How To Get Preapproved For A Bank Of America Credit Card

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Bank of America offers plenty of attractive credit card options, whether you’re an existing customer looking for a card to pair with your checking account or are interested in a lucrative new option. 

Either way, you should consider pursuing a prequalified offer before applying and generating a hard credit pull. The preapproval process is a great way to see if you qualify without hurting your credit, especially for borrowers with average-to-good credit who aren’t sure whether their application will be approved.

You can see if you prequalify for Bank of America credit cards through Bankrate’s CardMatch™ tool or on Bank of America’s website. Read on for more advice on the preapproval process, plus how to increase your chances of being preapproved.

What is credit card preapproval and how does it work?

It can be frustrating to apply for a credit card that meets your needs only to have your application rejected by the lender. Luckily, many lenders allow prospective borrowers to prequalify for cards that match their credit profile. The preapproval process triggers only a soft pull, which won’t hurt your credit. While getting preapproved isn’t a guarantee your application for a credit card will be approved, it’s a strong sign that the lender is willing to approve it.

Keep in mind, although credit card issuers often use the terms “prequalified” and “preapproved” interchangeably, there is a slight difference between them. Preapproval more formally describes someone’s eligibility before a full credit card application, while prequalification often involves a less intensive screening.

How to get preapproved for a Bank of America credit card

Many lenders allow you to see if you prequalify for a card on their websites, but there are some other ways to check for prequalification as well.

Check for offers on Bankrate’s CardMatch tool

Bankrate’s CardMatch tool quickly matches prospective borrowers with credit card offers that align with their credit scores and borrower profiles.

To get started, you’ll need to fill out a few quick personal details, including your name, address, phone number and Social Security number. Once you provide this information, Bankrate will display card offers from top credit card issuers like Bank of America.

These offers are custom-matched to your unique borrower profile, which increases the likelihood that your application will be approved.

Prequalify on Bank of America’s website

You can also see if you prequalify for a Bank of America credit card on the bank’s website.

If you’re already a Bank of America customer, you can sign in to your online account to get personalized recommendations and offers. If you’re not already a Bank of America customer, you can continue the preapproval process without signing in.

For customers who don’t already bank with Bank of America, you’ll need to provide basic information about yourself, including your name, address and Social Security number.

Bank of America will ask you which types of credit cards you’re interested in. You can then view personalized offers, review terms and details and apply online.

Additional ways to prequalify for Bank of America credit cards

There are other ways to prequalify for Bank of America credit cards:

• If you receive a targeted offer in the mail, you can apply for a card using the information provided within the physical offer.
• If you’re interested in a Bank of America card, you can also visit a bank branch to speak with a representative and see if you qualify for a particular card.

“I have a few bank accounts with Bank of America, so before I opened my first credit card with them, I looked for prequalified offers in my mobile banking app. After I applied and got approved for a card through one of their offers, I started seeing even more come through, especially in the mail. If I ever decide to apply for another card from Bank of America, I’ll make sure to check for prequalified offers in my email inbox, mobile banking app and mailbox.”

Liza Carrasquillo, Editor, Credit Cards

How to increase your chances of getting a prequalified offer

It can be disappointing to apply for a great credit card and have your application rejected. Still, by prequalifying, you can see which cards you will likely qualify for ahead of time without hurting your credit.

Here are some tips for setting yourself up well before you explore prequalifying for a Bank of America credit card:

1. Make on-time payments. Your credit score is most affected by your history of on-time payments. Even a few missed payments can have a serious impact on your credit score. The best way to continue improving your credit is to make your monthly payments on time.
2. Pay down debt. One of the most significant factors in your credit score, besides missed payments, is your amounts owed. The higher your credit utilization ratio, the worse it is for your credit score. You should aim to keep your credit utilization under 30 percent — with an ideal goal of under 10 percent. Getting rid of your credit card debt is a surefire way to decrease your credit utilization and boost your score and, therefore, your approval chances as well.
3. Review your credit report and dispute inaccuracies. Lenders use your credit report and credit score to determine whether your application for a credit card should be approved. Any negative errors on your credit report can hurt your credit score and make it more difficult to qualify for financial products like credit cards. You should carefully review your credit report regularly and dispute any inaccuracies with credit bureaus.
4. Consider a secured card. If you don’t qualify for a traditional credit card and are still working to raise your credit score, you could consider applying for a secured credit card instead. Secured credit cards require an up-front deposit before you can open an account. By making on-time payments each month on your secured card, you can work to improve your credit score to qualify for other cards down the line.

The bottom line

If you’re interested in a credit card from Bank of America, it’s a good idea to see if you prequalify before submitting an application. By using Bankrate’s CardMatch tool or Bank of America’s website, you can find out which cards you qualify for and compare offers without hurting your credit score. But first, review our list of the best Bank of America credit cards to ensure you’re choosing the right option for your needs.

The Bank of America content in this post was last updated on Dec. 4, 2025.