Instant use of credit cards – Creditcards.com

Bank of America content was last updated on October 19, 2022.

These days, most consumers will know if their credit card has been approved in just a few seconds, but it can take more than a week before the card arrives in the mail. If you’re hoping to use your new credit card to pay for a major purchase or emergency expenses, this waiting period can be more than frustrating.

Thankfully, many credit card issuers now offer instant use credit cards that you can use once you’ve been approved. Many retail credit cards, including Citi’s Visa® Costco Anywhere® Card and Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®, allow verified cardholders to start using their new credit accounts immediately, which can be a huge help if you’re about to make a large purchase. at Costco or Walmart.

How do instant credit card numbers work?

Your instant credit card number will be identical to the number on the card you receive in the mail. The only difference is that you get access to your instant number as soon as your application is approved, instead of waiting for your card to arrive.

Once you have an instant credit card number, you can start using it to make purchases. Because you won’t have a physical credit card to tap, swipe, or swipe, your instant number will only work for online purchases – unless, of course, you enter your new credit card number into your mobile wallet and use your phone to make purchases. personal purchases at participating retailers.

How long does it take to receive a credit card in the mail?

Once your credit card has been approved, it may take seven to 10 business days for it to arrive in the mail. Some issuers offer expedited shipping on request, so consider this if you need the card as quickly as possible.

Benefits of Instant Credit Cards

There are many reasons to consider applying for an instant credit card. With an instant use card, you can:

• Cover expenses in an emergencyA: If you have an urgent need, an instant use credit card can give you access to credit right away.
• Take advantage of your card faster: If your card offers benefits such as coupons or free checked baggage, you will be able to use these benefits as soon as you are approved.
• Start earning signup bonusA: If you’re about to make a series of high-value purchases, like home renovations or a vacation trip, an instant use credit card can help ensure that all those big expenses go towards a signup bonus.
• Get a big cart discountA: If your cart is larger than usual due to holiday shopping, school shopping, or other seasonal expenses, a retail credit card that offers instant approval can often give you a discount on whatever you’re about to buy.

Top selections of instant use credit cards by issuer

So which credit cards offer instant access?

In the following guide, you’ll learn what you need to know about instant credit cards, including how they work, which issuers offer them, and when you should consider applying for an instant approval card.

American Express

All American Express consumer credit cards, including co-branded credit cards, offer instant access, although American Express will need to verify your identity before issuing your instant credit card number.

Best Instant Use Cards from American Express

	Interest rate	Welcome Bonus	Annual fee
American Express Cash Magnet® Card*	Cashback 1.5% on all purchases	$200 credit statement if you spend $2,000 within the first six months.	$0
American Express Blue Cash Everyday® Card	3% cashback at US supermarkets on purchases up to $6,000 per year, then 1% 3% refund at US gas stations on purchases up to $6,000 per year, then 1% 3% cashback on US online retail purchases up to $6,000 per year, then 1% 1% cashback on other purchases	$200 credited after you spend $2,000 on purchases during the first six months of your card membership.	$0
American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card	6% cashback at US supermarkets on purchases up to $6,000 per year, then 1% 6% cashback on select US streaming subscriptions 3% cashback at gas stations in the USA and in transit 1% cashback on all other purchases	$250 credited after you spend $3,000 on purchases during the first six months of your card membership.	$95 ($0 first year)

Bank of America

If you are an existing Bank of America mobile customer and apply for a Bank of America credit card through the Bank of America mobile app and are approved, you can instantly download your new credit card to your mobile wallet.

The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Credit Card issued by Bank of America also offers instant credit upon approval when you apply for the card when booking an Alaska Airlines flight. (You can only use this instant credit for Alaska Airlines.)

Best Instant Use Bank of America Cards

	Interest rate	Bonus for registration	Annual fee
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card	3% cashback in the category of your choice 2% cashback at grocery stores and wholesale clubs Cumulative spend cap of $2,500 for 3% and 2% cashback categories per quarter 1% cashback on all other purchases	$200 online cash rewards if you spend $1,000 within the first 90 days.	$0
Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card	Cashback 1.5% on all purchases	$200 online cash rewards if you spend $1,000 within the first 90 days.	$0
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card	1.5 points per dollar on all purchases	25,000 Online Bonus Points if you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days (worth $250 on your travel statement)	$0
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Credit Card	3 miles per dollar on qualifying Alaska Airlines purchases 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases	Limited Time Offer: Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles plus the $121 Alaska’s Famous Companion fare ($99 fare plus $22 taxes and fees) after you spend $2,000 within the first 90 days of opening an account .	$75

Capital One

The Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard® offers instant access, including a one-time shopping pass, when you apply for and get approved for a card at a Walmart store. Cardholders can also upload their new cards to Walmart Pay to make in-store or online purchases without having to wait for their cards to arrive in the mail.

City

Citi did not respond to a confirmation request, but other sources suggest that some Citi co-branded credit cards, including American Airlines AAdvantage credit cards, offer instant access.

Citi’s Costco Anywhere Visa® card also reportedly offers instant access if you apply in-store.

Citi’s Best Instant Cards

	Interest rate	Bonus for registration	Annual fee
American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card	2 miles per dollar on American Airlines purchases and grocery stores 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases	$50 credit and 10,000 bonus miles if you spend $500 in the first 3 months.	$0
Citi Visa® Costco Anywhere Card	4% cashback on qualifying purchases of gasoline and EV charging for the first $7,000 of purchase (1% thereafter) 3% cashback on restaurant and related travel purchases 2% cashback on purchases at Costco 1% cashback on all other purchases	Nobody	No annual fee with your paid Costco membership ($60)

chase

Chase offers instant access to select co-branded credit cards. Customers will not receive an account number immediately, but Chase will send the information directly to the co-brand partner.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card and the United Explorer Card, for example, offer instant approval credit when you apply for the card when booking a flight, according to the issuer.

The best cards for instant use from Chase

	Interest rate	Bonus for registration	Annual fee
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card	Earn 3 points on Southwest® purchases Earn 2 points for local transportation and commuting, including sharing. Earn 2 points for internet, cable TV, phone service and select streaming.	Earn 50,000 points after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first three months of opening an account.	$149
United Explorer Card	2 miles for every dollar spent on meals, hotel stays and United purchases. 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases	Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles after spending $3,000 within the first 3 months.	Entry annual fee $0 for the first year, then $95.
Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card	3 points per dollar spent at Marriott Bonvoy hotels 2 points per dollar on other travel purchases 1 point per dollar on all other purchases	Limited Time Offer: 60,000 points after you spend $2,000 within the first 3 months.	$0

bottom line

By giving you immediate access to a new line of credit, Instant Use Credit Cards can help you finance major purchases, earn signup bonuses, receive shopping cart discounts, and more. If your Instant Use credit card includes additional benefits such as free checked baggage, you will also be able to access those benefits instantly. Instant Use Cards also bridge the gap between the time your application is approved and the time your credit card is received in the mail, which is important if you want to start using your new line of credit as soon as possible.

*All information about the American Express Cash magnetic card has been collected by independent creditcards.com and has not been verified by the issuer.

Nicole Dicker is a freelance writer specializing in personal finance and habit formation. She spent five years as a writer and editor on The Billfold, a personal finance site where people talk candidly about money, and she regularly teaches classes on how to increase your income as a freelancer.