Credit CardsArticles
How Does LendingTree Get Paid?
LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.

How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.
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Advertising Disclosure
LendingTree is an advertising-supported comparison service. The site features products from our partners as well as institutions which are not advertising partners. While we make an effort to include the best deals available to the general public, we make no warranty that such information represents all available products. We are compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order).

Advertising Disclosure

LendingTree is an advertising-supported comparison service. The site features products from our partners as well as institutions which are not advertising partners. While we make an effort to include the best deals available to the general public, we make no warranty that such information represents all available products. We are compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order).

How to Check Your Credit Card Application Status

Updated on:
Content was accurate at the time of publication.
We receive commissions from our advertising partners. These commissions do not influence our recommendations. Click here to learn more.

Key takeaways

  • You can check your credit card application status on the issuer’s website or by calling it.
  • Not all application delays result in denials — there are several situations that require additional processing time.
  • If your application is denied, consider calling the credit card issuer’s reconsideration line.

 

Waiting for your credit card application to process can feel like an eternity. While it’s common to receive a decision within minutes of submitting your application, it may take several days to get an answer.

Here’s what you need to know about checking your credit card application status, including reasons you may not receive instant approval and what you can do if you’re denied.

The easiest way to keep tabs on your application status is to check online.

1. Go to your issuer’s website. If you choose to call instead, make sure you have all of your information ready before you call.

IssuerPhone numberWebsite
American Express800-392-2000Check status online
Bank of America866-422-8089Check status online
Capital One800-903-9177Check status online
Chase888-338-2586Check status online*
Citi866-606-2787Check status online
Discover800-347-3085Check status online
U.S. Bank800-947-1444Check status online*
Wells Fargo800-967-9521Check status online*

*Requires logging in to check application status. If you don’t have login credentials, you’ll need to call to check on your credit card application.

2. Enter your personal details. Typically, you’ll be asked for your date of birth, the ZIP code for your physical address and the last four digits of your Social Security number (SSN). Just make sure this information matches what you provided on your credit card application.

Note that some issuers, like Chase, U.S. Bank and Wells Fargo, require you to log in to your account to check your application status.

3. View your application status. If you entered your details correctly, you should be able to view your application’s details. If this info isn’t available yet, or you aren’t sure how to find it, try calling instead.

Depending on the status of your application, you may just need to wait a few days for the card to arrive in the mail. If you’re approved and given an instant credit card number, you can use it to immediately make purchases.

However, if your application is pending or requires further review, you’ll unfortunately need to continue waiting. But don’t give up hope — there are many reasons for a delay. It could be that the issuer is backed up with applications. Or, perhaps, you made a mistake on your application and the issuer is still verifying your information.

If you do get a letter denying your application, use the information in the letter to decide whether or not to ask for reconsideration. The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires card issuers to provide you with an adverse action notice that explains why your application was denied. There’s a chance the issuer could approve your application on the second try.

See credit card reconsideration phone numbers

 

Want to compare the best cards from different issuers?

 

If you don’t get an instant decision on your credit card application, don’t assume that your application has been denied. “Application pending” or “under further review” simply means the card issuer hasn’t approved or denied your application yet, and more time is needed to evaluate your application.

Here are a few reasons why an issue may want to review your application further:

  • Recent credit inquiries. If you’ve applied for several credit cards within a short period of time, you’ll have multiple inquiries on your credit report. The card issuer may want to take a closer look at the recent inquiries.
  • Verify income and personal information. While income doesn’t impact your credit score, it does affect new credit applications. Issuers look at your debt-to-income ratio — all your monthly debt payments divided by your gross monthly income — to decide if you’re able to repay debt. Issuers may also need more time to review other personal information listed on your application.
  • Mistakes on your application. If you made a typo on your application, it could potentially delay the card issuer’s verification process. Be on the lookout for a request from the issuer for additional documentation, like your Social Security card or a copy of your driver’s license.
  • Overflow of applications. Sometimes issuers receive a massive number of applications due to limited-time offers and bonuses. The card issuer may need more time to process all the applications, causing a delay.
  • You forgot to unfreeze your credit reports before you applied. If you froze your credit reports with the big three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion), you’ll need to unfreeze them before applying for a credit card. If you plan to refreeze your reports, you can set up a time frame of a couple days or weeks before the freeze is reinstituted.
  • You have too much available credit on an existing card with the same issuer. Issuers set limits on how much credit they’ll extend you based on your credit score and debt-to-income ratio. If your issuer determines that your credit limit on an existing card with it is sufficient, you may have to reach out to ask that some of that existing credit line be moved to the new card.

