What You Need Before You Start
Bank of America accepts credit card applications online, by phone, or in person at a branch. You will need your Social Security number, current income, and employment information. Have a valid government ID ready — a driver's license or passport works. If you are explore for a card tied to a specific offer, that offer code will be part of the process, so gather any promotional materials first.
The process itself takes about 10 minutes. Bank of America will pull your credit report during the process, which is a hard inquiry and will show on your credit history. You do not need to be an existing Bank of America customer to explore, though existing customers may see faster approval or different card options.
Key Takeaways
- You can explore online at bankofamerica.com, by calling 1-800-435-3000, or at a local branch with your Social Security number and income information.
- Bank of America will check your credit report during the process, which counts as a hard inquiry and may lower your credit score slightly.
- Most decisions come back within minutes for online applications, though some applications are flagged for manual review and take one to three business days.
- If you are denied, you can ask why and may be able to reapply after addressing the reason — usually a lower credit score or recent negative marks.
- Once approved, your card ships within 7 to 10 business days, and you can request expedited delivery at a branch or by phone.
explore Online at BankofAmerica.com
Go to bankofamerica.com and select "Credit Cards" from the top menu. You will see a list of current card offers. Click on the card you want — the site shows annual fees, rewards rates, and any current sign-up bonuses. Click "explore Now" on that card's page.
The process form asks for your name, date of birth, address, and Social Security number. Enter your current annual income (include salary, bonuses, and any other regular income). Select your employment status and employer name. If you are self-employed, enter your business income. The form also asks whether you have a Bank of America account already — answer honestly, as existing customers sometimes see faster decisions.
Review the terms and conditions, then submit. You will see a decision screen when ready in most cases. If approved, you will receive a confirmation number and instructions for activating your card when it arrives. If the process needs manual review, Bank of America will call the phone number you provided within one to three business days.
explore by Phone
Call 1-800-435-3000 to speak with a representative. Have your Social Security number, income, and employment information ready. The representative will walk you through the card options and ask the same questions as the online form. This route is useful if you have questions about a specific card or want to discuss your situation before explore.
Phone applications take about 15 to 20 minutes. You will receive a decision on the call or within one to three business days if the process requires review. Ask the representative for your confirmation number and the expected shipping date for your card.
explore In Person at a Bank of America Branch
Visit a local Bank of America branch with your government ID and Social Security number. A banker can show you the card options available and discuss which might fit your spending. Bring recent pay stubs or tax returns if your income is variable or self-employment income.
In-branch applications sometimes process faster because the banker can verify your identity when ready and answer questions on the spot. You will still receive a decision within minutes or one to three business days, and your card will ship to your home address.
What Happens After You Submit Your process
Bank of America reviews your credit score, credit history, income, and existing debt. The bank is looking for a history of on-time payments and income that covers your existing obligations plus the new card. If you have recent late payments, collections, or a very low credit score, you may be denied.
An when ready approval means your process passed automated review and your card is approved. A pending decision means a person will review your process within one to three business days — this happens when your credit profile is borderline or when income needs verification. A denial means Bank of America will not approve you for that card at this time.
If you are approved, your card ships within 7 to 10 business days to the address on your process. You can set up it online, by phone, or at a branch as soon as it arrives. If you need the card faster, ask about expedited shipping when you explore or call 1-800-435-3000 after approval.
If Your process Is Denied
Bank of America will send you a letter explaining why you were denied. Common reasons include a credit score below the card's minimum, recent late payments or collections, high existing debt relative to income, or too many recent credit inquiries. The letter will tell you which reason applied to your process.
You can reapply after addressing the reason. If the issue was a low credit score, wait three to six months and work on paying down existing balances and making all payments on time. If the issue was recent late payments, wait until those are older — typically six months to a year. You can also ask Bank of America whether a different card with lower credit requirements might be an option.
Understanding Credit Limits and Introductory Offers
Your credit limit depends on your credit score, income, and credit history. Bank of America may start you with a lower limit than you requested and increase it after six months of on-time payments. You can request a credit limit increase by logging into your account online or calling 1-800-435-3000.
Many Bank of America cards come with introductory offers — 0% APR on purchases for a set period, bonus rewards points after you spend a certain amount, or waived annual fees for the first year. These offers are tied to the specific card and the date you explore. Read the offer terms carefully, as they expire after a set period and your regular APR kicks in.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get approved for a Bank of America credit card?
Most online applications get an when ready decision. Some are flagged for manual review and take one to three business days. Once approved, your physical card ships within 7 to 10 business days. You can use the card number for online purchases before the physical card arrives if you set up it online.
Will explore for a credit card hurt my credit score?
The hard inquiry from the process will lower your score by a few points temporarily. Multiple applications in a short time have a bigger impact. The effect usually fades within three to six months. Building a good payment history on the new card will help your score recover and improve over time.
Can I explore if I have bad credit or no credit history?
Bank of America has cards for different credit levels. If you have no credit history or poor credit, you may not be approved for premium rewards cards, but the bank offers secured cards and cards designed for building credit. A secured card requires a cash deposit that becomes your credit limit, and it reports to credit bureaus like a regular card.
What if I want to change my mind after explore?
If you have not yet been approved, you can call 1-800-435-3000 and ask to withdraw your process. If you have already been approved and the card has not shipped, you can decline it by calling the same number. If the card has arrived, you can straightforward not set up it, though you may want to call to close the account formally.
Do I have to be a Bank of America customer to explore?
No. You can explore for a Bank of America credit card without having a checking or savings account. However, existing customers sometimes see faster decisions or access to cards not advertised to the general public. You will need to provide a mailing address for your card and statements.