Getting approved for a new credit card is exciting, but waiting a week or more for it to arrive in the mail isn’t. Fortunately, some issuers let you start using your new card immediately after approval, either by providing an instant card number or by allowing you to add your card to a digital wallet.
That instant access can give you a head start on meeting the welcome bonus spending requirement, since the clock starts ticking as soon as your account is approved — not when your physical card arrives. It can also come in handy if you need to make a purchase right away, whether you’re booking travel or taking advantage of a 0% introductory APR offer.
Here’s a look at which major credit card issuers offer instant card numbers, digital wallet access or both.
Our top picks for cards with instant access
Some issuers provide an instant card number, while others let you add your card to a digital wallet immediately.
For cobranded store credit cards, you may also receive a discount on your purchases, starting as soon as you use the card. It’s important to note that some issuers, like Chase, will allow you to add your card to a digital wallet but not give an instant card number.
Not every issuer provides an instant card number. Some, like Chase, instead let eligible cardholders add their new card to a digital wallet immediately after approval. Both options let you start using your card before the physical version arrives.
While there are too many cards to list that offer instant card numbers or access, here are six of our top picks.
| Card | Welcome offer | Annual fee | Best for | Level of instant card access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 175,000 bonus points after spending $12,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. (Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.) |
$895 (see rates and fees) |
Premium lounge access and lifestyle benefits (enrollment required for select benefits) |
It provides access to the full card number and the ability to add to digital wallets. |
|
|
Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 100,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases in your first six months of card membership. (Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.)
|
$325 (see rates and fees) |
Dining at restaurants worldwide and shopping at U.S. supermarkets |
It provides access to the full card number and the ability to add to digital wallets. |
|
|
Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. |
$395 |
Simple miles earning and lounge access |
Eligible approved cardholders can receive instant access via the Capital One app and add their card to a digital wallet. |
|
|
Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. |
$95 |
Travel rewards for a modest annual fee |
Eligible approved cardholders can receive instant access via the Capital One app and add their card to a digital wallet. |
|
|
Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. |
$95 |
Travel rewards with a variety of bonus categories |
Ability to add your card to digital wallets with Spend Instantly. |
|
|
Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. |
$795 |
Premium travel rewards |
Add your card to digital wallets with Spend Instantly. |
American Express
American Express provides your new account number immediately after approval of your online application, assuming your identity can be verified.
The instant card number will be the same as the physical card you’ll get in the mail, but the four-digit card identification number on the front of the card will be different. Because of that, you’ll want to avoid using this card for recurring payments.
Note that instant card numbers for some cobranded cards may only be used with the cobranded company (like Delta, Hilton or Marriott).
In addition to instant numbers for new cardmembers, Amex gives existing cardmembers access to their card information when ordering replacement cards.
Related: The best American Express cards
Most Amex personal and business cards offer instant card numbers (except for the Amazon Business Card and the Amazon Business Prime Card).
The information for the Amazon Business and Amazon Business Prime cards have been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Some of our top picks include:
Related: The power of the Amex Trifecta
Bank of America
Occasionally, those with Bank of America checking accounts may receive a targeted promotion offering an instant card number for cards like the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card; however, this is not standard practice.
You may be able to receive an instant card number by applying through the Bank of America app, but data points on this vary. Your best bet is to establish a relationship with Bank of America and wait for a targeted offer.
Related: The best Bank of America credit cards
Barclays
With Barclays, you may be eligible to receive a virtual card number upon approval. When added to a digital wallet, this number can be used to make purchases until your physical card arrives.
You should be able to retrieve your virtual card number from the same page you use to check your application status, provided you’re approved for the card.
Capital One
It may be possible to use your Capital One card number instantly, but not everyone will have this opportunity. You must be an existing account holder and use the Capital One mobile app to access an instant account number.
This differs from Capital One’s virtual card numbers, which are designed to help protect your purchases rather than provide immediate access to a newly approved account.
Some of our top picks for Capital One cards offering instant card numbers to eligible applicants are:
Related: Capital One Venture vs Venture Rewards
Cardless
Cardless focuses on cobranded credit cards you can use without a physical card. These are available instantly upon approval and can be used throughout the life of the card.
Through the Cardless app, you can access these cobranded cards and even get a new card number immediately if your card is ever compromised.
