Credit Card Reward Rate Welcome Offer Annual Fee APR Credit Needed

Chase Sapphire Preferred®

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1x - 5xtooltip-i-iconEarn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Earn 5x total points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, excluding hotel purchases that qualify for the $50 Annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit. Earn 2x on other travel purchases. Earn 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out. Earn 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs). Earn 3x points on select streaming services. Plus, earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases. close-icon 60,000 Points$9521.24% - 28.24%Good

American Express Blue Cash Preferred®

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1% - 6%tooltip-i-iconEarn 6% cashback on groceries and streaming, 3% on transit and gas, 1% on all other purchases close-icon $300$9519.24% - 29.99%Good

Apple Card

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1%-3%tooltip-i-icon3% unlimited Daily Cash back on anything you buy from Apple and at select merchants like Nike, Uber, Walgreens, and more when you use Apple Card with Apple Pay. 2% unlimited Daily Cash back when you use Apple Card with Apple Pay. 1% unlimited Daily Cash back when you use the titanium card in stores or your virtual card number online. close-icon NA$0 19.24% - 29.49%Good

American Express® Blue Cash Everyday

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1% - 3%tooltip-i-iconEarn 3% cash back at U.S. Supermarkets on eligible purchases, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, 2% cash back on eligible purchases at U.S. gas stations, 1% cash back on other eligible purchases. close-icon $250$019.24% - 29.99%Good

Major issuers’ policies on instant credit access

1. American Express

American Express offers an instant card number upon approval for all American Express credit cards. However, co-branded Amex cards will typically only offer temporary numbers to be used at the location of the co-branded company (i.e. the Hilton cards will offer temporary access to spend at a Hilton location only).

2. Bank of America

Approved credit card customers can get their account numbers directly from the Bank of America mobile app and can upload the card immediately to their digital wallet.

3. Capital One

Capital One does not offer instant card access at this time.

4. Chase

Chase offers a “Spend Instantly” feature for some of its cards which you can access via the Chase mobile app. The cards that don’t have instant access include:

  • Aeroplan Credit Card
  • Amazon-branded cards
  • Business cards
  • Chase Freedom Flex
  • Disney branded cards
  • DoorDash Rewards Mastercard
  • Instacart Mastercard
  • IHG branded cards.

5. Citi

Citi offers instant access to approved users of these credit cards:

  • Citi Custom Cash Card
  • Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard (Note: Your temporary card will only be available for use via the American Airlines website)
  • Costco Anywhere Visa Card

6. Discover

Discover does not offer instant card access at this time.

7. U.S. Bank

U.S. Bank has only recently launched the ability for users to access their credit card numbers instantly after approval, but it’s currently limited to those who had their applications processed with the text-to-apply option. However, the bank announced it plans to expand instant access soon.

8. Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo currently only offers instant access to cardholders of the Bilt World Elite Mastercard Credit Card via the Bilt mobile app.

How to pick a credit card with an instant card number

When searching for a credit card that offers instant card access, there are a few factors to consider. Here are some tips to help you pick the best credit card with an instant card number:

  1. Research major issuers: Start by researching major credit card issuers like Chase, American Express, Capital One, and Citibank. These issuers often provide the option for instant card access.
  2. Check issuer policies: Each credit card issuer has its own policies regarding instant card access. Some may offer virtual card numbers that you can use immediately for online purchases, while others may allow you to add your card to a mobile wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay for instant use.
  3. Look for online application options: Applying for a credit card online often increases your chances of getting instant access. Look for issuers that offer online applications and instant approval processes.
  4. Credit score requirements: Keep in mind that credit card issuers may have certain credit score requirements for instant card access. Ensure that your credit score meets their criteria before applying.
  5. Read customer reviews: Look for customer reviews to get an idea of how quickly other cardholders received their card numbers or access. This will give you insight into the issuer’s efficiency in providing instant card access.
  6. Compare benefits and features: While instant card access is important, don’t forget to consider the overall benefits and features of the credit card. Look for rewards programs, low-interest rates, cashback options, and any other benefits that align with your financial goals and spending habits.

What is the easiest instant credit card to get?

The easiest instant credit card to get will depend on your individual financial situation and credit history. However, there are a few credit cards that are generally known for their relatively lenient approval requirements and potential for instant card access. Here are a few options to consider:

  1. Chase Freedom Unlimited
  2. Blue Cash Everday Card from American Express
  3. Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Remember, while these cards may offer the potential for instant card access, approval is never guaranteed. It’s important to review the specific requirements and terms of each credit card before applying to see if it aligns with your financial situation and goals.

Methodology

The methodology used to calculate the best cards for instant use relied on several factors, with the most prominent of those being:

  • The required credit score to apply successfully for the card
  • The additional benefits offered by the card beyond rewards
  • The rewards rate of the card, if applicable
  • Overall difficulty in securing a credit card with fair credit
  • The history of the card issuer itself
  • Any potential costs associated with owning the credit card

The product information provided here is based on research conducted up to a specific date and may have changed. For the latest and most accurate information, we recommend you to visit the respective card’s website before proceeding.

FAQs

Yes, it is possible to use a new credit card before it physically arrives in the mail. Some credit card issuers offer the ability to get an instant card number upon approval, which allows you to make online purchases right away. However, it is important to note that this option may not be available for all credit cards and will depend on the policies of the specific issuer.

After activating a credit card, it is typically recommended to wait at least 2 hours before using it, though some issuers will recommend you wait 12-24 hours. This allows the card issuer to fully process the activation and ensure that the card is ready for use. Waiting this short period of time also helps to prevent any potential issues or errors that may arise during the activation process.

Yes, you can typically use a virtual credit card right away. Virtual credit cards are generated instantly upon approval and can be used for online purchases immediately. They provide a temporary card number, expiration date, and security code that can be used for online transactions. However, it’s important to note that virtual credit cards may have limitations and may not be accepted by all merchants.

At a Glance

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