Understanding Credit Card Preapproval
Credit card preapproval shows if you're likely to qualify before you submit a full application, offering a stronger chance for credit card approval with less risk to your credit score.
Preapproval doesn't guarantee you'll be approved for the card you want, but it does offer a good indication of your chances for approval.
How Credit Card Preapproval Works
Credit card issuers use a soft credit inquiry to skim your available credit history to determine your financial eligibility before impacting your credit score.
After undergoing credit card preapprovals, you'll typically be offered an array of credit cards that fit your credit profile, spending habits, bonus categories, and annual fee requirements.
If you move forward with application offers on any of your preapproved credit cards offers, the issuer will conduct a hard credit pull to make the final decision on approval.
Prequalified vs. Preapproved
There's a difference between credit card prequalification and credit card preapproval.
Credit card prequalification simply estimates your eligibility for a specific credit card based on basic financial information such as your self-reported annual gross income.
Credit card preapprovals are more thorough, and involve a soft credit pull so the lender can ensure your current credit profile meets approval requirements at the time of your application. In other words, credit card preapprovals are a more accurate way to determine your creditworthiness.
Prequalification isn't as thorough as preapproval, so there's a slightly higher chance that your full application might be denied. But prequalification still offers some benefits.
For one, you may be asked for less information than you'd submit for a pre-approval. For another, it gives you an idea of what card range you'd qualify for without causing any impact on your credit score.
Benefits of Credit Card Preapproval
There are many benefits to credit card preapproval:
Higher Approval Odds
With hundreds of credit cards available to consumers, choosing one can be incredibly overwhelming. If you don't want to spend hours evaluating the different options to find the best credit card for your financial needs, credit card preapprovals can be an easy way to narrow down your choices.
By only applying for preapproved credit cards, you'll narrow down your options and increase your odds of approval since the issuer already has an idea of your financial profile to compare against their basic approval requirements.
Assuming your credit doesn't incur any negative changes between the time you seek preapproval and when you formally apply for the card you want, your preapproved credit card application is likely to be successful.
Of course, the final decision always rests with the issuer, so wait for approval before making any financial plans involving your new credit card.
Minimal Impact on Credit Score
The preapproval process requires a soft inquiry on your credit, which doesn't impact your credit score.
A "hard" credit pull or inquiry typically results in a 3-5 point hit to your credit. This drop is temporary and rebounds pretty quickly, assuming you use your new credit line responsibly.
With a preapproved credit card offer, you'll incur a hard pull only after you submit your complete application. By applying for a card you've been preapproved for, you reduce the odds of incurring hard inquiries that don't result in an approval.
How to Get Preapproved Credit Card Offers
Finding preapproved credit card offers is pretty straightforward. Most major banks offer preapproval tools to generate a list of card offers.
You may receive these offers via pamphlets and targeted mailers, in your email inbox, or via the credit card issuer website and mobile app.
If you opt-in to receive offers via mail or email, banks will periodically target you for preapproval offers. Before applying for any of these cards, be sure to review the terms and conditions carefully.
How to Get American Express Preapproval
There are several ways to get preapproval credit card offers from American Express.
If you aren't a current American Express client, you can use the Amex prequalified offers form on the issuer website, which takes about 30 seconds to generate personalized results.
Existing customers with American Express cards can opt in to marketing for preapproved credit card offers. Occasionally, cardmembers will also see preapproval offers on their Amex Offers dashboard.
How to Get Apple Preapproval
If you're interested in getting the Apple credit card, you can check for preapproval from Apple through its website.
While you will not incur a hard credit pull for using this tool, accepting the card after receiving approval will result in a hard credit inquiry.
How to Get Bank of America Preapproval
Bank of America offers a preapproval tool on its Customized Offers page. You can log into your portal if you're an existing customer, or simply enter your name, date of birth and Social Security number to check for preapproval on Bank of America credit cards.
The tool is simple and quick, and it won't result in a hard inquiry on your credit report until you actually apply for a card.
Existing Bank of America customers can get preapproved offers by opting in for marketing materials. You'll periodically receive offers in the mail or via email, so be sure to check your spam filter.
