The Ultimate Guide to Credit Cards
Thursday, March 23, 2023

24 Best Same-Day Credit Cards for 2023

Same Day Credit Cards

credit card advice

Ashley Dull

Written by: Ashley Dull

Ashley Dull

With more than a decade of experience as a content manager and marketer, Ashley has specialized in finance coverage since 2015. 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 campaigns. Her credit card commentary is featured on national media outlets that include CNBC, MarketWatch, Investopedia, and Reader's Digest, among others.

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Edited by: Lillian Guevara-Castro

Lillian Guevara-Castro

Lillian brings more than 30 years of editing and journalism experience. She has written and edited for major news organizations, including The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the New York Times, and she previously served as an adjunct instructor at the University of Florida. Today, she edits all CardRates content for clarity, accuracy, and reader engagement.

See full bio »
Advertiser Disclosure

With the rise of digital technology, it seems as though everything has gotten faster and more immediate. Not only can you get movies and music instantly from anywhere, but you can have everything from food to household goods delivered in less than an hour in most cities.

Given that so much can be obtained so quickly, it’s natural to want the same results when you apply for a new credit card. At the very least, you’d expect same-day shipping, right?

But while you can often get same-day approval, only a handful of issuers offer same-day credit cards — with numbers — for instant use. You may need to settle for the next best thing and go for expedited shipping to get your hands on your card in a hurry. In the article below, we’ll dive into some of our experts’ picks for the best credit cards out there today with same day approval for a range of credit scores.

Approval | Card Numbers | Next Best Thing

You Can Typically Get Same-Day Approval

Online applications have transformed the credit card process, and most online applications can be completed and receive a decision in less than five minutes. In some cases, however, the online platform may not be able to make a decision, which can add days or weeks to your response time.

Where your credit falls in the credit score range can have a big impact on your ability to be approved for a card — and the speed with which your application gets a response. You can improve your chances of a quick credit card application approval by choosing cards that tend to approve applicants with credit profiles similar to your own.

Credit Score Ranges

Good Credit | Fair Credit | Bad Credit | No/Limited Credit

Best Cards for Good Credit (670+ FICO Score)

Applicants with good credit or better are often the most likely to receive a near-instant online decision in their favor. At the same time, be careful not to apply for cards that require excellent credit if your score is on the lower end of the “good” spectrum.

Our favorite cards for good credit include options for cash back and travel rewards, as well as a few good intro-APR offers. Plus, many will come without any costly annual fees.

Discover it® Cash Back Review

at Discover Card'ssecure website

GOOD CREDIT RATING
★★★★★
4.9
OVERALL RATING
  • 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 16.49% to 27.49% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
  • No annual fee.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR for 15 months
0% Intro APR for 15 months
16.49% - 27.49% Variable APR
$0
Excellent/Good
Discover it® Balance Transfer Review

at Discover Card'ssecure website

GOOD CREDIT RATING
★★★★★
4.9
OVERALL RATING
  • 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.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR for 6 months
0% Intro APR for 18 months
16.49% - 27.49% Variable APR
$0
Excellent/Good
GOOD CREDIT RATING
★★★★★
4.9
OVERALL RATING
  • 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 19.49% - 28.24%.
  • No annual fee - You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR on Purchases 15 months
0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers 15 months
19.49% - 28.24% Variable
$0
Good/Excellent

+See More Cards for Good Credit

Best Cards for Fair Credit (580-669 FICO)

With fair credit, your ability to qualify for a credit card may depend more on the specifics of your credit profile, rather than simply your score itself.

Applying for cards that are marketed to those with fair credit can be the easiest way to avoid a nerve-racking “pending” notice when your application needs the human touch.

Our top cards for fair-credit applicants include a mix of entry-level prime cards as well as subprime card options.

FAIR CREDIT RATING
★★★★★
4.7
OVERALL RATING
4.0/5.0
  • 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
29.74% (Variable)
$0
Average, Fair, Limited
FAIR CREDIT RATING
★★★★★
4.7
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
  • Enjoy up to 6 months of complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
29.74% (Variable)
$39
Average, Fair, Limited
Fortiva® Mastercard® Credit Card Review

at Fortiva'ssecure website

FAIR CREDIT RATING
★★★★★
4.6
OVERALL RATING
  • With the Fortiva® Mastercard® Credit Card, you earn up to a 3% cash back reward
  • Make contactless payments through Mobile Wallet
  • Periodic Credit Increase Reviews
  • Free access to your Vantage 3.0 score from Equifax†
  • † Your credit score will be available in your online account 60 days after your account is opened. (Registration required) The free VantageScore 3.0 credit score provided by Equifax is for educational purposes only and may not be used by The Bank of Missouri (the issuer of this card) or other creditors to make credit decisions.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
29.99% OR 36% (V)
As low as $85
Fair

+See More Cards for Fair Credit

Best Cards for Bad Credit (Below 580 FICO)

If your credit reports house the red flags of bad credit, you’ll still often get a quick response to your applications — it just may not be a good response.

Instead of wasting hard inquiries on cards you simply can’t qualify for, focus on cards designed for those with bad credit who need to rebuild. Our top-rated picks include both unsecured and secured options to help you get back on track.

