Advertiser Disclosure
Many of the offers that appear on this site are from companies from which The Motley Fool receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear) and may influence which products we write about, but our product ratings are not influenced by compensation. We do not include all companies or offers available in the marketplace.
Brooklyn leads the content team behind product reviews and ratings at Motley Fool Money, ensuring readers get well-researched, expert-backed insights to make smarter financial decisions. With nearly seven years working full-time in financial content -- four of them at The Motley Fool -- she has developed a deep passion for personal finance, from investing strategies to everyday money management. Her financial goals include buying a house and planning as many trips as her budget allows. In her free time, you’ll likely find her listening to a pop culture podcast or telling anyone who will listen to get a high-yield savings account.
Many or all of the products here are from our partners that compensate us. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures that our product ratings are not influenced by compensation.
I didn't get my first credit card until my 20s. Not because I didn't want one, but because the whole thing felt a little overwhelming. What if I picked the wrong one? What if I got denied? If you've ever felt the same, trust me, you're not the only one.
But here's the good news: Getting approved isn't about luck. It's about knowing how credit cards work, what banks actually care about, and how to set yourself up before you hit "apply." Once you've got a card in your wallet, the perks are real. I've booked at least five free flights just by using mine strategically and paying it off every month.
If you're thinking it might be time, here's a step-by-step look at how to apply for a credit card and what to do before you start.
Once you know what you're hoping to get out of a card, it's a lot easier to avoid flashy offers that don't actually match your needs.
Step 1: Check your credit score
Before you browse cards, get a read on where your credit score stands. Every card targets a different credit profile -- some are built for beginners or folks rebuilding, others are aimed at people with excellent credit and a long credit history.
You can check your score for free using tools like Credit Karma, your bank's app, or directly through Experian. I usually check mine through the Chase app. It's not always perfect, but it gives me a good idea of what's helping or hurting. (Mine always says my credit history is "good" but not "great," which just means I haven't had a card long enough to max that out.)
If your score is lower than expected, go a step further and pull your full credit report from the three bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. You're now entitled to one free report per bureau per week (it used to be once annually). Look for any mistakes and dispute them -- sometimes a simple fix can boost your score.
Step 2: Choose a card that fits your credit profile
Here's where a lot of people go wrong. They apply for a card that doesn't match their credit situation and get denied right out of the gate.
If you're building credit or your score isn't super high (been there), look for cards built for fair credit. That might mean a secured card (you put down a deposit as your limit) or a starter card with modest rewards and easier approval criteria.
If you've got good or excellent credit, your options open up -- think bigger rewards, intro bonuses, and lower interest rates. The key is finding a card designed for your credit range.
Credit card comparison
We recommend comparing options to ensure the card you're selecting is the best fit for you. To make your search easier, here's a short list of standout credit cards.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Best for cash back on rotating categories
Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers–only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
1% - 5% Cashback
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Best for unlimited rewards on purchases
25,000 points
25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
1.5-3 points per dollar
Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center.
Intro:
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases. 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers will apply. A 3% fee for 60 days from account opening, then 4% fee applies to all balance transfers. Balance transfers
may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.
Purchases: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days
4.80/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
$200 cash back
$200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
1% - 6% cash back
Earn 6% cash back for the first year in the category of your choice, 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Earn 6% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter in the choice category, and at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, then earn unlimited 1% thereafter. After the first year from account opening, you’ll earn 3% cash back on purchases in your choice category and 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs up to the quarterly maximum.
Intro:
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.24% - 28.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.
Purchases: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days
Quick win here: Before you apply, see if you're prequalified.
Most major credit card issuers offer this feature. It's a soft credit check (so no impact to your score), and you just fill in some basic info -- name, address, last four of your SSN -- and they'll show you any cards you might be eligible for.
Prequalification isn't a sure thing, but it's a strong signal. If you get a hit, your odds of approval are definitely better.
Step 4: Pay down any credit card debt (if you can)
Your current debt matters when you apply. Two numbers banks care about:
Credit utilization ratio -- How much of your available credit you're using. Try to keep it under 30%, ideally under 10%.
Debt-to-income ratio -- How much of your income goes toward debt. This shows up more with loans, but it can still impact credit card decisions.
If you're carrying balances, try to pay some of it down before applying. Even a few hundred bucks can give your score a lift, and make you look more creditworthy.
Step 5: Apply online -- it's faster than you think
Once you've found the right card, applying online is easy. Head to the issuer's website and click "Apply Now."
You'll need:
Full name and date of birth
Social Security number (or ITIN)
Address and contact info
Total annual income
And yes, include all income you have access to. If you're over 21, that can include your partner's income or side gigs, not just your day job.
Step 6: Submit and wait for a decision
After you apply, you'll usually get one of three outcomes:
Approved -- Woohoo! Your card will arrive in seven to 10 days.
Pending -- Don't freak out. It just means they need more time to review something.
Denied -- Not fun, but not the end. You can call the card issuer and ask for a reconsideration. Sometimes a real human can make a different call after hearing your full story.
A few last tips
Only apply for one card at a time. Multiple apps can ding your score.
Be honest about where your credit stands. That helps you avoid unnecessary denials.
Focus on the long-term benefit. A flashy rewards card is great, but consistent payments and smart use matter way more when you're building or rebuilding credit.
Ready to apply?
Applying for a credit card doesn't have to be scary -- and it doesn't have to end in rejection either. With a little prep, you can stack the odds in your favor and start building credit (or racking up rewards) the smart way.
We've reviewed hundreds of cards so you don't have to. Whether you're starting from scratch or hunting for the best perks, check out our top credit card picks to find one that fits your goals.
Credit card comparison
We recommend comparing options to ensure the card you're selecting is the best fit for you. To make your search easier, here's a short list of standout credit cards.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Best for cash back on rotating categories
Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers–only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
1% - 5% Cashback
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Best for unlimited rewards on purchases
25,000 points
25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
1.5-3 points per dollar
Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center.
Intro:
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases. 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers will apply. A 3% fee for 60 days from account opening, then 4% fee applies to all balance transfers. Balance transfers
may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.
Purchases: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days
4.80/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
$200 cash back
$200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
1% - 6% cash back
Earn 6% cash back for the first year in the category of your choice, 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Earn 6% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter in the choice category, and at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, then earn unlimited 1% thereafter. After the first year from account opening, you’ll earn 3% cash back on purchases in your choice category and 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs up to the quarterly maximum.
Intro:
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.24% - 28.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.
Purchases: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days
Yes, but only slightly. A single application typically dings your score by a few points. It'll bounce back over time, especially if you're approved and use your card responsibly.
There's no universal number, but most unsecured cards require a score of 580 or higher. If you're below that, consider a secured credit card or one specifically designed for building credit.
Yes. Many banks offer cards for people new to credit, including student cards or secured cards that require a deposit.
Share This Page
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Motley Fool Money is 100% owned and operated by The Motley Fool. Our knowledgeable team of personal finance editors and analysts are employed by The Motley Fool and held to the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands.
Terms may apply to offers listed on this page.
Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Brooklyn Welch has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends JPMorgan Chase, Mastercard, Target, and Uber Technologies. The Motley Fool recommends Capital One Financial. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Visa.
Motley Fool Money is a Motley Fool service that rates and reviews essential products for your everyday money matters.
