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Why Was My Credit Card Application Denied?

5 min read

Last Updated: February 18, 2026

Table of contents

Key Takeaways

If you had a credit card application denied, creditors must provide a statement with specific reasons as to why.
Common reasons applicants are denied credit cards include low credit scores, no credit history, inadequate ratio of income vs. expenses, and not meeting minimum age requirements.
There are alternatives to standard credit cards to consider if you keep getting denied for credit cards.

It can be frustrating not to get approved for the credit card you want. You may find yourself asking, “Why do I keep getting denied for credit cards?” It may be due to your credit score, credit history, or other factors related to your financial situation.

If you understand the factors that cause creditors to decline a credit card application, you can work to address issues, build good credit, and stand a better chance of being approved in the future.

Creditors must tell you why you were denied

If you’re denied for a credit card, the card issuer is required to send you an adverse action notice that explains why, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Once you know the reason your credit card application was declined, you may be able to take steps to fix the problem.

Reasons your credit card application was denied

Credit card companies look at several factors when considering your application. When you’re declined, it may be for one of these common reasons:

Low credit score

Your credit score is calculated by the credit bureaus to rate your ability to pay back loans. If your credit score is low, start by checking your credit report for errors. Request a free credit report from annualcreditreport.com and reach out to the credit bureaus to dispute any mistakes.

Errors in your report may not be the only thing affecting your credit score. Problems like these may also have an impact:

Missed or late payments: Lenders may report your payment as late if it’s 30 or more days past due. Having multiple late payments in your credit history may indicate a credit risk, which increases your chances of being denied credit. Consider setting up automatic payments on your accounts so you stay on top of your due dates and avoid costly late fees, as well.
Credit card utilization: Your credit utilization ratio compares the amount of credit you use to the amount of credit you have. Using too much of your available credit may negatively affect your credit score. Credit bureaus typically like to see a low credit utilization ratio. Pay off your balance regularly and track your spending to stay on top of how much credit you’re using.
Hard credit inquiries: Each time you apply for a credit card, the creditor files an inquiry to receive your credit report. Inquiries may impact your credit score, so it’s best to avoid applying for several credit cards at once.

No credit history

Having no credit history at all means that you may be less likely to be approved for credit cards. A longer credit history, however, especially one that shows you’ve paid your bills on time, may make you a stronger candidate than someone who's just starting out.

Did you know?

Having limited credit history or a less-than-ideal credit score doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t get access to credit. Build a credit history with the Discover it^® Student Cash Back card with responsible use.¹

Learn More

If you’re a student who was recently denied, you may be more likely to qualify for a student credit card, even if you’re still building your credit history.

Income and expenses

Credit card issuers take your income and expenses into account when assessing whether you’ll be able to pay your credit card bill.

If you have a reasonably good credit score but keep getting denied for a credit card, it may be that your annual income is too low compared to your debt.

Your age

One of the legal requirements for signing up for a credit card is being 18 or older. If you're under 18, you may ask a friend or family member to add you as an authorized user on their card (depending on the issuer).

Alternatives when your credit card applications keep getting denied

If you keep getting denied for credit cards, there are alternative options to consider.

Apply for a secured card

In some cases, a secured credit card might be your best bet if you had a credit card application denied for a regular card.

If you open a secured card, and you’re approved, you typically put down a deposit that backs the card’s credit limit, minimizing the risk to the card issuer.

You may use the secured credit card like any credit card. If you manage the account responsibly, you may build a credit score that helps you qualify for a wider range of unsecured credit cards in the future.

Learn More

Become an authorized user

If you don’t qualify for a credit card on your own, you may be able to build your credit score as an authorized user on a trusted friend or family member’s credit card account. As an authorized user, you may access the primary cardmember’s credit limit with your own card.

As long as the credit card issuer reports card activity to the credit bureaus in your name as well as the primary cardmember’s name, you may build credit history as an authorized user. It’s important to use the card responsibly, so you don’t risk hurting either party’s credit score.

Choose a store credit card

Some retailers offer credit cards that may have less strict application requirements than general credit cards, along with lower credit limits. Using a retail card responsibly may pave the way for a general card approval down the road.

The bottom line

Even if you’re denied for a credit card, it’s not the end of the story. By taking steps to put yourself on the right financial path, you may increase your chances of approval in the future and grow more confident when applying for credit cards.

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