PREMIER Bankcard® Mastercard® Credit Card Review

at PREMIER Bankcard®'ssecure website

BAD CREDIT RATING
★★★★★
4.7
OVERALL RATING
  • 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.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
See Provider Website
See Provider Website
Fair/Poor
PREMIER Bankcard® Grey Credit Card Review

at PREMIER Bankcard®'ssecure website

BAD CREDIT RATING
★★★★★
4.7
OVERALL RATING
  • 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.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
See Provider Website
See Provider Website
Fair/Poor
BAD CREDIT RATING
★★★★★
4.6
OVERALL RATING
4.0/5.0
  • No annual or hidden fees, and you can earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day. See if you're approved in seconds
  • Put down a refundable $200 security deposit to get a $200 initial credit line
  • Building your credit? Using a card like this responsibly could help
  • Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
  • 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
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
29.74% (Variable)
$0
Limited, Bad

+See More Cards for Bad Credit

Best Cards for No/Limited Credit

It takes at least six months of credit history for most credit scoring models to produce a credit score, which means potential issuers can’t judge your credit risk until you build up your credit profile.

For many, the best way to get around a limited credit history is to apply for entry-level cards with more flexible requirements. Many of our favorite options won’t even charge an annual fee.

NO/LIMITED CREDIT RATING
★★★★★
4.7
OVERALL RATING
4.0/5.0
  • 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
29.74% (Variable)
$0
Average, Fair, Limited
NO/LIMITED CREDIT RATING
★★★★★
4.7
OVERALL RATING
4.6/5.0
  • 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
  • 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
19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
$0
Average, Fair, Limited
NO/LIMITED CREDIT RATING
★★★★★
4.7
OVERALL RATING
4.6/5.0
  • 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
19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
$0
Average, Fair, Limited

+See More Cards for No/Limited Credit

Some Issuers Allow Same-Day Use

Provided you apply online, many credit card issuers can provide same-day approval, but only a handful of companies will give you the ability to use your card the same day you’re approved.

In general, you won’t be able to get your physical credit card the same day you’re approved. That said, some cards can be used same-day to make purchases, no physical card necessary.

Capital One | Chase | American Express | Stores

Best Capital One Cards

From start to finish, your online Capital One credit card application can be completed in only a few minutes, with responses often provided nearly right away.

If you’re approved for a Capital One card, you can typically gain access to your card’s information, including the card number and expiration date, immediately after setting up your online account.

You’ll need to download and log in to the Capital One mobile application to access the information for your new Capital One credit card.

EXPERT'S RATING
★★★★★
4.9
OVERALL RATING
4.8/5.0
  • 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
  • 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 $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
  • Enjoy two complimentary visits per year to Capital One Lounges or to 100+ Plaza Premium Lounges through the Partner Lounge Network
  • 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
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
20.24% - 28.24% (Variable)
$95
Excellent, Good
EXPERT'S RATING
★★★★★
4.8
OVERALL RATING
4.8/5.0
  • 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
  • Enjoy up to 6 months of complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
  • 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
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% for 15 months
0% for 15 months
19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
$0
Excellent, Good
EXPERT'S RATING
★★★★★
4.8
OVERALL RATING
4.9/5.0
  • $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
  • Earn a bonus of 40,000 miles once you spend $1000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $400 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 18 months
0% for 18 months
19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
$0
Excellent, Good

+See More Capital One Cards

Best Chase Cards

Chase introduced its Spend Instantly feature that allows cardholders to begin using their card the day they’re approved.

All you have to do is add your new card to a digital wallet using the Chase Mobile app. Compatible wallets include Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.

EXPERT'S RATING
★★★★★
5.0
OVERALL RATING
  • 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 19.49% - 28.24%.
  • No annual fee - You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR on Purchases 15 months
0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers 15 months
19.49% - 28.24% Variable
$0
Good/Excellent
EXPERT'S RATING
★★★★★
4.9
OVERALL RATING
  • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
  • $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
  • Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
  • Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel
  • 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
  • Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
21.49% - 28.49% Variable
$550
Good/Excellent
EXPERT'S RATING
★★★★★
4.8
OVERALL RATING
  • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
  • Enjoy benefits such as a $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining and 2x on all other travel purchases, plus more.
  • Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
  • Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
20.49% - 27.49% Variable
$95
Good/Excellent

+ See More Chase Cards

Best American Express Cards

When you apply for an American Express credit card online, you’ll generally get a response in just a few minutes. If approved, you may be given the option to access your credit card information to make purchases with your new account.

Keep in mind that not every American Express card will offer the option for same-day use. Once approved, you can add your actual card number to your digital wallet on your mobile device and begin shopping online or anywhere digital wallets are accepted.

