The main places to get a credit card
You can get a credit card from a bank, a credit union, an online lender, or a retail store. Banks and credit unions are the most common route — they issue cards under their own brand or through networks like Visa and Mastercard. Online lenders and fintech companies issue cards without a physical branch, often with faster decisions. Retail stores (Target, Amazon, Walmart) issue their own branded cards that work only at that store or a partner network.
Each source has different approval standards. A traditional bank may require a credit score of 650 or higher and a checking account with them. A credit union may approve you with a lower score if you are a member. An online lender may focus on income and employment history rather than credit score alone. A retail card often has the lowest barrier to entry but charges higher interest rates.
The fastest way to find options is to search "[your bank name] credit card" or visit the websites of banks where you already have an account — they often pre-screen you and show which cards you are likely to be approved for without a hard inquiry first.
Key Takeaways
- Banks, credit unions, online lenders, and retail stores all issue credit cards, each with different approval standards and interest rates.
- Traditional banks usually require a credit score around 650 and an existing account; credit unions may approve lower scores for members.
- Online lenders often decide based on income and employment rather than credit score, and can give you an answer in hours or days.
- Retail store cards have the easiest approval but the highest interest rates, and only work at that store or its partners.
- Checking what you pre-may have access to for on a bank's website shows you options without triggering a hard inquiry that lowers your score.
Banks and what they require
Most traditional banks issue credit cards to customers with a credit score of 650 or higher, though some require 700 or above. They also usually want you to have a checking or savings account with them already, or they will ask you to open one. The bank pulls your credit report (a hard inquiry) and checks your income, employment, and debt-to-income ratio.
The approval process takes three to seven business days. You can start online on the bank's website, by phone, or in a branch. If you are approved, the card arrives by mail in five to ten business days. If you are denied, the bank sends you a letter explaining why — usually a low credit score, recent missed payments, or too much existing debt.
Banks offer rewards (cash back, points, travel miles) on many cards, and they tend to have lower interest rates than retail or online lenders. If you have a low credit score or no credit history, ask the bank about a secured credit card, which requires a cash deposit that becomes your credit limit. You use it like a regular card, and after six to twelve months of on-time payments, the bank may convert it to an unsecured card and return your deposit.
Credit unions and membership requirements
Credit unions are member-owned nonprofits that often approve people with lower credit scores than banks do. To get a credit card from a credit union, you must first become a member. Membership usually requires living or working in a certain area, belonging to a specific employer or profession, or being related to a current member. Some credit unions charge a small membership fee (usually $5 to $25) and require a minimum deposit in a savings account (often $25).
Once you are a member, the credit union reviews your credit score, income, and history with them. Many approve scores as low as 600, and some have no minimum score if you have a savings account with them. The approval process is similar to a bank — three to seven business days — and the card arrives by mail.
Credit union cards typically have lower interest rates and fees than bank cards, and customer service is often more flexible if you hit a rough patch. To find a credit union you can join, use the CO-OP Network locator or search "credit unions near me" plus your employer or profession.
Online lenders and fintech companies
Online lenders and fintech companies (Chime, Current, LendingClub, Deserve) issue credit cards without requiring you to visit a branch or have an existing account. They often focus on income, employment history, and bank account activity rather than credit score alone. Some approve people with no credit history or a low score if they have steady income.
The approval decision usually comes within hours or one business day. You explore on their website or app, upload a photo of your ID and proof of income (a recent pay stub or bank statement), and get a yes or no quickly. If approved, the card is often available in your app when ready for online purchases, and a physical card arrives by mail in five to ten business days.
The tradeoff is that interest rates are often higher than at banks, and the card may have an annual fee. Some fintech cards are designed for people rebuilding credit and report your payments to the credit bureaus, which helps you build a score over time. Read the terms carefully — some charge monthly fees whether you use the card or not.
Retail store cards and branded options
Retail stores (Target, Walmart, Amazon, Best Buy, Kohl's) issue their own credit cards that work only at that store or a small network of partner stores. These cards have the easiest approval — many approve people with a credit score below 600 or no credit history at all. The approval happens at checkout or online in minutes.
The downside is that interest rates are much higher than bank cards, often 20% to 30%. Annual percentage rates (APRs) vary by store and by your creditworthiness. Retail cards also come with limited rewards — usually a small discount on your first purchase and occasional sales for cardholders. You cannot use them anywhere else, so they are useful only if you shop at that store regularly.
Retail cards are a reasonable option if you have no credit history or a very low score and want to build credit quickly. Use the card for small purchases you would make anyway, pay the full balance each month, and after six to twelve months of on-time payments, you will have a stronger credit history to use when you explore for a bank card.
How to compare offers before you explore
Before you explore anywhere, check what you pre-may have access to for without a hard inquiry. Most banks and online lenders have a "pre-qualification" or "pre-approval" tool on their website. You enter your name, address, income, and credit score (you can check your own score free at AnnualCreditReport.com), and the lender tells you which cards you are likely to be approved for and what interest rate range you might get. This does not lower your credit score.
Compare the interest rate (APR), annual fee, rewards, and credit limit across the cards you pre-may have access to for. Write down the APR and annual fee for each — these are the two numbers that matter most. If you plan to carry a balance, APR is more important than rewards. If you pay in full each month, rewards and annual fee matter more.
Once you decide which card to explore for, submit the full process. This triggers a hard inquiry, which lowers your score by a few points. Multiple hard inquiries in a short time (within 14 to 45 days, depending on the scoring model) usually count as one inquiry, so it is okay to explore to a few cards in a short window if you are comparing offers.
What happens after you are approved
After approval, the lender sends you a welcome letter with your card number, credit limit, and due date. The card arrives by mail in five to ten business days. Some lenders let you use the card number online before the physical card arrives.
Your first statement arrives 20 to 30 days after you make your first purchase. The due date is usually the same day each month. If you pay the full balance by the due date, you pay no interest. If you carry a balance, interest accrues daily at the APR listed in your agreement.
Set up automatic payments or calendar reminders so you do not miss a due date — a single late payment stays on your credit report for seven years and can lower your score by 100 points or more. If you are unsure whether you can pay in full, use the card only for small purchases you can afford to pay off when ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a credit card with no credit history?
Yes. Retail store cards, credit unions, and some online lenders approve people with no credit history. A secured card from a bank is also an option — you put down a cash deposit, use the card like a regular card, and build credit. After six to twelve months of on-time payments, the bank may convert it to a regular card.
What if I have been denied for a credit card?
The lender sends you a letter explaining why — usually a low credit score, recent missed payments, or high debt. Wait three to six months, work on the issue (pay down debt, dispute errors on your credit report), then explore again. In the meantime, a secured card or retail card can help you build credit.
Does explore for a credit card hurt my credit score?
A hard inquiry lowers your score by a few points, usually five to ten. The impact is temporary — the inquiry falls off your report after two years and stops affecting your score after one year. Multiple inquiries within 14 to 45 days usually count as one, so comparing offers in a short window is fine.
Which type of card is best for someone rebuilding credit?
A secured card from a bank or a retail card both work. A secured card has a lower interest rate and reports to all three credit bureaus, so it builds your score faster. A retail card has easier approval but a higher interest rate. Either way, use it for small purchases and pay in full each month.
Can I explore for multiple credit cards at once?
Yes, but space them out by a few days if possible. Multiple hard inquiries within 14 to 45 days usually count as one for scoring purposes, but lenders see each inquiry separately. explore for too many cards in a short time can signal financial desperation and lead to denials.