The Best Instant Approval Credit Cards in 2023 [Some Will Show Card Numbers To You, Instantly]

Choosing the right credit card depends greatly on your financial needs and as a result, the process may take time to find your perfect match. Occasionally, however, financial needs can become urgent and you need access to credit immediately.

Things happen, and we can’t always plan ahead. Maybe your car breaks down and is in desperate need of repairs, or you have a sudden need for an expensive repairman to address major house repairs.

Luckily, there are several credit cards that allow you to instantly access all the important information you need to use your new credit card immediately to make an important purchase.

Today we’re going to talk about the possibilities of securing credit cards that offer instant approval and immediate access to your new card number — and help you find card issuers that offer these features.

Some instant approval credit cards have the additional benefit of earning rewards, which can help you accumulate redeemable points, miles, and even cash-back.

Join us as we focus our discussion today on those credit card issuers that offer the strongest possibility for instant approval and in some cases, provide access to account numbers for immediate use.

The Best Instant Approval Credit Cards (GOOD Credit)

It is important to know what to expect when applying for your next credit card if an urgent situation arises. Unfortunately, the process is not an exact science with each issuer having its own policies — some making it easy to obtain instant approval and card information while others requiring additional action.

Getting an instant credit card number will always require an automatic approval, even from the banks listed below. If your application becomes immediately pending after you apply, you might need to consider other options.

Here are your best bets for instant approval and access to your credit card number after approval.

Chase (Use Their “Spend Instantly” Feature)

Chase offers a “Spend Instantly” feature as part of its Chase Mobile app. With Spend Instantly, after you’re approved for a new card, you can sign in to your account on the Chase Mobile app and add your new card to 1 of 3 digital wallet applications including Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.

Here is how to add a new card to your digital wallet:

Step 1: Log in to your account.

Step 2: Select your new card, then scroll down to Account Services and click Digital Wallets.

Step 3: From there, you can select which digital wallet you want to instantly link your card to.

Step 4: You’re all set! Now you can start using your card before it even arrives in the mail.

Quite a large number of cards in the Chase portfolio are eligible to use the Spend Instantly feature such as the Chase Freedom Unlimited^®, except for the following: Aeroplan^® Credit Card, Amazon cards, business cards, Chase Freedom Flex℠, Disney cards, and IHG cards.

American Express

Amex is one of the few banks you can count on to show their card numbers instantly upon approval, but they are NOT guaranteed to be instant approval.

We like cards such as the Blue Cash Everyday^® from American Express or the Blue Cash Preferred^® from American Express which offer strong cash-back rewards.

Bank of America

Most Bank of America credit cards do not offer instant card numbers, but one of their co-branded credit cards — the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature^® credit card, is well-known for instantly issuing your card number on approval.

This is actually a travel rewards credit card that earns miles with Alaska Airlines.

Other cards issued by Bank of America have been reported to issue their card numbers instantly, but they are a bit more sporadic and less reliable.

CardMatch Tool: A tool called the “CardMatch” allows you to see your own pre-approved card offers. No credit pull is required to see these options, but to see the targeted offers you’ll of course need to give a few personal details. Click here to use the CardMatch Tool.

Capital One

Capital One is another card issuer that may give you instant access to your new credit card number immediately after approval. In order to find the card details, however, you will need to download its app and sign in.

Once signed into the app, you should be able to view your card details such as the expiry date, card number, etc.

Some consumers have also reported that if you don’t initially see the numbers via the app to log out and log back in, which can refresh your account details.

NOTE: Not all applicants for Capital One cards are able to access immediate card numbers instantly on approval. If this aspect is important to you, and your credit is good, applying for an American Express card may be a better alternative.

Citi

Similar to Bank of America, not all Citi cards are known for issuing instant card numbers when you’re approved — but there are a few co-branded cards that generally do.

• American Airlines-branded credit cards
• AT&T-branded credit cards
• Costco Anywhere Visa^® Card by Citi

The Costco Anywhere card offers instant approval and immediate card numbers only when you apply in person at a Costco location.

