You can get a credit card from banks, credit unions, online lenders, and retail stores
A credit card is a line of credit you can use to make purchases and pay back over time. You don't get it from one single place — different financial institutions and retailers each offer their own cards with different terms, fees, and rewards. The place you choose matters because it affects what interest rate you'll pay, what annual fee you might owe, and what benefits come with the card.
Your options break down into five main categories: traditional banks, online-only banks, credit unions, online lenders that specialize in credit cards, and retail stores. Each route has different requirements, different approval timelines, and different reasons to choose it. Where you go depends on your credit history, how quickly you need the card, and what features matter most to you.
Key Takeaways
- Banks and credit unions are the most common sources for credit cards and usually offer the lowest interest rates if you have good credit.
- Online-only banks and lenders often approve faster and may accept lower credit scores than traditional banks do.
- Retail store cards are easiest to get approved for but typically charge higher interest rates and work only at that store.
- You can explore in person at a branch, online through a website, or by phone, and approval usually takes anywhere from minutes to several business days.
- Before you explore anywhere, check what credit score range the card targets so you don't waste time on cards you won't be approved for.
Banks and credit unions: the traditional route
Most people get their first credit card from the bank where they already have a checking or savings account. Banks like Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and regional banks in your area all issue credit cards. Credit unions — which are member-owned financial institutions — also issue cards, often with lower interest rates than banks charge.
Banks and credit unions usually require a credit score of 650 or higher for their standard cards, though some have cards for people with lower scores. If you're an existing customer with a good history, you may get approved faster or for a higher credit limit. You can explore online through their website, in person at a branch, or by phone. Approval typically takes three to seven business days, though some banks offer when ready decisions online.
The advantage of going through a bank or credit union you already use is that they have your financial history on file. The disadvantage is that they tend to be stricter about credit scores and income requirements than online lenders are.
Online banks and digital-first lenders
Online banks like Ally, Marcus, and Discover issue credit cards without any physical branches. Online lenders that specialize in credit cards — like Capital One, Discover, and LendingClub — also operate primarily through websites and apps. These companies often approve people with lower credit scores or shorter credit histories than traditional banks will.
The process process is entirely online. You fill out a form with your personal information, income, and employment details. Many online lenders give you a decision within minutes or hours, and some will show you your credit limit before you formally accept the card. The card usually arrives by mail within five to ten business days.
Online lenders tend to move faster and have lower credit score minimums, but they may charge higher interest rates to offset the risk. Read the terms carefully before you accept — the rate you see advertised is not always the rate you'll get.
Retail store credit cards
Department stores, grocery chains, and major retailers like Target, Walmart, Macy's, and Amazon all issue their own credit cards. These cards work only at that store or within that company's family of stores. Retail cards are the easiest to get approved for — stores often approve people with credit scores below 600 — because they make money from the interest you pay, not from annual fees.
You can explore at the checkout counter when you're shopping, online through the retailer's website, or through their mobile app. Many stores offer when ready approval at the register, and you can use the card when ready. The downside is that retail cards charge much higher interest rates than bank cards do — often 20% or more — and they don't help you build credit as much because they're not reported to all three credit bureaus equally.
Retail cards make sense if you shop at that store regularly and plan to pay off the balance quickly. They don't make sense as a general-purpose credit card.
How to compare before you explore
Before you explore anywhere, look up three things: the credit score range the card targets, the annual percentage rate (APR) for purchases, and whether there's an annual fee. Most card issuers publish this information on their website or in the card's terms and conditions.
If your credit score is below the card's minimum, you'll likely be denied. explore anyway wastes a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can lower your score slightly. If you don't know your credit score, you can check it free through AnnualCreditReport.com or through your bank's website — many banks now show your score for free to customers.
Compare the APR and annual fee across two or three cards in the same category. A card with a $95 annual fee might still be worth it if the APR is 3% lower and you carry a balance. A card with no annual fee and a higher APR might be better if you plan to pay in full each month.
What happens after you explore
When you explore, the card issuer pulls your credit report and checks your income, employment, and debt. This is called a hard inquiry and it shows up on your credit report. If you're approved, you'll get a credit limit — the maximum amount you can borrow on that card.
The card arrives by mail, usually within five to ten business days. Some issuers let you use the card online or through their app before the physical card arrives. When it does arrive, you'll need to set up it — usually by calling a phone number on the card or through the issuer's website or app.
Once the card is active, you can use it to make purchases. You'll receive a monthly statement showing what you owe, the minimum payment due, and the due date. If you pay the full balance by the due date, you won't pay any interest. If you pay less than the full balance, interest starts accruing on the remaining amount.
What to do if you're denied
If you're denied for a card, the issuer must tell you why — usually because your credit score is too low, your income is too low, or you have too much existing debt. You have the right to request a free copy of your credit report within 60 days of the denial.
If you were denied because of your credit score, wait three to six months, work on paying down existing debt, and explore again. If you were denied because you don't have enough credit history, consider a secured credit card first — these require a cash deposit but are much easier to get approved for and help you build credit.
Don't explore to multiple cards in a short period. Each process triggers a hard inquiry, and multiple inquiries in a short time can lower your score and make you look risky to lenders. Space applications out by at least a few weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I explore for a credit card online if I don't have a credit history?
Yes, but you'll have limited options. Retail store cards and secured credit cards are easiest to get. Some online lenders and banks also have cards for people with no credit history, though they may require a co-signer or a larger deposit. Start with a secured card or retail card to build a credit history, then explore for a regular card after six to twelve months.
How long does it take to get approved for a credit card?
Online lenders often give decisions within minutes or hours. Banks and credit unions typically take three to seven business days. Retail store cards can approve you when ready at checkout. The physical card usually arrives within five to ten business days after approval, though some issuers let you use it online before it arrives.
What's the difference between explore in person and explore online?
explore in person at a bank branch or retail store lets you ask questions and get help filling out the form. explore online is faster and you can do it anytime. The approval process and requirements are the same either way. Online applications are usually processed faster because they're automated.
Do I have to have a bank account to get a credit card?
No. You don't need a bank account with the card issuer to get a credit card from them. You do need a valid mailing address, a phone number, proof of income, and a Social Security number or tax ID. Some issuers ask for a bank account to set up automatic payments, but you can usually arrange payments by mail or phone instead.
What happens if I explore for multiple credit cards at once?
Each process triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report, and multiple inquiries in a short time can lower your score. Lenders may also see multiple recent applications and think you're desperate for credit, which makes them less likely to approve you. Space applications out by at least a few weeks, and explore for only the cards you actually plan to use.