Find credit cards you can get approved for – with no effect on your credit score
What do these results mean?
Result | What we mean |
---|---|
![]() | You charmer! Being pre-approved means this lender is super keen on you. You’re basically a shoe-in for this card, as long as you use all the same details to sign up with the lender as you used for our form. It’ll also want to do a few of its own tests for fraud and money laundering, so you’ll have to pass those too. |
![]() | The lender wants your business, but it just has to make a few more of its own checks. Nothing to get too worried about though – out of 100 applicants in the same financial situation as you, between 70 and 95 percent get approved. |
![]() | We know this is a bit like saying there’s a 50% chance it might rain tomorrow. Not the most definitive advice. As going through the application on the lender’s own site can affect your credit score, applying for this card is only really worth it if you urgently need the credit for something specific and this is the highest score on your list. |
![]() | Out of every 100 people who apply for this card and have a similar financial situation to you, only around 10 to 30 get approved. Not great odds! Of course, there is a chance you might be one of the lucky few, but it doesn’t look likely and a rejection can affect your credit score. |
![]() | Unfortunately, you don’t meet this lender’s criteria for credit. In other words, computer says no. This could be for a number of reasons – your income is not high enough, the lender deems your credit history to be problematic or you already have one of this lender’s cards. But don’t get discouraged – focus on building up your credit score and try again in the future. |
![]() | It’s not you, it’s us. We either don’t have enough information available about the acceptance criteria for this card, or we can’t match your details with your credit report. Either way, we are unable to give you a rating for this card at this time. |
How can I improve my credit score?
If your results don’t contain any suitable cards for your needs, don’t despair. There are several things you can do to improve your credit score, so that next time you check your eligibility, you get a better outcome.
In the interest of full disclosure, we should mention that, while our list is comprehensive, it doesn’t contain every single card on the market. The benefit of checking your eligibility through Finder is that this doesn’t affect your credit score, even if you don’t get the results you were hoping for.
We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our terms of use. When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circumstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you.
What is a credit card eligibility checker?
A credit card eligibility checker allows you to see which credit cards you’re likely to be approved for without having to make a full application. It only takes a few minutes to complete, and has no impact on your credit score.
Why should I check my eligibility before I apply?
If you apply for a credit card but are then rejected, this will appear on your credit file, and can impact your chances of getting approved in the future. By using an eligibility checker before you apply, you can see which cards you’re likely to be approved for, which can help you avoid being rejected and damaging your credit score.
How to check if I can get a credit card
- Start the eligibility checker.
- Choose which type of credit card you’re after.
- Fill in your personal details and residential status.
- Fill in your financial details.
- Add your email address.
- Click “See your cards” to see the ones you’ll be eligible for.
What do I need to complete the application?
Once you’ve seen your results, you can apply for a particular card by clicking “Go to site”. To complete your credit card application, you’ll need to provide your personal details and financial information to the credit card providers, as well as any other documents they require.
What are the minimum requirements to apply for a credit card in the UK?
To apply for a credit card in the UK, you’ll need to meet the following criteria:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a UK resident
- Have a UK bank account
There are also minimum income requirements you’ll likely need to meet to be eligible for a credit card.
Will Finder’s credit card checker impact my credit score?
No, using Finder’s credit card checker will not appear on your credit file, and has no affect on your credit score. When you use our eligibility checker, a “soft” credit check will be performed but this is simply used to find the cards that you’re likely to be approved for, and does not impact your credit score in any way.
How will my information be used?
You can see how your information will be used by reading our terms and conditions.
What happens next?
Once you’ve completed the eligibility checker, you can click “See your cards” to find out which credit cards you’re likely to be approved for. We use a rating system to show your likelihood of being approved, which ranges from “pre-approved” to “not eligible”.
How are the results shown?
You’ll receive your results as a comparison table that lists all relevant credit cards based on how likely you are to be approved. You can then find out more about a certain card by clicking on “More info”, or apply for the card by clicking “Go to site”.
How long are my results valid for?
Your results should remain valid for as long as your credit file remains the same, or until providers make changes to their eligibility requirements. Credit files are generally updated once each month, but this can vary depending on the credit reference agency.
How can I improve my chances of being accepted?
The best way to improve your chances of getting a credit card is to improve your credit score. There are a number of straightforward ways to boost your credit rating, including registering for the electoral roll, paying your bills and debts on time, and even taking out a credit-builder credit card.
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