September 28, 2023
Why use LendingTree?
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® features high cash back earning rates across multiple bonus categories and opens the door to the Chase Ultimate Rewards® program, all for a $0 annual fee.
Applying for a rewards credit card often seems like a game leaving you guessing whether you’ll be approved. Card issuers perform a hard credit inquiry when you apply for a credit card to determine your creditworthiness. Hard credit inquiries can cause your credit score to drop, at least temporarily.
Luckily, preapproved credit cards allow you to see if you’re eligible for a card before applying without taking a hit to your credit. Many credit card issuers allow you to submit basic personal information and receive preapproval through a soft credit inquiry, which doesn’t affect your credit. Getting preapproved for a card doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll automatically be approved, but it gives you an idea of which cards you’ll likely be approved for once you apply.
Finding the best preapproved credit card often depends on the cards available. The cards you’re preapproved for may be different than what other people may receive offers for. The right preapproved card also depends on your needs. You can find preapproved cards to fit a variety of purposes, from building credit to earning travel rewards or cash back and more.
Cash back rewards: Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases
Chase Freedom Unlimited® is our top choice for preapproved card because of its wide array of benefits. The $0-annual-fee card offers a solid sign-up bonus, higher cash back rates in popular spending categories and extended interest-free periods for both purchases and balance transfers.
Who’s this card best for?
Chase Freedom Unlimited® is an excellent option for individuals who want to get rewarded handsomely for everyday spending like dining, gas and drugstore purchases. It’s also a top choice for earning rewards without paying an annual fee.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Intro balance transfer APR: 0% for 21 months on Balance Transfers. After that, a 19.24% - 29.99% (Variable) APR applies.
The Citi Simplicity® Card offers one of the longest balance transfer periods among preapproved credit cards. The card offers an intro APR of 0% for 12 months on purchases (followed by a 19.24% - 29.99% (variable) APR) and 0% for 21 months on balance transfers (followed by a 19.24% - 29.99% (variable) APR).
Who’s this card best for?
The Citi Simplicity® Card is ideal for individuals who want to transfer existing card debt and pay it off slowly without interest charges. However, the card does carry a balance transfer fee, so it may not be for everyone. Do the math to determine if the amount saved on interest charges outweighs the fee cost.
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Cash back rewards: 1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day; 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply)
The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card offers a solid cash back rewards program for applicants with lower credit scores. It earns 1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day; 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply), regardless of spending category. Cash back rewards never expire and don’t require tracking rotating categories.
Who’s this card best for?
This card is best for individuals looking to build or rebuild their credit. It’s marketed to people with fair/limited credit, making it easier to qualify for than many other rewards credit cards. Plus, the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card allows you to improve your credit while still getting rewarded for everyday spending.
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Sign-up bonus: Only Discover gives you an unlimited match of all the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. For example, if you earn 35,000 Miles, you get 70,000 Miles. There’s no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a Miles-for-Miles match.
Discover it® Miles offers a good, simple travel rewards program that’s especially rewarding in the first year. It lets you automatically earn unlimited 1.5x miles on every dollar of every purchase - with no annual fee. Plus, Discover matches all the miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year for new cardholders.
Who’s this card best for?
Discover it® Miles is best for individuals who want to earn rewards redeemable for travel without paying an annual fee. It’s also a great option for people planning a big purchase soon, as well as those who have an existing card balance that they want to pay over time without costly interest fees. The card comes with a generous 0% Intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers (then a 17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR) and a 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases (followed by a 17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR).
Intro balance transfer APR: 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers. After, a 18.24%, 24.74%, 29.99% variable APR applies.
The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card comes with long intro APR offers for new purchases and balance transfers. Cardholders receive a 0% intro APR 21 months from account opening on purchases (followed by a 18.24%, 24.74%, 29.99% variable APR) and a 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers (followed by a 18.24%, 24.74%, 29.99% variable APR).
Who’s this card best for?
The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card is best for individuals who want to finance new purchases or existing credit card debt for over a year and a half without paying interest.
Cash back rewards: 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%. 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%. 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%. 1% cash back on other purchases. Terms apply.
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is one of the most rewarding $0-annual-fee grocery and gas cards. Cash back is easily redeemable for statement credits.
Who’s this card best for?
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is best for grocery shoppers and drivers who want to earn cash back without paying an annual fee. However, note that there are spending caps on most bonus categories — as such, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is only a good option if you don’t plan to exceed spending limits, or else you could miss out on valuable rewards.
To see rates & fees for Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express please click here.
Sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a favorite among travel enthusiasts because of its incredible welcome offer and flexible travel points. Points get a 25% boost in value when you redeem them through the Chase travel portal and are even more valuable if you transfer them to Chase travel partners, including United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue and IHG Hotels.
Who’s this card best for?
