Capital One Pre-Approval: 5 Secrets to Prequalify (Aug. 2024)
Updated:
Writer: 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.
Lillian Guevara-Castro brings more than 30 years of editing and journalism experience to the CardRates team. She has worked at The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, Gwinnett Daily News, Gainesville Sun, and The New York Times, where she covered demographics, consumer issues, and the business and financial sectors. Lillian has a degree in journalism and communications from Georgia State University and brings her fact-checking expertise to ensure Digital Brands content is accurate and engaging.
With more than 10 years of accounting experience, Danielle Marshall has a deep understanding of many financial disciplines, including personal and commercial lending, retirement annuities, financial forecasting, and general bookkeeping. She has a bachelor's degree from the University of Florida's Fisher School of Accounting and currently manages all accounts receivable and payable for the parent company of CardRates.com. She works directly with credit card issuers and advertising partners to ensure our content meets compliance expectations and regulatory standards.
If you’ve received a Capital One pre approval letter in the mail, it simply means you meet the bank’s requirements for approval, and your chances of being approved for the credit card offer you have received are high.
Card issuers find this information by working with credit bureaus to look at your credit reports, or by setting a specific requirement, such as a minimum credit score, and requesting a list of consumers from the bureaus who meet the requirement.
If you’re interested in applying for one of the bank’s cards and would like to see whether you’re pre approved, let’s take a look at everything you should know about Capital One pre approval.
1. Apply for the Card You Want for an Instant Approval Decision
If you prefer a solid yes or no answer from the card issuer straight away, choose the credit card offer you want and apply for it directly. Below are the top-rated Capital One offers as reviewed by our expert staff.
These cards will all provide an instant approval decision — simply click the “Apply Now” button to go to a card’s official credit application.
Capital One Cards for Good to Excellent Credit (670-850 Credit Score)
Having a good or excellent credit score means that you qualify for the very best rewards and interest rates — that’s how banks choose to reward borrowers who’ve exemplified they know how to manage credit well. Here are the top cards Capital One offers to applicants with good credit, our favorite being the Venture card:
Our in-house credit card experts rate Capital One® cards based on:
Reward rates and redemptions
Regular and promotional APRs
Signup bonuses
Annual and other fees
Travel insurance and credits
We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.
Our in-house credit card experts rate Capital One® cards based on:
Reward rates and redemptions
Regular and promotional APRs
Signup bonuses
Annual and other fees
Travel insurance and credits
We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.
Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
Our in-house credit card experts rate Capital One® cards based on:
Reward rates and redemptions
Regular and promotional APRs
Signup bonuses
Annual and other fees
Travel insurance and credits
We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.
Our in-house credit card experts rate Capital One® cards based on:
Reward rates and redemptions
Regular and promotional APRs
Signup bonuses
Annual and other fees
Travel insurance and credits
We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.
Our in-house credit card experts rate Capital One® cards based on:
Reward rates and redemptions
Regular and promotional APRs
Signup bonuses
Annual and other fees
Travel insurance and credits
We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.
Our in-house credit card experts rate Capital One® cards based on:
Reward rates and redemptions
Regular and promotional APRs
Signup bonuses
Annual and other fees
Travel insurance and credits
We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.
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; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
Our in-house credit card experts rate Capital One® cards based on:
Reward rates and redemptions
Regular and promotional APRs
Signup bonuses
Annual and other fees
Travel insurance and credits
We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.
Our in-house credit card experts rate Capital One® cards based on:
Reward rates and redemptions
Regular and promotional APRs
Signup bonuses
Annual and other fees
Travel insurance and credits
We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
Capital One Cards for Fair or Limited Credit (Sub 670 Credit Score or No Credit Score)
Even without a solid credit history, you can earn rewards similar to those offered by cards for good credit applicants, but you’ll pay more for them in the form of interest. This means you should pay your balance in full each month to avoid paying interest altogether.
