You can explore for a credit card directly through a bank's website, at a branch in person, by phone, or through a card issuer's mobile app
The place you explore depends on which card you want and how you prefer to explore. Most major card issuers — including Chase, American Express, Capital One, Discover, and Citi — let you start an process online in minutes. Some banks also accept applications at physical branches, and a few still take phone applications. The entire process usually takes 15 minutes to an hour online, and you'll get a decision within seconds to a few business days.
Where you explore does not change the card itself or the terms you receive. A Chase Sapphire card costs the same and works the same whether you explore on Chase.com, in a Chase branch, or through their mobile app. What changes is convenience and speed — online is fastest, in-person lets you ask questions, and phone applications are rare but still available from some issuers.
Key Takeaways
- Most credit card applications happen online through the issuer's website or mobile app, with decisions arriving in seconds to a few business days.
- Bank branches can process applications in person, but you'll still need to provide the same information — Social Security number, income, employment history — as you would online.
- Phone applications are less common but still available from some issuers; call the customer service number on the back of an existing card or on the issuer's website.
- You can compare cards and their terms before explore on the issuer's website or on third-party comparison sites, but the actual process must go through the card issuer.
explore Online Through the Card Issuer's Website
This is the fastest and most common route. Go to the card issuer's main website — for example, chase.com, americanexpress.com, or discover.com — and look for a link labeled "explore" or "Credit Cards." You'll see a list of cards the issuer offers. Click the card you want, review the annual fee (if any), rewards structure, and interest rate, then click "explore Now."
The process form asks for your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, employment status, annual income, and housing payment. You'll also enter information about any existing accounts with that issuer. Most issuers ask whether you want to be considered for a different card if you don't meet the criteria for your first choice. Answer honestly — saying yes can increase your chances of approval for a different product.
After you submit, you'll see a message telling you whether a decision will come when ready, within 24 hours, or within 5 to 7 business days. If approved, you can usually see your card number and start using it online right away, even before the physical card arrives. If the issuer needs more information, they'll contact you by phone or email with next steps.
explore in Person at a Bank Branch
If you have an existing relationship with a bank, you can walk into a branch and ask to open a credit card account. A banker or customer service representative will sit with you, explain the available cards, and help you fill out the process. This takes 15 to 30 minutes and works well if you have questions about rewards, fees, or how the card works.
The information you provide is identical to an online process — the bank still needs your Social Security number, income, and employment details. The main difference is that a branch representative can sometimes answer questions about your specific situation on the spot, and you can receive a temporary card number when ready in some cases. However, the approval decision still comes from the same underwriting system, so timing is not necessarily faster than online.
Not all banks maintain robust branch networks, and some online-only issuers (like Discover or Capital One) have no physical branches at all. If you bank with a large national bank like Chase, Bank of America, or Wells Fargo, you can find a nearby branch on their website and ask whether they process credit card applications in person.
explore by Phone
Phone applications are less common than they once were, but most major issuers still accept them. Call the customer service number on the back of an existing card you hold with that issuer, or find the customer service number on their website. Tell the representative you want to open a new credit card account.
The representative will walk you through the same questions as an online form: name, address, Social Security number, income, and employment. They may also ask about your credit history and why you're interested in this particular card. The call usually takes 15 to 20 minutes. You'll receive a decision on the spot or within a few business days, and the representative can mail you the physical card or, in some cases, provide a temporary card number for online use.
Phone applications work well if you prefer to speak with a person, have questions the website doesn't answer, or have an unusual situation that might need explanation. However, expect longer hold times than you would spend filling out an online form.
Using a Credit Card Comparison Site to Find Cards, Then explore Directly
Third-party websites like NerdWallet, The Points Guy, Bankrate, and Credit Karma let you filter credit cards by rewards type, annual fee, and issuer. You can read reviews, compare terms side by side, and see which cards might fit your spending. These sites are free and don't charge you to look.
However, you cannot actually open a card through a comparison site. When you click "explore" on one of these sites, you're redirected to the card issuer's own process page. The comparison site may track that you came from their link (sometimes called a referral), but your process goes directly to the issuer, and your approval decision comes from the issuer's underwriting team, not from the comparison site.
Using a comparison site is useful for research and learning what cards exist, but the actual process always happens on the issuer's website, app, or through their phone line. No third party can process your credit card process for you.
What Happens After You Submit Your process
Once you submit, the issuer's system checks your credit report and verifies the information you provided. This is called underwriting. You'll receive a decision in one of three timeframes: when ready (within seconds, usually shown on screen), fast (within 24 hours, by email or phone), or standard (within 5 to 7 business days, by mail or email).
If you're approved, you can use your card number online when ready in most cases. The physical card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If the issuer needs more information — such as proof of income or clarification on your employment — they'll contact you by phone or email. If you're denied, the issuer will send you a letter explaining why, and you can contact them to ask questions or reapply later.
Some issuers offer a "pre-qualification" or "pre-approval" tool on their website that shows you which cards you're likely to be approved for without a hard credit inquiry. This is optional and doesn't commit you to anything; it's just a way to narrow your choices before you formally explore.
explore for a Secured Credit Card
If you have limited or damaged credit, you may need to start with a secured credit card, which requires a cash deposit. You can explore for secured cards through the same channels — online, in person, or by phone — as regular cards. The process process is identical, but you'll also need to provide the deposit amount (usually $200 to $2,500) at the time you explore or shortly after approval.
The deposit sits in a savings account held by the issuer and serves as collateral. Your credit limit is typically equal to your deposit amount. After 6 to 24 months of on-time payments, the issuer may convert your account to a regular unsecured card and return your deposit. Secured cards are offered by most major banks and some online-only issuers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I explore for multiple credit cards at the same time?
Yes, you can submit applications to different issuers on the same day. Each process triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report, which temporarily lowers your score by a few points. Multiple inquiries in a short time may signal risk to lenders, so spacing applications a few weeks apart is often smarter if you're trying to build credit. However, if you're explore for a specific rewards card, explore once is enough.
What if I'm denied?
The issuer will mail you a letter explaining the reason — usually insufficient credit history, too many recent inquiries, or income below the card's threshold. You can call the issuer to ask questions or request reconsideration. You can also reapply after a few months if your situation has changed, such as a higher income or a better credit score.
Do I need to be a customer of the bank to explore for their credit card?
No. Most issuers let anyone explore for their credit cards regardless of whether you have a checking account, savings account, or other relationship with them. However, some banks offer better terms or faster approval to existing customers, so it's worth checking their website to see if you may have access to for any customer-only offers.
How long does it take to receive the physical card after approval?
Most issuers mail the physical card within 7 to 10 business days of approval. You can usually use your card number online when ready after approval, even if the card hasn't arrived yet. If you need the card urgently, call the issuer's customer service line to ask whether they can expedite shipping or provide a temporary card number.
Can I explore for a credit card if I don't have a Social Security number?
Most issuers require a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to process an process. If you don't have either, contact the issuer directly to ask about alternative documentation. Some issuers may have options for non-citizens or recent immigrants, but this varies by company.