If you’re in the market for a new credit card, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the many options available. Fortunately, you can narrow down your choices by checking which cards you’re likely to be approved for through pre-qualification.
While it’s not a guarantee of approval, pre-qualification could give you a general idea of whether you may be approved without impacting your credit score. Here’s what you need to know.
What does it mean to pre-qualify for a credit card?
Pre-qualifying for a credit card means a card issuer has done an initial review to see if you may meet the basic criteria for a card before you apply. To check for pre-qualification, you share a few personal and financial details, such as:
- Your full name
- Email address
- Physical address
- Last four digits of your Social Security number (SSN)
- Income information
The card issuer also performs a soft credit check, which doesn’t impact your credit score.
What to do before getting pre-qualified
Each card issuer sets its own eligibility requirements, and individual cards may have different criteria. Generally, you may be able to improve your chances of getting pre-qualified by:
- Paying your bills on time: A consistent payment history helps show you manage credit responsibly
- Keep your credit utilization low: Not using too much of your available credit may help strengthen your overall credit profil
- Review your credit report regularly: Dispute any errors that could impact your eligibility
- Lower existing debt where possible: Lenders may consider your current debt when estimating your approval odds
- Provide accurate income information: The information you provide during pre-qualification helps issuers match you with offers that suit your financial situation
How to see if you pre-qualify for a credit card
There are several ways to find out if you pre-qualify for a particular credit card, including:
- Check for pre-qualified offers in your mail (and your email): Card issuers may send you an offer in the mail indicating that you’re already pre-qualified for a particular credit card. They may also send pre-qualification offers straight to your email inbox.
- Fill out a pre-qualification form online: You may be able to see which cards you pre-qualify for by filling out a screening application on the card issuer’s website. Simply fill out the form, submit your information and see which credit cards you may pre-qualify for, if any.
- Call or visit in person: You may be able to get pre-qualified offers by contacting the credit card issuer via phone or stopping into a brick-and-mortar location. The representative who helps you over the phone or in person can let you know which cards you may pre-qualify for. They may also be able to help you apply for a card if you choose to.
