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How to pre-qualify for Barclaycard credit cards
Right now, pre-qualification isn't available for American applicants.
Barclaycard boasts a variety of credit cards, and it’s particularly well-stocked with travel products.
While Barclaycard doesn’t offer pre-qualification for American applicants, you can increase your chances of receiving a pre-approval letter in the mail.
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Updated September 21st, 2019
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What does pre-qualification mean?
Pre-qualification means a bank has checked your credit via a soft pull and determined you might qualify for one of its credit cards.
If you receive pre-qualification and apply for a card, you typically have a greater chance of approval. Your odds may be as high as 80% to 90%.
Unfortunately, pre-qualification doesn’t guarantee approval. The bank may still deny you if your credit profile fails to meet its requirements. For example, your annual income might fall short of the bank’s minimum.
Still, pre-qualification can help you get a sense of your approval chances before applying. When you apply, the bank will initiate a hard pull on your credit history.
Soft vs. hard credit pull
Understanding the difference between a soft and hard pull can help you protect your credit score.
A soft pull is a quick background check. A bank might use one to see if you’re a good fit for its credit cards. It also doesn’t lower your credit score.
When you apply with a bank for a lending decision — such as applying for a credit card — the bank will initiate a hard pull. This will lower your credit score slightly.
A hard pull here and there will have very little affect your credit, but you should still hold off on going wild with applications. It’s considered best practice to avoid multiple hard pulls within a short period. Lenders see it as a red flag, as it implies you’re desperate for credit.
How do I get pre-qualified for a Barclaycard credit card?
Unfortunately, American consumers can’t currently request pre-qualification for Barclaycard credit cards.
The closest thing is to receive a pre-approval letter in the mail, but not by request.
While receiving a pre-approval letter is out of your control, you still may be able to increase your chances of getting one. Barclaycard looks for consumers with good credit, so focus on financial factors that contribute to a high credit score.
Bottom line
While there’s no Barclaycard pre-qualification for American consumers, it’s available for cards from other providers. Consider getting pre-qualified for cards from Chase or American Express when comparing your options.
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