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a great option for individuals who want flexible travel rewards they can use for various redemptions. Through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, you can redeem points towards travel, statement credits, Apple purchases, gift cards, dining, experiences, cash back or transfer to one of Chase’s many travel partners.
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Sign-up bonus: Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
Discover it® Student Cash Back could be a perfect tool for students who want to build their credit while earning rewards. It earns a high amount of cash back on lucrative spending categories that rotate each month, while charging a $0 annual fee.
Who’s this card best for?
The Discover it® Student Cash Back is geared toward students who want to establish and build credit. The card offers free credit score monitoring, allowing students to keep tabs on their progress as they use the card responsibly.
Cash back rewards: Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card is a solid cash back card for business owners looking for a straightforward rewards rate. For a no annual fee business card, this will help you earn a decent welcome offer and rewards on business purchases.
Who’s this card best for?
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card is best for small business owners looking for a no annual fee card with decent rewards, and could do without many bells and whistles. Plus, American Express lets you see if you’re prequalified without already having an account with them and with no impact to your credit score. If you later apply to the card and get approved, then your credit score could be affected.
To see rates & fees for The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card please click here.
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No security deposit required: You won’t need to submit a security deposit that’s tied to your credit limit
It’s hard to build credit when you don’t qualify for most credit cards. The AvantCard Credit Card could solve the issue by providing an easier path to qualifying for a card and boosting your credit. It’s a no-frills credit card with very few benefits, but it’s a great tool to build or rebuild your credit.
Who’s this card best for?
The AvantCard Credit Card is ideal for someone beginning their credit journey or rebuilding their credit after past mistakes. It’s not for individuals who want access to rewards and perks, but it can help you get your credit back on track.
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Automatic credit line increase reviews: Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as six months
The Capital One Platinum Credit Card doesn’t come packed with incredible perks and benefits, but it’s a solid card for people who haven’t established much credit history yet. There’s no security deposit like a secured credit card, and it doesn’t charge an annual fee. Plus, Capital One automatically reviews your payment history through credit line reviews as early as six months.
Who’s this card best for?
The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is for individuals with fair/limited credit history. Through Capital One, you can see if you prequalify for the card without affecting your credit score. It’s also a good option if you want to build credit, but don’t want to pay an annual fee.
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No credit check required: Apply with no impact to your credit score
The OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card is a pretty decent option for those who want to qualify for a card without a credit check. It charges a modest $35 annual fee and a fairly reasonable APR of 22.64% (variable). Cardholders can get up to a $3,000 credit limit, based on their deposit amount. And while it doesn’t come with many perks, it does offer a few Visa benefits like fraud protection and worldwide acceptance.
Who’s this card best for?
The OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card is a great choice for individuals who don’t qualify for traditional credit cards through a credit check. OpenSky reports payments to all three major credit bureaus. Through responsible use, you can build up your credit and eventually qualify for unsecured credit cards.
| Credit Cards | Our Ratings | Welcome Offer | Rewards Rate | Recommended Credit | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Chase Freedom Unlimited®
|
Winner
|
Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases. | Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases | Excellent/Good | |
|
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Apply Now
on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees |
Cash back
|
No bonus | 1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day; 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply) | Fair/Limited |
Apply Now
on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees |
|
Discover it® Miles
Apply Now
on Discover's secure site Rates & Fees |
Travel
|
Only Discover gives you an unlimited match of all the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. For example, if you earn 35,000 Miles, you get 70,000 Miles. There’s no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a Miles-for-Miles match. | Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase - with no annual fee. | Excellent/Good |
Apply Now
on Discover's secure site Rates & Fees |
|
Citi Simplicity® Card
|
Balance transfers
|
N/A | N/A | Excellent/Good | |
|
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
|
0% intro APR
|
N/A | None | Excellent/Good | |
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
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Groceries & gas
|
Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. | 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%. 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%. 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%. 1% cash back on other purchases. Terms apply. | Excellent/Good | |
|
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
|
Welcome bonus
|
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. | Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, and 2x on all other travel purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more. | Excellent | |
|
Discover it® Student Cash Back
Apply Now
on Discover's secure site Rates & Fees |
Students
|
Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match. | 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically | Fair/Limited |
Apply Now
on Discover's secure site Rates & Fees |
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
|
Business
|
N/A | Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1% | Excellent/Good | |
|
AvantCard Credit Card
Apply Now
on Avant's secure site |
Bad credit
|
None | Non-rewards card | Fair/Poor/Limited |
Apply Now
on Avant's secure site |
|
Capital One Platinum Credit Card
Apply Now
on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees |
Limited credit history
|
No bonus | Non-rewards Card | Fair/Limited |
Apply Now
on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees |
|
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
Apply Now
on Capital Bank, N.A.'s secure site |
No credit check
|
N/A | Non-rewards card | Poor/Limited |
Apply Now
on Capital Bank, N.A.'s secure site |
Credit card companies approve applicants based on their creditworthiness and other factors. In particular, some card issuers are known for being super selective in who they approve. As such, it can often be a guessing game as to whether you’ll get approved for a card or not, especially if your credit score is on the lower end of their approval range.