Not only will you instantly receive your card number, but Costco will print out a special barcode you can use to shop immediately at Costco without waiting for your new card to arrive in the mail. This instant card can only be used at Costco while the physical card can be used anywhere Visa is accepted.

First National Bank of Omaha

FNBO issues the MGM Rewards™ Mastercard^® that can provide an instant card number when applying in person (and getting approved) at an MGM resort or MGM Rewards desk in the casino.

Once you’re approved in person, you will get a printed copy of your credit card information allowing you to use your card immediately.

USAA

USAA credit cards will also grant you instant access to your credit card information, but your spending is limited to $1,000 until you receive the actual card in the mail.

Also, you need to be a member of USAA before applying for its credit card. Members of the military and their families can apply for membership to USAA.

If you are an active military member, check out our detailed article on the best credit cards for active military.

Bottom Line: Having good credit increases your options for cards that offer instant approval and subsequently having immediate access to your card information, which allows you to use your card immediately.

Best Instant Approval Credit Cards (FAIR to BAD Credit)

Even if you have bad credit, you still have options to apply for a new credit card that could give you instant approval and may even issue you a card number instantly.

Building Credit

With no credit or less-than-perfect credit, instant approval card choices are limited, but you’ll still have options. Let’s take a look at cards that can provide a high level of success of getting approved for those with no credit, very little credit, or bad credit, and some of the cards’ features.

OpenSky^® Secured Visa^® Credit Card

• $200 to $3,000 security deposit is also your credit limit
• Build credit without a hit to your credit score
• Higher than average interest rates and fees

Reflex^® Platinum Mastercard^®

• All credit types welcome to apply
• You can access pre-qualification prior to applying
• Annual fee of $75 to $99
• Up to $1,000 credit limit doubles up to $2,000! (Simply make your first 6 monthly minimum payments on time)

Indigo^® Mastercard^®

• Pre-qualification is available with no impact to your credit score
• Previous bankruptcy is OK
• Credit score should be 300+ to apply

Credit One Bank^® Unsecured Visa^® for Rebuilding Credit

• No security deposit required
• 1% cash-back on gas, groceries, and services such as internet, wireless phone service, cable, satellite TV
• Good for bad to fair credit 300+
• Annual fee based on credit could range from $0 to $95

First Progress Secured Credit Cards

• No credit inquiry required
• A security deposit of $200 to $2,000 is also your initial credit limit
• A bank account is required (for making monthly payments)

Bottom Line: Even if you have no credit or poor credit, it’s still possible to find a credit card that offers instant approval when you select a card that aligns your level of credit with the requirements of the card issuer. Also, many instant approval cards offer prequalification tools for help determining your chances of approval. 

Credit Card Issuers That Do Not Provide Instant Card Numbers

Before we discuss the credit card issuers that do offer instant approval and the ability to access your credit card information immediately, let’s look at those issuers who do not offer instant card numbers on approval.

If you’re looking for immediate access to the associated card information after approval, you’ll generally want to avoid these issuers.

• Alliant
• Barclays
• Discover
• US Bank

It may be possible to get expedited shipping for these cards after instant approval, but normal card processing and delivery could take up to 2 weeks.

What is an Instant Approval Credit Card?

Just about any credit card can deliver an instant decision within a minute after submitting your application. Whether you are approved or denied for the card, however, is a different matter.

If your main objective is to start building credit or you desire to secure a travel rewards card, you may not need immediate approval but you’d certainly want to be aware of your approval chances in advance.

If you need credit to handle an emergency situation, however, instant approval combined with access to the credit card number could be critical.

The Value of Immediate Credit Access

In a perfect world, you could spend all the time you need to research and find the perfect credit card that matches your spending habits, has an annual fee you can live with, and offers benefits you can use.

However, when an emergency arises, or the situation is urgent, you may not have the luxury of time to seek out the perfect card. If you’re dealing with a situation where the furnace goes out in the middle of winter, your refrigerator breaks down, or you need an immediate car repair, having access to immediate credit can be a lifesaver.