Cardless provides cobranded credit cards for brands like Simon Property Group, Avianca, Bilt and LATAM Airlines.
Chase
It is possible to use popular Chase cards instantly upon account approval by adding them to a digital wallet via Spend Instantly. These include the Chase Sapphire Preferred, United℠ Explorer Card (see rates and fees) and World of Hyatt Credit Card (see rates and fees).
It’s important to note that this does not include a way to access an instant card number, but a way to instantly add your card to a digital wallet.
Here are the steps to set up Spend Instantly.
- Open the Chase app.
- Go to your card account.
- Navigate to “Account services”, then select “Digital wallets”.
- Then, choose which mobile wallet you want to add your card to. Follow those steps, and you should be good to go to use your card at merchants that accept digital wallets.
However, the issuer notes that there are several cards you cannot use immediately, including Mastercards, Amazon cards, and business cards.
Related: The best Chase cards
Citi
Citi offers instant card numbers for select cards if your application is approved instantly and your identity is verified. However, note that you’ll have just one opportunity to view this number, so be sure to write it down.
Instant credit card numbers are not available on small-business or American Airlines credit cards, according to a Citi spokesperson.
Some readers have reported not having the option to get an instant card number with cards like the Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees).
If your credit card application is approved instantly, you can click on “Get Card Number Today” to access your new card’s virtual number. Verification may be required to access your instant card number.
Once you see a green check mark, click on “See Card Summary” to view your temporary card number and card verification value number. However, you won’t have access to your card’s full spending limit until you receive the physical card.
However, only a few cards typically allow you access to your temporary card number, including:
A caveat here is that you can only make purchases via instant access at AT&T and Costco with the AT&T Points Plus and Costco Anywhere Visa, respectively. Instant access purchases are not available at other merchants with those cards.
The information for the AT&T Points Plus Card and Citi Custom Cash has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: The best Citi credit cards
Discover
Discover often gives you an instant decision on whether you’ve been approved for a credit card. After this decision, if eligible, you can receive a virtual card number to use online or add to a digital wallet.
The Discover it® Cash Back Credit Card is our top pick. It is a good card for beginners, offering an unlimited cash-back match in the first year and rotating 5% quarterly cashback categories.
The information for the Discover it Cash Back card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
SoFi
SoFi’s credit cards offer instant access to a digital card, with physical cards arriving in the mail within 10 business days. These cards include:
- SoFi Unlimited Credit Card
- SoFi Everyday Cash Rewards Credit Card
- SoFi Essential Credit Card
The first two options offer great cash back. The SoFi Unlimited offers unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases. Meanwhile, the SoFi Everyday offers up to 3% bonus cash back in a variety of categories, including dining and groceries.
The information for the SoFi Unlimited Credit Card, SoFi Everyday Cash Rewards Credit Card and SoFi Essential Credit Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: The best 2% cash-back credit cards
Synchrony
There are two Synchrony cards you can use immediately upon approval. However, you’ll only be able to use them instantly within digital wallets or within their respective apps: PayPal (for the PayPal Cashback Mastercard®) and Venmo (for the Venmo Credit Card).
You’ll need to wait for your card to arrive by mail before you can make purchases with other merchants.
The information for the PayPal Mastercard and Venmo Credit Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
US Bank
U.S. Bank typically offers instant card numbers only to consumer cardholders who have verified identities and a banking history with the bank. U.S. Bank has some excellent cash-back card offerings, including:
The information for the U.S. Bank Altitude Go and U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo generally does not offer instant card numbers, but you may be able to add your card to a digital wallet. Where you can use this virtual card may be restricted until your physical card arrives.
Bottom line
Some issuers offer expedited shipping for your new card. In most cases, though, you’ll have to wait roughly a week for your new card to arrive in the mail.
Having instant access to your new card details can make a big difference, especially if you want to start working toward meeting the minimum spending requirement to receive a welcome bonus as soon as possible.
If getting immediate access to your new card is important, check whether your issuer offers an instant card number or digital wallet access before you apply. That extra week or so can make a meaningful difference when you’re working toward a valuable welcome bonus or need to make a purchase right away.
Related: Want concert presale access? Don’t be loyal to one bank
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold card, click here.
