With modern technology, most items can arrive quickly to your door; however, they don’t always arrive that quickly.
Mailing timeframe for receiving a new credit card usually ranges between 2-3 days, even if approval occurs instantly. Some card issuers offer instantaneous access by providing an account number that you can start using immediately and you can learn about them below.
Instant Approval
As consumers become accustomed to receiving music and movies instantaneously and grocery delivery services arriving within an hour or less, instant gratification when applying should also be expected. Luckily, several issuers provide instant approval and usage.
Most card issuers now process online applications in real time, meaning applicants can get an almost immediate decision about their applications. “Instant” cards can often be used within 24 hours; typically these come equipped with an instant number which can be added directly into mobile wallets and virtual payment apps for use immediately. Some issuers even allow existing bank account holders to add an instant number instantly for use – this feature may prove especially convenient if cardholders wish to avoid waiting for physical cards to arrive by mail.
Store credit cards are among the most widely offered instant cards, and are frequently offered to consumers during checkout, either as an Internet pop-up or by cashiers themselves. Most consumers can apply on-the-spot and approval can often come almost instantly, while many store cards even provide instant numbers which can be used when making purchases at both physical locations and online retailers.
Though instant number cards might seem like the perfect solution for same-day credit purchases, it is essential that you fully comprehend what this type of card entails before choosing it. Physical cards may take 7-10 days for delivery so it is key that you know which purchases work best with this kind of credit card.
Even if you have excellent credit and can pay all of your bills each month on time, it’s not always possible to qualify for all types of credit cards. When seeking instant cards without hard credit pulls or hidden fees attached, it’s crucial that the rewards structure matches up well against similar cards in terms of instant numbers.
Instant Access
Consumers today expect instant access to goods and services. From streaming movies and music instantly to food delivery within an hour in certain cities, fast service has become the hallmark of modern economies. Yet when it comes to credit cards, getting one in the mail may take days or even weeks!
Issuers that provide instant numbers upon approval can give you access to part of your credit line while waiting for the physical card in the mail – this feature can be particularly beneficial if the card provides a 0% intro APR offer and must be used quickly to meet its deadline.
American Express and some store credit cards allow instantaneous access, but Chase and Discover cards still require up to 10 business days before you can begin charging with them.
By obtaining an instant number, it allows you to instantly add it to your digital wallet for use when shopping online or in locations accepting digital payments (which you can learn about here) – for instance with some American Express cards you can access and add it immediately to Apple Pay, Samsung Pay or Google Pay accounts.
Instant numbers allow you to make purchases at Amazon, Target, Best Buy, and more online and in person where digital payments are accepted. Some cards also provide virtual wallets so you can store and access your actual number if necessary in the future.
Bring purchasing power to your team (or yourself) without setting spending limits on existing corporate cards. U.S. Bank Instant Card makes this possible by instantly creating temporary virtual cards for use at work-related expenses. Simply provide basic recipient details, set limits and expiration dates, download securely onto mobile or desktop, use and review transactions through U.S. Bank Access.
Instant Purchases
One major advantage of getting a same-day credit card is immediate access to credit, making purchases immediately possible. This can be particularly useful if you plan on making large purchases, such as an expensive new home or vacation. This expedited process also enables you to earn points or rewards right away while saving for bigger purchases later on.
Numerous credit cards offer instant-use features, but you must be mindful of some restrictions. For instance, certain issuers only offer kredittkort på dagen with this feature with co-branded ones associated with specific brands, while other cards allow only for using your number and expiration date after approval without accessing virtual accounts or online payment options. In some retailers’ instances these instant-use numbers may have certain restrictions placed upon them as well.
No matter your situation, it is always wise to remember not to spend more than you can afford in one purchase transaction. Same-day cards still allow users to earn rewards and benefits as long as their balance is cleared monthly instead of carrying forward into the following billing cycle.
Expedited Shipping
Companies typically take between seven to ten business days to mail new cards once approved; however, if you need it faster, the issuer may offer expedited shipping service; depending on the card and issuer involved this may incur a fee; in some instances however this service can even be provided free-of-charge.
Expedited shipping refers to any delivery time-reduced service offered by carriers and stores; its definition varies based on carrier and store. For instance, USPS defines expedited as shipping that arrives one or two days from its ship date while UPS and FedEx both offer options with delivery in just one or two days – known as Express shipping services.
Many ecommerce retailers also provide expedited shipping options, shortening delivery times from up to five days for standard orders to two or three. These services usually cut total shipping time by mandating that packages be in carrier hands (at post offices or carrier stores) before a specified time to meet delivery schedules.
Some card issuers offer expedited deliveries of new cards upon request; however, there may be an associated fee for this. This service is most common with lost and stolen ones while it’s less frequent with prepaid cards.
Barclays and Bank of America both offer overnight physical card issuance to their customers upon request, for which there is a fee that may be waived in certain situations. Both issuers also do not offer instant numbers or the capability of adding the new card directly into mobile wallets after approval.
In America, Chase stands out in its card fabrication and mailing operations, which may explain its ability to provide an overnight expedited shipping option for its cards. All card issuers should offer this service – hopefully more will follow suit soon.
Instant Rewards
Society today demands instant gratification; therefore, consumers expect the same speed and convenience when applying. While traditional physical cards will arrive 7-10 business days after being approved, some card issuers offer temporary virtual cards which offer several advantages for quick purchases.
Capital One’s Walmart Rewards MasterCard from Capital One provides a virtual card that can be loaded directly into Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay and used right away – this allows for immediate purchases as well as taking advantage of its benefits – such as its $200 welcome offer and 3% back when used at Walmart stores.
Chase Freedom Unlimited card provides immediate access and features several benefits, such as 5% cash back in various categories each quarter, 3% off dining and drugstore purchases and 1% on all other purchases. In addition, this card has no annual fee and provides you with 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 within 90 days.
Although these cards offer numerous instant advantages, it is important that any card you apply for has an interest rate you can easily manage and afford to repay. Some cards, like the AmEx Blue Cash Preferred Card offer a 12 month 0% APR introductory offer on purchases and balance transfers while others such as Discover It Card offer 18 months. In addition, make sure the card fits within your budget and determine how much spending will occur each month so that you can select an ideal card suited for you!
No matter the form or mechanism behind an instant-access credit card, its rules still need to be observed and you should use it responsibly as with any credit card. This includes not spending more than what can be afforded each month and meeting payments on time every time.
