How to get a credit card in just 6 simple steps

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A credit card allows you to borrow money to make purchases and pay it back over time. Using one responsibly helps build your credit score, which allows you to qualify for better loans and interest rates.

Whether it’s your first credit card or your fifth, preparing before you apply can increase your chances of getting approved. Here’s a step-by-step guide to applying for a credit card.

1. Check your credit score

Most credit card issuers will look at your credit score when reviewing your application, especially for the best credit cards. Your credit score is a three-digit number that offers a snapshot of how well you manage money. A higher credit score tells creditors you’re more likely to make on-time payments.

That’s because credit cards aren’t just risky for consumers but also risky for lenders, says Autumn Lax, certified financial planner at Drucker Wealth.

“Having no credit score at all puts you at a disadvantage and will make it harder to get approved for a credit card because lenders have no way of knowing if you can manage the debt and make your payments on time,” Lax says.

Paying your bills on time and keeping your debt low will impact your credit score the most. Avoiding hard credit checks, keeping old credit accounts active, and building a good credit mix will also help.

Many banks make it easy to check your credit score through your dashboard. You can also get a free weekly credit report via AnnualCreditReport.com. If you find errors dragging down your scores, dispute them with the bureaus immediately to improve your score.

2. Get pre-approved

While you’re not required to get pre-approved before formally applying for a card, it’s a useful step.

Pre-approval offers a preliminary eligibility check that doesn’t impact your credit score. It can help reduce the odds of getting denied (and hurting your credit score in the process).

The issuer will do a soft credit inquiry during pre-qualification to estimate your approval odds. It's a smart way to narrow down which cards you will likely get approved for before completing a full application.

Some issuers do pre-qualification on their website, or you can use a card-matching tool that helps you compare personalized card offers.

Once you see what you’re pre-qualified for, you can compare rewards, terms, and rates across different cards. Remember that pre-qualification doesn’t guarantee approval — you’ll still need to submit a formal application.

3. Research and pick the right card

There are many different credit cards out there — so it can be overwhelming to find the right one. Pre-approval can help narrow your options, but you may also want to think about what you want to get from a card.

The card you choose should align with your spending habits and financial goals.

Here are some factors to consider:

• Type of rewards: Some people travel often and use travel rewards cards to get free trips. Other people use cash back credit cards to help pay their bills. Make sure the rewards the card earns match what you want to get out of it.
• Rewards rates: Seek bonus categories that match your frequent spending categories like gas, groceries, or travel. Consider redemption flexibility, too.
• Interest rates: Ideally, you want the lowest ongoing APR possible. Check for fees on balance transfers, cash advances, and late payments.
• Sign-up bonuses: Many cards offer extra cash back or points when you meet a minimum spend in the first few months. This can provide hundreds of dollars’ worth of value.
• Intro 0% APR offers: These 0% periods on purchases and balance transfers save substantially on interest, especially for big purchases. Just be sure you pay in full before regular APR kicks in.
• Other perks: Look for other useful features like cell phone insurance, roadside assistance, or travel credits.

Credit cards with great rewards programs can get overshadowed by excessive interest rates. As a cardholder, you want to minimize how much you’ll pay the issuer. Reviewing the terms of several cards can help you find the best opportunity.

4. Get the information you need to apply

After deciding on the right credit card, the next step is applying for one. Most issuers require the same information to complete an application. You’ll need to provide:

• Full name
• Social Security number
• Date of birth
• Primary physical address
• Driver’s license number
• Employer name and length of employment
• Total annual income from all sources

Credit card issuers require this information to verify your identity and ability to pay off credit card debt.

You can use several documents to support their proof of income. Bank statements, paystubs, annual tax returns, and 1099 forms are examples you can use to show how much you earn. Listing your eligible income sources may help you qualify for a higher credit limit.

Gathering the necessary information will make it easier to apply for other financial products in the future.

5. Apply

Once you have everything you need, you can submit your application. You can apply for a credit card in person, through the phone, or online. An online application is typically the quickest option.

