Best instant approval credit cards

Best instant approval credit card overall

Reward rates: Get 3% on home, health and auto categories, 1% on all other purchases
Annual fee: $0
New member bonus: N/A
Bonus redemption threshold: N/A
Credit requirement: Fair or better
Intro APR: N/A
APR for purchases: 8.99% – 29.99% variable
APR for balance transfers: N/A
Balance transfer fee: N/A

If you need a card right away for an upcoming expense, the Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa* is available to use as soon as you’re approved. For the ultimate flexibility, this card is a combination of credit card and line of credit to cover unexpected expenses, with monthly payments deducted automatically from your bank account. Plus, you’ll earn cash back as you go. Once you’re approved, all you need to do is sign into your Upgrade account to find your virtual card number. You can use the number for online purchases until your physical card arrives by mail.

Best instant approval credit card for rebuilding credit

Annual fee: $75 the first year, then $99 annually
Reward rates: 1% cash-back rewards on eligible gas, grocery purchases, internet, mobile phone service and cable or satellite TV
Welcome bonus: N/A
Bonus redemption threshold: N/A
Credit requirement: Bad to fair
Intro APR: N/A
APR for purchases: 23.99% variable
APR for balance transfers: N/A
Balance transfer fee: N/A

The Credit One Bank Platinum Visa for Rebuilding Credit* is meant for individuals with less-than-stellar credit who’d like to improve their credit standing. This means that the majority of applicants have a good chance of getting good news right away. New card holders typically start off with small credit limits (based on their credit score). Credit One will periodically review accounts and increase credit limits based on payment history. When you’re approved for the Credit One Bank Platinum Visa for Rebuilding Credit, you can start making payments through Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay, as well as manage your card directly from the mobile app.

Best introductory APR instant approval credit card

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

Reward rates: 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%), 2% cash back at select U.S. department stores and U.S. gas stations and 1% cash back on other purchases. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for statement credits.
Annual fee: $0 (see rates and fees)
New member bonus: Up to $250: Earn 20% back on Amazon.com purchases in the first six months of card membership (up to $150 back). Plus, earn $100 back after spending $2,000 in the first six months
Bonus redemption threshold: Spend $2,000 in the first six months to receive a $100 cash-back bonus
Credit requirement: Good to excellent
Intro APR: 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months (see rates and fees)
APR for purchases: 13.99% to 23.99% variable (see rates and fees)
APR for balance transfers: N/A
Balance transfer fee: N/A

American Express can provide you with nearly instant approval as long as your identity can be properly verified. The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express is a good instant-approval option when you need to make a major purchase or pay for an emergency. You’ll get an introductory interest-free period of 15 months on purchases (13.99% to 23.99% variable APR thereafter), which will come in handy to pay back an unexpected expense over time without wiping out your emergency fund. Once you’re approved, you can access your card number by logging into your account. 

Best instant approval card for travel

Annual fee: $75
Reward rates: Earn three miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases, one mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases
Welcome bonus: 40,000 miles and an Alaska Airlines’ companion fare from $121 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $22)
Bonus redemption threshold: Spend $2,000 in purchases in the first 90 days
Credit requirement: Good or better
Intro APR: N/A
APR for purchases: 15.99% – 23.99% variable
APR for balance transfers: 15.99% – 23.99% variable
Balance transfer fee: 3% (minimum of $10)

Travelers will appreciate the perks that come with the Alaska Airlines Visa® Credit Card* including 40,000 bonus miles and Alaska’s companion fare from $121 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $22) after spending $2,000 in the first 90 days, which gets you a round-trip ticket to many destinations. You also receive one Alaska Airlines’ companion fare per card anniversary year for $121 (plus taxes and fees) and one free checked bag for you and up to six guests on the reservation. You won’t be limited to Alaska Airlines for redemption either. You can use your miles with any travel partner in the Oneworld Alliance. If you fit Bank of America’s credit profile, you’ll likely receive your new credit card number along with approval right away. 

