Customer inserts their credit card into a card reader at a bakery food cart

Are Instantly Approved Credit Cards the Same as Instant Use Credit Cards?

2 min read

Last Updated: March 11, 2024

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Key Takeaways

Being instantly approved for a credit card doesn’t necessarily mean immediate access to your new card.
A virtual credit card and digital wallet allow you to make purchases without your physical card.
Some credit card issuers offer immediate access to use your account once you’re approved.

Once you’ve applied for and been approved for a new credit card, there may be an item you want to buy right away with that card, possibly to take advantage of rewards, begin building credit history, or make a home improvement.

The problem is you don’t yet have the card in your possession. Unfortunately, you may have to wait until you receive your new or replacement credit card in the mail. Once your card does arrive, you can then use your credit card immediately upon activation. But is there any way you can use your new credit card sooner?

Instantly approved credit cards

Some credit card issuers may instantly approve your application for a credit card. It typically doesn't take long for a credit card issuer to conduct a credit check.

To improve your chances of instant approval, keep track of your credit, pay your bills on time, avoid using too much of your credit limit, and limit the number of hard inquiries on your credit report.

Even if you meet the income and credit score requirements, credit card issuers sometimes may not offer instant credit card approval if it’s necessary to verify your identity.

See If You’re Pre-Approved

Do instant approval credit cards offer virtual credit cards or digital wallets?

A virtual credit card number and digital wallet are both methods of using your credit card account without presenting the physical card.

Did you know?

Some credit card issuers let you use an instant approval credit card right away, while others require that you wait to receive the physical credit card. Once you activate your card, you can start using it and earning rewards.

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The bottom line

Once you set up your new credit card account, your card issuer may provide an instant credit card number that allows you to use your new account online or in person with a digital wallet before your physical card arrives. With a Discover^™ Card, you can start shopping and earning rewards in minutes with your virtual wallet, before your physical card arrives in the mail, if eligible.¹

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