Credit Cards That Offer Pre-Qual or Preapproval Without a Hard Pull
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When you apply for a credit card, the card issuer usually conducts what's known as a hard inquiry or "hard pull" on your credit report to determine your creditworthiness. Hard inquiries can knock points off your credit scores temporarily.
However, many of the biggest credit card issuers offer a pre-qualification or preapproval process that lets you avoid that hit to your scores, at least initially. These screening processes look at your basic credit information and run a "soft" credit check to determine your likelihood of approval. Soft inquiries don't affect your scores.
Then, if you decide to formally apply for the card, the hard pull will usually still happen. But the prescreening process will have given you a good sense of where you stand — whether the hard pull is going to be worth it. A few credit cards will even show you your specific offer, including credit limit and APR, before you accept the hard pull.
Unlike with mortgages, the distinction between credit card "pre-qualification" and "preapproval" isn't as clear, and some card issuers even use the terms interchangeably. Generally, preapproved offers are a bit more official in terms of your odds, but in either case, issuers try to match you with cards that best fit your credit. The most reliable offers are preapprovals from a bank you have a relationship with. That bank already has the information it needs to make a decision.
Issuer pre-qualification pages
Each issuer requires different information to process a pre-qualification request. The table below provides links to issuer pre-qualification pages, as well as what's required from you.
Issuer | Required Information |
|---|---|
Full name, address, last 4 digits of your Social Security number, income (optional). AmEx may also offer an “apply with confidence” option for some of its cards. | |
Full name, address, date of birth, last 4 digits of your Social Security number, what kind of card you want. | |
Full name, address, date of birth, your full Social Security number, what kind of card you want. | |
Full name, address, last 4 digits of your Social Security number. | |
Full name, address, last 4 digits of your Social Security number, what kind of card you want. | |
Full name, address, birth date, full Social Security number, whether you’re a student, whether you have bank accounts, housing status, income, what kind of card you want. | |
* If you currently have an American Express card that you manage online, you may have to clear your browser cookies or use an "incognito" browser window to see the pre-qualification page. | |
Issuers don't necessarily make all cards available for pre-qualification at all times. Sometimes pre-qualification will be limited to select cards or no cards at all.
» MORE: Pre-qualify through NerdWallet
Top credit cards that offer preapproval without a hard pull
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
Our pick for: No credit check at all
WHY WE LIKE IT
The OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card is a rarity even among secured credit cards, in that it allows you to qualify without a bank account or any kind of credit check. It normally requires a minimum $200 security deposit, which sets the amount of your credit limit. With a good payment history, you'll get this money back once you move on to a different credit card and close the account. Payments are reported to all three major credit bureaus: TransUnion, Equifax and Experian. These companies gather the information used to calculate your credit scores. The card has a $35 annual fee.
Petal® 2 Visa® Credit Card
Our pick for: Beginner-friendly features
WHY WE LIKE IT
The Petal® 2 Visa® Credit Card offers a preapproval process, but the card's issuer (WebBank) can look at more than just traditional FICO scores to determine creditworthiness, potentially making it easier for those new to credit to qualify based on income, savings and spending, for example. The card earns rewards and has a $0 annual fee.
Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa®
Our pick for: Fixed monthly payments
WHY WE LIKE IT
The Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa® combines features of both a credit card and a personal loan, making budgeting easier with fixed monthly payments when you don’t pay off your monthly bill in full. The issuer charges a fixed interest rate on any balance remaining. You’ll see your potential credit limit when you go through the preapproval process, before you officially apply and accept the terms of the card — visibility that isn't generally offered in a standard application process. The card reports to the three major credit bureaus, earns rewards, and has an annual fee of $0.
Discover it® Secured Credit Card
Our pick for: An upgrade path
NOTE: Preapproval for this card is available only by going through the preapproval page on Discover's website.
WHY WE LIKE IT
The $0-annual-fee Discover it® Secured Credit Card offers a preapproval process that doesn’t hurt your credit scores. The card requires a minimum security deposit of $200, but it can be worth it considering the card's many benefits. It earns a sign-up bonus and rewards, which can put some money back in your pocket while the security deposit is tied up. As a cardholder, you get 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 spent in combined purchases per quarter and 1% on everything else. After seven months with the card, your account is reviewed to determine if you’re eligible to upgrade to an unsecured credit card with the issuer and get your deposit back.
Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card
Our pick for: No security deposit, low annual fee
WHY WE LIKE IT
The $0-annual-fee Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card is an option for beginners or second-chance seekers who want to skip a security deposit. Payments are reported to all three major credit bureaus, and your account is considered for a credit limit increase at least once within the first year. If you’re eligible, that kind of bump may help your credit scores because it can lower your credit utilization ratio.