How to Get Capital One Preapproval
Many of the best Capital One credit cards have stringent application rules since Capital One is among the strictest issuers regarding credit card approvals. Thus, you can save a lot of time and energy by checking your preapproval chances before completing a full application.
Capital One's preapproval tool conducts a soft pull to determine your eligibility and takes your spending and redemption preferences into account. For example, you can specify whether you prefer a card with no annual fee, one that earns travel rewards, or one that helps you build credit.
How to Get Chase Preapproval
There are several ways to check for preapproved Chase credit card offers on popular Chase cards.
Visiting a local bank branch is another way to check for preapproval. This option works best for existing Chase customers. Sometimes, bank branches will offer better credit card welcome bonuses than the ones available online, so this method could pay off in more ways than one.
Of course, you can also stay home and wait for a preapproved offer to arrive via mail or email. Customers on Reddit and other online forums have reported receiving mailers for many of the best Chase cards, sometimes with an elevated offer targeted at that specific consumer.
Pro tip: Chase offers a free credit score tool called Chase Credit Journey that anyone can use. You can use this tool to check your credit score, learn how to improve your score, and get help protecting your financial information.
How to Get Citi Preapproval
You can get preapproved credit card offers via Citi's pre-screen tool, which requires your name, Social Security number, and home address for verification purposes.
As with other bank preapproval processes, you won't incur a hard credit inquiry using Citi's pre-screen tool until you proceed with a credit card application.
How to Get Discover Preapproval
Discover's preapproval tool asks for more information than most issuers, including your education level, monthly rent or mortgage payments, income, and types of bank accounts open.
Preapproval applicants can also indicate which card benefits they prefer to get more tailored offers.
How to Get FNBO Preapproval
If you're applying for a credit card from the First National Bank of Omaha (FNBO), you can check for pre-qualification through this link. This form asks for less information than most, requiring just your home address and phone number, email address, date of birth, and SSN.
How to Get Wells Fargo Preapproval
Wells Fargo doesn't offer preapproval; instead, you can use the Wells Fargo prequalification tool through its website to find out if you're eligible for any of the best Wells Fargo credit cards.
As noted before, prequalification isn't as comprehensive as preapproval since it doesn't utilize as much personal information to make a decision. Still, Wells Fargo's prequalification tool is better than incurring hard inquiries by blindly applying for credit cards.
Existing customers can log in to auto-fill the prequalification form. If you're not an existing customer, you'll need to provide your name, address, and Social Security number. Wells Fargo then conducts a soft pull to determine your eligibility. This won't impact your credit score, but it's also not a guarantee that you'll be approved.
Top Credit Cards Offering Preapproval in 2025
| Best for | Card | Annual Fee |
| Cash back | Discover it® Cash Back | $0 |
| Families | Chase Freedom Flex® | $0 |
| Foodies | Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card | $0 |
| Travel rewards | Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card | $95 |
| Premium benefits | Chase Sapphire Reserve® | $550 (rates and fees) |
| Students | Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students | $0 |
| Bad credit | Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card | $0 |
Best Preapproval Credit Card for Cash Back
$0
0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR
Earn Unlimited Cashback Match®
Good to Excellent
- From April 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025, earn 5% cash back at Grocery Stores and Wholesale Clubs on up to $1,500 in purchases after enrollment, then 1%
- Discover will match your cash back earned at the end of your first account year
- No annual fee
- Cap on how much bonus cash back you can earn each quarter
- If the quarterly categories aren't convenient for you, you can earn more cash back with a different card
The Discover it® Cash Back is one of the best credit cards that offers 5% back on popular rotating categories each quarter up to a spending limit when activated. Your rewards are matched by Discover after the first 12 months, and the card has no annual fee.
Discover it® Cash Back- Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers–only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
- Earn 5% Cashback Bonus® at Grocery Stores and Wholesale Clubs, April 1 through June 30, 2025, on up to $1,500 in purchases, when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
- Apply and you could get a decision in as little as 60 seconds. No annual fee.
- Start shopping and earning rewards in minutes with your digital card, before your physical card arrives in the mail, if eligible.
- Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. Activate by mobile app for free.
- Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 18.24% to 27.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
- Terms and conditions apply.