Luckily, some card issuers allow customers to see if they prequalify for credit cards. Here’s a look at preapproval options available through several popular credit card issuers.
| Issuer | Offers preapproval? | Required information |
|---|---|---|
| American Express | Yes | Name, address, Social Security number and income |
| Bank of America | Yes | Name, birth date, Social Security number and address |
| Capital One | Yes | Name, address, employment status, education status, income, monthly housing expense, birth date and Social Security number |
| Chase | Yes (existing customers only) | Name, address and Social Security number |
| Citi | Yes | Name, Social Security number and address |
| Discover | Yes | Name, address, birth date, monthly housing expense and income |
| U.S. Bank | Yes (existing customers only) | |
| USAA | No | |
| Wells Fargo | Yes | Name, address and Social Security number |
Preapproval and prequalification are often used interchangeably when referring to credit cards, though they often carry different meanings, depending on the card issuer. Though the definition can vary (and there’s no guarantee that your application will be accepted in any case), here’s a general sense of the meaning of these terms:
Prequalified
Prequalification typically refers to credit card offers for applicants who meet just a general credit score range or other basic requirements. Card companies may also perform a soft credit pull during the prequalification process.
Preapproval
Preapproval typically refers to credit card offers for applicants who meet more specific requirements, based on a soft credit inquiry. Credit card companies consider factors like payment history during the preapproval process.
Preapproved credit card offers are card offers available to a customer based on a soft credit inquiry. Many card issuers allow you to submit basic personal and financial information online to see if you’re preapproved for specific credit cards.
Credit card issuers perform a soft credit inquiry during the preapproval process, which doesn’t affect your credit. When you apply for a credit card, they’ll run a hard credit inquiry, which could cause your credit score to drop temporarily.
Some credit cards don’t rely on a credit check for approval. One common example are secured credit cards — these credit cards are instead secured through a refundable security deposit which often also acts as the card’s credit limit.
Many credit card issuers allow you to check online to see if you’re preapproved for a credit card. The process typically involved sharing basic personal and financial information. Other card issuers reserve preapproved offers for existing customers or send preapproval offers through mail or email.
Several card issuers allow you to check online to see if you’re preapproved for a credit card. Card issuers that offer preapproval online include American Express, Citi, Capital One, Discover, Bank of America and Wells Fargo. Chase and U.S. Bank offer prequalification to existing customers only.
Credit card approval isn’t guaranteed even if you’re preapproved for a card. During the preapproval process, credit card issuers perform a soft credit inquiry, giving them a quick snapshot of your credit history. Afterwards, you’ll see cards listed you’re likely to be approved for if you apply. When you apply for a credit card, the card issuer performs a hard credit inquiry, which may take other factors into account when determining your creditworthiness.
Capital One allows you to check to see if you’re preapproved for a credit card online. To see if you’re preapproved, you’ll need to provide personal and financial information, including your name, physical address, employment status, education status, annual income, monthly housing expense, birth date and Social Security number. If you’re preapproved for any cards, they’ll show up on the screen after submitting your information. At that point, you’ll have the option to apply for a card if you choose to do so.
You can check to see if you’re preapproved for a Discover credit card online. The process require you to enter personal and financial information, including your name, physical address, birth date, monthly housing expense and annual income. Once entered, you’ll see any available preapproved credit cards and have the option to apply for a card at that time.
You can check to see if you’re preapproved for an American Express credit card online. Checking your preapproval status requires submitting specific personal and financial information, including your name, physical address, Social Security number and annual income. Once submitted, you’ll see cards you’re preapproved for and have the option to apply online.
Chase preapproval is only available for existing customers. If you’re a current Chase customer you can check preapproval offers online by logging in to your account. Once logged in, you’ll see available card offers based on your relationship with Chase, then have an opportunity to apply for one if you choose.
In selecting the best credit cards, we evaluated factors such as rewards, sign-up bonuses, 0% intro APRs and accessibility for consumers with varied credit histories.
Many of the cards on this list charge no annual fee. If a card does charge an annual fee, it offers enough value through rewards and benefits to make it worth the fee in certain situations.
Finally, benefits such as travel and extended warranty protections were weighed in favor when offered.
To see rates & fees for Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express please click here.
To see rates & fees for The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card please click here.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply
The information related to Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Freedom Unlimited® has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.
The above offers and/or promotions may have since changed, expired, or is no longer available. Check the Issuers’ website for more details.
