve your chances of being approved, try applying for a credit card specifically designed for those whose credit is less-than-perfect, like our top-rated picks below.
- Don’t let a low FICO score stop you from applying – we approve applications others may not.
- You don’t need good credit to apply.
- Just complete the short application and find out in 60 seconds if you’re approved.
- When you need assistance our award-winning US-based Customer Service agents are there to help.
- FICO scores are used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any PREMIER Bankcard® product.
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
|
Credit Needed
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
|
N/A
|
See Provider Website
|
See Provider Website
|
Fair/Poor
|
- You don’t need good credit to apply.
- We help people with bad credit, every day.
- Just complete the short application and find out in 60 seconds if you’re approved.
- You can build* or rebuild your credit: apply for a PREMIER Bankcard credit card, keep your balance low, and pay all your monthly bills on time.
- Don’t let a low FICO score stop you from applying – we approve applications others may not.
- FICO scores are used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any PREMIER Bankcard® product.
- *Build credit by keeping your balance low and paying all your bills on time every month.
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
|
Credit Needed
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
|
N/A
|
See Provider Website
|
See Provider Website
|
Fair/Poor
|
- No annual or hidden fees. See if you're approved in seconds
- Building your credit? Using the Capital One Platinum Secured card responsibly could help
- Put down a refundable security deposit starting at $49 to get a $200 initial credit line
- You could earn back your security deposit as a statement credit when you use your card responsibly, like making payments on time
- Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months with no additional deposit needed
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
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Intro (Purchases)
|
Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
|
Credit Needed
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
|
N/A
|
29.99% (Variable)
|
$0
|
Limited, Bad
|
+See More Cards for Bad Credit
Alternatives for No or Limited Credit
Anyone who has tried to start a new career is probably familiar with the common Catch-22 of, “you need experience to get a job, and a job to get experience.” A similar truth exists in finance: you need credit to get credit. To starting building your credit history, you need to establish some kind of credit — and to qualify for most types of credit, you need to have an established credit history. Luckily, issuers are not unsympathetic to the plight of the creditless; a number of options exist for those who are just starting on their credit journey.
- 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
|
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
- Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months
- Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
- Enjoy no annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees
- Lock your card in the Capital One Mobile app if it's misplaced, lost or stolen
|
Intro (Purchases)
|
Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
|
Credit Needed
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
|
N/A
|
19.74% - 29.74% (Variable)
|
$0
|
Average, Fair, Limited
|
- Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire.
- 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
- Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
- Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
- 0% Introductory APR for 18 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 17.74% - 27.74% Variable APR will apply. A 3% fee applies to all balance transfers.
- When handled responsibly, a credit card can help you build your credit history, which could be helpful when looking for an apartment, a car loan, and even a job. Access your FICO® Score for free within Online Banking or your Mobile Banking app.
- Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
|
Intro (Purchases)
|
Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
|
Credit Needed
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for purchases
|
0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days
|
17.74% - 27.74% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
|
$0
|
Excellent/Good
|
Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.
+See More Cards for Limited Credit
Choose the Right Card for You
From blackout-free travel to super-modern bistro-banks, there are many great reasons to apply for a Capital One credit card. Not to mention the company’s longstanding reputation among credit card issuers and the fact that it is one of the largest issuers in the world. While it can be nerve-wracking to see the message that your application needs further review, a pending application is better than an instant denial.
Many people have reported being approved after calling their issuer to provide missing information or otherwise clarify or verify application data. If you do end up being denied for the Capital One card you were after, changing issuers might be all you need to successfully qualify for a great card. Whichever route you take, always compare your credit options to ensure you get the best terms and options that fit your personal spending habits.
Advertiser Disclosure
CardRates.com is a free online resource that offers valuable content and comparison services to users. To keep this resource 100% free, we receive compensation for referrals for many of the offers listed on the site. Along with key review factors, this compensation may impact how and where products appear across CardRates.com (including, for example, the order in which they appear). CardRates.com does not include the entire universe of available offers. Editorial opinions expressed on the site are strictly our own and are not provided, endorsed, or approved by advertisers.
Editorial Note: Our site content is not provided or commissioned by any credit card issuer(s). Opinions expressed on CardRates.com are the author's alone, not those of any credit card issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by credit card issuers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information; however, all credit card offer details, including information about rewards, signup bonuses, introductory offers, and other terms and conditions, is presented without warranty. Clicking on any offer on CardRates.com will direct you to the issuer's website, where you can review the current terms and conditions of the offer.
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