The Platinum Card® Review

at the issuer'ssecure website

CATEGORY RATING
★★★★★
4.9
OVERALL RATING
  • Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you use your new card to make $6,000 in purchases in your first 6 months of Card Membership
  • Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points for flights booked directly through airlines or American Express Travel, on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. Also earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.
  • $200 annual hotel credit, $200 annual airline fee credit, $25 monthly Equinox credit, $15 monthly Uber cash credit, $50 bi-annual Saks Fifth Avenue credit, and more.
  • Platinum Card Members have unlimited complimentary access to all locations of The Global Lounge Collection, including 1,400 airport lounges across 650 cities.
  • Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status and Hilton Honors Gold Status. Enrollment required.
  • Choose among three card designs
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
20.49% - 27.49% Pay Over Time
$695
Excellent
Blue Cash Preferred® Card Review

at the issuer'ssecure website

CATEGORY RATING
★★★★★
4.8
OVERALL RATING
  • Earn $250 back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year on purchases (then 1%). Also earn 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
  • Earn 3% cash back on transit, including U.S. gas stations, taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more. All other purchases earn 1% cash back.
  • $120 Equinox Credit - Use your Blue Cash Preferred Card to pay for Equinox+ at equinoxplus.com and receive $10 in monthly statement credits. Enrollment required.
  • 0% intro APR for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable APR applies
  • $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% for 12 months
N/A
18.49% - 29.49% Variable
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95
Excellent Credit
American Express® Gold Card Review

at the issuer'ssecure website

CATEGORY RATING
★★★★★
4.8
OVERALL RATING
  • Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on purchases on your new card in your first 6 months of card membership
  • Earn 4X Points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases. Also earn 4X Points at restaurants, including takeout and delivery, and 3X points on flights when booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. All other eligible purchases earn 1X point.
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub, Seamless, Boxed and other participating partners. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
  • Delight your senses when you book The Hotel Collection with American Express Travel. Get a $100 experience credit to use during your stay. A minimum 2-night stay is required.
  • $250 Annual Fee
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
20.49% - 28.49% Pay Over Time
$250
Excellent

+ See More Amex Cards

Best Store Cards

Store credit cards are some of the easiest same-day cards to use. Store cards are often offered during the checkout process, either by a helpful internet pop-up or as part of a well-rehearsed speech from your cashier.

In most cases, you can apply on the spot and receive an almost-immediate response. If you’re approved, you’ll typically be given the option to place your current purchase on the card right away.

Additionally, many stores can look up your credit card information through your account and charge items without needing the physical card present. This can allow you to use the card account repeatedly before your physical card ever shows up. Just be careful not to go overboard; you may not be able to actually pay your need store card off until it arrives in the mail.

Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card Review

at the issuer'ssecure website

BEST OVERALL RATING
★★★★★
4.6
OVERALL RATING
  • Earn 5% cash back at Aamzon.com and Whole Foods market
  • Earn 2% cash back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores, 1% back on all other purchases
  • Exclusively for customers with an eligible Prime membership
  • Get a $100 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon credit card approval
  • See your rewards balance during checkout at Amazon.com and easily use rewards to pay for all or part of your purchase — no minimum rewards balance to redeem rewards
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
14.24% - 22.24%
$0 (Prime Membership Required)
Good/Excellent

23. Home Depot Consumer Credit Card

With the Home Depot Consumer Credit Card, you can not only finance that important home improvement purchase right away, but if your purchase is $299 or more, you can also take advantage of special financing.

Home Depot Credit Card

  • Receive special financing on Home Depot purchases of $299 or more made with your card
  • Get exclusive product-specific and seasonal offers
  • Pay no annual fee

As with many special financing deals, the Home Depot Consumer Credit Card charges deferred interest. This means you’ll be charged interest on your entire purchase amount if you don’t pay your full balance before the end of your financing period.

24. Target RedCard

Whether you apply in-store or online, the Target RedCard can typically be used as soon as you’re approved to make those necessary Target purchases.

Target RedCard™

  • Get 5% off your total purchase at checkout for eligible in-store or online Target purchases
  • Receive exclusive deals & discounts
  • Pay no annual fee

Perhaps the best part of the Target RedCard’s 5% discount is that you can stack it with both manufacturer coupons and Target coupons and promo codes to really save big.

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Overnighting Your Card May Be the Next Best Thing

The typical turnaround from approval to receipt of your new card is between seven and 10 days, which not only covers the time to ship your card, as you might expect, but also includes the time it takes to make your card. This process includes the actual fabrication of the card itself — which can be even more complex for the newer metal credit cards — as well programming and attaching the EMV chip with your account information.

Outside of those cards you can use same-day sans-card, the next best thing for those who need quick use of their cards is likely having your physical card sent via expedited shipping. With expedited shipping, your new card could be physically in your hands within a few days.

Overall, many issuers don’t offer expedited shipping for new cards, and those that do often charge a fee for the service. The following chart shows which issuers may expedite your shipping upon request:

Issuer Shipping Times

Your best options for getting your card overnighted are American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, and Chase.

Start Shopping Right Away with a Same-Day Card

Whether you want gourmet chocolates, a five-piece patio set, or a new pet fish, you can get almost anything delivered to your doorstep in the practical blink of an eye — including your credit card, if you choose the right one.

However, don’t be too quick to load up your new card if it hasn’t even hit your mailbox yet. Until you have your card in hand and your online account established, it may be difficult to make a payment, which may mean trouble if something happens to your card in transit to your mailbox.

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