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How to prequalify for Capital One credit cards
Get a customized list of cards with high chances of approval before you apply.
Capital One offers an online prequalification process that lets you see customized card offers within 60 seconds. This doesn’t mean you are approved for a credit card, nor that you have applied for one. It only means you have high chances of approval for select credit cards.
The process is done with a soft pull on your credit, which has no impact on your credit score. But after you apply for a card you’re prequalified for, Capital One will do a hard pull on your credit. Keep in mind, even if you prequalify for a certain card, it doesn’t guarantee approval.
How do I get prequalified for a Capital One credit card?
- Go to the Capital One prequalification page.
- Complete the prequalification form with your name, date of birth, Social Security number and residential address, employment status and annual income.
- Review your application and click See if I’m preapproved.
Note: Capital One calls the process pre-approval.
What are the benefits of a Capital One prequalification?
- Better chances of approval. You can see cards that fit your credit profile, though nothing is guaranteed.
- You can still shop around. There’s no obligation to apply. Feel free to get prequalified with other banks.
- Your credit score won’t be affected. Keeping your credit score intact could increase your odds when you apply for a card.
Can I prequalify myself?
An unofficial way to see if you prequalify for a Capital One credit card is to first check your credit score. You can do so for free with either Experian, Equifax or TransUnion.
Capital One offers one student credit card and one secured card for building credit. These two have lower approval criteria and you could get one with at least a fair credit score of 580. To get the cards with higher rewards rates, you need a minimum of a good credit score of at least 680. Of course, the higher your credit score, the higher your chances of approval.
Before you apply for a card, try to lower your overall credit utilization rate to below 30%, and make sure to pay off your current debts on time. This is another factor that can affect your credit card approval.
Bottom line
Capital One offers a short prequalification form. After you submit your information, the provider will show you for which cards you have high chances of approval.
If you’re not sure a Capital One card is the right fit, consider getting prequalified with other providers such as American Express, Chase, Citi and Discover.
Compare Capital One credit cards
To get a sense of which cards you might be approved for based on your credit score, take a look at the list of Capital One cards and compare your options.
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