Pre-qualifying could help you better understand what credit card offers you may be eligible for based on your credit profile. But does pre-qualification affect your credit score? Typically, no.
Learn more about pre-qualifying for credit cards below.
How does pre-qualification work?
Pre-qualifying can be a great way to see what cards you might be eligible for before applying.
You can pre-qualify for credit cards using free online pre-qualification forms on card issuers’ websites. When you submit your personal details, the issuer performs a soft credit inquiry to gauge the risk of lending to you. You may also receive promotional emails or mail directly from your lender letting you know you’ve pre-qualified for certain credit cards.
Pre-qualification can give you a sense of how likely you are to be eligible for a particular card but does not guarantee application approval. A lender can reject your credit card application even if you’ve successfully pre-qualified.
Why getting pre-qualified for a credit card won’t hurt your credit score
Pre-qualification won't hurt your credit score because the process involves a soft credit inquiry, rather than a hard credit inquiry.
Soft credit inquiries can appear on your credit report, but they don’t affect your credit score. In fact, you can check to see which cards you pre-qualify for multiple times in a short time span without worrying about a dip in your credit score.
In contrast, a hard credit inquiry generally only takes place when you apply for a loan or credit card. A hard credit inquiry can lower your credit score by a few points for about a year, and many hard credit inquiries in a short period can signal risk to lenders.
How to get pre-qualified without affecting your credit score
Pre-qualification offers a way to compare different credit cards before you choose your best fit.
You can pre-qualify for credit cards in two ways:
- Direct offers from lenders: Credit card issuers may send pre-screened credit card offers based on your credit profile. Check your email and physical mail for offers.
- Pre-qualification tool: Card issuers often have pre-screening tools on their sites that let you see which cards you qualify for. You may also be able to see what cards you qualify for by calling a card issuer or by visiting a bank branch and talking to a representative.
Use the Citi pre-qualification tool to check your credit card eligibility without hurting your credit score. Simply enter a few personal details, including your name, address and last four digits of your Social Security number (SSN), to get personalized offers.
Disclosure: This article is for educational purposes. It is not intended to provide legal, investment, or financial advice and is not a substitute for professional advice. It does not indicate the availability of any Citi product or service. For advice about your specific circumstances, you should consult a qualified professional.
