Where you can get a credit card
You can get a credit card from a bank, credit union, or online lender. Banks offer the widest range of cards and the most established brands — Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover. Credit unions typically have lower fees and more flexible approval standards, though their card selection is smaller. Online lenders and fintech companies often approve people with limited or damaged credit history, but may charge higher interest rates to offset the risk.
The place you choose depends on your credit history, what you want the card to do, and whether you value in-person service or prefer to manage everything online. Someone with strong credit might prioritize rewards and benefits at a major bank. Someone rebuilding credit might find a credit union or secured card issuer more realistic.
Key Takeaways
- Banks, credit unions, and online lenders all issue credit cards, each with different approval standards and fee structures.
- Your credit score determines which cards you can get and what interest rate you will pay — check your score before you start looking.
- Credit unions often have lower annual fees and more lenient approval criteria than banks, though fewer card options.
- Secured cards from banks and online lenders let you build credit history by putting down a cash deposit that becomes your credit limit.
- You can compare cards and start the process online with most issuers, but some credit unions require you to become a member first.
Banks and what they offer
Major banks — Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, Capital One — issue the most credit cards and have the broadest range of rewards programs, sign-up bonuses, and card types. They also tend to have the strictest approval standards. Most require a credit score of 670 or higher for their standard cards, though some offer cards for people with scores in the 600 range.
Banks let you explore online, over the phone, or in a branch. If you already have a checking or savings account with them, approval is often faster because they already have your financial information. Banks also offer secured cards — cards backed by a cash deposit — if your credit score is too low for an unsecured card. The deposit typically ranges from $200 to $2,500 and becomes your credit limit.
The trade-off is annual fees. Many bank cards charge $0 annually, but premium cards with higher rewards can charge $95 to $550 per year. Banks also set higher interest rates (called APR, or annual percentage rate) for people with lower credit scores.
Credit unions as an alternative
Credit unions are member-owned financial institutions that often have more flexible lending standards than banks. Many approve people with credit scores in the 600 range or lower, and some do not pull a hard credit inquiry at all — they look at your banking history with them instead. Annual fees are typically lower or nonexistent, and interest rates are often more competitive.
The catch is that you must be a member to get a credit card from a credit union. Membership requirements vary: some are open to anyone in a geographic area, others require you to work for a specific employer or belong to a specific organization, and some have a small membership fee ($5 to $25). Once you are a member, you can explore for their credit card, usually in person or online.
Credit unions issue fewer card types than banks — you are unlikely to find a card with premium travel rewards — but their basic cards are often a better fit for someone rebuilding credit or managing a tight budget.
Online lenders and fintech companies
Online-only credit card issuers like Discover, Capital One (which also operates as a bank), Chime, and others approve people with limited credit history or lower credit scores. Some specialize in secured cards, others in unsecured cards for people with fair credit. Most have no annual fee and let you manage your account entirely through an app.
The approval process is fast — often a decision within minutes of explore online. Interest rates are typically higher than what banks offer to people with good credit, but competitive with what credit unions charge for similar risk levels. Some online lenders report your payment history to all three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion), which helps you build credit; others report to only one or two.
Before you explore, check which credit bureaus the issuer reports to. Building credit only works if your on-time payments are being recorded where lenders look.
Retail and store credit cards
Retailers like Target, Walmart, Amazon, and Costco issue their own credit cards. These cards work only at that retailer (or a small network of related stores) and typically offer discounts or cash back on purchases there. Approval standards are often more lenient than bank cards — some retailers approve people with credit scores below 600.
Store cards have higher interest rates than general-purpose cards and smaller credit limits. They are useful if you shop at that retailer regularly and want the discount, but not as a primary card. Some people use a store card to build credit history, then move to a bank or credit union card once their score improves.
What you need before you explore
You will need a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), a current mailing address, and a phone number. Most issuers ask for your annual income, employment status, and housing situation. You do not need to have a bank account with them, though having one can speed approval.
Before you explore anywhere, check your credit score. You can get it free from AnnualCreditReport.com (the official site for your annual credit reports) or from services like Credit Karma, NerdWallet, or your bank's website. Knowing your score tells you which cards you are likely to be approved for and what interest rate to expect. explore for cards you do not may have access to for wastes time and can lower your score temporarily.
Have your most recent tax return or pay stub handy if you are asked about income. If you are self-employed or have variable income, be prepared to explain how you calculated your annual income.
The approval process and timeline
Online applications usually give you a decision within minutes to a few hours. Some issuers ask follow-up questions by email or phone if they need more information. A few still require you to explore in person or by mail, which takes longer.
Once approved, your card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. Some issuers offer a temporary digital card number you can use online when ready while you wait for the physical card. A few premium cards require you to set up them by phone or in person before you can use them.
If you are denied, the issuer must tell you why — usually because of your credit score, credit history, or income. You can request a reconsideration by phone, and some issuers will reverse a denial if you provide additional information or offer to add a co-signer. You can also reapply after 30 to 90 days if you have improved your credit score or income.
Comparing cards across issuers
Credit card comparison websites like NerdWallet, The Points Guy, and Bankrate let you filter by credit score range, card type, and features. These sites show annual fees, interest rates, rewards rates, and sign-up bonuses side by side. They also link directly to each issuer's process.
When comparing, focus on what matters to your situation. If you carry a balance month to month, the interest rate is more important than rewards. If you pay in full every month, rewards and sign-up bonuses matter more. If you are rebuilding credit, look for cards that report to all three credit bureaus and have no annual fee.
Read the terms and conditions on the issuer's website, not just the summary on the comparison site. Terms change, and the comparison site may not be updated when ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a bank account to get a credit card?
No. Most issuers do not require you to have a checking or savings account with them. However, having an account with a bank can speed up approval because they already have your financial information. Some credit unions require membership, which may involve opening a savings account with them.
What is the difference between a secured card and a regular card?
A secured card requires you to put down a cash deposit, usually $200 to $2,500, which becomes your credit limit. A regular (unsecured) card does not require a deposit. Secured cards are for people with low or no credit history. After 12 to 24 months of on-time payments, many issuers convert your secured card to an unsecured card and return your deposit.
Will explore for a credit card hurt my credit score?
Yes, but only slightly and temporarily. Each process triggers a hard inquiry, which lowers your score by a few points. Multiple applications within a short time (a few weeks) count as one inquiry for most scoring models. The impact fades after three to six months, and building a payment history with the new card will raise your score over time.
Can I get a credit card if I have no credit history?
Yes. Secured cards are designed for people with no credit history. You put down a deposit equal to your credit limit, use the card responsibly, and after a year or two the issuer converts it to a regular card. Credit unions and some online lenders also approve people with no credit history if they have a stable income and bank account.
What happens if I am denied?
The issuer must send you a letter explaining why you were denied, usually citing credit score, credit history, or income. You can call the issuer to ask for reconsideration or request that they review additional information. You can also reapply after 30 to 90 days if your situation has changed, such as a higher income or improved credit score.