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With some credit cards, you don't have to wait for a piece of plastic to arrive in the mail before making your first purchase.
Instant card numbers used to be rare, but today, most major issuers offer ways for approved cardholders to immediately tap their credit line. And at least one — American Express — offers access to credit card numbers immediately after approval on all of its consumer credit and charge cards. Cards associated with certain brands — such as store cards, airline cards and hotel cards — also commonly offer instant access to credit.
The list below, while not comprehensive, includes some of the top credit cards you can use immediately after being approved for them.
🤓Nerdy Tip
There's a difference between "instant approval" credit cards and credit cards that offer "instant use upon approval." Instant approval for a card is common among major issuers, but instant access to that credit line after approval isn't always available.
» MORE: Card issuers are offering cheaper ways to access your credit line
Top credit cards you can use instantly after approval
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
Citi Custom Cash® Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card
Other notable options
Major issuers and their policies on instant credit access
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Our pick for: Intro APR
Why we like it
NerdWallet rating
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express comes with a solid 0% APR offer: 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 19.24%-29.99% Variable APR. And it starts with a good welcome offer: Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. Terms Apply. This card carries a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. Plus, it offers an industry-leading 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 in spending per year; 6% cash back on streaming subscriptions, such as Netflix, HBO and Audible; 3% on transit and gas at U.S. gas stations; and 1% on all other purchases. Terms apply (see rates and fees).
» MORE: How an AmEx card's instant credit access helped me fix my roof
How to use it instantly
Eligible cardholders will be able to get an instant card number immediately after being approved online. The number can be used anywhere American Express is accepted where a physical card isn't required. Eligibility for an instant card number is based on AmEx's ability to instantly verify your identity. Instant card numbers are available only on online AmEx applications, not through applications processed by phone.
» MORE: Full review of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Our pick for: Rich travel rewards
Why we like it
NerdWallet rating
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a popular card for frequent travelers seeking perks without the big price tag of ultra-premium cards. The sign-up bonus is plenty enticing: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. You’ll also earn 5 points per $1 on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®; 3 points per $1 spent on dining (including takeout and delivery), online grocery purchases and select streaming services; 2 points per $1 spent on other travel purchases; and 1 point per $1 spent on everything else. Points are worth 1.25 cents each when redeemed for travel through Chase. Other perks include a $50 annual credit on hotel stays purchased through Chase, travel insurance and the ability to transfer points to airline and hotel partners.
How to use it instantly
Upon approval, you can add the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card to your digital wallet to use when shopping in person or online, where digital wallets are accepted. Chase-issued cards are compatible with several well-known digital wallets, including Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Google Pay.
» MORE: Full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
Our pick for: Bank of America® customers
Why we like it
NerdWallet rating
The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card earns 2 points per $1 spent on travel and dining purchases, and 1.5 points per $1 spent on everything else. It has a $95 annual fee, but it comes with up to $200 in travel statement credit rewards, plus this bonus for new cardholders: Receive 60,000 online bonus points - a $600 value - after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. If you're a member of the bank's Preferred Rewards program, your rewards will get a 25% to 75% boost depending on the balances in your eligible accounts.
How to use it instantly
You'll need to have at least one existing account with Bank of America® and open the new card through a targeted promotion in the bank's mobile app in order to qualify for an instant card number. If you meet these qualifications, you can add your new card information to a digital wallet until your physical card arrives. This isn't an option if you apply through the app but don't select one of the targeted promotions.
» MORE: Full review of the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
Citi Custom Cash® Card
Our pick for: Everyday spending
Why we like it
NerdWallet rating
The Citi Custom Cash® Card has a $0 annual fee and earns 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spending category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent (1% back thereafter and on all other purchases). That 5% rate makes this card perfect for regular spending in a specific category that doesn't earn bonus rewards with another card in your wallet, such as gas stations or home improvement stores. New cardholders can also receive the following introductory offer: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
» MORE: Benefits of the Citi Custom Cash card
How to use it instantly
Upon approval, card members will have only one opportunity to write down their temporary account information. Access to account information will not be available again until the physical card arrives in the mail, which may take seven to 10 days. According to Citi, most customers who receive instant access to their credit card details can access a portion of their full credit limit immediately. Once they have the physical card in hand, they will have access to the full credit line.