Best instant approval credit card for below-average credit

Annual fee: $0
Reward rates: N/A
Welcome bonus: N/A
Welcome bonus value: N/A
Bonus redemption threshold: N/A
Credit requirement: None
Intro APR: N/A
APR for purchases: 26.99% variable 
APR for balance transfers: 26.99% variable
Balance transfer fee: $0 at the transfer APR

Most instant approval credit cards make a decision fast, but the decision may not always be in your favor. It’s especially true if your credit score falls below a Good rating. A secured credit card — a card requiring a security deposit in exchange for a credit account — may be the best option. The Secured Mastercard from Capital One* is designed for anyone with fair or below-average credit and offers low security deposit requirements. 

Most secured cards expect you to provide 100% of the credit limit in the form of a security deposit. Capital One may only require as little as $49 or $99 to get a $200 initial credit line. If you maintain your card account in good standing, Capital One may automatically consider you for a higher credit line in as little as six months. If approved, you may be able to log into the app to grab your new card number and start making purchases right away.

Best instant approval credit card for Amazon

Reward rates: Up to 25% back on certain Prime Card offers, 5% on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases, 2% at gas stations, drugstores and restaurants and 1% on all other purchases
Annual fee: $0
New member bonus: Up to $150 Amazon Gift Card
Bonus redemption threshold: Upon approval
Credit requirement: Fair or better
Intro APR: None
APR for purchases: 14.24% to 22.24% variable
APR for balance transfers: 14.24% to 22.24% variable
Balance transfer fee: 5% (minimum of $5)

The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card is an excellent choice for shoppers who want to earn cash-back rewards that can be applied to purchases, transferred to a bank account or applied as a statement credit. Once you’re approved, you’ll see the credit card in your Amazon account and ready to use at checkout. You’ll need to wait for the physical card before you can shop at retail stores, but considering how much is available through Amazon or Whole Foods online, you may be able to purchase what you need without the mail carrier holding you up.

Best instant approval card for iPhone users

Reward rates: 3% in Daily Cash when you use Apple Card with Apple Pay at Apple and some other retailers including Walgreens, Exxon, T-Mobile, Uber and Nike; 2% when you use Apple Pay for other purchases
Annual fee: $0
New member bonus: N/A
Bonus redemption threshold: N/A
Credit requirement: Fair or better
Intro APR: N/A
APR for purchases: 10.99% to 21.99% variable
APR for balance transfers: N/A
Balance transfer fee: N/A

The Apple Card is a Mastercard issued by Goldman Sachs. According to Apple, the card “lives on your iPhone.” As long as you’re using Apple Pay, you won’t need the physical version of the credit card, although one will follow in the mail. Daily Cash gives you cash back on your purchases the same day of the transaction. You’ll find that the cash balance is available in the card app for payments or to send to a friend. You can find out if you’re preapproved for the Apple Card without a dent in your credit score before you formally apply. If you get the green light, you can use the card right away through Apple Pay.

What credit score do I need for instant approval?

Credit cards are not one-size-fits-all products. There are instant approval cards available for everyone — from someone starting out with no credit to individuals with excellent credit. This credit card guide includes credit requirements for the cards reviewed so you can gauge your likelihood of approval ahead of time.

What’s the difference between prequalification and preapproval?

Prequalification and preapproval for a credit card both help you understand your chances of approval without hurting your credit. The difference between credit card prequalification and credit card preapproval is who initiates the request — you or the credit card company. 

If you decide to see your approval chances, you can get prequalified for a credit card by visiting the card provider’s prequalification page. When a credit card company reaches out to you with a credit card offer, it will often say you are ‘preapproved’ for a credit card. You can then follow your preapproval link to complete the application process.

For both, the card company does a soft inquiry on your credit report that does not affect your credit score. A hard inquiry happens if you actually apply. In addition, you’re not obligated to apply if you’re prequalified or preapproved.

Does a preapproval offer guarantee approval?

A preapproval is more like an invitation to apply for a credit card. The chances are high you’ll be approved. However, you’re not guaranteed a credit card yet; you’ve only met the initial criteria that card issuers use to screen potential cardholders. Once you apply, the credit issuer performs a more detailed, hard inquiry on your credit to make a definitive decision.

What’s the difference between instant approval and instant use?

Instant approval credit cards will provide you with an answer as soon as you complete the online card application. However, you may still have to wait for the physical card to arrive in the mail so you can activate it for use. 

Instant use credit cards are available immediately after approval. Card companies that offer instant use cards will give you the card number and expiration date as soon as you’re approved.