Unlike most credit cards -- where you’ll need to wait until a physical card arrives in the mail to start spending -- instant approval credit cards can process applications in minutes and provide funds shortly after. Some issuers will even provide a credit card number you can use immediately upon approval.
Though a good credit score will give you better options, instant approval credit cards are also available for those with poor credit or no credit at all, though in some cases a secured credit card might be required. While you should never charge more than you can afford to repay, if you’re in a tough spot and need cash now, instant approval cards can get you money quickly.
Discover our best credit card partner offers below. These picks are based on speed of approval, features, low fees and required credit level, and we’ll update this list as new cards are released and terms change.
Read more: Best Credit Cards That Offer Preapproval
- Intro Offer
-
No current offer
- Annual fee
- None
- APR
- 15.50% – 27.75% Variable
- Recommended Credit A credit score is used to indicate an applicant’s credit worthiness and may provide guidance about account eligibility. It does not necessarily guarantee approval for any financial product.
-
670 – 850
Good – Excellent
- Rewards rate
-
2x – 10x 2X points on every purchase regardless of category; 3X points every time you spend $1,000 in a month; 4X, 5X and even 10X points for every friend who gets a card; Up to 10X points at leading online stores such as Apple, Nike and Sephora when you shop in the X1 App
The X1 Card grants you account access through its app as soon as you’re approved. While you wait for this metal credit card to arrive in the mail, you can add it to your digital wallet or create virtual card numbers to make purchases online or in person. Though there’s no welcome bonus or introductory APR, the X1 Card offers a handful of rare and useful perks, like higher credit limits and multiple opportunities to boost your rewards rates.
See our full X1 Card review for more details.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 15.50% – 27.75% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- 2% of the amount of each transfer.
The X1 Card grants you account access through its app as soon as you’re approved. While you wait for this metal credit card to arrive in the mail, you can add it to your digital wallet or create virtual card numbers to make purchases online or in person. Though there’s no welcome bonus or introductory APR, the X1 Card offers a handful of rare and useful perks, like higher credit limits and multiple opportunities to boost your rewards rates.
See our full X1 Card review for more details.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 15.50% – 27.75% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- 2% of the amount of each transfer.
- Intro Offer
-
No current offer
- Annual fee
- $0
- APR
- 29.74% (Variable)
- Recommended Credit A credit score is used to indicate an applicant’s credit worthiness and may provide guidance about account eligibility. It does not necessarily guarantee approval for any financial product.
- No Credit History
- Rewards rate
-
N/A This card doesn’t offer cash back, miles, or points
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 Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card* is designed for anyone with limited or even no 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 in to the app to grab your new card number and start making purchases right away.
For more details, check out our full review of the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 29.74% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee
- $0 at this 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 Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card* is designed for anyone with limited or even no 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 in to the app to grab your new card number and start making purchases right away.
For more details, check out our full review of the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 29.74% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee
- $0 at this Transfer APR
- Intro Offer
-
$150 Amazon Gift Card Up to a $150 Amazon gift card instantly upon approval
- Annual fee
- $0
- APR
- 18.74% – 26.74% Variable
- Recommended Credit A credit score is used to indicate an applicant’s credit worthiness and may provide guidance about account eligibility. It does not necessarily guarantee approval for any financial product.
-
670 – 850
Good – Excellent
- Rewards rate
-
1% – 5% 5% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market with eligible Prime membership*; 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores*; 1% back on all other purchases*
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 for this Chase credit card, 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.
For more details, check out our full review of the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 18.74% – 26.74% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
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 for this Chase credit card, 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.
For more details, check out our full review of the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 18.74% – 26.74% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
- Intro Offer
-
No current offer
- Annual fee
- $0
- APR
- 15.24% to 26.24% (Variable)
- Recommended Credit A credit score is used to indicate an applicant’s credit worthiness and may provide guidance about account eligibility. It does not necessarily guarantee approval for any financial product.
- N/A
- Rewards rate
-
2% – 3% Apple Card gives you unlimited 3% Daily Cash back on everything you buy at Apple; With every purchase you make using your Apple Card with Apple Pay, you get 2% Daily Cash back
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.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 15.24% to 26.24% (Variable)
- 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.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 15.24% to 26.24% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee
- N/A
FAQs
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.
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 sends you 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.
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.
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.
Cards researched
- Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa
- Upgrade Card
- Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
- Apple Card
- Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit
- Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card
- Digital First Card
- United℠ Explorer Card
- PayPal Cashback Mastercard
- Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
- OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
- Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Our methodology
CNET reviews credit cards by exhaustively comparing them across set criteria developed for each major category, including cash back, welcome bonus, travel rewards and balance transfer. We take into consideration the typical spending behavior of a range of consumer profiles -- with the understanding that everyone’s financial situation is different -- and the designated function of a card.
For cash-back credit cards, for example, key factors include the annual fee, the welcome bonus and the cash-back rate (or rates, if they differ by spending category). For rewards and miles cards, we calculate and weigh the net monetary value of a card’s respective perks. And with balance transfer credit cards, we analyze specs such as the duration of the introductory 0% APR period and the balance transfer fee, while acknowledging secondary factors such as the standard APR and the length of time you have to make a balance transfer after you open the account.
More credit card advice
- Best Credit Cards for No Credit
- Best Credit Card Welcome Bonus
- Best Travel Credit Cards
- Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards
**All information about the Apple Card, Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card, and Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card has been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
The editorial content on this page is based solely on objective, independent assessments by our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships. It has not been provided or commissioned by any third party. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products or services offered by our partners.