Key takeaways
- An instant-use credit card is a card you can use right away for purchases and enjoy the benefits immediately, instead of waiting for a physical card to arrive in the mail.
- Not all credit cards fall under the “instant use” category, but ones that do can be incredibly useful for the cardholder.
- Instant-use cards can be helpful for balance transfers, zero percent purchase offers and deep discounts for retail purchases.
- Although instant-use cards are almost always instantly approved, they are different from instant approval credit cards.
Opening a credit card means having access to a line of credit, but you can’t always use it right away. Most credit card issuers make you wait until you receive the physical credit card in the mail — which can take up to 10 business days. Yet a handful of credit card companies are making instant-use credit cards available as soon as you’re approved. These digital cards offer fantastic convenience for those who need access to credit sooner versus later. Here’s how they work and where to look for them.
What are instant-use credit cards?
Instant-use cards are like a digital version of your regular credit card. You receive a 16-digit credit card number or a virtual card number once you’re approved, allowing you to use it immediately. This number may be either your actual credit card account number or a temporary number to use until your physical card arrives, depending on the issuer.
How do instant-use credit cards work?
An instant-use credit card is like a virtual credit card that allows you to apply, get approved and begin using your line of credit almost right away or within a day. You’ll still receive a physical credit card in the mail, which generally takes around 10 business days after approval.
Store credit cards are a common example of instant-use credit cards, where you can take advantage of the credit line immediately without a physical card. Many airline cards also allow you to apply online and, if approved, use the card immediately to pay for upcoming travel.
American Express is an example of an issuer offering instant credit card numbers to select applicants upon approval. You can then use your card to shop online and use your cardholder benefits without the wait.
You can add instant-use credit card numbers to a digital wallet like Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay, which allows you to pay with your mobile device in person.
What are instant approval credit cards? Are they the same?
Instant approval credit cards are not the same as instant-use cards. An instant approval credit card gives you an immediate credit decision after submitting an application. However, you may not be able to access your credit card information immediately depending on the result. Whether you’re approved or not will depend on the issuer’s requirements, which may include factors such as income, credit history or debt. Even if you are approved, the issuer may still require you to wait for your physical card to arrive.
Instant approval credit cards vs. instant-use credit cards
Although similar in some ways, there’s a big difference between instant approval credit cards and instant-use credit cards. In most cases, instant-use credit cards are approved almost instantly, so you can begin using them as soon as possible.
However, not all instantly approved credit cards are instant-use credit cards. Unlike an instant-use card, you may still have to wait up to 10 business days to receive your credit card in the mail.
Benefits of an instant-use credit card
Immediate access to a credit line is a major benefit of instant-use cards, but there are a couple of other advantages you may benefit from too. For starters, many retailers offer discounts you can take advantage of right away, such as 30 percent off your entire purchase or additional savings on top of store coupons when you use its co-branded card.
Accessing and accruing rewards right away is another major perk of an instant-use card. You can begin accumulating points or rewards as soon as you make your first purchase, which comes in handy when you have a large purchase — like airfare — or a lucrative rewards program you can leverage.
Instant-use cards also give you the opportunity to begin working toward a welcome bonus spending requirement right away. If you have to wait for the physical card to arrive in the mail, however, you could lose as much as 10 business days of spending, potentially making it tougher to meet the requirement to earn the bonus.
If you have a large purchase on the horizon but you don’t have enough cash at the moment, then an instant-use credit card can help you cover it as you save up to pay for it. This can be especially beneficial with bigger purchases, such as furniture or new appliances.
Keep in mind:
You shouldn’t spend more than you’ve budgeted for or can comfortably pay off. After all, the best way to maximize any rewards or discounts is by paying off your card balance in full before you accrue any interest.
Top credit cards you can use instantly
Picking the ideal instant-use card depends on your specific financial needs and budget. Here are our top picks.
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The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a valuable card for everyday purchases on groceries, streaming, gas and transit. Members can earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in purchases within the first six months. The card also includes a 12-month 0 percent introductory offer for both purchases and balance transfers (18.24%-29.24% Variable APR after that).