Annual fee: $0
Preapproval tool: Check for Discover credit card preapproval here
Welcome bonus: Unlimited Cashback Match® - only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year
0% intro APR: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a 18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR APR
Ongoing rewards: 5% cash back on purchases from rotating categories each quarter up to $1,500 when you activate and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases (from April 1 to June 30, 2025, earn 5% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs on up to $1,500 in purchases after enrollment, then 1%)
Read more in our Discover it® Cash Back card review.
Best Preapproval Credit Card for Families
$0
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months
18.99% - 28.49% Variable
Earn a $200 bonus
Good to Excellent
- No annual fee
- Generous bonus cash-back categories
- Great welcome bonus
- Booking through Chase Travel℠ can restrict outside earning potential
- Varying percentages and rotating calendar categories require extra attention
- 3% foreign transaction fees
The Chase Chase Freedom Flex® is a great pick if you want one of the best no-annual-fee cards with big earning potential and impressive benefits. It's an even better choice if you already collect Ultimate Rewards points with other Chase cards, because you can combine your points and potentially get even more value.
Chase Freedom FlexAnnual fee: $0
Preapproval tool: Check for Chase credit card preapproval here
Welcome bonus: $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
0% intro APR: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months, then a 18.99% - 28.49% Variable APR
Ongoing rewards: 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate, 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases
Read more in our Chase Freedom Flex credit card review.
Best Preapproval Credit Card for Foodies
Annual fee: $0
Preapproval tool: Check for Capital One credit card preapproval here
Welcome bonus: $200 cash back after you spend $500 on purchases within three months from account opening
0% intro APR: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (3% fee for the first 15 months, then 4% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time), then a 19.24% - 29.24% Variable APR
Ongoing rewards: 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases, 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), and 1% cash back on all other purchases
Read more in our Capital One Savor Cash card review.
Best Mid-Tier Travel Card: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Annual fee: $95
Preapproval tool: Check for Capital One credit card preapproval here.
Welcome bonus: 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening
Ongoing rewards: 5 miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and unlimited 2 miles per dollar on every other purchase
Read more in our Capital One Venture card review.
Best Preapproval Credit Card for Premium Benefits
$550
N/A
20.24% - 28.74% Variable
Earn 60,000 bonus points
Good to Excellent
- Annual travel credit can effectively shave $300 off the annual fee if you use it
- Strong travel insurance
- Strong bonus rewards on travel and dining
- Very high annual fee
If you're new to rewards credit cards you may want to start elsewhere, but if you know you want to earn Chase points and you spend a lot on travel and dining, the Sapphire Reserve is one of the most rewarding options.
Chase Sapphire Reserve- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority PassTM Select and up to $120 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Member FDIC
Annual fee: $550
Preapproval tool: Check for Chase credit card preapproval here.
Welcome bonus: 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
Ongoing rewards: 5 points on flights and 10 total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually, 3 points on other travel and dining, and 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Read more in our Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card review.
Best Preapproval Credit Card for Students
$0
0% intro APR for your first 18 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made within the first 60 days of opening your account
16.99% - 26.99% Variable
Fair
- Generous welcome bonus for a student credit card
- No annual fee
- Flexible rewards earning - you can pick the category in which you earn the most cash back each quarter
- Foreign transaction fees
- Few benefits compared to other rewards credit cards
- Card only earns 1% cash back outside of bonus categories
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students offers a lucrative but uncomplicated rewards structure, a lengthy 0% introductory APR, and a welcome bonus that provides a sizable return compared to the spending requirement.
Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students- Online $200 cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening
- 3% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter, then earn 1%
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
- Cash rewards don’t expire and for future purchases, you can change your choice category online or through the mobile app
- 0% intro APR for your first 18 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made within the first 60 days of opening your account
- No annual fee
- Access your FICO® Score updated monthly for free, within your Mobile Banking app or in Online Banking
Annual fee: $0
Preapproval tool: Check for Bank of America credit card preapproval here.
Welcome bonus: $200 cash rewards bonus after making $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days from account opening
0% intro APR: 0% intro APR for your first 18 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made within the first 60 days of opening your account
Earning rate: 3% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter, then earn 1%. 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Read more in our Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards for Students card review.
Best Preapproval Credit Card for Bad Credit
Annual fee: $0
Preapproval tool: Check for Capital One credit card preapproval here.
