Credit Cards Online Information

Everyone is familiar with the credit card applications we get in the mail every week. While many of these cards say you are pre-approved, you can still wait for several weeks before hearing of a decision on the acceptance of your application. The Internet has changed all that. Applying for a credit card online can mean getting approved in a matter of minutes. What are some things to look for in applying for any new credit card online?

How Is Your Credit?

If you know that your credit is good then you'll have no issues in getting approved for an online credit card. The credit cards with the best terms and rates will always go to the consumers with the best credit. So, it is always a good idea to know what your credit report says about you. Be sure to check your credit report at least twice a year. Another benefit of doing that is to be sure there are no errors on it.

If you haven't reviewed your credit report in some time, then it would be a good idea to do so before applying for a new credit card. Check it out for accuracy and fix anything that needs attention. Keep in mind that by applying for credit cards and getting turned down, will affect your FICO score. This can play a key role in getting future credit offers.

Applying Online

After you know whether or not your credit is good enough to be approved for a new credit card, you're ready to apply online for an immediate approval card. All credit card companies will ask you for the same basic information: name, address, phone, social security number, date of birth, employer, length of employment, gross income, etc.

Before you apply online for your new credit card, read the terms and conditions carefully. Check to make sure there are no surprise fees. All credit card companies will require you to submit your social security number. They do this so they can pull your credit report and determine whether or not you are creditworthy enough to approve you for a new card. One important note to check for; make sure that you are using a secure server when transmitting the information online. It should say SSL 128-bit encryption. This is standard procedure over the Internet today. It will make it virtually impossible for someone to steal your information.

When you enter in all your information and press "send", you will have an approval/disapproval decision in minutes. It will either show up right on computer screen, or be sent to your email address.

After you receive the news of your approval, you can expect your new credit card to arrive in the mail usually within 2 weeks. If you have been turned down for the credit card you applied for, you'll be sent a letter in the mail stating the reasons for your denial. Check over the reason for your denial. It may simply be a mistake, in which you can speak to someone at the credit card company and they can help you get it corrected.