Learn how to apply for a credit card in seven steps

While it may be out of your hands to speed up the card issuer’s decision process, a few actions may help:

  • Call customer service. You can inquire about the reasons your application is pending and see if you can provide additional information or documentation. This may speed up the decision process and remedy any mistakes you may have made on your application.
  • Monitor your email. The card issuer may reach out with additional questions or requests for documentation. It’s important that you regularly check your email and be prompt in providing any requested information. You should also be sure to check your spam folder for emails regarding your application.

Instead of waiting (sometimes up to several days) to learn whether your credit card application has been approved or denied, you could try a credit card that provides instant approval. That way, you’ll receive an immediate decision on the status of your credit card application — usually within minutes or even seconds.

Here are a couple cards that offer instant approval:

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

| Disclosures
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
apply-now-icon Apply Now
on Chase's secure site
0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months
19.74% - 28.49% Variable
$0
Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier r
  • INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
  • Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
  • After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
  • No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
  • Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.74% - 28.49%.
  • No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
  • Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
  • Member FDIC
660 720 850
Good / Excellent

How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® has a $0 annual fee and a long intro APR on balance transfers. It also comes with a sign-up bonus and rewards.

Discover it® Secured Credit Card

| Disclosures
Discover it® Secured Credit Card*
Discover it<sup>®</sup> Secured Credit Card
Learn More
N/A
27.49% Variable APR
$0
2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000
  • No credit score required to apply. No Annual Fee.
  • Your secured credit card requires a refundable security deposit, and your credit line will equal your deposit amount, starting at $200. Bank information must be provided when submitting your deposit.
  • Raise your credit score by 30+ points.
  • Automatic reviews starting at 7 months to see if we can transition you to an unsecured line of credit and return your deposit.
  • Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
  • Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites. Activate for free.
  • Terms and conditions apply.
300 600
Limited / Poor
*The information related to the Discover it® Secured Credit Card has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply

How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.

The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is good if you have limited / poor credit, but do note that it’s a secured credit card. You’ll have to send in your security deposit before you can begin using the card. Electric transfers are fast, but expect it to take several days before you can use your new credit card.

Not all credit card applications result in approvals. There may be multiple reasons your application was denied, including:

  • You’ve opened several credit cards within the last two years.
  • You don’t have a broad enough mix of credit lines on your credit history.
  • Your credit score was too low for the suggested range.

You can call the issuer’s reconsideration line for credit card denials to see if it’ll reevaluate your information.

If your application was delayed due to issues with your credit history, you should try to raise your credit score and pay down debt before you apply for another card. Here are some things you can do:

  1. Wait several months. During this time, make your payments on time and keep your credit utilization ratio under 30%.
  2. Check your credit report to ensure there are no incorrect entries. A Consumer Reports study found that 44% of people discovered at least one error on their credit report. Dispute credit report errors if you find any.
  3. Pay down debt. The second most significant factor in calculating your FICO Score is the amount you owe on credit cards. If you’re carrying a large balance, try the debt snowball method to aggressively pay it down.
  4. Check to see if you’re preapproved. Sometimes, you can be preapproved for a credit card before you apply. There’s no guarantee that you’ll ultimately be approved, but it’ll allow you to make an educated decision about which card you apply for.
  5. Apply for a card that’s within your credit score range. If you’re working on rebuilding your credit, opt for a credit card for bad credit rather than a credit card for excellent credit, as you likely won’t qualify yet.

 

Interested in options for people with low credit?

 

The information related to the Discover it® Secured Credit Card has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

The content above is not provided by any issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of LendingTree alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any issuer. The offers and/or promotions mentioned above may have changed, expired, or are no longer available. Check the issuer's website for more details.

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