If you’re looking for immediate credit, you’ll want both instant approval and to be able to receive your card number immediately in order to make a purchase.

Hot Tip: For more information on cards that offer your card number immediately after approval, you’ll want to review this additional article. 

Increasing Your Chances of an Instant Approval

Know Your Credit Score

It’s always important to understand your credit score, especially when you are about to apply for a new credit card. If you’re not aware of your credit score, we recommend using some of the free credit monitoring services like Credit Karma.

Check for Preapproved Credit Card Offers

Applying for a credit card and getting denied is an unpleasant experience and it can impact your credit score. Fortunately, there are plenty of preapproval tools to help determine your chances of approval.

CardMatch is a helpful tool to use to find prequalified offers that card issuers have waiting for you. Only the last 4 digits of your Social Security number are needed and there is no pull on your credit report for using the tool.

You’ll find card offers from issuers such as American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, and First Premier Bank.

As we’ve mentioned, many card issuers have their own preapproval tools. Be sure to take advantage before formally applying for a card.

Also, note that prequalification or preapproval does not guarantee your final application approval.

Consider Store-Branded and Retail Credit Cards

Comenity Bank

If you have less-than-perfect credit, 1 possibility for getting approved instantly and having access to your card number is securing a credit card issued by Comenity Bank. It’s important to note, however, that although approval can be easier, there can be limitations on the use of store-branded cards in that these may be limited to purchases at the affiliated stores only.

Comenity Bank is a popular card issuer for store-branded credit cards, and some of their credit cards don’t even require a hard pull on your credit report!

When you’re approved for these store-branded cards, it’s common to receive an immediate shopping discount that can be used for your same-day purchase. One example is the Target RedCard™, which saves you 5% on all Target purchases and also provides a temporary card number on approval.

Other stores don’t even require you to have the physical or temporary card information with you. Best Buy and Macy’s can look up your credit card information when you present a valid ID.

Overall, store cards can be extremely useful when needing to make large purchases at these specific retailers.

To learn more about Comenity Bank store-branded credit cards, and some of the limitations and downsides, you’ll find our compilation very informative.

Synchrony

Synchrony offers a few options that can result in instant approval and immediate access to your credit card number.

The Rakuten credit card will provide you with an instant card number and is not limited to online purchases. Plus, you can use your temporary instant card number anywhere Visa is accepted.

The eBay and Paypal credit cards can also provide you with instant access to your card number, but their use may be limited to online purchases only. There may also be a limited credit line until you actually receive your physical card.

Other examples of Synchrony cards that result in some applicants getting approved instantly are Walmart, Lowe’s, Kohl’s, and TJX Rewards.

Note that some of the instant approval cards offered by Synchrony may be limited to online purchases, or to purchases at only the affiliated retailer.

Bottom Line: Many popular retail stores offer their own branded credit card. Some are even issued through Visa, Mastercard, and American Express networks and can be used anywhere that network of cards is accepted, while others are limited to use only at that specific affiliated store.

Final Thoughts

As we mentioned earlier, just about any credit card can offer instant approval if your credit matches the issuer’s criteria. Whether you’ll have immediate access to your card number, however, will vary greatly by the issuer.

While instant approval is never a sure outcome, you can increase the chances by knowing your credit score, using pre-approval tools, and understanding the issuer’s specific approval criteria.

If you’re interested in additional information, check out our article on the easiest cards to get approved for.

The information regarding the MGM™ Rewards Mastercard^®, OpenSky^® Secured Visa^® Credit Card, Reflex^® Platinum Mastercard^®, First Progress Secured Credit Cards, and Target RedCard™ was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. 

The information regarding the Capital One Platinum Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Chase Freedom Unlimited^® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Chase Freedom Flex℠ was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature^® credit card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Indigo® Platinum Mastercard® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Credit One Bank^® Unsecured Visa^® for Rebuilding Credit was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday^® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express, click here.