Credit card application status: How to check on your credit card application

When you apply for a credit card, you can usually expect an immediate response (or at least 60 seconds). However, if you still haven’t heard back from the provider, it might be time to take things into your own hands. It’s not a difficult process, but to make things even easier, we’ve summarised all of the major credit card provider details and offered up some tips on how to best approach the situation.

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• How long does it take to get approved?
• What responses can I expect when applying for a card?
• Why is my application taking so long?
• Common mistakes when awaiting the status of your application

Q: How long does it take for my application to be approved?

A: On average 1-2 weeks

Although most credit card applications provide instant approval or conditional approval (approved within 2-4 business days), credit card providers can take between one to two weeks to review an application. If you’re an existing member of the bank, the process may be quicker as they’d already have some of your verified information in their systems. The general rule is to provide all of the required information when you apply, as this will generally speed up the approval process. Also, a good practice would be to run a quotation search first and be absolutely certain that you meet all eligibility requirements for the card.

Main reasons why your application is taking longer than expected

If your credit card application is taking longer than usual to process, it could be owing to one of the following reasons:

• The provider thinks that certain information on your application may be insufficient, incorrect or inconsistent, and may require adding or changing.
• The provider sees marks on your credit file that it wishes to analyse further or discuss with you.
• The provider has to deal with a large number of applications and hasn’t reached yours yet.
• The provider has misplaced your application.

Resolving the matter is often simple, and can sometimes take no more than a phone call. Monitor your calls, inbox and mailbox in case the provider is trying to get in touch with you, but know that calling them first is always the quicker option.

Q. How can I check on my application?

If you haven’t received a response regarding your application, you can contact your provider by following the steps and using the contact details listed in the table below.

Credit card application status numbers

Provider	Phone number
AccountNow	877-762-2308
American Express	800-567-1085
Bank of America	866-695-6598
Barclaycard	866-408-4064
BB&T	800-476-4228
Blispay	877-907-7475
Capital One Bank	800-625-7866
Chase Bank	888-338-2586
Citibank	888-201-4523
Comerica Bank	855-451-9201
Credit One Bank	800-752-5493
Discover	800-347-3085
Fidelity FIA	866-598-4971
First Premier Bank	800-987-5521
First Progress	Check on website
Gettington	866-688-1091
Indigo® Platinum Mastercard® Credit Card	503-268-4711
Milestone® Gold Mastercard®	866-453-2636
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card	Check on website
PNC Bank	877-225-5762
Primor Visa	Check on website
READYdebit Prepaid Visa	866-295-2460
StateFarm Visa Cards	800-324-4946
SunTrust Credit Cards	800-786-8787
TD Bank	888-561-8861
Total Visa Card	888-267-7942
UNITY Visa® Secured Credit Card	Check on website
US Bank	877-625-5249
USAA	800-531-8722
Voice Credit Card by Huntington	800-480-2265
Wells Fargo	800-967-9521

Store card application status numbers

Provider	Phone number
Academy Sports Outdoor Card	800-947-1444
My Best Buy® Visa® Card	Check on website
Boscov’s Credit Card
Fingerhut	800-208-2500
GAP	800-427-7895
Home Depot	866-875-5488
Lowes	800-444-1408
Macy’s	888-257-6757
Newegg Credit Card	888-609-0794
Target REDcard™ Credit Card	800-424-6888
Ulta Credit Card	866-983-8582
Wayfair Credit Card	866-513-5795

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What responses can I expect when applying for a card?

Approval can be instant and verified within 60 seconds online, but you could also receive the following responses depending on whether the bank requires more information:

Instant approval

With instant online applications, credit card providers provide a response on your application status almost immediately. While lending criteria varies between providers and cards, common checks include identity verification and credit score checks. By providing all the required information and keeping a good credit history, you can look forward to instant approval.

Referral

If your credit card application is under referral, the card provider basically requires more time to carry out further assessments before giving you a conclusive answer.

Conditional approval

Getting conditional approval essentially means that the credit card provider is buying time to verify your details before granting approval. In such a scenario, you might have to provide personal identification documents or payslips by visiting a branch office or via fax. Complete approval only takes effect after that’s done and you’ve signed the contract.

Application not approved

The reason behind a provider not approving your application could be that you haven’t met the lending criteria. Such factors could include insufficient income, poor creditworthiness or credit history, and unstable employment. If you’ve been rejected, don’t apply for another card straight away. Instead, either request a copy of your credit report to make sure everything’s in order or start comparing other cards to apply for in a few months, making sure you’re paying attention to the eligibility requirements.

Common mistakes you need to avoid when awaiting the status of your application

Here are some things you should expect or avoid while waiting to hear back about the status of your credit card application:

• Making multiple applications.
  You may be tempted to apply for another credit card while you’re waiting for a response, but know that multiple simultaneous applications will have a negative impact on your credit file.
• Credit report mistakes.
  If your credit card was rejected and you’re unsure why, make sure you’ve met the eligibility requirements and order a copy of your credit score to make sure you haven’t fallen victim to fraud or mistakes on your file. If you find a genuine error on the report, contact the credit card provider and credit reporting body to initiate investigation and correction.
• Customer service delays.
  It could take days or weeks for a bank to respond to an email enquiry and you’re to expect wait times when you’re contacting the customer service phone line. Before you call, make sure the number you’re dialling is toll-free. If it isn’t, avoid calling early in the morning, at lunch time or after 5pm when they’re likely to be inundated with calls.

Applying for a credit card is one thing, but receiving it is quite another. You may have to wait a considerable period for it, which is why we recommend you apply in advance and always stay on top of your application by calling your provider.

Compare three of Finder’s picks

If you haven’t submitted your application yet, consider one of these popular cards.

Questions you’ve asked about credit card applications

• What factors can have a negative effect on my credit card application?

  Factors that can adversely affect your application include poor creditworthiness, no credit history, mistakes on your credit file, low income, recent change in employment, too much existing debt, and too many credit enquiries.

• Can the credit limit I ask for have an effect on my application?

  Yes, it can. Credit card providers use different criteria to decide credit limits, and while you might not qualify for a higher limit you could qualify for a lower limit.

• If there's a mistake on my credit file that's causing problems with my application can I fix it?

  If you notice a mistake on your credit file you should report it to the credit provider in question immediately, and the provider should then rectify the mistake by contacting the credit agency in question. Make sure you send a copy of the dispute to Equifax and Experian because they maintain separate records.

• If I don't understand any section of the application, is it okay to leave it blank?

  Incomplete applications have little to no chance of success, and if you submit an incomplete application, the provider might take some time to seek additional information, if it does so at all. If there’s anything in the application you don’t understand, seek clarification from the provider and then proceed.

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