Before applying, double-check your information and the card's terms.

Many issuers provide real-time application decisions. If instantly approved, you can use your card as soon as it arrives in the mail.

You may need to wait if you are not instantly approved and instead get a “pending review” message. Most issuers will reach a final decision within 5-10 business days.

6. Use your card responsibly

After getting approved, you should receive your credit card within two weeks. Some banks offer virtual credit cards, which you can use immediately after approval.

Now, the real work starts — using your card responsibly. Smart financial habits can help you build credit while maximizing the card’s rewards. You can do this by:

• Paying your monthly bill on time and in full
• Keeping your balance below 30% of your limit
• Setting up autopay or payment reminders
• Checking your statements for errors
• Reporting lost or stolen cards immediately

Credit cards can become problematic if you don’t stay on top of the monthly payments. Technology can help you pay your bills on time and track your spending.

“I recommend setting up an auto-pay for at least the monthly minimum payment. This way, you know you will not have a late payment, and then you can manually pay more if you want to get the full balance taken care of,” Lax says.

What credit score do you need to get a credit card?

According to the FICO scoring model, credit scores range from 300 to 850. Base ranges are:

• Exceptional: 800+
• Very good: 740-799
• Good: 670-739
• Fair: 580-669
• Poor: <580

Most credit cards require good to excellent credit — or a score above 670. As you move up the score range, you become eligible for better interest rates and rewards.

• Those with very good or excellent credit unlock the top-tier cards with the best rewards and perks.
• Those with good credit qualify for most unsecured cards at decent rates.
• Those with fair credit may need to start with subprime cards before graduating to better options.
• Those with poor credit often need a secured card to build credit first.

Knowing your score can help you shop for cards marketed to your tier that you’re more likely to qualify for.

Can you get a credit card with no credit?

Those with a limited (or even no) credit history can still qualify for a credit card, though your options are more restricted.

Most starter credit cards are secured cards requiring an upfront security deposit that becomes your credit limit. You can show responsible use and build a credit history by charging small amounts monthly and paying on time.

After about 12 months of on-time payments with a secured card, some issuers allow users to upgrade to an unsecured card and get their deposits back.

How often should you apply for a credit card?

It’s recommended to only apply for a new credit card every 6-12 months. Applying for many cards simultaneously is generally not a good idea, as it can negatively affect your credit.

Most credit card issuers will initiate a hard credit check during the application process. This type of credit check will reduce your credit score by a few points. Bouncing back from a single credit check is easy, but it becomes more challenging when you submit too many applications.

Some credit card issuers only run soft credit checks when reviewing your application. These credit checks do not affect your score.

How to improve your approval odds

If your credit score is low, you can take some proactive steps to increase your chances of approval for a credit card:

• Pay down your balances: Keep credit card balances low — under 30% of your credit limit — before applying.
• Check your credit report for errors: Dispute and fix mistakes dragging down your score.
• Become an authorized user: Ask a family member or friend with great credit to add you to a longtime account. Their on-time payments can boost your profile.
• Start with a secured card: Put down a deposit and make at least six months of perfect payments to build your score (and increase your odds).

What happens if your credit card application gets denied?

Don't get too discouraged by an application denial.

The issuer will typically provide a reason why they didn’t approve you. Common reasons include limited credit history, low income, or high outstanding balances. You can use this reasoning to improve your application and reapply.

Denied applicants should generally wait at least six months before applying again. In the meantime:

• Continue paying all your bills on time
• Sign up for credit monitoring and demonstrate solid credit behavior
• Add a secured card or credit builder loan to help establish a positive history.

With these financial habits, most applicants can rebound and become approved.

The bottom line

A credit card is a valuable financial product to help you earn rewards, build credit, and access extra funds when needed. Knowing your score and the type of card you want can help you compare cards and discover the right one.

Using your credit card responsibly and paying off your monthly balance lets you capitalize on the upside while minimizing the likelihood of extra interest and fees.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.