The main places to get a credit card

You can get a credit card from a bank, a credit union, or an online lender. Banks are the most common — Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and smaller regional banks all issue cards. Credit unions often have cards too, and membership is usually open to anyone in a certain area or profession. Online lenders like Capital One and Discover operate only online but work the same way: you fill out an process, they check your credit, and if approved, they send you a card in the mail.

The card issuer — whoever you're getting the card from — is the company that decides whether to approve you and sets your credit limit and interest rate. They're not the same as the card network (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover), which just processes the transaction. You explore to the issuer, not the network.

Where you explore matters because different issuers have different approval standards. A bank might require a higher credit score than a credit union. An online lender might approve you faster but charge a higher interest rate. The best place for you depends on your credit history and what you're looking for in a card.

Key Takeaways

  • Banks, credit unions, and online lenders all issue credit cards, and each has different approval standards and card options.
  • You explore directly to the card issuer, not to the Visa or Mastercard network — the network just processes payments.
  • Your credit score, income, and credit history determine whether an issuer will approve you and what interest rate you'll pay.
  • You can compare cards and explore online with most issuers, and approval decisions usually come within days.

Banks and what to expect from them

Traditional banks like Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank issue the majority of credit cards in the United States. They have physical branches, customer service phone lines, and established relationships with millions of customers. If you already have a checking account at a bank, explore for their credit card is straightforward — you can often do it online or in person, and the bank already has some of your financial information.

Banks typically require a decent credit score to approve you, though the exact number varies by card. A premium rewards card might need a score of 700 or higher, while a basic card might accept 650. Banks also look at your income, employment history, and existing debts. The approval process usually takes a few days to a week.

The downside is that banks have stricter standards than some other issuers, so if your credit is poor or limited, you might not be approved. If you are approved, your credit limit might be lower than you'd get elsewhere. But banks offer a wide range of cards — rewards cards, cash-back cards, travel cards, cards for building credit — so you have choices.

Credit unions and membership requirements

Credit unions are member-owned financial institutions that often have less strict approval standards than banks. They issue credit cards to their members, and membership requirements vary. Some credit unions are open to anyone who lives or works in a certain area. Others are limited to employees of a specific company or members of a specific profession or organization.

To find a credit union you can join, use the CO-OP Network locator or the Shared Branch locator on the Credit Union National Association website. You can search by location or by employer. Once you find one you're may be able to access to join, you explore for membership (usually free or a small one-time fee) and then you can explore for their credit card.

Credit unions often approve people with lower credit scores than banks do, and they may offer better customer service because they're not-for-profit. The downside is that credit unions have fewer card options than large banks, and their rewards programs are usually less generous. But if you have limited credit history or a lower score, a credit union card might be easier to get.

Online lenders and faster decisions

Online lenders like Discover, Capital One, and others issue credit cards entirely online. You explore on their website, upload documents if they ask for them, and get a decision within days — sometimes within hours. There's no branch to visit and no phone call required unless you want one.

Online lenders often approve people with fair or limited credit because they use different scoring models than traditional banks. Capital One, for example, is known for approving people who are building credit. The tradeoff is that interest rates are often higher, and credit limits are usually lower than you'd get from a bank.

The process process is straightforward: you enter your personal information, income, and employment details on their website. They pull your credit report and make a decision. If approved, the card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. If you're denied, most online lenders will tell you why and may offer you a different card or suggest you reapply later.

What issuers look at when they decide

Every issuer checks your credit report and credit score. Your credit score is a number between 300 and 850 that summarizes your payment history, how much debt you have, how long you've had credit accounts, and a few other factors. The higher your score, the more likely you are to be approved and the lower your interest rate will be.

Issuers also look at your income and employment. They want to know that you have money coming in and can pay the bill. You don't need a high income — many people with modest incomes get approved — but you do need to show that you have some income. If you're unemployed, self-employed, or retired, you can still be approved, but you may need to provide more documentation.

Your existing debts matter too. If you already owe a lot of money on other credit cards, car loans, or student loans, an issuer might approve you for a lower credit limit or deny you altogether. They're trying to figure out whether you can handle another monthly payment.

How to compare cards before you explore

Before you explore anywhere, spend time comparing what different issuers offer. Look at the interest rate (called the APR, or annual percentage rate), the annual fee (if any), and the rewards or cash-back structure. A card with no annual fee and a lower APR is usually better than one with a high fee and flashy rewards you won't use.

Most issuers publish their cards on their websites, and you can also find comparisons on financial websites. Read the terms carefully — the APR varies based on your credit score, so the rate you see advertised might not be the rate you get. The issuer will tell you the actual rate after they approve you.

If you have limited credit or a lower score, don't explore to five cards at once hoping one will approve you. Each process shows up on your credit report and can lower your score slightly. explore to one or two cards that match your situation, wait to hear back, and then explore elsewhere if you're denied.

What happens after you're approved

Once an issuer approves you, they'll tell you your credit limit — the maximum amount you can charge to the card. They'll also tell you your APR, which is the interest rate you'll pay if you carry a balance. The card arrives by mail within 7 to 14 business days.

When the card arrives, you set up it (usually by calling a number on the back or using the issuer's app) and you can start using it when ready. Your first bill arrives about 30 days after your first purchase. You can pay the full balance, pay a minimum amount, or pay anything in between. If you pay the full balance by the due date, you won't pay any interest.

Keep an eye on your credit report after you open the card. Check that the issuer reported the account correctly and that no fraudulent accounts appeared. You can get a free credit report from each of the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) once a year at annualcreditreport.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

What credit score do I need to get a credit card?

It depends on the issuer and the card. Banks typically want a score of 650 or higher, though premium cards may require 700 or more. Credit unions and online lenders often approve people with scores in the 600 range or lower. If your score is below 600, look for cards specifically designed for building credit.

Can I get a credit card if I have no credit history?

Yes. Look for cards marketed for people building credit, often from credit unions or online lenders like Discover or Capital One. You may also be approved as an authorized user on someone else's card, which helps you build history. Some cards require a cash deposit as security, which becomes your credit limit.

How long does it take to get approved?

Online lenders often decide within hours or a few days. Banks usually take 3 to 7 business days. Credit unions vary, but typically take a week. Once approved, the physical card arrives by mail in 7 to 14 business days, though you can often use the card number online before it arrives.

Does explore for a credit card hurt my credit score?

Yes, but only slightly and temporarily. Each process creates a "hard inquiry" on your credit report, which can lower your score by a few points. The impact fades over time. Multiple applications in a short period do more damage, so space out your applications if you're explore to several cards.

What's the difference between a bank, a credit union, and an online lender?

Banks are for-profit companies with physical branches. Credit unions are not-for-profit and member-owned, often with stricter membership rules. Online lenders operate only online with no branches. Banks have the most card options, credit unions often have lower standards, and online lenders are fastest. Choose based on your credit score and what matters most to you.