Prosper® Card
Our pick for: No security deposit, low annual fee, potentially high credit limit
WHY WE LIKE IT
The Prosper® Card doesn't require you to wait for a physical card to arrive in the mail; you can request a digital card by logging into the account. The digital card can be added to a digital wallet and used for purchases, up to a certain amount, while your physical card is in transit. There’s also a potentially generous credit limit ranging between $500 and $3,000, depending on eligibility, and the chance to see credit limit increases with Prosper’s automatic reviews. It has an annual fee: $39 (waived for the first year if you sign up for autopay before your first statement).
» MORE: Full review of the Prosper® Card
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Our pick for: Average credit and rewards
NOTE: Preapproval for this card is available only by going through the preapproval page on Capital One's website.
WHY WE LIKE IT
The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is available to those with average credit (FICO scores of at least 630), and you can determine your odds of eligibility with the card's pre-qualification process. It earns a solid 1.5% cash back on purchases, and cardholders may be considered for a potential credit limit increase in as little as six months with on-time payments. You won't get a shot at earning a sign-up bonus or a 0% intro APR period, though, and there's an annual fee.
Capital One Platinum Credit Card
Our pick for: Average credit and no annual fee
NOTE: Preapproval for this card is available only by going through the preapproval page on Capital One's website.
WHY WE LIKE IT
The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is a low-maintenance option ideal for those with average credit. As with the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card, you can pre-qualify quickly and know where you stand and, if approved, you might potentially qualify for a higher credit limit within six months. It doesn’t offer rewards like that other card does, but it doesn't charge the annual fee, either.
AvantCard Credit Card
Our pick for: Limited credit
WHY WE LIKE IT
The AvantCard Credit Card offers a chance to build credit without a security deposit. You can determine your odds of approval through the card's pre-qualification process. The card offers a credit limit ranging from $300 to $2,000, depending on eligibility and there’s a chance for credit line increases in the future. It has an annual fee.
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Our pick for: Good credit
NOTE: Pre-qualification for this card is available only by going through the pre-qualification page on the American Express website.
WHY WE LIKE IT
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express offers a pre-qualification process, though you'll need at least good credit to get this product (FICO scores of 690 and up). It earns 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 spent per year, then 1%); 3% back at U.S. gas stations (on up to $6,000 spent per year); 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases (on up to $6,000 spent per year); and 1% on all other purchases.* It has a $0 annual fee. Terms apply (see rates and fees).
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Our pick for: Travel
NOTE: Preapproval for this card is available only by going through the preapproval page on Capital One's website.
WHY WE LIKE IT
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is as simple as rewards get for travel. It earns a decent 2 miles per dollar spent and redemptions are flexible. You’re not bound to one airline or hotel brand, so you’re free to shop around for the best deal and redeem miles for statement credit against travel purchases like airfare, hotel stays, rail lines, car rentals, limousine services, bus lines, cruise lines, taxi cabs, travel agency services and timeshares. There's also an introductory sign-up bonus and a credit of up to $120 for a Global Entry or TSA Precheck application fee. This card requires good credit to qualify and it has a $95 annual fee.
Apple Card
Our pick for: Instant gratification
WHY WE LIKE IT
If it’s your priority to have the latest Apple gadget and you’re an avid Apple Pay user, you can get good value from the Apple Card. It earns 3% cash back on qualifying Apple Pay purchases made at Apple and at a handful of other select merchants. All other purchases with the card via Apple Pay earn 2% cash back. (You earn only 1% back when you use the physical card.) The Apple Card also offers instant gratification, both when it comes to the approval process and receiving rewards. You can use the card instantly upon approval and redeem rewards more or less immediately after earning them, no waiting period required. A pre-qualification process allows you to see your terms — including credit limit and APR — before accepting the offer and officially applying. It has a No Fees* annual fee.
Venmo Credit Card
Our pick for: Personalized rewards
WHY WE LIKE IT
The Venmo Credit Card earns 3% cash back in your top spending category for the month, from a list of eight options, and 2% back in the next top spending category for the month (among the seven options remaining). All other purchases earn 1% back. Categories eligible for the elevated cash-back rate include groceries; bills and utilities; healthy and beauty; gas; entertainment; dining and nightlife; transportation; and travel. The card is designed to work with Venmo, offering a QR code that others can scan with their phones to split purchases when you foot the bill. You may use the card before it arrives in the mail, as a virtual version is available in the Venmo app that can be added to eligible digital wallets. It has a $0 annual fee.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Travel
Earn 5X points on certain flights (up to $500,000 per calendar year) and hotel stays, hundreds of dollars a year in credit for travel and shopping, and a suite of perks for high-end lifestyles.
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