» MORE: Full review of the Citi Custom Cash® Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Our pick for: Flat-rate travel rewards
Why we like it
NerdWallet rating
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is designed for people who want travel rewards that are easy to earn and nearly effortless to redeem. The $95-annual-fee card earns 2 miles per $1 spent on everyday purchases (and 5 miles per $1 on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel). Miles are worth 1 cent each and can be used to book travel through Capital One, redeemed as a statement credit against travel purchases, or transferred to multiple partner airline and hotel programs. New cardholders will also receive a healthy sign-up bonus: 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.
» MORE: How to make the most of your Capital One Venture
How to use it instantly
Once your application is approved, a virtual card number will become accessible through the Capital One app. The virtual card number can be used instantly for online shopping, and once you receive a physical card in the mail, the virtual card number can still be used for extra security in scenarios where you don’t want to provide your physical card details to the vendor.
» MORE: Full review of the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
Our pick for: Customizable bonus categories
Why we like it
The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card lets users earn 5% cash back on up to $2,000 in quarterly spending across two categories you select from a list (1% back after the cap is met). The card also earns 5% cash back on travel reservations booked directly through the U.S. Bank Rewards Center, 2% back in one selected everyday category (like grocery stores or restaurants), and 1% back on all other purchases. New cardholders can also earn a $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening.
» MORE: Making the most of the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Card
How to use it instantly
U.S. Bank issues an instant card number for all new applicants who pass an identity verification. The card number can be added to your virtual wallet for immediate use both in stores and online.
» MORE: Full review of the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card
Our pick for: Paying rent
NerdWallet rating
Why we like it
The Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card, issued by Wells Fargo, allows cardholders to pay rent with their card without any fees and earn valuable, transferrable travel rewards. Rent payments earn 1 point per $1 spent (up to 100,000 points per year), and points can be transferred to more than a dozen travel partners (including Hyatt and American Airlines) or redeemed for travel through the Bilt app. Cardholders will also receive 3 points per $1 spent on dining, 2 points per $1 spent on travel, and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases. (Note: You must make five purchases per billing cycle with the Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card to qualify for the rewards.)
» MORE: Bilt Rewards: What it is, and why travelers should pay attention
How to use it instantly
Approved cardholders will receive a digital Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card instantly through the Bilt app. Those card details can then be added to a mobile wallet for immediate use, both in stores and online.
» MORE: Full review of the Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card
Other notable options
Many popular "co-branded" credit cards — whether store cards or cards that are offered in partnership with another kind of business — offer instant credit access. Here are some notable examples:
The Apple Card, issued by Goldman Sachs, can be used immediately through Apple Pay after approval.
Once approved for the Amazon Prime Visa card, you'll be able to access it from your Amazon account and use it to make Amazon purchases. (You'll have to wait for the physical card to show up to use it at other retailers.) Note that this access comes from Amazon, not Chase.
The SoFi Unlimited 2% Credit Card can be added to a digital wallet for immediate use upon approval.
Cardless, a credit card provider that partners with various pro sports franchises, has a mobile app that allows for instant access to a virtual card number upon approval.
The Digital First Card, from Deserve, lets those who are approved use the card instantly through Apple Pay.
The PayPal Cashback Mastercard®, issued by Synchrony Bank, can be used right away for purchases processed through PayPal.
The Venmo Credit Card, issued by Synchrony Bank, can be used instantly upon approval. The card lives within the Venmo app and can be added to some digital wallets (with the exception of Apple Pay).
» SEE: Credit cards that offer instant rewards
Major issuers and their policies on instant credit access
NerdWallet's survey of issuers found that while many of them offer some form of instant access to credit, American Express has by far the most comprehensive policy. With AmEx, all consumer cards give you access to an instant card number that you can use almost anywhere, as long as the issuer can instantly verify your identity.
