Applying for a new credit card doesn’t need to feel like a leap into the unknown. Preapproval allows you to check your approval chances—and avoid hard inquiries—so you can apply confidently.
What Is a Credit Card Preapproval?
Credit card preapproval means an issuer has reviewed your credit history using a soft credit inquiry to determine your eligibility for a credit card. Soft credit checks don’t affect your credit, whereas hard credit checks appear in your credit history and may reduce your score slightly. If you submit a formal application for a credit card, the card issuer will likely run a hard credit check before making a final decision.
Preapproval credit card offers are not guaranteed, and sometimes they expire. Prequalification only indicates that you are likely to be approved for a credit card—it’s not a guarantee. Additionally, a hard inquiry when you formally apply may return details that could change your offer or affect your approval.
Top Issuers Offering Preapproval or Prequalification in 2025
Most major card issuers in the U.S. offer credit cards with preapproval for at least some cards in their lineup. Each issuer requires different information from the applicant, ranging from name, Social Security number and email address to income and housing status.
Find cards from the following issuers in our lists below:
Not every credit card is eligible for prequalification, and you’ll have to inquire with the issuer to determine which offers you may be preapproved for, if any.
If your preferred card issuer is not listed here, contact the company to ask if it has prequalified credit card offers.
Banks Offering Preapproval for Credit Cards
Many major banks offer a preapproval or prequalification tool to help you determine if you would qualify for their credit cards. Simply complete a brief form online to determine which cards you may receive approval for once you apply.
| Card Issuer/Bank | Prequalification Available | Information Required |
|---|---|---|
| American Express | Yes—available when you select Apply Now for each available credit card | Name, date of birth, email, address, phone number, Social Security number, income and the source of that income |
| Bank of America | No | N/A |
| Capital One | Name, date of birth, Social Security number, address, email, phone number, employment status/occupation, annual income, mortgage, bank account information, citizenship and the type of card you’re considering | |
| Chase | Name, address, your Social Security number and income | |
| Citibank | Name, address, email and the last four digits of your Social Security number | |
| Discover | Name, address, date of birth, student status, monthly housing payment, income and the type of card benefit you are considering | |
| Wells Fargo | Name, address, the last four digits of your Social Security number and your current Wells Fargo customer status. |
Capital One
Capital One requires your name, date of birth, Social Security number and the kind of card you’re considering, among other personal details. The issuer offers preapproval for these cards:
- Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
- Capital One Platinum Credit Card
- Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
Use Capital One’s preapproval tool to learn which cards you could be approved for.
Featured Partner Offers
Chase
Existing Chase customers may also be preapproved for credit cards. You can check your eligibility by logging in to your Chase account to see any offers based on your relationship with the bank. You may also receive offers by mail or email. Chase also provides an online submission to prequalify for several credit cards.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®
- Chase Freedom Flex®
- Chase Slate Edge®*
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
- The New United℠ Explorer Card
Featured Partner Offers
American Express
American Express allows U.S. personal credit card applicants to check their offers with only a soft inquiry, which won’t impact their credit score. Applicants receive 100% certainty of approval before accepting the card, after which a hard inquiry is conducted. If the approved applicant accepts the card, a hard inquiry is made to the credit bureau at the time and may impact their credit score.
The new application experience is available for individuals applying for a U.S. personal card via Forbes Advisor, at AmericanExpress.com/us/credit-cards, or by calling American Express and is not available if you apply for a card after you log into an existing account.
Note: Preapproval is not available for business credit cards.
- Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- American Express® Gold Card
- The Platinum Card® from American Express
- American Express® Green Card*
- Hilton Credit Cards
- Marriott Credit Cards
- Delta Air Lines Credit Cards
Featured Partner Offers
Citi
Citi cards are also eligible for prequalification offers. You’ll be asked for your name, address and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The single form evaluates your approval for several cards you may be qualified for:
- Citi Double Cash® Card
- Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
- Citi Simplicity® Card*
- Citi Custom Cash® Card*
- Citi Rewards+® Card*
Use Citi’s preapproval tool to learn which cards you could be approved for.
Discover
Like Citi, existing and potential Discover cardholders can use a single landing page to determine which credit cards they are prequalified for. You’re asked to provide your name, annual income, monthly bill payments, housing status and more.
Bank of America
Existing Bank of America customers can log in to their account to learn about targeted card offers. Bank of America does not offer an online preapproval page for the general public, but existing customers may receive prequalified credit card offers by mail. Some cards include:
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo provides a prequalification tool to determine which cards may be your best choice. While some credit card preapprovals are determined within the Wells Fargo tool, some co-branded cards direct you to a preapproval tool associated with the co-brand. You may also receive preapproval offers for cards issued by Wells Fargo through the mail.
Pros and Cons of Credit Card Preapproval
| Pros of Credit Card Preapproval | Cons of Credit Card Preapproval |
|---|---|
| Easy way to determine which cards you may be eligible for | Takes time and can be a hassle to fill out many forms, but that’s a required step to apply for a card |
| Won’t affect your credit | Offers are not final |
| Shop around without affecting your credit score | Not all cards or banks offer prequalification |
| Gain guidance on the type of cards you may be approved for | Prequalified offers usually have an expiration date |
| Issuers may even share your potential credit limit and APR | |
| Mailed preapprovals may offer increased reward earnings, including higher welcome bonuses |
Who Should Get a Credit Card That Offers Preapproval or Prequalification
Applying for preapproval on a card issuer’s website is a good choice for anyone questioning whether they’ll be approved. If you’re unsure how issuers evaluate your creditworthiness, it’s a relatively easy way to determine which cards you may be eligible for.
Preapproval or prequalification are good options if you’re unsure which card you want. The tool allows you to shop among card issuers without affecting your credit score. Sometimes, the card issuer may even share your potential credit limit and APR. Keep in mind preapproval offers are not final. The card issuer may deny your formal application if you miss the preapproval window or your financial situation changes.
How To Get Preapproved or Prequalified for a Credit Card
The first step to credit card prequalification is to go to the card issuer’s preapproval tool on its website and fill in the required details. Each issuer may require different information, so it’s best to be prepared. Have your personal and financial information handy, like your Social Security number, annual income, monthly debts and housing status. Once you’re ready, consider the following options:
- Mailed preapproval offers. Respond by phone or online using the offer details included in the instructions.
- Online preapproval offers. Preapproval decisions are instant and may include details like rates, credit limits and APR. You can then proceed with a formal application.
If you are denied, the issuer must provide a reason. Use this feedback to improve your credit and reapply in a few months or try with another issuer.
Find The Best Credit Cards For 2025
No single credit card is the best option for every family, every purchase or every budget. We've picked the best credit cards in a way designed to be the most helpful to the widest variety of readers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What’s the difference between preapproval and prequalification?
Card issuers may sometimes use the terms preapproval and prequalification interchangeably. Both mean an issuer preliminarily reviews your personal and financial information to determine your eligibility for a credit card.
Prequalification tends to be a simple review of your credit history using basic details like name, address and Social Security number. A preapproval may go further by performing a soft credit check and analyzing financial information such as annual income and monthly bill payments.
How much does preapproval hurt credit?
Card issuers perform a soft credit check for preapproval, meaning your credit will not be affected. Submitting a formal application will result in a hard credit check, which will show up on a credit report and may cause your score to dip temporarily.
What credit score is needed for preapproval?
The credit score you need to receive preapproval for a card likely won’t be published by the issuer and depends on the card. We recommend improving your credit as much as possible before applying for credit cards to ensure you have the best odds. However, preapproval inquiries won’t impact your credit, so you can safely find out if you qualify without damaging your credit.