Of course, that holds true for all cards, and doing so will help build your credit score up faster than if you keep a balance and only make the minimum payment each month. Here are the top cards for those who lack a lengthy, positive credit history:
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
4.8/5.0
About this rating
Our in-house experts rate credit cards for fair credit based on:
The regular APR
Annual and other fees
Ease of approval
Rewards offered
Credit bureau reporting
We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
4.5/5.0
About this rating
Our in-house experts rate credit cards for fair credit based on:
The regular APR
Annual and other fees
Ease of approval
Rewards offered
Credit bureau reporting
We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.
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
Our in-house experts rate credit cards for fair credit based on:
The regular APR
Annual and other fees
Ease of approval
Rewards offered
Credit bureau reporting
We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.
Our in-house experts rate credit cards for fair credit based on:
The regular APR
Annual and other fees
Ease of approval
Rewards offered
Credit bureau reporting
We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
4.7/5.0
About this rating
Our in-house experts rate credit cards for fair credit based on:
The regular APR
Annual and other fees
Ease of approval
Rewards offered
Credit bureau reporting
We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
4.6/5.0
About this rating
Our in-house experts rate credit cards for fair credit based on:
The regular APR
Annual and other fees
Ease of approval
Rewards offered
Credit bureau reporting
We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
0.0/5.0
About this rating
Our in-house experts rate credit cards for fair credit based on:
The regular APR
Annual and other fees
Ease of approval
Rewards offered
Credit bureau reporting
We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
4.6/5.0
About this rating
Our in-house experts rate credit cards for fair credit based on:
The regular APR
Annual and other fees
Ease of approval
Rewards offered
Credit bureau reporting
We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.
Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), with 1% on all other purchases
Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months
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
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
Earn up to $500 a year by referring friends and family when they're approved for a Capital One credit card
In addition to offering a wide variety of consumer cards, Capital One also serves the financing needs of small businesses with its selection of business credit cards. These cards offer rewards that include cash back and air miles, as well as several valuable perks for business owners.
Business credit cards usually give the most rewards in popular spending categories such as office supply stores and internet service providers. Be sure to find a card with a credit limit that can accommodate your monthly business expenses.
Our in-house experts rate Business credit cards based on:
Reward rates and redemptions
Annual and other fees
Signup bonuses
Regular and introductory APRs
Business integration tools
Employee cards and restrictions
We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.
Our in-house experts rate Business credit cards based on:
Reward rates and redemptions
Annual and other fees
Signup bonuses
Regular and introductory APRs
Business integration tools
Employee cards and restrictions
We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.
Our in-house experts rate Business credit cards based on:
Reward rates and redemptions
Annual and other fees
Signup bonuses
Regular and introductory APRs
Business integration tools
Employee cards and restrictions
We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.
Our in-house experts rate Business credit cards based on:
Reward rates and redemptions
Annual and other fees
Signup bonuses
Regular and introductory APRs
Business integration tools
Employee cards and restrictions
We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.
Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles – equal to $500 in travel – once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions, and miles won't expire for the life of the account
Unlimited 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
Transfer your miles to 15+ travel loyalty programs
Redeem your miles instantly for any travel-related purchases, from flights and hotels to ride-sharing services
Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Capital One makes finding out if you’re pre approved easy. The bank will let you know if you’re prequalified in as soon as 60 seconds via the Capital One prequalification form.
You must complete the form by entering your name, address, date of birth, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and selecting your credit level and the credit card benefit most important to you.
You’ll know whether you’re prequalified in less than a minute.
Finding out whether you’re prequalified will not affect your credit score. You’ll be presented with a list of pre approved credit card offers based on the information you entered.
However, being prequalified does not guarantee approval. The only way you’ll know whether you’re approved is to apply for a specific card.
Other factors, such as your income and how much debt you have, can still make or break a credit card company’s lending decision. These factors will also determine the interest rate and credit limit you receive.