Other issuers either didn't offer instant access to credit or made it available on a more limited basis. The following list is accurate as of October 2023:
American Express
Upon account approval, an instant card number can be made available on select American Express U.S. consumer credit and charge cards, including co-branded cards, according to the issuer. Applicants must meet certain criteria to receive an instant card number, but if you are eligible, you will receive an instant card number that can be used virtually anywhere AmEx is accepted, and a physical card will not be required. An instant card number is available only when you apply online for select U.S. consumer credit and charge cards through American Express via a desktop or mobile device and meet all required criteria, AmEx says. It's not available on applications made by phone.
Bank of America®
Bank of America®’s mobile application offers the ability to view and/or add credit card credentials to a digital wallet once an application is approved. This functionality allows eligible clients to enjoy immediate access to credit without waiting for physical cards to arrive in the mail.
Barclays
The following cards do not offer instant credit upon approval, according to Barclays:
The AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®.
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But the issuer notes that several of its other co-branded cards do offer instant credit under certain circ*mstances. A sampling:
The Frontier Airlines World Mastercard® offers instant credit upon approval toward your Frontier purchase when you apply while booking a flight or other travel through the site.
The Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® offers instant credit upon approval when you apply while booking a flight or other travel through the site.
The Holland America Line Rewards Visa® Card offers instant credit upon approval when you apply while booking a cruise or when you apply onboard.
The JetBlue Card offers instant credit upon approval toward your JetBlue purchase when you apply while booking a flight or vacation through the site.
The Priceline VIP Rewards™ Visa® Card offers instant credit upon approval toward your purchase when you apply while booking travel through the site.
The Princess Cruises Rewards Visa® Card offers instant credit upon approval when you apply while booking a cruise or when you apply onboard.
The Carnival World Mastercard offers instant credit upon approval when you apply while booking a cruise or when you apply onboard.
The RCI Elite Rewards Mastercard offers instant credit upon approval when you apply while visiting one of the resorts in the RCI affiliate network.
Capital One
The majority of new Capital One cardholders will receive a virtual card number upon approval, according to Capital One. That number will be accessible through the Capital One app and can be used for online shopping while you wait for your physical card to arrive.
The Capital One® Walmart Rewards™ Mastercard® also offers instant access to credit through the Walmart app for Walmart purchases made online and in store.
Chase
Many Chase consumer cards that are on the Visa payment network can be immediately added to digital wallets such as Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay upon approval, so you can shop in person or online wherever your digital wallet is accepted. This also includes a number of co-branded Chase airline and hotel cards. But it excludes any Chase cards on the Mastercard payment network, as well as some Visa cards, such as the IHG® One Rewards Premier Credit Card, IHG® One Rewards Traveler Credit Card, Aeroplan® Credit Card, Chase Freedom Flex℠, Amazon Visa, Prime Visa, Disney® Visa® Card and Disney® Premier Visa® Card. Business credit cards are also excluded.
Citi
The Citi Custom Cash® Card, Citi Rewards+® Card, Citi Simplicity® Card, Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card and the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi give you the ability to use the card immediately. For the Costco card, you'll get access to a temporary barcode linked to your account that can only be used for purchases at Costco warehouses.
There are a few more caveats to Citi’s instant credit card number policy: You get justone chance to take down your temporary account information. If you miss it, you’ll have to wait until the card arrives in the mail in order to use the card. Also, cardholders who receive instant access are restricted to $500 to $2,000 of their credit limit and must wait until they have the physical card to access the full credit line.
Discover
Discover does not offer instant card numbers upon approval for its credit cards, the issuer confirms.
U.S. Bank
Per U.S. Bank's website, the issuer may offer instant credit card numbers for consumer cards such as the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card andU.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card. But it notes "there are instances where we may limit availability to protect against fraud, such as when it’s difficult to validate the applicant’s identity quickly."
Wells Fargo
Some applicants who are approved may be granted instant access to their credit card number, allowing them to add the card to a digital wallet.
» MORE: How soon can I get my new credit card?
To view rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, see this page.
