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How to Get a Credit Card

7 min read

Last Updated: July 18, 2025

Table of contents

Key Takeaways

Before you apply for a credit card, understand the factors that affect your credit score.
Some online credit card applications immediately let you know whether you’re approved.
If your credit card application for a standard card is denied, you may qualify for a secured credit card.

Applying for a credit card can be a quick and easy process if you know what you’re doing. Whether it’s your first credit card or you’re considering balance transfer credit cards, use the information in this article to better understand the process, from preparation to acceptance.

Before you apply for a credit card, educating yourself and practicing good credit habits are important. Follow these tips to help lessen the stress involved in the application process.

Step 1: Before you apply to get a credit card

Don’t rush to submit your credit card application. Instead, take the time to review your own credit background and make improvements if necessary. That way, you’re more likely to qualify for the best credit card for you.

Check your credit reports for your credit score

Know the essentials about your credit report and score before applying for a credit card. Your credit score is a three-digit number calculated based on multiple factors, including payment history, amounts owed, length of credit history, credit mix, and new credit.

Whether it’s through your bank or elsewhere, many financial institutions offer tools to check your credit scores and identify which, if any, of these areas are weaknesses in your credit profile.

What Makes Up Your FICO^® Score

35%

Payment History
30%

Amounts Owed
15%

Length of
Credit History
10%

Credit Mix
10%

New Credit

This formula shows how each category impacts FICO^® Scores. FICO is a registered

trademark of Fair Isaac Corporation in the United States and other countries.¹

Regardless of when you plan to apply for a credit card, get into the habit of reviewing your credit report regularly. Mistakes on your report may impact your score, so you’ll want to take care of any errors before you apply for any form of credit. You may receive a free credit report every week from each of the three credit reporting agencies, according to Federal Trade Commission.

Reduce your debt

Your credit utilization ratio, which is the portion of your available credit in use at one time, accounts for a big portion of your credit score.

So, it may be helpful to pay down your debts before trying to get a credit card. Put together a plan to pay off debt or reduce your balances to lower your credit utilization ratio. You might choose to make more than the monthly minimum payment until you’ve repaid your balance. As your balance shrinks, your interest charge may shrink too. Reducing your debt may potentially help your credit score and improve your chances of a successful credit card application.

Verify your income

To get approved for a credit card, you may need to provide proof that you can make payments. Credit card companies may verify your income and review your current financial obligations, like rent or mortgage payments.

Understand terms and conditions

When you sign a credit card application, you agree to the contract terms and conditions.

A credit card’s terms and conditions may include information on its interest rate, annual fee, other fees, reward program details, and other specifics. By reading them closely before you sign a contract, you can prepare yourself for managing your new credit card.

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Once you feel prepared to apply for a credit card, it’s time to search for and select the card that’s right for you.

Step 2: Where can you get a credit card?

Applying for a credit card is a simple process usually done online, over the phone, by mail or in person, depending on the credit card company.

Choose a card that matches your needs

You’ll want to narrow your search down to the right credit card for your lifestyle, for which you’ll have a good chance of being accepted. When you’re just beginning to build your credit, look into cards that require little or no credit history.

The best first-time credit card for building credit history may be a secured card or student credit card. If you have an established credit history, consider a rewards credit card, and apply for cards that make the most sense for your spending habits.

Secured cards: A secured credit card may be able to help those with no credit or bad credit build credit history with responsible use. These cards require a deposit to secure the credit limit. If cardmembers later qualify for an unsecured card, they can get their deposit back.
Student cards: Getting a student credit card typically requires proof that you’re a student, but it doesn’t require any security deposit. Student credit cards may offer rewards.
Rewards cards: Credit card rewards are a great way to increase your purchasing power. Choose a rewards card that matches your goals—whether it’s a travel credit card that earns you airline miles, or a cash back credit card that earns rewards on each eligible purchase.

Did you know?

The Discover it^® Miles Travel Credit Card allows cardmembers to turn Miles into cash. Or redeem as a statement credit for your travel purchases like airfare, hotels, rideshares, gas stations, restaurants, and more.²

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Step 3: Apply for a credit card

You’ve studied your credit score and found the right credit card for your lifestyle. Now it’s time to apply. Here’s what to expect during the application process.

What you need to apply

Each credit card company is different, but the credit card application process usually involves providing personal information and answering some financial questions. Credit card issuers may request the following to better understand your eligibility:

Full name
Email address (usually optional)
Current employer (and how long you’ve worked there)
Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (if the card issuer accepts it)
Monthly housing costs

Impact to your credit score

Generally, credit card companies perform a hard credit check as part of the application evaluation process. That means the credit card issuer requests a copy of your credit report from a credit bureau.

New credit applications may have a small negative impact on your credit score. It’s generally not a good idea to apply for multiple credit cards at once. But unless you apply for more than one credit line in a short timeframe, the damage is typically pretty minimal.

Step 4: After you’ve applied to get a credit card

After you submit your application, you may receive a decision right away. If your application is denied, don’t despair. Instead, find out the reason for the denial. Then, you may work to put yourself in a better position for a future credit card application.

How long does it take to get a credit card?

It doesn’t typically take long to get your credit card decision, especially when you apply online. After you’ve submitted your application, the credit card issuer begins the credit approval process by checking your credit with at least one credit bureau. Depending on your internet speed and network conditions, this process can take from a few seconds to a minute or more. After the credit check is complete, you may see a decision on the screen.

At this point, there are three possible outcomes: You can be instantly approved for an account, instantly denied, or receive a message that your application needs further review. If you receive an instant credit card offer, the card issuer will typically deliver the card in 7-10 business days.

Why was my credit card application denied?

Credit card denial may be disappointing. But if you understand some of the key factors considered in the credit card application process, you may improve your financial situation to reapply in the future.

Maybe you don’t yet qualify for a cash rewards card or a travel card. You may want to try applying for a secured card instead to help you build credit history.

All hope is not lost if your application for a secured credit card is rejected. First, make sure your credit report is error-free. Then, explore your options to stay on top of your credit score. With time and effort, you may put yourself in a better position for credit approval in the future.

After you receive your credit card

The right card can be a helpful tool for reaching your financial goals. Whether it took you one or many applications to get the right card, our guidance is the same: keep your spending well below your credit limit, avoid late payments, and use your card responsibly to make the most of your new credit card.

The bottom line

A little preparation makes the credit card application process smooth. Whether you’re just starting out with a student credit card or upgrading to an exclusive rewards credit card, a new credit line may be an exciting addition to your wallet—as long as you use it wisely.

Important Information >

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