3. Getting Denied Doesn’t Mean You’re Denied (Huh?)
Just as prequalifying doesn’t guarantee approval, notprequalifying doesn’t guarantee a denial. Being approved comes down to a few key factors, including your credit score, income, debt, and, of course, your history with credit cards.
The prequalification process does not, nor can it, look at all of these factors without your consent, which is why most credit card applications require you to agree to a credit check, which will appear as an inquiry on your credit report. A few secured card options for bad credit applicants may not require a credit check for approval.
But if you know your poor credit history and perhaps the previous misuse of a credit card (maxing it out, missing payments, defaulting altogether) is what’s holding you back from being approved for a Capital One card, that doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t be approved for any credit card at all. Plenty of highly-rated credit cards for bad credit are available, some of which even offer cash back rewards.
Our in-house experts rate credit cards for bad credit based on:
The regular APR
Annual and other fees
Ease of approval
Rewards offered
Credit bureau reporting
Educational resources offered
Issuer reputation
We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.
Our in-house experts rate credit cards for bad credit based on:
The regular APR
Annual and other fees
Ease of approval
Rewards offered
Credit bureau reporting
Educational resources offered
Issuer reputation
We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.
Making on-time payments and maintaining a low credit utilization ratio can help you work your way to a better credit score and perhaps even your favorite Capital One card. On-time payments and maintaining a low credit-to-debt ratio are two of the most important factors considered when calculating your FICO score.
If you opt for a secured card, remember that your security deposit does not cover your monthly payment. It is the collateral the bank holds onto if you stop making payments. But you can expect to receive your deposit back in the form of a statement credit when you close your secured credit card account or upgrade to an unsecured card.
4. You Can Opt Out of Credit Card Prequalification Offers
Once you select the card you want, fill out the credit application, and are approved, that doesn’t mean the prequalification offers will end. I used to receive so many offers in the mail from so-and-so credit card company each week to the point where I eventually Googled a way to figure out how to make it stop.
Granted, it’s not exactly the worst problem to have, clearly there was something within my credit profile that banks liked.
But, if you’re like me and considered these offers junk mail and threw them in the trash, you can opt-out online here. Or, you can call:
1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688).
Just think of all the trees you may be saving, let alone your own peace of mind.
5. You Can Also Obtain Preapproval for an Auto Loan
is one of the largest lenders of auto loans in the U.S. You can get prequalified for an auto loan in a matter of minutes.
To qualify, you must be looking to finance at least $4,000 for a vehicle that is a 2010 model or newer with fewer than 120,000 miles on it. The vehicle must also come from a participating dealer. Capital One Auto Finance does not provide financing for lease buyouts.
Your loan offer, interest rate, and the monthly payment will be based on several factors, including your credit score, income, the loan amount, and the loan term you choose. Your application and credit report will help the lender determine your financing terms.
Other things to know about obtaining a car loan through Capital One include:
a minimum credit score of 500 is required
the purchase must be made through a participating dealership
you can apply with a cosigner
you must be at least 18 years old and have a valid street address and Social Security number
A monthly income of between $1,500 and $1,800 is required, depending on your credit qualifications
Having a pre approved offer from Capital One does not guarantee loan approval, but it will allow the dealership to access your prequalified terms and preferences, including cars you saved online with that specific dealership. The amount you finance may include the dealer advertised price, sales tax, title, licensing fees, dealer fees, and any optional products, including a service contract and/or an extended warranty that you choose to purchase from the dealer, according to Capital One.
But while Capital One is a popular auto financing option, applicants with good credit scores can likely find better interest rates through a credit union. This applies to credit cards too — a credit union can almost always beat out the interest rate you’ll receive from a big bank.
Capital One Pre Approval is Easy
Hopefully, this guide will help you better navigate the road to pre approved credit card offers and auto financing options from Capital One. Unlike other banks, Capital One offers a fairly straightforward prequalification process, making it that much easier to apply for — and receive — the rewarding credit card or auto loan you’ve been looking for.
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