Card details
- 6 percent cash back on U.S. supermarket purchases (up to $6,000 spent per year, then 1 percent).
- 6 percent cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
- 3 percent cash back at U.S. gas stations and on select transit purchases.
- 1 percent on all other purchases.
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This instant-use card can make an ideal companion if you’re planning a last-minute road trip or stocking up on groceries. Or plan ahead and use the card for multiple purchases throughout the day while earning cash back in several popular categories.
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You maximize cash back with the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card by choosing from bonus spending categories, and you can change it up each month — all with no annual fee. The card comes with a $200 online cash rewards welcome offer after you spend $1,000 in purchases within the first 90 days of membership.
It also offers a 0 percent introductory APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and on balance transfers made in the first 60 days (with an 18.24% – 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers after that). The card charges a relatively low balance transfer fee, too, of 3 percent for the first 60 days, after which the fee jumps to 4 percent. These financing features, plus instant-use availability, make it a super choice for planned large purchases.
Card details
- 3 percent cash back on qualifying category of choice: gas or EV charging stations, online shopping (plus cable, streaming, internet and phone services), dining, travel, drugstore or home improvement (3 percent earnings on the first $2,500 in combined spending each quarter, then 1 percent).
- 2 percent cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (2 percent earnings on the first $2,500 in combined spending each quarter, then 1 percent).
- 1 percent on all other purchases.
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If you know you have a large expense and it matches one of the higher-earning categories, such as a travel reservation or online purchase, then you can use this card to maximize rewards potential and use the introductory offer to stretch out payments, if needed.
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The Prime Visa card offers serious cash back potential for Amazon shoppers with no annual fee. It also makes an ideal travel companion since it doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, and it comes with travel protections and Visa Signature benefits including Luxury Hotel Collection perks and concierge services. Get a $100 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members.
Card details
- Prime Card Bonus: Earn 10 percent back or more on a rotating selection of items and categories on Amazon.com with an eligible Prime membership.
- 5 percent cash back on all Amazon, Amazon Fresh, Audible, Whole Foods and Chase Travel purchases.
- 2 percent cash back at restaurants, gas stations and on local transit.
- 1 percent on all other purchases.
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Use this card instantly for your larger purchases on Amazon to maximize your cash back earnings.
Which card issuers offer instant-use credit cards?
Some credit card issuers make it easy to use your credit card right away, while others either offer instant-use cards for specific cards or for none at all.
| Issuer | Cards offering instant use | Additional notes |
|---|---|---|
| American Express | All American Express cards | Available for eligible customers only, authenticated through security questions |
| Bank of America | All Bank of America credit cards | Instant card added as part of your mobile wallet and available only if you apply through the mobile app |
| Barclays | Several co-branded airline or travel cards | Confirm instant-use availability with each Barclay credit card |
| Capital One | All Capital One credit cards | Confirm instant-use availability with each Capital One credit card |
| Chase | Any Chase credit card that isn’t a Mastercard, business card or Amazon co-branded card | Instant-use credit card number provided by Chase directly to the partner brand |
| Citi | Some Citi credit cards eligible | Confirm instant-use availability with each Citi credit card |
| Discover | Discover it® Cash Back, Discover it® Miles and Discover it® Chrome | Confirm instant-use availability with each Discover credit card |
| Goldman Sachs | Apple Card* only | N/A |
| Wells Fargo | Not available | N/A |
The bottom line
Approval for a traditional credit card often means waiting for up to 10 business days before you can receive and use a physical card. Yet many card issuers are offering a way around the wait with instant-use credit cards that allow you to use your account and take advantage of cardholder benefits right away. American Express, Bank of America and Capital One are issuers offering instant use for all of their consumer cards, while other issuers pick and choose the cards — and even applicants — eligible for this convenience.
The Bank of America content on this page was last updated on March 26, 2025.
*Information about the Apple Card has been collected independently by Bankrate. Card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.
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