You can get a credit card for free online by going to a credit card comparison website or directly to an issuer’s site and applying for a card without monthly, annual, or activation fees. You’ll also need to pay your credit card bill in full each month when the regular APR is in effect to avoid interest charges.
How to Get a Credit Card Online for Free
- Research all the options you qualify for. One of the most important steps in getting a credit card is comparing the available offers. First, check your credit score for free to have a better idea of the cards you could be eligible for. Then, compare cards without any monthly or annual fees to find the best free offer for your needs. Also, consider cards with a 0% intro APR, so your card is interest-free to start out. You can compare credit cards on WalletHub.
- Try to get pre-qualified. One way to check your approval odds is to get pre-qualified, which can usually be done online. For pre-qualification, the issuer requires some personal information, and they will do a soft pull on your credit, which does not affect your credit score. Pre-qualification does not guarantee that you will get a card, but it indicates the issuer believes you are eligible for a specific card.
- Complete an application online. Once you’ve picked the right credit card and confirmed you have good approval odds, go to the issuer’s website and select “apply.” You will need to provide information like your name, address, income, and Social Security number.
- Wait for a decision. Most issuers give an instant decision to people who apply online, so you shouldn’t have to wait too long. If your application is rejected, you should ideally wait six months to a year before applying again. Each credit application results in a hard inquiry on your credit report, which temporarily hurts your credit score.
Cardholders who don’t check the terms carefully could still end up paying fees on their credit cards, and if you make purchases with your card, you will need to make monthly payments. However, applying for one of the best free credit cards can certainly help you save money.
How to Get a Free Virtual Credit Card Online
Virtual credit cards mask your actual credit card number while you make purchases online. Some issuers like American Express, Capital One, and Citibank offer their own virtual card services for customers in addition to Click to Pay, a service created by the four major credit card networks.
Cardholders can enroll in Click to Pay through their card network’s website. For example, if you have a Visa credit card, enroll through the Visa website. Simply provide your name, email address, card number, and a few other pieces of personal information to create an account.
Similarly, you can set up a virtual card with most issuers by logging in to your card account online and choosing it in the account settings. Some issuers may not have their virtual card options displayed on their home page. In that case, you will need to search a little on your issuer’s site. The issuer will then add the number to your account, and you can use it while shopping online.
This answer was first published on 02/10/23. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.