Earning rate: 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 1.5% cash back on all other purchases
Read more in our Capital One Quicksilver Secured card review.
How to Apply For Credit Card Preapprovals
It's relatively easy to check for credit card preapproval — the process typically takes less than two minutes.
Find the Credit Card Preapproval Offer Page
If you don't already have the link for your credit card preapproval application, find it and pull up the applicable page. We've included links to the best preapproval credit card issuers in this guide.
Submit Basic Identifying Information
At a minimum, you'll need to submit your name, address, and Social Security number. Some banks require additional information such as income and mortgage/rent amount.
Decide If You Want to Accept the Preapproved Credit Card Offer
Once your credit card preapproval application is complete, you'll be presented with a list of credit cards for which you're eligible. If you decide to apply, you'll be directed to complete the full credit card application.
Many banks will pre-fill the application form with the information you previously provided to speed up the process.
Authorize the Credit Card Issuer to Check Your Credit
Once you submit the full application, the bank will run a full credit check to determine your eligibility.
You'll typically receive a credit card approval or denial almost instantly. In some cases, your application may need more processing time.
Sometimes, the bank must verify certain information such as a bank account or your home address before approving your application. Other times, the bank may ask for additional documents to approve your application.
Since it might take time to obtain and process this information, it's always best to call the bank and get the ball rolling as soon as you apply.
What to Do If Your Application is Declined
If your credit card application is denied despite receiving preapproval, you typically have up to 30 days to request a reconsideration.
Here are some steps you can take if your application is rejected:
Review the Reason for the Decline
Banks sometimes state the reason for denial. Other times, you'll need to call to get this information. Understanding why your application was denied can help you address any issues with your credit profile or successfully lobby for reconsideration.
If the issuer has physical bank locations, consider visiting a local branch and speaking with a banker to follow up on your application in person.
Consider Alternative Credit Cards
If your credit card application is denied, you can consider other options with lower credit score requirements. If you're still building or rebuilding credit, consider applying for one of the best credit cards for bad credit to improve your chances of approval.
Boost Your Credit Score
If you're set on a specific card and don't quite have the required score, you can work on improving your credit before applying for that card again. Be sure to read up on any credit card application rules before re-applying, to ensure you're still eligible.
Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed the Best Credit Cards With Preapproval
The credit cards team at Business Insider carefully evaluates every credit card's merits and drawbacks when considering our top recommendations. We don't just examine good cards — we review (and warn against) credit cards that are subpar or predatory.
We chose the best credit cards with preapproval by considering how easy it is to gather information on your chances of approval for that card. From there, we looked at credit cards for different needs, whether you're shopping . We've prioritized credit card issuers that make it simple to see your preapproval status online, and choose from various options designed for different consumers.
See the full methodology for how we rate credit cards.
FAQs
Does preapproval guarantee credit card approval?
No, credit card preapproval does not guarantee that you'll be approved for the credit card you want. The final approval decision depends on the issuer's assessment of your full application and financial profile, which typically requires a hard credit inquiry.
How can I increase my chances of getting preapproved credit card offers?
You can increase your chances of getting preapproved credit card offers by maintaining a good credit score, regularly updating your income information with current creditors, and opting in to receive credit offers through various credit card issuer websites or credit bureaus.
Should I accept a preapproved credit card?
Yes, you should accept a preapproved credit card offer if it's the product you want . Preapproval simply indicates you're likely eligible for the offer; accepting or declining is entirely up to you.
Do credit card preapprovals affect your credit score?
No, credit card preapprovals should not impact your credit score unless you choose to accept the credit card for which you are approved. If you move forward with getting the credit card after undergoing preapproval, the issuer will initiate a hard credit pull to check your financial history for risk.
How long do credit card preapproval offers last?
Credit card preapproval offers vary from instant decision to several months. Targeted credit card offers may expire as soon as you leave the preapproval website, while other offers may be valid for up to seven days, 30 days, or even 90 days depending on the issuer and situation.
Does Capital One preapproval affect credit score?
No, Capital One's preapproval tools perform soft checks on your credit and should not affect your credit score if you don't open a Capital One credit card. If you choose to accept an offer from the Capital One preapproval page, you'll get a hard credit inquiry from the issuer to confirm your financial eligibility.
